A Suitcase that Flies! Handley Page Hampden in 1/72
This is my version of Valom’s 1/72 Handley Page Hampden, depicting AT 246 of 489 Squadron. An early version of the twin-engine fighter bomber, it was deployed in key missions before being quickly superseded by craft that were less vulnerable to attack. A beautiful and unlikely looking war plane, it’s broad wings and narrow, long-tailed body make it seem like the offspring of a bat and a pregnant seahorse.
The Valom model is no shake-n-bake: a limited run kit, it lacks any locating pins or obvious means for one piece to attach to another - beyond a butt joint and a lot of liquid cement. Made from thick and rather unpleasant plastic, it challenges you to carve and add what you need to make a replica durable enough to handle while painting. However, once the parts have something to grab onto, the fit is quite good (apart from the engine cowlings to the nacelles).
There’s a couple of sheets of PE details to figure out, plus a small sheet of misaligned decals.
The only other version of this plane in 1/72 is the vintage Airfix kit. I chose this one because of its bizarrely intense surface detail; row upon row of rivets pepper the surface, and while its certainly inaccurate for the scale, it’s fun to paint nevertheless.
I added canopy transparencies and masks from AZ Models, and a pilot from PJ Productions. Apart from that, I adapted it to in-flight mode, which required shaving the wheels down and some surgery on the undercarriage bay doors. The black underside hides a load of shaky craft trying to get this to work.
I know it's a poor crafts-person who blames the kit, but I had to take some shortcuts with this one. Some more sanding and filling, and a few more hours with the painting would’ve produced something better. However, I enjoyed trying to wrestle this tough little kit into the unique lines of the Hampden.
9 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on December 14, 2020
You did a wonderful job on this difficult kit, Tim!
I also love the Hampden looks.
I love to see challenging kits finished, especially in such a great way.
The in-flight posture is nice and dramatic. Suits the Hampden perfectly.
Well done!
Tim T said on December 14, 2020
Thanks, Spiros! Challenging indeed, and I'm glad I can move on!
Bernard Bedeur said on December 14, 2020
Great job. I hope to do as well on my airfix kit !
One of 3 Early workhorses of bomber command that took on the nazi’s.
Tim T said on December 14, 2020
Cheers, Bernard! Yes, I love those early twin-engine bombers. Look forward to seeing your results on the Airfix kit!
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on December 14, 2020
Love the original and love your model of it. You have really managed to show all quirky details and odd bits with your photography. A really cool looking aircraft.
Tim T said on December 14, 2020
Thanks, Stellan. It is a cool plane - eccentric, really. Hard to think of what this evolved into. It's easier to see a line of succession between Blenheims and Beaufighters.
John vd Biggelaar said on December 14, 2020
Great looking Hampden in action, Tim @timtozer231
A not so often seen build very nicely finished.
The paintwork on the transparant parts looks great.
Tim T said on December 14, 2020
Thanks, John. An updated kit would be great! The restoration at Cosford should surely inspire someone to have a go.
Tom Cleaver said on December 14, 2020
You're a braver man than I, Tim T. A true victory of talent and perseverance over plastic.
Greg Kittinger said on December 14, 2020
That's a real beauty! I've built Valom kits, and they are not easy! I've got the Airfix kit of this and now I'm motivated to build it after seeing yours. Love the paint and weathering work on this.
Tim T said on December 14, 2020
Thanks, Tom and Greg.
You'll have to let me know how the Airfix kit works - I had some buyer's remorse as I looked at the parts and approximate instructions for this one, but It was a fun painting experience even so.
Bob Bailey said on December 14, 2020
Looks like a tough bird that's seen some serious action. Nice work.
Allan J Withers said on December 15, 2020
Nicely done Tim, I have one of these to do myself, apart from the lack of locating pins it looks quite detailed !
George Williams said on December 15, 2020
Great job on what is obviously a difficult kit, and your excellent photography shows it at its best. Definitely liked.
Paul Barber said on December 15, 2020
Excellent work, Tim. Really impressive in-flight pose too!
John Healy said on December 15, 2020
Great job. A challenge is nice every now and then. I looked at one of those in the box at the LHS and put it back on the shelf, reasoning it’s only a matter of time before Airfix retools the Hampden
Tim T said on December 15, 2020
Hope you're right, John. Seems like it should be Airfix's responsibility to give us the definitive version. Perhaps in 1/48 too.