Back in late 70's i was in Air Scouts, flew on three Nimrods out of St Mawgan and Kinloss (201sqdn) Long 12 hour flights out over atlantic around Greenland etc Awesome experience for a young lad, even allowed to launch a sonar buoy! Best food as well on board! Would love to make this kit, but unfortunately above my budget now. Thanks for the memories! Would like to see a build of Avro Shackleton, Nimrods predecessor.
I just bought one on Ebay for $26 so this series of videos is perfect timing for me. Couple of nitpicks from me though. MAD stands for Magnetic Anomaly Detector, not metal. Nimrod R has different electronics from the MR versions as it was built as a spy plane, not ASW or maritime reconnaissance. They spent their time patrolling the iron curtain (allegedly).
During the Bicentennial airshow held at RAAF Richmond NSW Australia in 1988 I was lucky enough to have a personal tour of Nimrod XV234 of 201 Squadron sister ship too XV241 which is on the decal sheet (XV234 became one of the Nimrods converted to a MRA4, as serial ZJ518, before that project was cancelled and the aircraft scrapped).which was in Australia for FINCASTLE 88. The decals on the sheet for XV241 show the logo for a stylised representation of a map of Australia in green and gold used during the Bicentennial year celebrations with FINCASTLE 88 underneath. This is a reference to the Fincastle Trophy ASW contest staged in Australia that year, and of course the red kangaroo. I happen to have two of these kits and what a joy it would be to convert one of them into Nimrod MRA4 ZJ518.
I remember being at RAAF Edinburgh (Australia) in 2001 when Fincastle was hosted by the RAAF and seeing the Nimrod up close and personal. Interestingly one morning, as the sun shone down on the tarmac the Nimrod seemingly changed sides overnight when a great BIG maple leaf was found emblazoned on the Nimrod's tail. We weren't 100% sure but we suspected the Canadians might have had something to do with it. 🤪
I worked on the MRa4 at wood ford this was converted from a MR2 version. Refitted with RR BR700 engines on twin spectical castings, Modern mission desk and glass cockpit . Larger fin , A320 wings. Revised bomb bay , pressure floor. Larger belly fairings. Same fuselage from the 60s with dimmpled pressurised skin. The original Nimrod was often seen flying over our school from Woodford. Don't bother putting in rivets its all flush riveted on the lap joints.
Thanks for doing this review Phil. I have this kit in my stash, so looking forward to the build. I did pay a little bit more than you paid but it was the only one I could find even with the price tag I paid.
As an airliner buff living in the U.S. I'd love to see Airfix issue a 1/72 scale Comet IV as I'd build it in Mexicana livery or even Capital Airlines (which did order the aircraft but cancelled). Anyway, guess we'll have to just be happy with Airfix's vintage 1/144 scale version. Wonderful review of this unusual maritime aircraft (ugly in comparison its airliner relative) and thanks for sharing!
I would recommend getting the Alleycat bomb bay conversion, they also do seemless intakes and some other bits as well but it can be made into a great looking kit. I believe the nose light is in the wrong place and needs to be moved down, I've seen people move it but it takes some work.
Good to see you at Telford Saturday 8 November 2024 Phil. I didn't get the chance to ask but I have asked before: are you going to restock your Hataka Orange Line paints on your PM website? Love the paints but many are sadly out of stock.
Be interested in seeing this one built. I was at RAF Lossiemouth in the early 1990's when a Nimrod ditched in the sea close to the base. Luckily all the crew got out alive. Only a few of these kits on Ebay. Cheapest I saw was £65.
@@onefortheroad8115 That is probably because I have been bitten a few times by Airfix issues and quality. I have been building models, on and off since the 1970's. I can remember Airfix of old. With things like their garbage 1/24 Harrier kit. But these days, Airfix are much better. But, they still let us all down on a regular basis with quality issues. EG short shots on kits that have recently been released. Especially on Vintage Classic kits. Errors in parts such as the off centre wheel hubs on the new 1/72 Liberator kit. The mistake with the Jamming pod on the Blackbuck Vulcan release. I regularly hear of quality control issues. A result of manufacturing in India no doubt. How many times have you seen short shots on a Tamiya kit for instance?
