In Box Review of Airfix 1/72nd Scale Supermarine Walrus 11
By Ray Mehlberger
Kit no. 282
OUT OF PRODUCTION
My kit has the copyright date of 1964. I paid $1.25 for it back then.
Kit no. 282
OUT OF PRODUCTION
My kit has the copyright date of 1964. I paid $1.25 for it back then.
HISTORY:
First given the name "Walrus" when it entered service with the R.A.F. in 1935, the aircraft was developed from the original Supermarine "Seagull" of 1922. The "Walrus" was designed as a fleet spotter, but achieved fame during the Second World War as the main R.A.F. Air Sea Rescue aircraft.
The Walrus was one of the few amphibians to be used in the war, and its ability to land and take off from either land or water enabled it to be used in many theatres and for many duties. The Walrus was powered by a 775 h.p. Bristol Pegasus VI engine, giving a top speed of 135 m.p.h. and a range of 600 miles. Armament consisted of two Vickers K machine guns, one in the bow and one amidships. Wing span was 40 ft. 10 ins. and length was 37 ft. 7 ins.
First given the name "Walrus" when it entered service with the R.A.F. in 1935, the aircraft was developed from the original Supermarine "Seagull" of 1922. The "Walrus" was designed as a fleet spotter, but achieved fame during the Second World War as the main R.A.F. Air Sea Rescue aircraft.
The Walrus was one of the few amphibians to be used in the war, and its ability to land and take off from either land or water enabled it to be used in many theatres and for many duties. The Walrus was powered by a 775 h.p. Bristol Pegasus VI engine, giving a top speed of 135 m.p.h. and a range of 600 miles. Armament consisted of two Vickers K machine guns, one in the bow and one amidships. Wing span was 40 ft. 10 ins. and length was 37 ft. 7 ins.
THE KIT:
This kit came in a tray and lid type box that was not shrink-wrapped. It was held shut with strips of tape.
One side panel has a die cut tab with a hole in the center. This is to allow a hobby shop owner to display the kit strung on a hook on the wall rather than on a shelf. Different!
The box art shows a Walrus on the ocean picking up a downed British fighter pilot in his yellow dingy. His fighter's tail is sticking straight up and the plane is going down.
The Walrus is in a wave pattern of dark grey and dark green overe duck egg green under carraige. It carries a fuselage code in white of AL (roundel) N and a red serial no. W3026 behind it.
Side panels show 4 color box arts of other aircraft kits that Airfix markets: a Avro Anson 1, a Lockheed Starfighter F104C, a Dassault Mirage III C and a D.H. Mosquito VI.
This kit came in a tray and lid type box that was not shrink-wrapped. It was held shut with strips of tape.
One side panel has a die cut tab with a hole in the center. This is to allow a hobby shop owner to display the kit strung on a hook on the wall rather than on a shelf. Different!
The box art shows a Walrus on the ocean picking up a downed British fighter pilot in his yellow dingy. His fighter's tail is sticking straight up and the plane is going down.
The Walrus is in a wave pattern of dark grey and dark green overe duck egg green under carraige. It carries a fuselage code in white of AL (roundel) N and a red serial no. W3026 behind it.
Side panels show 4 color box arts of other aircraft kits that Airfix markets: a Avro Anson 1, a Lockheed Starfighter F104C, a Dassault Mirage III C and a D.H. Mosquito VI.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 2 pale grey parts trees, loose pale grey fuselage and wing halves. 2 clear trees, the decal sheet and the instructions. There are no part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Airfix.
Trees are not cello bagged. So, I put everything into a zip locked sandwich bag to keep things together.
Trees are not alphabetized or shown in the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 10" x 6 1/2" page format, folded twice to fit the box.
The face side of the instructions begins with a history of the Walrus, over international assembly symbol explanations and the first 3 assembly steps.
The reverse side of the instructions continues with a grand total of 6 assembly steps. The 6th step is the painting and marking instruction. It shows a 3 view of the box art scheme (already described above).
In step 5 you can opt for landing gear.
This kit contains 2 pale grey parts trees, loose pale grey fuselage and wing halves. 2 clear trees, the decal sheet and the instructions. There are no part number tabs next to the parts on the trees. Bad move Airfix.
Trees are not cello bagged. So, I put everything into a zip locked sandwich bag to keep things together.
Trees are not alphabetized or shown in the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 10" x 6 1/2" page format, folded twice to fit the box.
The face side of the instructions begins with a history of the Walrus, over international assembly symbol explanations and the first 3 assembly steps.
The reverse side of the instructions continues with a grand total of 6 assembly steps. The 6th step is the painting and marking instruction. It shows a 3 view of the box art scheme (already described above).
In step 5 you can opt for landing gear.
The 1st pale grey tree has the parts for the landing gear, engine, propellers, crew, etc.
The 2nd pale grey tree contains the pontoons, elavators and struts.
Next is the fuselage halves.
The lower wings are 4 pieces with 2 upper and 2 lower halves.
The upper wing also consist of two halves.
There are two trees of clear parts. The 1st clear part is the canopy.
The 2nd tree is the stand.
The last item in the kit are the decals for the version shown on the box.
This is neat British flying boat. However, the box art shows a lot of wire rigging between the upper and lower wings. I hate to do rigging, so probably will never build this kit then. It's for sale for a decent offer.
I purchased my kit for a song back in the 60's at a local hobby shop that went out of business.