Airfix Avro Vulcan, 1/72nd scale, XM607, Falklands conflict
Inspired by reading Rowland White's book "Vulcan 607" recounting the history of the "Black Buck" missions during the Falklands conflict, this is the 1983 vintage MPC kit No. 1-4552 issue of the Airfix Avro Vulcan The kit has been supplanted in quality by the recently released new tool Airfix Vulcan in the same scale. Most panel lines are raised. The most problematic feature of the kit is the very poor stock kit fit of the right and left wing sections to the fuselage and the engine intake trunks that have very prominent seams after assembly. The wing joint was corrected by extensively reworking the joining surfaces with substantial filing with a 12 inch mill smooth file and carving to produce a satisfactory fit. I also added scratch build seats for the rearward facing three crew members and a floor to provide some interior where none was provided although even if the model is turned over to look up into the entry way little is seen. An adequate amount of lead weight was added to the nose area to allow the model to sit upon its gear properly and Scale Aircraft Conversion white metal landing gear were substituted for the original kit parts. The markings were for XM607 the aircraft that completed the first arduous Black Buck mission. For the markings, the Print Scale 1/72 scale Avro Vulcan, Part 2 decal set was used and a Hasegawa ALQ-119 pod was added. When ready for painting the model was primed with decanted aerosol can Rustoleum Gloss Black enamel thinned about 25% with a 50/50 mix of toluene and naptha. The camouflage pattern was duplicated by creating paper masks from enlargement to 1/72nd scale of the paint color demarcation diagram obtained online from a modeling website's color reference section specifying the disruptive pattern of medium sea grey and RAF dark green upper surfaces and dark sea grey lower surfaces. A gloss clear coat of Future thinned with 91% isopropyl alcohol was applied prior to decal application followed by application of Tamiya gray and black panel liner. Some exhaust staining was applied with airbrushed Tamiya Smoke but no other weathering as the aircraft were kept very clean and the undersurface color was newly applied for the Falklands campaign. The final clear coat was airbrushed Testors Glosscote plus Dullcote mixed 50/50 and thinned with lacquer thinner for a satin finish.
In 2022 the model won the Sac Bombing Trophy at the 2022 IPMS Reno 21st Annual Model Contest.
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A wonderful result out of that old mold, Stephen! And a prize well deserved!
Congratulations!
Thanks, Spiros! I had intended to build this long stored kit before the new Airfix Vulcan was released. After completion this model takes up so much display and storage space I decided to forego buying the new mold Vulcan but the good news is another closet queen built!
What Spiros says.
Thank you!
A well deserved prize, Stephen @sofglock
This Vulcan looks amazing.
Well done.
The beautifully applied camouflage really sets off this Vulcan, although, if I’m honest, I prefer the original all white colour scheme. A deserved prize winner.
I think people forget just what an awful task they were designed to do. The conventional bombing role and particularly black Buck was a bit of a whimper after their proper role and quite controversial. A great model though of a great aircraft.
I agree and its a completely amazing story of how the RAF Vulcan crews and support teams were able to operationalize the mission given the abysmal lack of support or upgrades the Vulcan units had received from the Ministry of Defense over the preceding years. The aircraft seemed quite obsolete for their normal NATO strategic bombing role.
Knocked this one out of the park. Well done!
What a beautiful model! you did a wonderful job on this old kit...lots of hard, tedious work that paid off handsomely...CONGRATULATIONS!
Few people realize that some Vulcans were based here in the US as partof a SAC commitment. I was stationed at Nellis 1969-72 when Vulcans were here. I recall a visit by a Vulcan to Nellis, where it put on an aerial display over the base. What an amazing sight it was.The Vulcan can really perform high-bank, tight turns, for sure!
We were used to seeing the USAF Thunderbirds, there at Nellis, but the Vulcan can hold its own in the air.
Congratulations again on a fine job.
Thank you. I was aware of the RAF Vulcans participating in a number of exercises at Nellis and also the William Tell competition. I always was amazed how the pilot/copilot could fly the plane with the incredibly poor visibility from the cockpit. By the time of the Falklands the Vulcans had been so neglected in upgrades and functional capability it was a sad situation but the RAF crews and support managed to upgrade, train, and implement a effective mission plan. Check out the book I mentioned; it's an eye opening story.
Well done Stephen especially using an old timer of a kit. An congratulations on the award. Actually saw one fly as it put on a demonstration at the Cleveland,Ohio, Lake Front Airport during an airshow. I believe that Vulcan flew out of Canada for the demonstration. It's a really big impressive aircraft.
Great job on the old kit. I still have the same one in my stash and hope I can do half as well. Beautiful!
Nice build of that old kit! A classic Cold War warrior. Well done.