No.12 Squadron, Royal Air Force Project
This project isn’t 100% Cold War aviation related, but it will obviously feature a number of Cold War builds.
The project stems from my childhood, when my Dad was based at RAF Honington, Suffolk, in the mid-1970s. At the time, Buccaneers of No.12 Squadron RAF were based at RAF Honington, and I was at just the right age for them to make a big impression on my young mind.
So, I’ve always had a soft spot for No.12 Squadron, and when I acquired the Xtradecal X72-208 ‘History of RAF 12th Squadron WW1 to Present Day’ decal sheet, it gave me the kick-start I needed to get this project underway.
I actually purchased the decal sheet because I needed some replacement decals for the old Airfix Avro Lancaster B.III, which was a present from my daughters, but unfortunately, the original decals in the kit had been damaged.
So, what will be on the build list?
Royal Aircraft Factory RE8
I’ll be using decals from X72-208 for this one. The natural choice of kit would be the Airfix Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 (A01076), which, at the time of writing (November 2026), is no longer part of the Airfix catalogue. So, finding one will also be part of the project!
Fairey Fox Mk.1
I had to include this particular aircraft in the project, as it’s the aircraft that inspired the Fox on the squadron badge.
The only kit I could find was produced by Pegasus. I was very lucky, though, as a friend from my model club (Taunton and District Model Makers) knew someone who had one. Even better, they were happy to let me have the kit for nothing!
Don’t you just love the model-making community?
It’s a small kit, but very much a limited-run affair, and as such, it will certainly push my model-making skills. Quite a few parts will need to be scratch-built, and I’ll also have to hunt down some suitable decals, as the kit didn’t come with any. But as I got it for free, that’s not a big deal!
Fairey Battle Mk.1
I’ll be using decals from X72-208 for this build.
Airfix used to be the only option for this aircraft, but we now have the excellent Azur-FRROM Fairey Battle Mk.1 (FR0048). I don’t currently have this one in my stash, but I’ll be keeping an eye out for it, especially as it doesn’t seem to be in production at the moment (November 2026).
Vickers Wellington Mk.II
Again, I’ll be using decals from X72-208.
My best option for this build would probably be the Airfix Vickers Wellington Mk.II (A08021), which, annoyingly, is also not currently in production (November 2026).
Vickers Wellington Mk.III
I’ll also be using decals from X72-208 for this one.
Again, it looks like an Airfix offering will be the way to go, namely the Vickers Armstrong Wellington B.III (04001). A bit like the RE8, this may involve a bit of a hunt, or perhaps I’ll just have to hope someone brings out a new version!
Avro Lancaster B.III
This one is actually already built and completed.
The Lancaster started life as part of the old Airfix Battle of Britain Memorial Flight set (A10600). As mentioned in the introduction, this was a gift from my daughters.
By the time I got around to building it (during the Covid lockdown in 2022), the decals had unfortunately been damaged, so I used the replacements from X72-208 instead.
Avro Vulcan B.2
I actually have the Airfix Avro Vulcan B.2 (A12011) in my stash, and this kit includes No.12 Squadron decals. So, all I need to do is build it straight from the box!
Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B
I’ll be using decals from X72-208 for this one.
The aircraft will be finished in the classic Dark Sea Grey and Dark Green upper camouflage, with Light Aircraft Grey undersides.
This is another kit I already have in my stash, in the shape of the Airfix Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B (A06022).
Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B
This one will depict a post-Gulf War Buccaneer, finished in an overall Mid Grey scheme.
The best option would be to add another Airfix Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B (A06022) to my stash.
Panavia Tornado GR.4A
I’ll be using decals from X72-208 for this build.
It would be nice to get my hands on the Hasegawa Limited Edition Tornado GR.4 ‘No.12 Squadron Farewell Special’ (02116), but I don’t think that’s going to happen!
The other options are the Heller Tornado GR.4/4A (80328) or the Airfix Tornado GR4/4A (04041). Both, I suspect, could be quite difficult to find.
