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 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 ‘fanboy’ 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 continues to bring out new and exciting kits. These kits have a special appeal to what I suspect is their target market, middle-aged British males.
Anyway, back to the current kits that Airfix has to offer.
October 2024 – Airfix re-releases their Avro Anson kit with 3 Cold War era schemes. And would you believe it, one of them is Royal Navy! I think this one will end up in the stash!
August 2024 – Airfix announce a fantastic 1/48 bundle offer that includes the Buccaneer, Seafire, Sea Fury, Tiger Moth and the odd one out a Walrus!
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 graceful lines. But the Sea Fury certainly has the looks to live up to its 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 says 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)
It’s not currently in the Airfix catalogue, but it’s 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 an FAA scheme. OK, the scheme was for the current historic flight, but still a Cold War colour scheme.
BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1 (A05101)
It’s quite an old kit now, dating from 1983. So maybe it’s 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 the current Airfix Hunter kit)
- Sea Vampire (based on the current Airfix kit)
Actually, this list could include just about every Cold War aircraft operated by the Fleet Air Arm!
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