In Box Review of Revell of Germany 1/72nd Scale
Fairey Fulmar Mk.1 British Fighter
Kit no. 4127
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $8.39 in 1995, but now out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $8.39 in 1995, but now out of production
HISTORY:
The Fairey Fulmar was a British carrier-borne fighter aircraft that served with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) during the Second World War. A total of 600 were built by Fairey Aviation at its Stockport factory between January 1940 and December 1942. The Fulmar's design was based on that of the earlier Fairey P.4/34 that was in turn developed in 1936 as a replacement for the Fairey Battle light bomber. Although its performance (like that of its Battle antecedent) was lacking, the Fulmar was a reliable, sturdy aircraft with long range and an effective eight machine gun armament.
The Fairey P.4/34 was built to Specification P.4/34 as a light bomber capable of being used as a dive bomber, in competition with the Hawker Henley and an unbuilt Gloster design. Despite its high speed of 284 mph, it lost out to the 300 mph Henley (which was eventually ordered as a target tug).
The Fulmar, a navalised version of the P.4/34 was submitted to meet Specification O.8/38 for a two-crew fleet defence fighter. As it was not expected to encounter fighter opposition, high performance or maneuverability was not considered important, but long range and heavy armament were. The provision of a navigator/wireless operator was considered essential for the long, over-ocean flights that would be required.
N1854, the first production Fulmar at Farnborough at the SBAC show on 8 September 1962
Looking much like its sister, the Battle, the Fulmar prototype was aerodynamically cleaner and featured a folding wing that was 16 in (41 cm) shorter than its bomber lookalike. The prototype P.4/34 serial number K5099 first flew on 13 January 1937 at Fairey Aviation's Great West Aerodrome (now covered by London Heathrow Airport), with Fairey test pilot Chris Staniland at the controls. After the first flight tests, the tail was revised, being raised 8 in (20 cm).
The first prototype Fulmar, acting as a "flying mock-up", was powered by a 1,080 hp (810 kW) Rolls Royce Merlin III engine. With this engine, performance was poor, the prototype only reaching 230 mph (370 km/h). With the Merlin VIII engine – a variant unique to the Fulmar and with supercharging optimised for low-level flight – and aerodynamic improvements, speed was improved to 265 mph (426 km/h) at 7500 ft (2286m), which, owing to the desperate need for modern fighters, was considered adequate. As a simple derivative of an existing prototype, the Fulmar promised to be available quickly and an initial order for 127 production aircraft was placed in mid-1938; the first example flew from Fairey's facility at RAF Ringway near Manchester on 4 January 1940 and the last of 600 Fulmars was delivered from Ringway on 11 December 1942.
Fulmar Mk II, identified by the small additional air inlets on either side of the chin
Fulmar Mk II production began in January 1941,[10] with the first Mk II reaching an operational squadron in March 1941. This mark introduced the more powerful Merlin XXX engine while the airframe was also engineered with several enhancements including provision for a 60-gallon (273 litre) centre-line drop tank, and provision to carry a 250 lb (114 kg) or 500 lb (227 kg) bomb in lieu of the drop tank. Testing of the Fulmar II, at Boscombe Down, in June 1942 showed that the Fulmar could safely drop a 500 lb bomb during 60 degree dives at up to 310 knots. Boscombe Down testing in October 1941 showed that the 60 gallon drop tank extended range to 1,100 miles.
N1854, the first production Fulmar, was later modified to Mk II standard and then "civilianised" as Fairey's hack, G-AIBE. In June 1959, it reverted to service markings and was seen at Farnborough at the SBAC show on 8 September 1962; its last flight was three months later on 18 December 1962. It is now in the FAA Museum, Yeovilton.
During testing, Fulmars were launched from catapults on merchant ships, a convoy defensive plan that was being evaluated at the time.
The Fairey Fulmar was a British carrier-borne fighter aircraft that served with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) during the Second World War. A total of 600 were built by Fairey Aviation at its Stockport factory between January 1940 and December 1942. The Fulmar's design was based on that of the earlier Fairey P.4/34 that was in turn developed in 1936 as a replacement for the Fairey Battle light bomber. Although its performance (like that of its Battle antecedent) was lacking, the Fulmar was a reliable, sturdy aircraft with long range and an effective eight machine gun armament.
