Airfix 1/48 scale
BAC TSR.2

Reviewed by Brett Green

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The story of the TSR.2 began with a 1957 specification for the replacement of the venerable Canberra jet bomber.

The new aircraft was required to perform the roles of Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance in home service and abroad, and was also expected to evade hostile missile defences. Not only was this versatile design expected to be devastatingly accurate in acquiring its targets, it also needed to operate at both high altitudes and "below the radar".

A development contract for nine production aircraft was awarded to Vickers Armstrong and English Electric in 1960. The design incorporated advanced navigational attack and radar systems to ensure that the new aircraft could fulfill its challenging missions.

Two TSR.2s had been completed and a third almost ready for flight when the programme was cancelled by the British Government on 6 April, 1965.

The legend of the TSR.2 has almost been matched by the clamouring for an injection moulded kit of this large and lamented aircraft. Airfix answered the call with its 1/72 scale kit in 2006. Now, Airfix has added a 1/48 scale TSR.2 offering to its growing range.

This brand new Airfix 1/48 scale TSR.2 comprises 162 parts in white injection moulded plastic, and another nine parts in clear.

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Thumbnail panels:

The plastic is very well moulded, with recessed panel lines throughout. The surface detail is quite sharp. Recessed detail was a little soft in areas on the 1/72 scale kit, but panel lines on this model are crisp and consistent - at least on par with that seen in Airfix's recent Canberra kits. I could not see any obvious ejector pin marks on the visible sides of any kit parts, and there are a only few slight sink marks in a few areas (for example, the sides of the ejection seats).

Detail is good in most areas. The heavily textured wheel bays are authentically rendered. The bomb bay is equally well done. The jet exhausts are appropriately deep. The cockpit is an improvement over the 1/72 scale kit. I particularly like the tub with its moulded-on side console detail, but the seats and instrument panel leave plenty of room for improvement. We have already seen a replacement resin cockpit released by Wolfpack of Korea. We will be reviewing this set in the coming weeks.

Options include positionable gear doors, bomb bay doors, speed brakes and canopy. The horizontal stabilisers may also be tilted to the modeller's desired angle during construction.

The kit is broken down conventionally. Construction should not present too many challenges. The wings are supplied as two parts - upper and lower halves - which are assembled and attached to the completed fuselage. Flaps are moulded separately and may be posed dropped if desired.

The canopy is supplied in three pieces, so may be positioned open. These are the thinnest and clearest transparencies I have seen from Airfix since the heady days of their 1/48 scale E.E. Lightnings - very nice indeed.

The markings represent another improvement. The sheet is crisp and legible, with no evidence of the "dot screen" effect seen on some recent releases. The decals are glossy, thin and in perfect register. The decals supplied for the instrument panels and consoles are very well detailed indeed.

Markings are supplied for all three of the completed machines.

Xtradecals has already released two "What-If" decal sheets in 1/48 scale for the TSR.2 too, so if you have always had the hankering to see one of these big strike aircraft in Canadian, Australian or even Luftwaffe markings, here is your chance!

Instructions are typical Airfix fare, with 35 illustrated construction steps. The only minor irritation is that colours are called out exclusively as Humbrol paint numbers. It would be more than a little helpful to have a clue as to the actual colour.

Considering the only official colour scheme by the time of the project's cancellation was overall Anti-Flash White, painting should be a breeze!

The overall shape of the model appears to be accurate. The only issue of concern is the undercarriage, which appears to be too steeply splayed if built according to the instructions.

Steve Naylor has devised a technique to improve the stance of the undercarriage for modellers who wish to tackle this area of the kit. You can see Steve's article by following this link.

Airfix's 1/48 scale TSR.2 will be a big, impressive model when completed. Whether you finish your TSR.2 as one of the Anti-Flash White prototypes, or as a "What If" in theoretical 1960s or '70s service, it will be a head turner.

The model should be quite straightforward to build, is nicely detailed (but with scope for the determined superdetailer to get busy in the cockpit), has good surface features and appears to be quite accurate. If you are concerned about the pronounced splay of the main undercarriage, there is a relatively simple fix to this issue too.

Airfix has delivered us a fine kit of a fascinating aircraft.

Thanks to Hannants for the review sample.

Text and Images Copyright © 2009 by Brett Green
Page Created 13 February, 2009
Last updated 13 February, 2009

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