Trumpeter mold, that’s what I reckon, if you have their 1/72 tupolev bear they are remarkably similar build breakdown, sprue style, number tabs, odd inaccuracies and plastic type. Might explain the box being a wrap. My two bobs worth is that is was a contract job. Personally I love the kit despite its issues. The wired one for me is the horrific decals, again makes me think it was a contract job, as the decals are not trumpeter like . Thoughts?
I guess this kit wasn't a big seller and that's why it was not reissued. Maybe Airfix should try again in 144th scale, but it's certainly a unique subject with lots of potential for different versions.
I think you're right, because Modelzone eventually sold off their stock at a bargain price. If I remember rightly Airfix invited customers to pre-order the kit and announced that they were only going to mould sufficient copies to satisfy those orders. That would fit with Colin Watts' theory that it was a contract job carried out for them by another firm. Modellers had been clamouring for a 1/72 Nimrod for years (I read somewhere that FROG were planning one before they went bust in 1976) but it seems that when it finally materialised not that many people were actually prepared to open their wallet. The sheer size of the model probably had as much to do with it as the cost, something similar apparently happened when Revell-Monogram released a 1/48 Catalina which was another subject that US modellers in particular had been calling for.
Back in late 70's i was in Air Scouts, flew on three Nimrods out of St Mawgan and Kinloss (201sqdn) Long 12 hour flights out over atlantic around Greenland etc Awesome experience for a young lad, even allowed to launch a sonar buoy! Best food as well on board! Would love to make this kit, but unfortunately above my budget now. Thanks for the memories! Would like to see a build of Avro Shackleton, Nimrods predecessor.
I just bought one on Ebay for $26 so this series of videos is perfect timing for me. Couple of nitpicks from me though. MAD stands for Magnetic Anomaly Detector, not metal. Nimrod R has different electronics from the MR versions as it was built as a spy plane, not ASW or maritime reconnaissance. They spent their time patrolling the iron curtain (allegedly).
Awesome choice Phil. Really looking forward to your build.
During the Bicentennial airshow held at RAAF Richmond NSW Australia in 1988 I was lucky enough to have a personal tour of Nimrod XV234 of 201 Squadron sister ship too XV241 which is on the decal sheet (XV234 became one of the Nimrods converted to a MRA4, as serial ZJ518, before that project was cancelled and the aircraft scrapped).which was in Australia for FINCASTLE 88. The decals on the sheet for XV241 show the logo for a stylised representation of a map of Australia in green and gold used during the Bicentennial year celebrations with FINCASTLE 88 underneath. This is a reference to the Fincastle Trophy ASW contest staged in Australia that year, and of course the red kangaroo. I happen to have two of these kits and what a joy it would be to convert one of them into Nimrod MRA4 ZJ518.
I remember being at RAAF Edinburgh (Australia) in 2001 when Fincastle was hosted by the RAAF and seeing the Nimrod up close and personal. Interestingly one morning, as the sun shone down on the tarmac the Nimrod seemingly changed sides overnight when a great BIG maple leaf was found emblazoned on the Nimrod's tail. We weren't 100% sure but we suspected the Canadians might have had something to do with it. 🤪
I worked on the MRa4 at wood ford this was converted from a MR2 version.
Refitted with RR BR700 engines on twin spectical castings, Modern mission desk and glass cockpit .
Larger fin , A320 wings. Revised bomb bay , pressure floor. Larger belly fairings. Same fuselage from the 60s with dimmpled pressurised skin. The original Nimrod was often seen flying over our school from Woodford.
Don't bother putting in rivets its all flush riveted on the lap joints.
Did you work on XV234 later ZJ518?
