Handley Page Heyford

This is a fairly easy article in that there aren't many models of the prototype out there. The Heyford suffers from the same issue as all British (and for that matter American) interwar heavy bombers. There isn't much interest and only limited run manufacturers will take a punt. What is surprising is that we actually got an injection molded kit of the Heyford in 1/72 thanks to Matchbox. What isn't surprising is that it needs almost as much work as a limited run kit, i.e. the Contrail vacform to bring it up to an acceptable standard. It is heavily simplified and rumour has it, it was the kit that sank Matchbox. When Revell (owning the Matchbox molds) reissued the kit 'due to popular demand' it didn't sell either and it is still easy to find original Matchbox molds on ebay. No one has attempted a 1/48 version to the best of my knowledge.

Versions
The Heyford came in 4 versions the Mk. 1, 1A, 2 and 3 and the Matchbox kit allows you to build all of them though with caveats. It's actually a bit of a mixture with Mk. 1 engine mounts and a Mk. 2 fuselage. For an accurate Mk. 2 or Mk. 3 the engine mounts need to be raised a scale 18 inches but you could probably get away with leaving that change undone. As a bonus the Matchbox kit includes spats for K3489, the first production aircraft. This can be modelled by switching the numerals in the decals for K3498 (a standard Mk. 1). Matchbox also give you the option of dual control - a lot of Heyfords didn't fly with dual controls though.

Improving the Heyford
Matchbox simplified alarmingly. Firstly they omitted the prominent fabric ribbing on the rear fabric portion of the fuselage. This can be replicated by using very thin plasticard cut to shape and scoring lines along it with a ball point pen.

Likewise with the front fuselage - a lot of corrugation was omitted probably due to molding considerations. All the corrugations behind the cockpit and underneath the front fuselage need to be added; 0.3 mm rod works well here. Matchbox also separated the front and rear fuselages at the prototypical break point which makes it a straightforward job. If you're modeling a Mk. 1 or 1A you also need to eliminate the front windows which only came in with the Mk. 2. This is an easy job - just install the transparent parts and fill and file. Then extend the corrugation to cover the empty space. Under the wings Matchbox have included two raised rectangles. These are gross simplifications of toast rack practice bomb/flare carriers and need to be removed. Luckily the plastic is thick enough. Matchbox did mold the underwing serials with a cut out to take account of this which was totally wrong. The final change are the engine nacelles. Once again they're simplified. The radiator should be open at the rear (Matchbox have it solid). There are also cutouts behind the engine and the engine front itself is open behind the propeller. There is a lot of cutting involved here. Vickers Potts oil coolers need to be added as well - something missed by Matchbox. One has to take note - these were in different positions for the Mk. 1.

Detailing
This is a matter of taste but the cockpit needs more as does the front gunner's station. The rear gunner's station also needs work. External details to be added include fuel vent pipes, pitot tubes, aileron balance weights, navigation/position lights, rudder balances, gun rings and Holt flare brackets. Replacement Lewis guns can be easily obtained - FineMolds, Gaspatch or Master do superb replacements but finding the right gun ring is a bit more difficult. The Heyford didn't use a Scarf ring but a Hawker gun ring. These used to be obtainable from Aeroclub but no longer. The aileron balances can either be scratch built or Quickboost Wellington balances can be used. The light bomb carriers can come from the Steelworks or Eduard sets with the larger carriers (if one chooses to fit them as frequently they weren't carried) from the Steelworks set. Holt flare brackets are more problematic but can be scratch built. Vickers Potts oil coolers can be Steelworks or one of the other brands.

Colour schemes
Overall NIVO for almost all aircraft with one or two aircraft camouflaged late in life. Matchbox cover one of these Mk. 3s on their decal sheet. Some Heyfords were apparently also painted yellow. The Heyford carried roundels in six positions with serials in black and aircraft ID letters in flight colours. Some aircraft had the flight letters in 4 positions others just on the nose. Squadron badges were also carried by No.7 and No. 10 Squadrons.

The Matchbox sheet does include the No.7 Squadron badge but any others would have to come from the custom market. There aren't any decals available apart from the kit decals. APC Decals of Czechoslovakia do a repop of the kit decals but that is all. No aftermarket company has bothered to cover this (or for that matter) any other RAF interwar heavy bomber.

References
The main reference is the old Profile Publications No. 182 dedicated to the Heyford. One can also buy the AP (the RAF guide to the aircraft) to download and this is invaluable though most of the photos are Mk. 3s. Photos are also readily available to download.

The Matchbox Heyford is a fun build but also a lot of work to turn into anything reasonable. When built though it really does shine out as a centrepiece in a collection.