In box Review of Vista 1/72nd Scale
British Fairey Fulmar Mk.I Fighter
Kit no. 0202-1
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
One guy on internet has one for $5.00
Copyright is 1994. I paid $4.98 for my kit back then.
By Ray Mehlberger
Out of production
One guy on internet has one for $5.00
Copyright is 1994. I paid $4.98 for my kit back then.
HISTORY
The aircraft Fairey Fulmar was a two seat Fleet Fighter of the Fleet Air Army (FAA), assigned for the operations from aircraft carriers. Its origin was interesting, in fact. It was a modification of the already developed dive bomber (specification P.4/34), following the specification 08/38.
Although it was bigger, heavier and less effective owing to its construction concept than the Hurricane and Spitfire, which were introduced into the service of the RAF at that time. It belonged to the best fighter aircrafts of FAA at the beginning of the war, because of its powerful armaments and combat value of the fighter.
The first Fulmar Mk. I serial N1854 had its first take-off on the 4th of January 1940. It was converted on to the version Mk. II later and now it is in the collections of the FAA Museum in Yeovilton.
The first serial aircrafts entered service in June 1940 and they participated in the combat operations already in September of the same year.
The aircrafts Fulmar served mostly on the Royal Navy aircraft carriers. They also operated from the ground or shore bases both in Great Britain and the Mediterranean theatre, where they played a very important role during the defence of the convoys to Malta and North Africa.
Well known is their participation in pursuing the German battleship Bismarck, when they ensured the aircraft cover of the Royal Navy. About 100 of aircrafts of the version Mk. II were equipped with radars and converted on the NF 11 version, i.e. into the role of night fighters, or they served for the training of the crew of the night fighters.
Further Fulmars were equipped with new highly effective radio appliances about the year 1942, with the aim to use these aircrafts as the long-range reconnaissance aircraft over the Indian Ocean.
A total of 600 Fulmar aircraft Mk. I were built. The last of them served until February 1945.
The aircraft Fairey Fulmar was a two seat Fleet Fighter of the Fleet Air Army (FAA), assigned for the operations from aircraft carriers. Its origin was interesting, in fact. It was a modification of the already developed dive bomber (specification P.4/34), following the specification 08/38.
Although it was bigger, heavier and less effective owing to its construction concept than the Hurricane and Spitfire, which were introduced into the service of the RAF at that time. It belonged to the best fighter aircrafts of FAA at the beginning of the war, because of its powerful armaments and combat value of the fighter.
The first Fulmar Mk. I serial N1854 had its first take-off on the 4th of January 1940. It was converted on to the version Mk. II later and now it is in the collections of the FAA Museum in Yeovilton.
The first serial aircrafts entered service in June 1940 and they participated in the combat operations already in September of the same year.
The aircrafts Fulmar served mostly on the Royal Navy aircraft carriers. They also operated from the ground or shore bases both in Great Britain and the Mediterranean theatre, where they played a very important role during the defence of the convoys to Malta and North Africa.
Well known is their participation in pursuing the German battleship Bismarck, when they ensured the aircraft cover of the Royal Navy. About 100 of aircrafts of the version Mk. II were equipped with radars and converted on the NF 11 version, i.e. into the role of night fighters, or they served for the training of the crew of the night fighters.
Further Fulmars were equipped with new highly effective radio appliances about the year 1942, with the aim to use these aircrafts as the long-range reconnaissance aircraft over the Indian Ocean.
A total of 600 Fulmar aircraft Mk. I were built. The last of them served until February 1945.
THE KIT
Vista was a model company based in the Czech Republic. I don't believe they exist anymore.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts of the decal sheet find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a Fulmar Mk. I flying over a shoreline. It is in 2 shades of grey over a sky undercarriage. It has the sky fuse code 6J roundel and the black serial no. N 4129. There is a yellow circle on the side of the nose with a black mailed fist on it.
One corner of the box art repeats the box art subject as color side profile, over a second side profile of a Fulmar Mk. II in the same camouflage it has a white fuselage no. 6B. The roundels are white stars on a blue field outlined in yellow.
This aircraft is shown again in color profile on both side panels.
The bottom of the box serves as the painting and marking guide. There is a 4-view of the box art subject and the Mk.II on the side panels.
Vista was a model company based in the Czech Republic. I don't believe they exist anymore.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped end-opening type box. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts of the decal sheet find their way past one of the end flaps to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
The box art shows a Fulmar Mk. I flying over a shoreline. It is in 2 shades of grey over a sky undercarriage. It has the sky fuse code 6J roundel and the black serial no. N 4129. There is a yellow circle on the side of the nose with a black mailed fist on it.
One corner of the box art repeats the box art subject as color side profile, over a second side profile of a Fulmar Mk. II in the same camouflage it has a white fuselage no. 6B. The roundels are white stars on a blue field outlined in yellow.
This aircraft is shown again in color profile on both side panels.
The bottom of the box serves as the painting and marking guide. There is a 4-view of the box art subject and the Mk.II on the side panels.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
This kit contains 2 light-grey trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions all in a sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 8 1/4" x 7 3/4" format. The face side has the history of the Fulmar in Czech and English along with written instructions in the two languages.
The reverse side of the instructions has a total of 8 assembly steps on it.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do however have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
The first light-grey tree holds: wing halves, elevators, seat, landing gear legs and doors etc. (11 parts)
This kit contains 2 light-grey trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions all in a sealed clear cello bag.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 8 1/4" x 7 3/4" format. The face side has the history of the Fulmar in Czech and English along with written instructions in the two languages.
The reverse side of the instructions has a total of 8 assembly steps on it.
Trees are not alphabetized or illustrated in the instructions. They do however have part number tabs next to the parts on the trees.
The first light-grey tree holds: wing halves, elevators, seat, landing gear legs and doors etc. (11 parts)
The second light-grey tree holds: fuselage halves, propeller, spinner, main wheels, tail wheel, exhaust pipes, dashboard, joystick, bulkheads etc. (24 parts)
The clear tree holds the cockpit windows and light lenses (3 parts)
The Propagteam decal sheet completes the kit.
There are no crew figures included in the kit. Detail is of the engraved type. Flaps are all molded solid.
Recommended.