Albion 3-Point Fueller

Airfix, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Airfix's 1/48 scale Albion Refueller is available online from Squadron.com

Albion Automotive of Scotstoun, Glasgow was a Scottish automobile and commercial vehicle manufacturer.

From WWI to the 1950s, Albion rivalled Foden for the reliability and ruggedness of their trucks.

By the outbreak of WWII, more than 400 Albion 3-Point Fuellers were in use with the RAF, both in Europe and the Far and Middle East. Many went to France with the RAF in 1940, and suffered a similar fate to the vehicles of the British Army, being abandoned on the run back to Dunkirk.

Those that remained gave sterling service during the Battle of Britain, helping to quickly refuel fighters in between sortie, their three refueling hoses drastically cutting down the time needed.*

Released in May 2015, the Airfix 1:48 scale Albion 3-Point Fueller comprises 106 parts in pale grey plastic, eight parts in clear plastic and decals for a single vehicle.

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Thumbnail panels:

Moulding quality is generally good with only a bit of flash and minimal imperfections.

Surface textures are really good, with subtle pressed metal and woodgrain effects where appropriate. The tyres’ tread pattern looks good too.

The model includes an engine. Cab detail is quite nice, and a decal is supplied for the small instrument panel. Cab doors are separate, so they may be left open if you wish.

The windscreen and door windows are supplied as clear parts. Presumably you could leave off the side windows if you wish to pose them rolled down.

Front wheels may be posed straight ahead or turned.

The rear doors are moulded as one piece but may be cut open if you wish to display the refueling controls.

The characteristic refuelling arms may be posed stowed or deployed at whatever angle you wish.

The hoses are moulded in solid plastic (a good thing in my view).

A small decals sheet includes markings for one vehicle plus the instrument panel.

The decals look well printed.

Airfix’s 1:48 scale Albion 3-Point Fueller is great news for all 1:48 scale modellers, be they of the aircraft or military persuasion. This is a really nice model in its own right, but will be ideal for use in an airfield or battlefield diorama.

Highly Recommended.

*Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia and the Airfix website.

Sample purchased by reviewer from Hannants.

Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Brett Green
Page Created 5 October, 2016
Last updated 6 October, 2016

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