AIRFIX (354)

This 1:600 scale model kit of HMS Suffolk captures the essence of the County-class heavy cruiser, which played a crucial role in tracking the Bismarck in the Denmark Strait during May 1941. Comprising 128 components, this Skill Level 2 kit is designed for modellers aged 8 and up, providing a faithful depiction of one of the Royal Navy's key warships from the Second World War. The kit includes two paint options, enabling you to replicate specific configurations from the ship's notable wartime service. Part of the Airfix Vintage Classics collection, this plastic model kit combines nostalgia with historical precision, celebrating a classic design from Airfix's storied past. HMS Suffolk was a distinguished County-class heavy cruiser in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. In May 1941, she was instrumental in the Battle of the Denmark Strait and the eventual sinking of the German battleship Bismarck. Suffolk engaged the enemy battleship twice and, with her advanced radar systems, successfully tracked the Bismarck through the Denmark Strait's challenging waters. This vital surveillance allowed Suffolk to maintain contact with the enemy, providing crucial intelligence that enabled other Royal Navy units to intercept Bismarck. The ship's role was pivotal in one of the war's most renowned naval battles, ultimately leading to the demise of Germany's most formidable warship and safeguarding Atlantic convoys from potential threats. Features 1:600 scale model kit with 128 plastic components Skill Level 2 - suitable for modellers aged 8 years and older Includes two genuine paint schemes Recreates HMS Suffolk's 1941 wartime configuration Part of the esteemed Battle of Bismarck series Vintage Classics design honouring Airfix heritage Accurate depiction of a County-class heavy cruiser Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 32 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 3.2 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 128 Item Scale: 1:600 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 2

The Landing Craft Mechanised (LCM) Mk.III was the most widely used LCM during World War II, with more than 8,600 being built in yards in the USA. They were employed by both the US Navy and the Royal Navy. The LCM Mk.III was extensively used in operations in the European and Pacific theatres from 1942, with many hundreds taking part in the "D-Day" landings in Normandy in June 1944. The Sherman M4A2 Tank was the best-known of all American medium tanks and was designed in 1941 as an improvement on the earlier M3 Lee and Grant series. After initial production in 1942, large numbers of Shermans were issued to the British Army and the type became the standard Allied medium tank.From its extensive lifespan during the war to high demand with both the US and Royal Navy, the LCM3 & Sherman was a much-relied on tank in the battlefield and will become an equally fitting part of your Airfix collection. This 1:76 scale replica exclusively from Airfix comes with sprues and decals, two livery shemes and measures at 194mm, making it the perfect addition to your model range or as a gift for the military enthusiast in your life.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 19.4 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 7.5 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 88 Item Scale: 1:76 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 1 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1

In November 1934, the Air Ministry was trialling several manufacturers’ chassis to fulfil roles within the RAF. Albion won the contract with a specially modified version of the mid-sized 463 with the prefix AM (Air Ministry). It performed many roles, most commonly used as a refueller.

With the nickname “pneumonia wagon” due to its collapsible windscreen, the Bedford MWD truck was used throughout the Second World War by the RAF. Seen here with both early and late war options, this vehicle that transported the RAF ground crew was considered to be just as important as the aircraft they flew and maintained.

The Swift still holds the honour of being the first swept-wing jet fighter in RAF service. The FR.5 proved itself in the reconnaissance role, winning the NATO 'Royal Flush' reconnaissance competition in 1957 and 1959, conclusively beating off the best types other nations could offer.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 18 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 13.8 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 62 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale License line: BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1 Wingspan (mm): 138

The Short SC.7 Skyvan was a British twin-turboprop transport aircraft first flown in 1963. Produced until 1986, around 150 were built. Designed for simplicity and low operating costs, its Skyvan 3 variant was the most common. Used worldwide, including in the Falklands War by Argentina, it cost about $650,000 in 1972. This 1:72 scale aircraft model kit is another fantastic addition to our Vintage Classics range. Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 17 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 27.5 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 152 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 275

The F2 introduced in 1962 was much modified in 1968 producing the F2A with square cut fin, kinked leading edges and enlarged ventral tank which gave an enhanced combat air patrol time of some 2 hours. Includes Sprues Decals

The Bristol Blenheim was conceived as a privately funded high-speed civilian aircraft, intended to wrestle the record for the fastest civilian aircraft in Europe away from the Germans. Successfully achieving this, it immediately attracted the attention of the RAF. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Blenheim was available in more numbers than any other RAF aircraft.