The Fairey P.4/34 was built to Specification P.4/34 as a light bomber capable of being used as a dive bomber, in competition with the Hawker Henley and an unbuilt Gloster design. Despite its high speed of 284 mph, it lost out to the 300 mph Henley (which was eventually ordered as a target tug).
The Fulmar, a navalised version of the P.4/34 was submitted to meet Specification O.8/38 for a two-crew fleet defence fighter. As it was not expected to encounter fighter opposition, high performance or maneuverability was not considered important, but long range and heavy armament were. The provision of a navigator/wireless operator was considered essential for the long, over-ocean flights that would be required.
N1854, the first production Fulmar at Farnborough at the SBAC show on 8 September 1962
Looking much like its sister, the Battle, the Fulmar prototype was aerodynamically cleaner and featured a folding wing that was 16 in (41 cm) shorter than its bomber lookalike. The prototype P.4/34 serial number K5099 first flew on 13 January 1937 at Fairey Aviation's Great West Aerodrome (now covered by London Heathrow Airport), with Fairey test pilot Chris Staniland at the controls. After the first flight tests, the tail was revised, being raised 8 in (20 cm).
The first prototype Fulmar, acting as a "flying mock-up", was powered by a 1,080 hp (810 kW) Rolls Royce Merlin III engine. With this engine, performance was poor, the prototype only reaching 230 mph (370 km/h). With the Merlin VIII engine – a variant unique to the Fulmar and with supercharging optimised for low-level flight – and aerodynamic improvements, speed was improved to 265 mph (426 km/h) at 7500 ft (2286m), which, owing to the desperate need for modern fighters, was considered adequate. As a simple derivative of an existing prototype, the Fulmar promised to be available quickly and an initial order for 127 production aircraft was placed in mid-1938; the first example flew from Fairey's facility at RAF Ringway near Manchester on 4 January 1940 and the last of 600 Fulmars was delivered from Ringway on 11 December 1942.
Fulmar Mk II, identified by the small additional air inlets on either side of the chin
Fulmar Mk II production began in January 1941,[10] with the first Mk II reaching an operational squadron in March 1941. This mark introduced the more powerful Merlin XXX engine while the airframe was also engineered with several enhancements including provision for a 60-gallon (273 litre) centre-line drop tank, and provision to carry a 250 lb (114 kg) or 500 lb (227 kg) bomb in lieu of the drop tank. Testing of the Fulmar II, at Boscombe Down, in June 1942 showed that the Fulmar could safely drop a 500 lb bomb during 60 degree dives at up to 310 knots. Boscombe Down testing in October 1941 showed that the 60 gallon drop tank extended range to 1,100 miles.
N1854, the first production Fulmar, was later modified to Mk II standard and then "civilianised" as Fairey's hack, G-AIBE. In June 1959, it reverted to service markings and was seen at Farnborough at the SBAC show on 8 September 1962; its last flight was three months later on 18 December 1962. It is now in the FAA Museum, Yeovilton.
During testing, Fulmars were launched from catapults on merchant ships, a convoy defensive plan that was being evaluated at the time.
THE KIT:
Revell is an older prolific model company that has facilities in the US and Germany. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in an end-opening type box, with the end-flaps held shut with circles of Scotch tape. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet find their way past the flaps to become lost. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a Fulmar in combat over the ocean with some Bf-109's. The Fulmar is in a wave of greenish-grey and light-green over greyish-blue undercarraige. It has a yellow forward rudder and wing leading edges. Black fuselage code Royal Navy X8559 followed by the roundel and sky colored 6F. It is an aircraft with No. 809 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Victorious, Royal Navy. Atlantic Ocean, Spring 1942.
One side panel has a paint color listing in German, kit features and designed for modelers over 10 in multiple languages, including English, a copyright date of 1995 and MADE IN CZEHOSLOVAKIA and printed in Germany.
The other side panel has one paragraph histories of the Fulmar in 4 languages, including english and a list of features in the kit in the 4 languages: Structurally detailed surfaces, cockpit with 2 seats and control stick, landing gear option of deployed or closed, movable propeller and transfers for 2 aircraft. This is followed by 2 color walk-around photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
The bottom of the box has 6 color box arts of other kits that Revell markets: a German WWI Fokker Dr. 1 "Richthoffen". a British Alpha Jet, a British Airbus A 340-300, a MBB Bk-117 "Space Ship" helicopter, a US P-38J "Droopsnoot" Lightning and a SA 330 Puma "Tigermeet" helicopter.
