Airfix Previews - June 2023

Airfix has sent images of box art, marking guide and other images of their latest and forthcoming releases:

New Parts – NOW AVAILABLE

A09192 Hawker Hunter FGA.9/FR.10/GA.11

Re-introduction with new schemes – NOW AVAILABLE A06022A Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B Gulf War

We are proud to announce the release of two new kits to the Airfix range, introducing the 1:48 Hawker Hunter FGA.9/FR.10/GA.11 and 1:72 Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B Gulf

Starting off with the new aircraft, each having their own story to tell and both depicting the stunning box lid artwork, capturing the imagination of those incredible and unforgettable stories.

A09192 Hawker Hunter FGA.9/FR.10/GA.11

Proving the old adage 'If it looks right, then it is right', the Hawker Hunter was a thing of aviation beauty, streamlined and cultured, but a deadly fighting aeroplane at heart.

Underlining the Hunter's adaptability, the FGA.9 variant was developed in response to an RAF requirement to replace ground attack Venoms serving with units in the Middle East and was basically an F.6 airframe optimised for close air support operations.

Strengthening the Hunter's wing enabled it to carry an impressive array of offensive ordnance, with the FGA.9 presenting the RAF with one of their most capable ground attack fighters. A total of 128 Hawker Hunter FGA.9s would see service with home based and overseas squadrons.

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Ranked at skill level 2, the Hawker Hunter FGA.9/FR.10/GA.11 includes new parts to create the 3 variants, and minor corrections to the previous tooling, allowing for a seamless build with exceptional detail. This kit consists of 142 parts and measures a total wingspan of 214mm and 291mm in length. Featuring 3 schemes, consisting of 2 RAF schemes and 1 Navy scheme; it would be rude to not include scheme A which depicts the aircraft flown by Flight Lieutenant Alan Pollock, who famously flew under Tower Bridge in London, back in 1968.

The schemes included are:

Scheme A: Hawker Hunter FGA.9, Aircraft flown under Tower Bridge, London, by Flight Lieutenant Alan Pollock, No.1 Squadron, Royal Air Force West Raynham, Norfolk, England, April 5th, 1968.

Scheme B: Hawker Hunter FR.10, No.4 Squadron, Royal Air Force Gütersloh, West Germany, 1961.

  
Scheme C: Hawker Hunter GA.11, Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit, Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset, England, 1976.

A06022A Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B Gulf War

Ranked at skill level 3, the Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B Gulf War re-introduction includes 2 brand new schemes, allowing you to create 2 out of the 12 Buccaneers from the self-titled ‘Sky Pirates’. This kit consists of 150 parts and measures a total wingspan of 186mm and 268mm in length. Featuring the 2 Gulf War schemes, this excellent kit will showcase the appealing ‘Desert Camouflage’ once more!

During RAF air operations in the Gulf War of 1991, the effectiveness of Iraqi anti-aircraft defences resulted in Tornado and Jaguar strike missions having to be flown at higher altitudes, thus reducing their effectiveness. They needed the support of the RAF's ageing Blackburn Buccaneer jets with their 'Pave Spike' laser designator equipment to deliver ‘smart’ munitions effectively, the only trouble was, these aircraft were back at their home base in Scotland.

The race was on to prepare and fly twelve Buccaneers in newly applied 'Desert Camouflage' and their laser designator equipment to the Persian Gulf and in just a matter of days, the self-titled 'Sky Pirates' were on their way.

The two schemes included are as follows:

Scheme A: Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B, XW533/A, Fiona/Miss Jolly Roger, Operation Granby/Desert Storm, Muharraq Airport, Bahrain, January to March 1991.

 
Scheme B: Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B, XV863/S, Debbie/Sea Witch, Operation Granby/Desert Storm, Muharraq Airport, Bahrain, January to March 1991.

We will have more details in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Airfix for the information and images.

Images Copyright © 2023 by Airfix
Page Created 28 June, 2023
Last updated 28 June, 2023

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