In Box Review of Air Lines 1/72nd Scale Airspeed Oxford II Trainer
Kit no. 7906
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
My kit has a copyright date of 1964. I paid .64 cents for it back in the 60's
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
My kit has a copyright date of 1964. I paid .64 cents for it back in the 60's
HISTORY:
The Oxford was evolved from the Airspeed Envoy civil transport. It first went into service in the Royal Air Force as an Advanced Trainer in January, 1939. The Oxford was also built by the DeHavilland Aircraft Co.Ltd., Percival Aircraft Ltd., and the Standard Motor Co. Ltd. The total number produced being over 8,000.
ED 170 the aircraft selected for this model went to No. 22 Mainentance Unit in May, 1942, and was taken on charge of No. 6 (pilot) Advanced Flying Unit in June, 1943, and was written off in December 1943.
Oxfords were also used in Service Flying Schools in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia and the Middle East. It was also employed on light transport and communications duties.
The Oxford II was equipped as a pilot, navigation and radio trainer, powered by two 275 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah X air-cooled radial motors.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 53 ft. 4 ins.
Length: 34 ft. 6 ins.
Height: 11 ft. 1 in.
Maximum speed: 188 m.p.h.
THE KIT:
Air Lines is Lines Bros., once based in New York, NY.
This kit came in a tray and lid type box in which the tray and lid are hinged together. It was not shrink wrapped but held shut with strips of Scotch tape.
As small as the box is, it is still blousey with a letter "L" void around the parts. I thought they were rattling around too much, so I put them all into a zip-lock type sandwich bag.
The box art shows an Oxford flying above the clouds, with a Boston flying in the opposite direction.
The Oxford is in a wave pattern of dark green and light earth over a yellow undercarraige. It carries a white fuselage code of (roundel) 69 and a black serial no. E170 under the elevators.
One side panel has a color side profile of the box art subject.
The other side panel lists features of the kit: student and instructor figures, moveable propellers, wheels and landing gear, authentic R.A.F. markings, box bottom COLLECTOR'S CARDS, Air Lines Testor Free Kit Offer, Testor paint manual, display stand. Made and litho in the USA and Line Bros. location stated as being in New York, NY in the 60's.
The box bottom has two color COLLECTOR'S Cards for a Hotspur II Training Glider (kit no. 7904) and a Macchi M.C. 202 Folgore Fighter (kit no. 3903) next to a mail-in coupon for the free kit offer.
The Oxford was evolved from the Airspeed Envoy civil transport. It first went into service in the Royal Air Force as an Advanced Trainer in January, 1939. The Oxford was also built by the DeHavilland Aircraft Co.Ltd., Percival Aircraft Ltd., and the Standard Motor Co. Ltd. The total number produced being over 8,000.
ED 170 the aircraft selected for this model went to No. 22 Mainentance Unit in May, 1942, and was taken on charge of No. 6 (pilot) Advanced Flying Unit in June, 1943, and was written off in December 1943.
Oxfords were also used in Service Flying Schools in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Rhodesia and the Middle East. It was also employed on light transport and communications duties.
The Oxford II was equipped as a pilot, navigation and radio trainer, powered by two 275 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah X air-cooled radial motors.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 53 ft. 4 ins.
Length: 34 ft. 6 ins.
Height: 11 ft. 1 in.
Maximum speed: 188 m.p.h.
THE KIT:
Air Lines is Lines Bros., once based in New York, NY.
This kit came in a tray and lid type box in which the tray and lid are hinged together. It was not shrink wrapped but held shut with strips of Scotch tape.
As small as the box is, it is still blousey with a letter "L" void around the parts. I thought they were rattling around too much, so I put them all into a zip-lock type sandwich bag.
The box art shows an Oxford flying above the clouds, with a Boston flying in the opposite direction.
The Oxford is in a wave pattern of dark green and light earth over a yellow undercarraige. It carries a white fuselage code of (roundel) 69 and a black serial no. E170 under the elevators.
One side panel has a color side profile of the box art subject.
The other side panel lists features of the kit: student and instructor figures, moveable propellers, wheels and landing gear, authentic R.A.F. markings, box bottom COLLECTOR'S CARDS, Air Lines Testor Free Kit Offer, Testor paint manual, display stand. Made and litho in the USA and Line Bros. location stated as being in New York, NY in the 60's.
The box bottom has two color COLLECTOR'S Cards for a Hotspur II Training Glider (kit no. 7904) and a Macchi M.C. 202 Folgore Fighter (kit no. 3903) next to a mail-in coupon for the free kit offer.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 4 medium-grey parts trees, individual medium grey wing and fuselage halves, clear tree, decal sheet and instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 8" x 6" page format.
The face side of the instructions has a lone assembly drawing with text to walk modelers through the build.
The reverse side of the sheet has the history of the Oxford and a 3-view of the box art scheme, which further shows the fuselage code ED170 being also under both wings.
The 1st medium-grey tree holds: propellers and elevator flap halves (6 parts)
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 4 medium-grey parts trees, individual medium grey wing and fuselage halves, clear tree, decal sheet and instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 8" x 6" page format.
The face side of the instructions has a lone assembly drawing with text to walk modelers through the build.
The reverse side of the sheet has the history of the Oxford and a 3-view of the box art scheme, which further shows the fuselage code ED170 being also under both wings.
The 1st medium-grey tree holds: propellers and elevator flap halves (6 parts)
The 2nd medium-grey tree holds: the rudder flap, wing flaps etc. (5 parts)
The 3rd medium-grey tree holds: figures, cockpit floor, main wheels, cowlings, engine cylinders, prop washers. (11 parts)
The 4th medium-grey tree holds: landing gear legs, tail wheel, seats, antenna etc. (16 parts)
Next are the loose medium-grey wings and fuselage halves.
The clear tree holds 5 cabin windows.
The decals and painting guide complete the kit.
Parts trees are all loose and not cello bagged. Trees are not alphabetized and not illustrated in the instructions. There are no part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Air Lines.
Control surfaces are molded solid and panel lines are of the raised variety.
This is a nice old kit of a British trainer.
Recommended.
Control surfaces are molded solid and panel lines are of the raised variety.
This is a nice old kit of a British trainer.
Recommended.