Airfix 1/72 Whitley by Roland Sachsenhofer

Airfix's 1/72 scale
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley

by Roland Sachsenhofer

Armstrong Whitworth Whitley

Airfix's 1/72 Whitley is available online from Squadron.com

Description

When war began in 1939, newly formed Bomber Command counted three potent twin engine bombers in its inventory. Beside Wellington and Hampden, Armstrong Withworth Whitley made the mainstay of RAFs bomber force.

Intended from the outset as a night bomber, the Whitley was rather slow but had a good range; the Mk.V could fly about 2600 kilometres with a bomb load of around 1300 tons, the long range version Mk.VII could cover even 3700 kilometres.

The Whitley flew 9000 reported sorties with Bomber Command in the early days of the conflict, later it was also extensively used with Coastal Command, as a glider tug or for dropping paratroopers.
1466 Whitleys had been built when production ended in June 1943.

My model depicts one of them, N1380, a Whitley Mk.V from No.102 Squadron No. 4 Group (Bomber Command), which had been flown from RAF Driffield, Yorkshire in March 1940. It was the personal aircraft of Squadron Leader John Charles McDonald.

Airfix did a real good job on designing its new kit on this important airplane. Beautiful details complement with a nearly perfect fit to a lovely building experience. The modeller is surprised –and then pleased- with an uncommon layout of the fuselage.

You can have a look at this here:

http://www.razyboard.com/system/morethread-armstrong-withworth-whitley-mkv-airfix-172-raidenjack-2086023-6356896-0.html

The decals are a joy to use apart from one fact I do not understand: the fuselage roundels are placed on a carrier film much too wide. This configuration is also shown on the construction manual- if there is sense behind it, I did not get it. Anyway, it was rather easy work to get this into a seemingly more fitting size.

I am totally amazed and pleased by Airfix recent releases- this beautiful kit bears witness to this high level. After this lovely build I am looking forward getting my hands on the recently announced Coastal Command Whitley!

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As ever, remarks will be appreciated: ro.sachsenhofer@gmx.at

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