Yours is a lovely TSR 2 model Zin. This video will come in useful if I ever get hold of the 1/48 Airfix kit that doesn’t break the bank. I’ve been hunting one for years. Every night I pray that Airfix will re-release this kit in my lifetime or that some other kitmaker will produce one. 🤞🏻🤞🏻😁
Dear Ronald, That very kind of you sir. I look now and again at prices of these kits and I see them at around £100, (Look here: www.kingkit.co.uk/product/airfix-aircraft-1-48-10105-bac-tsr-2), but don't tell anyone!! Regards, Z
What a fantastic video! Someone who know something about the aircraft they are making a model of. I seen XR222 at Duxford a few years ago. and for a long while just stared at it. What sleek machine, even from the top view, everything just looked "right" about it.
Dear David, It is very kind of you to comment thusly. TSR2 was always a subject of interest to me and so I was quite bought in to the project when I acquired the kit. I felt that it turned out ok as it goes, so it's nice to hear that people perhaps thought the same thing. Cheers! Regards, Z
Zinzan very very nice build. you can still get the wolfpack cockpit set, but CMK does a bucket load of updates for the 1/48 version my second kit arrived this morning with a spare set of Xtradecal too. I bought most of the CMK stuff, i just now need the nose gear resin, the pitot tube and two sets of the metal u/clegs. if my turn out half as good as yours, i'll be very happy. the panel lines are stunning. really great work.
Dear Dave, I am certain that your project will turn out at least as well as the project I produced. Good luck getting the rest of the resin sir! "If Zin can, you can." KInd regards, Z
Zin, If you were ever to have the opportunity to do another TSR2 kit build, one additional thing you could consider is to take a page from Seamus's book and add LEDs for the nose gear landing lights and LEDs for the anti-collision beacons. Now that, with all of your other mods, would be a real stunner! One other point I would make is that I think you absolutely made the correct choice about having the main landing gear well doors closed -- if that is their normal position when the gear is not in transit, then that is the way I would want to model them.
it was always stated as a Airfix limited released, so best find a second hand one over wait in vain. i've found 2 under £70 each one even had additional decals. we were told both the 1/48 and 1/72 would be released once but the 1/72 scale kit was released as a manga issue too. if airfix are true to the old companies word, neither will re-appear. ie i don't even know if Airfix has these kit molds, along with the 1/72 Concorde and the New QE2 liner
Great timing Zinzan. I'm about to start on my first TSR2 - an Airfix 1:72, which I will complete as an early 80's RAF Wild Weasel SEAD, using a Buccaneer scheme. I have the 1:48 but that will have to wait until my skills are better. In the meantime I have a couple of 1:144 kits and three other 1:72 ones to play with. Freightdog models do a cockpit and canopy kit for the proposed trainer variant. I think this would be useful for producing an ADV what-if variant. The 1:144 kits are pretty cheap and I see them as good mules for trying out any major airframe mods that you might want to try before committing to doing them on a 1:72 or 1:48 kit.
Dear Finsbury, Good to hear from you! I hope you get a good project with your wild weasel! Thanks very much for tuning in again- I feel that I have done a lot on this project, but the subject of TSR2 keeps cropping up! DO let me know how you go- I'd be interested to hear! Kind regards, Z
@@ZinzanModelling Following your video I thought I'd check eBay for the state of play with 1:48 TSR2s - and yes, there were some eye watering prices. However, there was one that had recently been posted with a starting price of £60, and with a day or so to go, had yet to receive a bid. I of course put in a bid and bizarrely, no one else did and I've secured the kit for £60!
