de Havilland Vampire FB.9

Czech Master Resin, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The Vampire was Britain’s second production jet fighter. The Vampire Mk.I had a very short endurance so the next production version, the F.3, improved on this by adopting more internal tankage and the ability to carry drop-tanks. The drop tanks led to some changes in the tailplane shape. The opportunity was also taken to fit the more powerful Goblin 2 that increased static thrust by 200 lbs.

By 1948, the RAF had decided that the Gloster Meteor was the better of its two available jet fighters for continued development in the interceptor role until the next generation of jet fighters became available. However, the Vampire had a number of attractive features, and was well suited to specialise as a fighter-bomber.

Accordingly, de Havilland developed a strengthened wing with thicker skin, 1ft was clipped from each wingtip to enhance low-level handling, and extra strong points for up to 2,000 lbs. of underwing stores were added. The undercarriage was also strengthened to cope with the faster sink speeds on landing due to the higher wing loading. These changes resulted in the very successful and highly exported FB.5.

The FB.9 was essentially a tropicalised development of the FB.5. It was equipped with cockpit air conditioning using a Godfrey refrigeration unit in the starboard wing intake fillet, which meant that the fillet was extended forward by about eight inches. The FB.5’s Goblin 2 engine was replaced by a Goblin 3 that had dual fuel pumps and provided 250 lbs more thrust to compensate for jet engine performance losses in the high ambient temperatures of the tropics.

Previous Vampire FB.9’s in 1/72 Scale

I’m unaware of previous FB.9 kits in 1/72, although there have been two 1/72 major injected kits of the very similar Vampire FB.5 kits that could form the basis of an easy FB.9 conversion. These are the old kit by Frog and the much better Heller offering (re-boxed by Airfix, Revell and others) which can be made to result in a nice model. A-Model has recently released some single seat Vampires. They look nice but have some shape issues and do not currently include an FB.9.

CMR is working its way through all the major Vampire variants in 1/72 scale, and the FB.9 is the latest of the single seat versions. Judging by its previous releases, CMR seems to be taking the position of offering the definitive version of any given Vampire mark. This latest kit follows the established format of previous single-seat Vampire releases and is described below.

The kit comes packaged in CMR’s now standard sturdy top opening box. The parts and decals are in heat sealed plastic bags, which in turn are sealed in a further bag with the instructions and photo-walkaround. The excellent straightforward instructions consist of double-sided A4 pages (see here). The parts map and constructional illustrations are very clear and easy to follow. More double-sided pages give comprehensive colours and markings plans. Colour notes and other written instructions are in English. Five more double-sided pages provide an excellent photo walkaround focused on various detail aspects of the aircraft.

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The kit’s resin parts are green rather than CMR’s usual cream resin, as this shows up fine detail better. The parts are very nicely moulded with no pinholes or other obvious flaws. A little flash is evident in a couple of places, but this can be removed easily and in seconds. The undercarriage is in a black resin that provides greater strength than the green resin for fine weight-bearing parts.

The kit is awash with detail. Considerable attention to detail has been paid to the cockpit, wheel wells and flap bays. Detail levels are further enhanced by the pre-coloured Eduard PE set provided. With its dainty gun-sight and comprehensive interior this is a model many will want to have an open cockpit.

Two copies of the canopy provide for insurance or practice when cutting out. They come with An Eduard pre-cut mask which simply serves to make life easy when it comes to painting.

A lot of parts are associated with underwing loads appropriate to a fighter-bomber and include:

• 100 Imp. Gallon External Wing Tanks

•  Mk.8 Rocket Projector Rails

•  60lb. S.A.P./H.E. Shell, No.1, Mk.1 Rocket Projectiles

•  25lb. A.P. Shot, No.1, Mk.1 Rocket Projectiles

•  60lb. Concrete Practice Shell, Rocket Projectiles

•  25lb. Shot, Practice (Concrete) Rocket Projectiles

•  1,000lb H.E.M.C. 'Freefall' Bombs

•  500lb H.E.M.C. 'Freefall' Bombs

•  250lb H.E.M.C. 'Freefall' Bombs

The rockets have the option of ether resin or PE tail fins (the latter having a PE jig to keep the fins at 90 degrees from each other.  Another PE option that will look great, but will also be quite challenging, are the mounting clips that sling the rockets from the rails each other.

A nice aspect of the instructions is the inclusion of painting notes for the weapons giving warhead and stripe colours etc.

Decals are typical of CMR, being well registered and suggest good opacity. Based on past experience they should be very good to use.

Markings for three camouflaged and three overall high-speed silver schemes are provided, these being:

• WA382 - 'A-A', No.118 Squadron, RAF Fassberg, Germany, June 1952.

• WR120 - 'U', No.213 Squadron, RAF Deversoir, Egypt, in 1954.

• WR128 - 'A', No.502 (County of Ulster) Squadron, RAuxAF, RNAS Sydenham, 1955.

• NZ5762 - No.75 Squadron, RNZAF, circa 1956.

• WR128 - 'A', No.502 (County of Ulster) Squadron, RAuxAF, RNAS Sydenham, in later scheme.

• NZ5772 - No.14 Squadron, RNZAF, circa 1972.

This is a superbly executed kit with very high levels of detail and a good choice of underwing loads. Despite its tiny details and twin-boom layout it should go together in a straightforward manner. Surely the definitive Vampire FB.9 kit - Highly recommended.

Thanks to Czech Master Resin for this review sample.

Thanks to Czech Master Resin for this review sample.

CMR Models are available online from Hannants in the UK,
Red Roo Models in Australia and quality specialist model retailers worldwide.

Text Copyright © 2011 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 13 April, 2011
Last updated 14 April, 2011

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