1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm
Building 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm (Airfix)
Building 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm using the current and past crop of Airfix 1/48 kits. The following would make a great start to any Cold War British Royal Navy aviation assets.
I’d noticed that this year (2023) that Airfix have been releasing a lot of new kits (plus some older ones), that feature aircraft used by the Fleet Air Arm during the Cold War. This fact, then got me thinking how they would be great for a 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm collection.
I will admit, I’m a bit of an Airfix ‘fan boy’, if I can even be classed as a boy at my age! My introduction to Airfix model kits would have been in the early 1970’s. Some would say this was the glory years for Airfix. But I think we are heading there again. Airfix continue to bring out new and exciting kits. These kits have a special appeal to what I suspect is thier target market, middle aged British males.
Anyway, back to the current kits that Airfix has to offer.
de Havilland Tiger Moth (A04104A)
Yes, you did read that correctly, the de Havilland Tiger Moth. The current release comes with decals for an aircraft from the Britannia Royal Naval College, 1965.
A low parts count of 91 would suggest this would be a good starting place if you are new to 1/48. But, it’s got rigging, so that may put a few people off.
As an addition to a Cold War collection, it would certainly raise the odd eye brow.
Supermarine Seafire F.XVII (A06102A)
Ahh, the Supermarine Seafire, what graceful lines. A kit of 134 parts and 3 Cold War related schemes. The Seafire would make a great addition to a 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm collection.
I especially like the Extra Dark Sea Grey/Sky scheme, as featured on the box art. So this would be the scheme I would go for when building this kit.
This is an older kit (2011), but re-released this year (2023).
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 (A06105A)
What a beast the Hawker Sea Fury is. The Seafire may have had the graceful lines. But the Sea Fury certainly has the looks to live up to it’s name.
A kit of 122 parts and 3 schemes. Again, one of the schemes features the Extra Dark Sea Grey/Sky combination. How great would the Sea Fury and the Seafire look, sat side by side.
Another re-release, but this time from 2018.
Fairey Gannet AS.1/AS.4 (A11007)
When Airfix released the Fairy Gannet earlier this year (2023). I’m convinced I heard a collective gasp of surprise from the modelling community! Or was it just me that was quite surprised?
Bit of a beast of a kit with 327 parts, so certainly not one for a new starter. Airfix say it will have 3 schemes, but as of 25 July 2023, no news of what they will be.
Certainly an interesting subject. If you are building a 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm collection, then the Gannet is a must.
Be interesting to see if Airfix use the kit as a basis for other versions, AEW anyone?
Blackburn Buccaneer S.2C/D
No 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm collection would be complete without the Blackburn Buccaneer!
Released in 2022, this kit has 288 parts and 3 schemes. I did hear grumblings in the model world about the schemes all being Extra Dark Sea Grey. I’m sure the after market decal makers will correct that (I’ve not yet looked).
Westland Sea King HAS.1/HAS.5/HU.5
Brand new today (25 July 2023) from Airfix is the Westland Sea King.
Wow, what a beauty this looks, and what a lot of parts at 348. Guess this one is going to be a fiddly build, even at 1/48 scale.
4 Schemes are offered, but only 2 relate to the Cold War period. Interestingly all schemes feature XV666. All is explained in the video below from Airfix.
1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm – Other Airfix kits
de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 (A04105)
Not currently in the Airfix catalogue, but a great little kit if you can get your hands on one.
I reviewed the box contents in the following blog post The kit that I had did include a FAA scheme. OK the scheme was for the current historic flight, but still Cold War colour scheme.
BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1 (A05101)
Quite an old kit now, dating from 1983. So maybe time for Airfix to create a new mould of this iconic jet.
More info over on Scalemates about this particular kit.
de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 (A11002)
Another iconic FAA aircraft (actually most of them seem to be!). Again, 2023 would be a perfect time for Airfix to re-release this kit.
My wish list from Airfix
Well as Airfix seem to be on a roll with producing 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm kits, one has to hope that the following are in the pipeline:
- Hawker Sea Hawk
- Phantom F-4K
- Westland Wasp
- Westland Whirlwind
- Hunter T.8 (based on current Airfix Hunter kit)
- Sea Vampire (based on current Airfix kit
Actually this list could include just about every Cold War aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm!
Just a quick note about the Airfix affiliate scheme that I’m in. The commission I get from them helps towards the cost of running this site, and also with the purchase of new kits. So if you buy via the links, thank you so much.
Just a quick note about the affiliate scheme that I’m in. The commission I get from them helps towards the cost of running this site, and also with the purchase of new art materials. So if you buy via the links, thank you so much.