Hey Zin, nice build and great little hints to get things correct with the kit. I have 1/48th kits with many aftermarket parts and decals . It will be interesting. BUT , I also have to build the 1/72 kit 1st. Again I have shed-full of aftermarket bits. I will be game and have a go this year. I was able to travel from Australia and go to see the 2 of the TSR 2s in both great Museums and the Staff let me get inside the barriers and poke around and take plenty of pics. Like the Channel mate. Cheers from a warm Perth West OZ
Dear Mr Quadrant, Thanks very much for tuning in and letting me know what you think. It's pleasing to think that I'm in the vicinity of being entertaining! Glad you saw the TSR2 examples- the Cosford one was the closest to flying and it shows! Have a good set of projects and let me know how you get along!! Kind regards, Z
Great looking model. I had a look at one of these at Duxford recently. The paint finish is a smooth satin. The whole airframe is very very clean with very few visible panel lines. Nothing like the representation by Airfix. If I can get one I will tone the lines down and polish the paint to a very smooth satin finish. Shame they don't still make the kit. I guess £60 in ebay is OK
Dear Richard, Thanks for looking in again! I used XR220 as my living reference (as it were) and the lines around the inspection hatches are quite visible, even from a distance. I reasoned that this was the fact that XR222 was an agglomeration of several surviving airframes put together as a representation of the original aircraft. It is therefore a very clean version of the aircraft. Nevertheless, I can see why you might want to change the look at tad and note that some examples are available on the web., but at around the £110 mark. Good luck!! Regards, Z
@@ZinzanModelling Hi Z, I'll add one to my growing to do list. I took loads of ref pics so I'll give one a go at some point. I'm kinda commited to foiling videos at the moment 😀
Just one more example if one were needed of Britains at the time world beating technological expertise being sunk by foreign vested interests and totally corrupt self absorbed meddling domestic politicians, the aircraft was right at the end of its long and VERY expensive development period and NO ONE in the world had ANYTHING that was even half as capable or half as good as TSR2 in ANY metric, AND half the world was queing up to buy her with more and more wishing to have the option. But Harold Wilsons recently elected Labour government was chasing loans from the I.M.F (international monetary fund) - which had a huge imput from the Americans, and in order to get those loans the Americans with strident lobbying by among others Boeing and General Dynamics, demanded that TSR2 be INSTANTLY scrapped. And Wilson caved and duly did just that, right at the moment of her acceptance trials by the RAF. And in a truly scandelous move that has never happened either before or since, production was halted with immediate effect and ALL finished and unfinished aircraft ALL its tooling and ALL of its blueprints and design sheets were immediately burnt and destroyed in huge bonfires and its all of its production staff sacked OVERNIGHT, in what is effectively todays terms an aircraft that had cost the British taxpayer trillions of pounds to develop over a ten year period and resulted in a TRULY untouchable world class aircraft was effectively wiped from the face of the earth almost overnight....it really was that fast !....... and with the added codecil that Britain MUST purchase options on the American F111 swing wing fighter bomber from American constructors, and just to rub salt in our wounds the Americans later revealed the loans had already been sanctioned anyway with or without TSR2 !............AND as is typical from our self entitled so called "ruling class" NO ONE was ever held to account. It really IS a tragedy the way this aircraft was treated.
Dear Mr Reprise, Thanks- your background writing is most useful. You may like to look at my sub stack piece where I investigate this a little. It can be found here: substack.com/home/post/p-143793684?
I have one in my stash that I bought when it first came out. I am tempted to make it with whatever detail accessories are available. Or should I sell it?
Your kit looks amazing, hopefully when I manage to build mine it will look the same. I have the 1/48 Airfix TSR2 kit, I bought it at a model show in Glasgow a few years ago and was assured everything was present. I got it home and discovered that the part the exhaust nozzles was missing. I tried to get this part for years with no avail🥲 I joined a model club and we were talking about the kit and lo and behold one of the guys had a 1/72 version. Another of the guys has a 3d resin printer who scaled up the part and printed me one...........happy days. It needs a bit of filling to get a perfect fit but it's better than not having one. How did you get on with the white metal u/c unfortunately I don't have a great experience with white metal, through time it seems to wilt. Tried to get the Wolfpack upgrade but unable to find one😮💨
Dear Harry, Thanks for getting in touch and very kind of you to say what you did! I am hopeful that you manage a good finish with the resin tail assembly. The white metal oleo legs need some care as the surfaces are not smooth, but you can get a nice finish with a bit of patience and a set of smooth files. I appreciate your time in writing. Regards, Z
my quick views and memories of this kit. 1. The kit was not received very well. 2. Airfix was in that gallows mode, ie they had gone Bust, were in bankruptcy hearing. 3. They promised that both the 1/48 and 1/72 kits were to be one shot, one run, then they broke that promise. ie they re-released the manga japanese TSR2 in 1/72 but with RAF decals. 4. There was no real aftermarket bits, they came after 8 to 10 month later. 5. the kit mold quality was very poor, the surfaces look like orange peel. this was common on several newer kits. ie the TSR2, the QE2, and the 1/72 Concorde. and this was due to the molds being spark eroded over machined. 6 these were no were near as durable as machined molds. hence my memories are these, the kits didn't sell well. they were over priced due to the predicted demand, but the kits end up being basic and looking like they needed a lot of work hence the UNBUILDABLE comments. it was presumed that the TSR2 kits, Concorde and QE2 kits mold produced what they could, and then retired, it reuse would have meant new mold being eroded. all i know is Airfix Hornby as we know them now have made no mention of these molds and remember then every kit was punched in China. (so they could be anywhere. But it must be remembered for airfix to use them, they would be breaking that Limited Edition promise made. Lastly there a myth around the availability on these kits, ie i've bought 2 x 1/48 TSR2 kits for under £80 quid. (inc postage) one even came with spare decals (Xtradecal) yes some people are asking stupid prices but if you look you can find one for the same as the Buccaneer or Javerlin. you can blow £150 quid on Resin, ie replacing most bits bar the fuselage. yes they will become rare, but another will come along, ie EE lightning are worth a fortune, untill airfix rerelease them, and then the price will fall below RRP. So my advice is if you want a TSR2 keep looking till you find a cheap one.
