AIRFIX (387)

A gleaming silver steed flown by the most capable and intrepid young men Britain could call upon, the Bristol Bulldog was one of the most important British aircraft of the inter-war period, when powerful biplane fighters unquestionably ruled the skies. Initially developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bulldog was the brainchild of accomplished aircraft designer Frank Barnwell, the man behind the successful Bristol F2B Fighter of the Great War, and was a light, all-metal and fabric-covered fighter, powered by a 440hp Bristol Jupiter engine.The Bulldog was armed with a pair of forward-firing Vickers 0.303" machine guns mounted on either side of the cockpit, but ultimately never fired its guns in anger during a relatively short seven-year period serving with Fighter Command. Although it was the most capable fighter of the day, the Bulldog was more closely associated with challenging formation flying and spectacular aerobatics, with the Royal Air Force thrilling huge crowds at airshows and pageants around the country, as they demonstrated the effectiveness of a modernising air force.What the Bulldog did do was help advance Britain's aviation industry towards the production of the sleek, monoplane fighters which would contest the Second World War, as it highlighted the fact that biplane designs were fast approaching their zenith. Perhaps the most famous incident involving a Bristol Bulldog proved to be a rather unfortunate one, when an accomplished, but rather headstrong RAF pilot performed unauthorised low-altitude aerobatics for a group of onlookers and a private civilian aerodrome in Berkshire.Flying so low that the wingtip of his fighter struck the ground during a manoeuvre, the Bulldog cartwheeled across the airfield, inflicting catastrophic injuries on the pilot - that pilot was future Second World War RAF ace and inspirational national hero Douglas Bader.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 15.9 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 21.4 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 120 Item Scale: 1:48 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 3 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 214

With the RAF already operating Phantoms initially intended for the Royal Navy at Leuchars air base in Fife, the withdrawal of HMS Ark Royal in 1978 meant that they also inherited the rest of the Fleet Air Arm Phantom fleet. Nos 43 and 111 Squadrons would use the Phantom FG.1 to defend Britains airspace until 1989, when they both converted to the BAe Tornado F.3. Contains Plastic model kit Instruction sheet Paint layout sheet Decals.

An aircraft which possibly underlines the capabilities of the modern helicopter more effectively than any other type, the mighty Boeing CH-47 Chinook has already been in military service for over sixty years and shows no sign of disappearing from world skies any time soon. The distinctive tandem twin-rotor configuration of this heavy-lift helicopter cleverly counteracts the effects of engine torque by having each of its huge rotor blade stacks rotate in opposite directions, thus negating the need for the tail rotors traditionally associated with helicopters. The impressive Chinook made its first flight in 1961 and since then, it has become one of the most effective aircraft designs of the post-war era, capable of operating in almost any environment, no matter how inhospitable the terrain. Clearly, this has made the Chinook invaluable when performing many roles, ably tackling a multitude of military and civilian applications. As the world's largest operator of the Chinook outside the US, the Royal Air Force ordered 33 of these heavy-lift behemoths in 1978, with No.18 Squadron taking the honour of becoming Britain's first operational Chinook unit in August 1981. These first helicopters were designated HC.1 (Helicopter Cargo Mk.1) and had hardly settled into service when events on the other side of the world required their first overseas deployment. Following the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands in April 1982, five of the RAF's Chinooks were wrapped in Driclad PVC protective covers and loaded on the deck of the requisitioned container ship Atlantic Conveyor. Tragically, all but one of these helicopters was lost following an Exocet missile strike on the vessel, with that surviving Chinook earning legendary status within the RAF. Having already been in Royal Air Force service for over 42 years, the latest variants of the mighty Chinook seem certain to be in service for many years to come. Specification Item Scale: 1:72 Parts Included: 171 Skill Level: 3 Scheme Options: 2

The Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet introduced in 1995. As an all-weather vessel, she can take on the worst sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore searches and rescues. When lives are at risk out at sea, time is of the essence. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, the Severn class lifeboat can reach casualties fast in calm or rough seas. She carries a small powered Y boat, ideal for rescues near rocks and shallow waters, and can be launched using the Severn's integral crane. The kit in this box enables you to build a fully detailed model of this RNLI Lifeboat. Full details of the outside deck, hull and fittings are included and you can view a fully detailed interior by removing the cabin roof. The decal scheme will allow any one of the current operational RNLI Severn class lifeboats to be modelled. Contents Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Specification 1:72 Scale Parts Included: 238 Skill Level: 2 Scheme Options: 1