The Messerschmitt Me410 was developed as a heavy fighter but went on to perform several roles such as night fighter, bomber destroyer and reconnaissance. Entering service two years later than scheduled in 1943 as a replacement for the Me210, the aircraft featured several distinctive features including the twin gun barbettes.The Me410 was essentially a development of the 210 featuring a lengthened fuselage, revised wings and more powerful engines. Although the Me410 performed well, it entered service too late to make an impact on the tide of war and was soon relegated to reconnaissance roles.The Messerschmitt Me410 is undoubtedly one of the most impressive looking aircraft types of the Second World War, the ultimate incarnation of Germany's fascination with the Zerstörer heavy fighter concept.Today, just a single complete example of a Messerschmitt Me410 is to be found on display anywhere in the world, one of the prized aviation possessions maintained by the Royal Air Force Museum at their Midlands RAF Cosford site, the very aircraft Airfix scanned at the outset of this exciting new model tooling project.Although an excellent and extremely heavily armed aircraft, the Me410 could not adequately defend itself against the latest Allied single engined fighters. No match for the latest Spitfires, Tempests, and P-51D Mustangs, once USAAF commanders freed their fighters from bomber protection duties and allowed then to go hunting the Luftwaffe, any advantage the heavily armed Me410s had were effectively negated and if caught in the gunsights of Allied fighters, they were unlikely to survive the encounter.Production of the Messerschmitt Me410 ended during August 1944, when the manufacturing lines were switched to producing single engined Messerschmitt Bf 109G fighters for home defence duties, however by that stage in the war, things were already looking rather futile for the struggling Luftwaffe.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 17.5 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 4.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 22.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 137 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 2

The Westland Wessex HC.2 was a licence-built turbine-powered development of the classic American Sikorski S-58 ‘Choctaw’ helicopter, one of the world’s first truly capable helicopters which established these aircraft as essential for a host of military and civilian applications. The continuation of an existing arrangement between Sikorsky and Westland, the Wessex was initially developed for the Royal Navy in the anti-submarine and utility roles but was further developed as the HC.2 for the Royal Air Force, entering service in 1962, a year later than the Navy machines. In RAF service, these powerful helicopters performed several roles, including troop and supply transportation, ground support and air evacuation duties. However, it was their use as Air Sea Rescue helicopters which made these some of the highest-profile aircraft in service at that time. The Wessex represented the pinnacle of rotary technology when introduced and could operate from, and into places that other aircraft couldn’t.

Born out of Germany’s apparent obsession with the heavy fighter concept, the Messerschmitt Me 410 was an excellent multi-role successor to the Messerschmitt Bf 110 but entered service too late due to the protracted development of its immediate predecessor, the Me 210. The A-1 variant was described as a high-performance light bomber. Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 17.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 22.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 149 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 226 Schemes A04069 - Messerschmitt Me410A-1, WNr.10185, U5+KG, 16./Kampfgeschwader 2, Amsterdam-Schipol, Netherlands, October 1943. (A) A04069 - Messerschmitt Me410A-1, U5+CX, 13./Kampfgeschwader 2, Coulommiers, France, August 1943. (B)

From 1944, the de Havilland Mosquito B.XVI was delivered to front line squadrons. The B.XVI was a development of the earlier B.IX variant, but a new pressurised cabin had been incorporated so the aircraft could operate at high altitude.  Although it was unarmed, the B.XVI could carry a 3,000Ib bomb load. Not long after the start of B.XVI production, modifications were incorporated on the production line to allow a 4,000Ib ‘Cookie’ or blockbuster bomb to be carried internally, a weapon which possessed devastating destructive capability.  Combining the power of these fearsome weapons with the legendary speed and bombing accuracy associated with Mosquito operations allowed Bomber Command to keep the pressure on the enemy throughout the latter stages of WWII. By this time, with its first test flight on 12 March 1945, the last bomber version of the Mosquito, B.35, was at an advanced stage of development. Powered by the Merlin 113/114 engine, the war ended before the B.35 entered service. However, it had a long career with the post-war RAF, serving operationally until early 1954. When the RAF’s new jet-powered replacement for the Mosquito, the English Electric Canberra was introduced to service in May 1951, the Mosquito B.35 was relegated from frontline operations and many B.35s continued to operate in secondary roles after conversion to target tugs.  These conversions were undertaken by Northamptonshire-based Brooklands Aviation Ltd and called TT.35s. These remained in service with Civilian Anti Aircraft Cooperation Units (CAACU) until the last one was retired in May 1963. The TT.35’s target-towing system consisted of a wind-driven ML Type G winch with 6,000ft of non-twisting steel cable towing a fabric target drogue. Features This 1:72 scale kit consists of 182 parts and introduces 21 newly designed parts Open and closed bulged bomb bay doors 4000lb “Cookie” bomb,  Bomb bay interior parts,  Target towing winch parts and other details. Marking options for 3 distinctive new schemes which tell the story of the Mosquito’s changing roles in late World War 2 and into the post-war era- including the colourful TT.35 target towing variant “TA719” which survived into preservation. 

Representing one of the most glamorous aircraft types to ever take to the skies, the Boeing 314 Clipper was produced to allow passengers and cargo to travel across the vast expanses of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, in levels of style and comfort which rivalled those on the great ocean liners. Twelve aircraft were produced for Pan American World Airways and BOAC, however, the start of the Second World War resulted in these opulent flying boats being used mainly for military purposes, with aircraft serving as transport for Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.