Revell is an older prolific model company that has facilities in the US and Germany. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in an end-opening type box, with the end-flaps held shut with circles of Scotch tape. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet find their way past the flaps to become lost. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a Fulmar in combat over the ocean with some Bf-109's. The Fulmar is in a wave of greenish-grey and light-green over greyish-blue undercarraige. It has a yellow forward rudder and wing leading edges. Black fuselage code Royal Navy X8559 followed by the roundel and sky colored 6F. It is an aircraft with No. 809 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Victorious, Royal Navy. Atlantic Ocean, Spring 1942.
One side panel has a paint color listing in German, kit features and designed for modelers over 10 in multiple languages, including English, a copyright date of 1995 and MADE IN CZEHOSLOVAKIA and printed in Germany.
The other side panel has one paragraph histories of the Fulmar in 4 languages, including english and a list of features in the kit in the 4 languages: Structurally detailed surfaces, cockpit with 2 seats and control stick, landing gear option of deployed or closed, movable propeller and transfers for 2 aircraft. This is followed by 2 color walk-around photos of the model made up in the box art scheme.
The bottom of the box has 6 color box arts of other kits that Revell markets: a German WWI Fokker Dr. 1 "Richthoffen". a British Alpha Jet, a British Airbus A 340-300, a MBB Bk-117 "Space Ship" helicopter, a US P-38J "Droopsnoot" Lightning and a SA 330 Puma "Tigermeet" helicopter.
There is another color photo of Revell brand paint and cement products. An explanation of the skill level numbers is provided. This kit is labeled as a 3, which means EASY.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
The box contains 2 medium-grey parts trees and a clear tree in a sealed cello bag, the decal and instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that is folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8" x 11 3/4" page format, folded twice more to fit the box.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit in 8 languages, including English, followed by international assembly symbol explanations, an illustration of the decal sheet and a paint color listing.
Page 2 has 10 assembly steps on it.
Page 3 has a 4-view of the box art scheme.
Page 4 has another 4-view of a Fulmar with the same color scheme and also with HMS Victorious, Operation Pedestal, Malta Convoys, Mediterranean, August 1942, flown by Sub Lieutnant (A) H. Morrison, RNYR. It has the black fuselage number Royal Navy X8812, the fuselage roundel and a sky colored 6J.
This is above quality assurances in 4 languages, including English.
No pilot figure is included, nor parts trees illustrations.
Trees are not alphabetized, but numbered. Extra care will have to be taken to get the right parts for the assemblies. Bad move Revell.
One medium-grey tree holds: the wing halves (bottom half is full-span), elevators, gear doors, gear legs etc. (10 parts)
The box contains 2 medium-grey parts trees and a clear tree in a sealed cello bag, the decal and instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that is folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8" x 11 3/4" page format, folded twice more to fit the box.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit in 8 languages, including English, followed by international assembly symbol explanations, an illustration of the decal sheet and a paint color listing.
Page 2 has 10 assembly steps on it.
Page 3 has a 4-view of the box art scheme.
Page 4 has another 4-view of a Fulmar with the same color scheme and also with HMS Victorious, Operation Pedestal, Malta Convoys, Mediterranean, August 1942, flown by Sub Lieutnant (A) H. Morrison, RNYR. It has the black fuselage number Royal Navy X8812, the fuselage roundel and a sky colored 6J.
This is above quality assurances in 4 languages, including English.
No pilot figure is included, nor parts trees illustrations.
Trees are not alphabetized, but numbered. Extra care will have to be taken to get the right parts for the assemblies. Bad move Revell.
One medium-grey tree holds: the wing halves (bottom half is full-span), elevators, gear doors, gear legs etc. (10 parts)
The other medium-grey tree holds: the fuselage halves, propeller and its spinner, wheels, exhuast pipes, dashboard, etc. (26 parts)
The clear tree just holds the single piece cockpit windows and wing light lenses (3 parts) Surgery would have to be done to open the cockpit canopy.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents. It holds the marks for the 2 schemes, the instrument panel guages and stencil marks.
It has a tissue intended to protect its face from scratching, but that is floating around inside the box loose and not protecting anything.
It has a tissue intended to protect its face from scratching, but that is floating around inside the box loose and not protecting anything.
The kit has nicely engraved panel lines and detail. The control surfaces are molded solid and would take surgery to re-position.
Otherwise recommended.
Otherwise recommended.
Kit was courtesy of my wallet years ago.