1/48 Cold War Royal Air Force

Building 1/48 Cold War Royal Air Force (Airfix)

Back in 2023, I wrote a blog post called 1/48 Cold War Fleet Air Arm (Airfix). I thought it was time to do a similar post for the Royal Air Force.

Airfix now has quite a good line-up of RAF subjects in 1/48 scale, and long may that continue.

Before I go further with this blog, I just need to put out the following statement to make everything nice and transparent:

Stuart Fowle is a participant in the Airfix Affiliates programme , an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Airfix. This means that when you click on links to various products on this site/post and make a purchase, this can result in a commission that is credited to Stuart Fowle. This does not impact the price you pay.

So let’s get this started, and in no particular order.

de Havilland Chipmunk T.10

The de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 certainly has a place in any RAF Cold War collection. The Airfix kit is also a great kit for anyone wanting to try their first go at a 1/48 model kit. It has quite a low part count of only 84 and 4 very different schemes. Plus, it is also quite a small aircraft, so it does not look too daunting.

The Chipmunk was my first 1/48 build and therefore my first addition to my 1/48 Cold War RAF collection. You can read about what you get in the box and see some build photos here.

Currently (October 2025) Airfix are offering 2 versions of the de Havilland Chipmunk. The Chipumk T.10 and the Chipmunk T.10/20.

Gloster Meteor (F.8 and FR.9)

Since 2016, Airfix has produced two versions of the Gloster Meteor, the F.8 and the FR.9. Any RAF Cold War collection needs at least one Meteor, if not all the variants. It will be interesting to see if Airfix produce any of the night fighter versions (fingers crossed).

A09182A, The Meteor F.8 has 165 parts and 2 colour scheme options (October 2025).

The other version is the Meteor FR.9. This is a kit that I have built, and I’m actually very pleased with the result. You can read more about the build here. Currently (October 2025), this version is not on the Airfix website, but I’m sure your local or favourite online model shop may have a box or two.

de Havilland Vampire (F.3, FB.5 and FB.9)

Another classic early Cold War jet fighter that would grace any 1/48 Cold War RAF collection.

Airfix first released their Vampire F.3 in 2016 and has since released a Vampire FB.5/FB.9 in 2023. I currently have the Vampire F.3 in my stash, and it is one I’m certainly looking forward to building.

The latest release of the Vampire is the FB5/FB.9 version. This kit contains 124 parts and the choive of 3 colour scheme options, this is currently on the Airfix site (October 2025).

Canadair Sabre F.4

Continuing with another fighter, this time the 2021 release of the Canadair Sabre F.4. Another kit that I have in my stash(I need to get some building under my belt!). It looks like a nice kit and at 148 parts should make for an interesting build.

The Canadair F.4 is currently on the Airfix site, but showing as ‘out of stock’. Hopefully, that means they will be restocking at some point. The kit contains 148 parts and you get the choice of 2 colour schemes (October 2025).

Hawker Hunter (Various marks)

Now we move on to what some people consider the most elegant of the Cold War RAF’s fighter aircraft, the Hawker Hunter.

Airfix have produced quite a few versions of the Hawker Hunter:

• Hunter F.6
• Hunter F.4 / F.5 and J34
• Hunter FGA.9 / FR.10 and GA.11

Currently on the FGA.9 version is on the Airfix website (October 2025). The kit has 124 parts and gives you the option of 3 colour schemes. Hey, and guess what, yes, I have that in my stash. Writing this blog is making me realise I really need to get more time at my model bench!

Folland Gnat T.1

First released in 2014, so quite an oldish kit now. The kit is only 96 parts, but does come with 2 very colourful schemes (October 2025). I have only just recently added this to my stash. Looking in the box, it appears it should be a nice little build, and I’m looking forward to putting this one together.

The Folland Gnat T.1 is currently on the Airfix site (October 2025).

Sepecat Jaguar GR.1/GR.1A

I was very excited to see this released this year (2025) and was very impulsive in adding it to my stash! The kit has 243 parts, which enable you to build the earlier needle-nose Jag or the later chisel-nose Jag. Airfix have also supplied 4 colour schemes. 1 for the GR.1 and 3 for the GR1.A. I suspect I will do the GR.1 version when I eventually get around to building this kit.

As of October 2025 the Sepecat Jaguar GR.1/GR.1A is currently on the Airfix website.

Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B

Another fantastic addition to the 1/48 RAF Cold War range from Airfix. First released in 2022 as an FAA version, the S.2C/D (see my 1/48 FAA blog post). Then again in 2023, as the RAF S.2B version, which is the one we are interested in. The Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B is currently on the Airfix site (October 2025).

The kit contains 291 parts and 4 colour scheme options.

Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX

Released in 2018, the iconic Spitfire has had many releases since then in various marks. The Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX is currently on the Airfix site (October 2025). The kit is 98 parts and has the option of 3 colour schemes.

1/48 Royal Air Force – Other Airfix kits

Gloster Javelin FAW.9/9R

Currently not in the Airfix catalogue. First released in 2013 and then 2020, so fingers crossed we may have a release quite soon.

English Electric Lightning

No RAF Cold War collection would be complete without the awesome English Electric Lightning. Airfix have produced a 1/48 model of this iconic aircraft, starting back in 1997!

The 1997 release was for the F.2A/F.6 versions, the 1998 release was for the F.1/F.1A/F.2/F.3 versions. Both kit versions have been periodically released up until 2015, when the F.1 version of the kit was last released.

I’m hoping that Airfix will at some point do a new mould for the Lightning, but I’d settle for a re-release of either of the above 2 kits.

English Electric Canberra

Another Cold War classic, actually, they all seem to be classics! Is the English Electric Canberra. First released by Airfix in 2008 with the option to build it as one of B.2/B.20/B.62/B(I).8.

This was followed in 2009 by a kit of just the B(I).8 and a separate kit for the PR.9. The last release by Airfix of their Canberra kit was the B(I).8/B.20 in 2019.

Like the Javelin and Lightning, another kit that is due for a re-release, or fingers crossed, a new mould matching the current Airfix standards.

My Airfix wish list

This is just a short list, but there are many aircraft that could be on it:

• McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1/FGR.2
• Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.1/GR.3
• Hawker Siddeley Hawk T.1
• BAC Jet Provost T.3/T.4/T.5
• Westland Puma HC.1
• DH Venom (single and 2 seat versions)
• Supermarine Swift

As mentioned above, this list could be much longer!

Any kits I’ve missed, any you would like to see Airfix produce or re-release? Let me know in the comments below.