Airfix-Vickers Valiant B.Mk.I 1.72 scale – sneak preview

Our thanks to Airfix for supplying our review sample. Get this impressive kit here now at: www.airfix.com

Background Info

For those not aware, the Vickers Valiant was the first of the Royal Air Forces “V” bombers, becoming the British nuclear deterrent in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was the first RAF aircraft to drop an atomic weapon, the Blue Danube in South Australia (the weapon is included in this kit).

Originally designed for high altitude strategic bombing, it was changed (along with the other V bombers) into a low level attack bomber. Flying at such a level did take its toll on the Vickers Valiant, where a number of serious problems surrounding the wing spar led to the Valliant’s career being short lived.

In total, Vickers built 107 of this iconic aircraft in which only one survives today at Cosford Museum. The aircraft was also converted in later years to tanker operations, photo reconnaissance and electronic counter measures. A point to note now is the kit includes a nice clear part for what I can only image is the photo reconnaissance version, which might be released in future years…

References Used

V-Bombers, Britain’s Cold War Nuclear Deterrent (published by Aviation Workshop).

The Kit

So, we have yet another fantastic new release from Airfix. The eagerly awaited Vickers Valiant BK MK.1 sparked a lot of interest when SMN debuted the “hot off the press” kit at the recent West Norfolk (Downham Market) Model Show, UK (June 2011) together with the new Airfix Seafire F.XVII, and it is easy to see why.

I am genuinely excited to be building this kit and I really hope I can do it some justice. The kit itself comes with four schemes;

1. XD823 – Valiant BK Mk.1 – 49 Squadron, Operation Grapple. 19th June 1957 – This Valiant being in the Anti-flash white.
2. XD857 – Valiant BK Mk.1 – 49 Squadron, RAF Marham. Circa 1963 – This Valiant being finished in Anti-flash white.
3. WZ404 – Valiant BK Mk.1 – 207 Squadron, RAF Marham, Circa 1964 – This variant being finished in three tone green and grey upper surfaces and white underside.
4. WB215 – 2nd Prototype, Aeroplane & Armament Experiment Establishment, Boscombe Down, circa 1956 – This Valiant being finished in an all silver scheme.

I particularly like this airframe as, like the Handley Page Victor, its elegant lines and curves made it look a futuristic airframe, way before its time.

I also like the airframe as I have a few ties to RAF Marham, where this aircraft operated for a number of years before the Handley-Page Victor was introduced.

I am intending to build this model in the three tone scheme as I thought it would be something different. I’m always up for a challenge, especially when I found out the camouflage is actually a hard demarcation and not soft as I thought. Loads and loads of masking to look forward to then!

Construction

I have decided to build this model 100% from the box – with nothing at all added. My intention is to simply show exactly what you can do with most of what is provided in the box for the aircraft I’m going to build.

The first thing I noticed is that the level of detail is very reasonable in this scale. The Moulding again looks to be superb, no flash at all and the panel lines seem to be getting less deep too. So far, so good Airfix…

Click here to follow James’ progress with this outstanding model