Thanks for doing this review Phil. I have this kit in my stash, so looking forward to the build. I did pay a little bit more than you paid but it was the only one I could find even with the price tag I paid.
As an airliner buff living in the U.S. I'd love to see Airfix issue a 1/72 scale Comet IV as I'd build it in Mexicana livery or even Capital Airlines (which did order the aircraft but cancelled). Anyway, guess we'll have to just be happy with Airfix's vintage 1/144 scale version. Wonderful review of this unusual maritime aircraft (ugly in comparison its airliner relative) and thanks for sharing!
I would recommend getting the Alleycat bomb bay conversion, they also do seemless intakes and some other bits as well but it can be made into a great looking kit. I believe the nose light is in the wrong place and needs to be moved down, I've seen people move it but it takes some work.
I’ve built two them and I still have them nice kit to build there also was a conversion for the AEW
AIM 9L was the Sidewinder mounted on the MR2P for the Falklands
AIM 9G were used for the Nimrods. The limited number of 9L's available were sent down for the Sea Harriers.
Good to see you at Telford Saturday 8 November 2024 Phil. I didn't get the chance to ask but I have asked before: are you going to restock your Hataka Orange Line paints on your PM website? Love the paints but many are sadly out of stock.
Be interested in seeing this one built. I was at RAF Lossiemouth in the early 1990's when a Nimrod ditched in the sea close to the base. Luckily all the crew got out alive. Only a few of these kits on Ebay. Cheapest I saw was £65.
Well that does surprise me. You never have a nice word to say about Airfix on Facebook!
@@onefortheroad8115 That is probably because I have been bitten a few times by Airfix issues and quality. I have been building models, on and off since the 1970's. I can remember Airfix of old. With things like their garbage 1/24 Harrier kit. But these days, Airfix are much better. But, they still let us all down on a regular basis with quality issues. EG short shots on kits that have recently been released. Especially on Vintage Classic kits. Errors in parts such as the off centre wheel hubs on the new 1/72 Liberator kit. The mistake with the Jamming pod on the Blackbuck Vulcan release. I regularly hear of quality control issues. A result of manufacturing in India no doubt. How many times have you seen short shots on a Tamiya kit for instance?
Built this kit a couple of years ago; only issue was the very vague fit of the bomb bay doors.
Trumpeter mold, that’s what I reckon, if you have their 1/72 tupolev bear they are remarkably similar build breakdown, sprue style, number tabs, odd inaccuracies and plastic type. Might explain the box being a wrap. My two bobs worth is that is was a contract job. Personally I love the kit despite its issues. The wired one for me is the horrific decals, again makes me think it was a contract job, as the decals are not trumpeter like . Thoughts?
I have one with all the Alley cat resin parts. If I remember right I think Trumpeter did the moldings for this one. At least that is what I heard.
Do you have a "Sunday best" cutting mat for video's cos my cutting mats are no where near that pristine!
While building my kit I noticed the search light lamp is not shown in the construction plans so watch out for this part in the clear parts!
I guess this kit wasn't a big seller and that's why it was not reissued. Maybe Airfix should try again in 144th scale, but it's certainly a unique subject with lots of potential for different versions.
I think you're right, because Modelzone eventually sold off their stock at a bargain price. If I remember rightly Airfix invited customers to pre-order the kit and announced that they were only going to mould sufficient copies to satisfy those orders. That would fit with Colin Watts' theory that it was a contract job carried out for them by another firm. Modellers had been clamouring for a 1/72 Nimrod for years (I read somewhere that FROG were planning one before they went bust in 1976) but it seems that when it finally materialised not that many people were actually prepared to open their wallet. The sheer size of the model probably had as much to do with it as the cost, something similar apparently happened when Revell-Monogram released a 1/48 Catalina which was another subject that US modellers in particular had been calling for.
still a very nice kit.. but even at 1/72 scale ... its very large and will take up your desk space...
£96 on eBay now!!
The roundels are really badly pixelated, needs aftermarket.
Great choice, seem to be around the £60-70 price range!