Review: 1/72 Sword Fairey Gannet AEW.3

I like 1960's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) aircraft and inspired by the amazing painting on the box art, I purchased Sword's Fairey Gannet AEW.3, in 1/72 scale. I chose the second set of markings, included in the kit, depicting aircraft XP224 of 263H, 849 Squadron, as it was on HMS Hermes in 1968.

Included are resin parts to build out the pit of the aft-radar station compartment, all of which- even with one of the hatches open, you really cannot see. The cockpit is similarly well equipped with photo etched seatbelts and a nice ejection seat. I note that while the pilot had the capacity to eject, his fellow crew members behind them would have to roll out of the hatch. I wonder about the sanity of the "scope dopes" in the back, endless hours of circling the ship, looking for a threat from over the horizon, in bad weather- at night and over a cold gray sea.

I scratch built the boarding ladder for the pilot, it was an easy modification and there are many walk arounds of the Gannet should you choose to go this route.

Noteworthy, the kit includes a kabuki tape style mask. I also liked the inclusion of the photo etched windshield wiper for the front windscreen. The wiper is a small detail but, really is a nice one. I used Super Fine 1/72 Aero Black Rigging at .055 mm (Infini Model) for the long wire, HF antenna. It is a nylon, stretchy material that is easy to use.

3 additional images. Click to enlarge.