Dear Dave, I thank you for your impressions and appreciate the time you spent outlining them. I am a relatively recent returner to the world of scale modelling and therefore wasn't around when the TSR2 was first released, so I can't really speak to the situation at the time. Your perceptions therefore are what I can comment upon. I note your point about the kit not being received well, but wonder why it would be that such products would be thought of poorly and still sell out twice. I think it doesn't matter that AF said the mouldings would be "one offs," the commercial imperative is what counts in such cases and I suspect that no model company went out of business by selling too many kits. My impressions of the 1/48 kit is that the plastic is of good quality and the finish is consistent and smooth, quite unlike orange peel in fact. Very little, if any finishing was required to complete the preparation for paint. Your points about pricing and low sales don't seem to be borne out by your earlier opinion- the kits can't both sell and not sell at the same time. I agree that the detail is somewhat basic, but only in the cockpit and in all other areas were/ are well rendered. The overall design is carefully thought through in order to make the kit easy to build and also to achieve a good result with a minimum level of skill. The "unbuildable" comment, (whoever made it), is not sustainable in the face of my own experience with this particular kit. I think of it like this: an out of the box, (ie unmodified) kit could be completed by a relatively inexperienced builder and a good result could be obtained. A more experienced, (or lucky in my case) builder could add modifications and upgrades leaving him with a very presentable result. The mark of a good kit in my view. Available examples are dwindling and I thought that costs were rising, but my recent looks (as do yours) show kits at some very reasonable prices which has surprised me somewhat. However that is good for those who want a TSR2 in 1/48 and I am pleased to see this. I am sure that Lightnings and others will be sought after and so your point there is accepted fully. There does seem to be an enduring desire for the TSR2, possibly because of the history or maybe the look of the aircraft, even perhaps both. I hope that those who want to build one of these get to do so- it's nice to see so many examples around just now. I know you put some effort into writing and it seems only good manners to devote a similar amount of effort to a response and hope that it meets with your approval. I thank you. Regards, Z
@@ZinzanModelling Cheers Z. yep i know it's strange but this kit really was a slow burner. I think you and I, have the same view on model kits, ie any kit is just a starting place, building and tweeking is down to the builder. There is also no right or wrong, and to me, the greatest build is one, that anyone finishes, ie i love to see well built model but seeing those of those starting out with the glue finger prints and painted with those gift paints are to me, the true masterpieces. ie i remember the days of my youth, my parents would go out, leaving me to my own devices. ie that where i cut my teeth, ie Friday or saturday night, a bottle of pop, a bag of crisps, and a Airfix kit (that was always finished before my parents got home!) ie i remember building G for George the airfix 1/72 scale Lancaster) lets just say my modelling has moved on a little since then. Sadly in the late 90's early 2000s modeling forums had several types of builders, the fair, the good, and the rivet counters. and they moaned at a lot of kits. in those Days i was know on many forums as Zero or Zero-X due to my love of the Thunderbirds Mars Exploration craft, or for the Japanese. (i was even Stupid enough to have had over 100 different 1/48 phantom II kits) They were good days, and they was a very positive spin on all modeller, old and new. each offering help and advice when asked for. negativity was very uncommon. Z if that TSR2 is only your second kit after 40 years away, i certainly will be watching to see what came next. ie the popcorn is already waiting. Also did you re-scribe the panel lines as they are absolutely spot on in depth and colouration. ie as i said if i get mine half as good i'll be happy. I also agree with you on the availability of the TSR2 kit. i was shocked to get only under £100, but to get two under £80 was a real bonus. I also think we agree if you want one Grab it now. 1/72 or 1/48 scale. ie a re-release would be great, but as i said. the molds could be in China, broken or unusable. Also at the moment if lucky you can get these for larger 1/48 kits. i need to get a picture host site up and running once i do that i can post what i have for my TSR2 builds so far. lastly cracking site, cracking builds, and you commentary and build pointer were very useful. so i'll certainly be watch from now on. cheers Dave AKA Zero.
Dear Zero!! I am often humbled by the effort folk put into writing to me. Yes, we aren’t far apart in opinion and your “glue marked masterpiece” comment struck a chord with me. It’s funny, the forums are all the same- I spent time on pink fish, (a hifi forum) many years ago and found the same sort of thing. Forums are ok if you don’t take them seriously! I signposted someone to a lower cost TSR2 earlier- I hope that folk get to look on a finished project with the pleasure I take in that aircraft. I give a lot of my completed aircraft away. Not this one though! Regards to you Dave! Z
Dear Bez, Ah! I didn't know about the Aries version, but I certainly have some Aries upgrades for the Lightning. I hope you go well with the kit! I had a good time with this one! (Are you the Bee from the Happy Mondays?) Regards, Z
@ no , I’m better than him ,, lol,funnily enough he was born quite near where I’m from , I bought it from flea bay including a book , I think I got a bargain , it’s about number 5 on my build list 😜
Dear Mr Toon, Thanks for writing. It seems that every time I write or speak about TSR2 many people say what you say. I don’t think you’re alone in thinking this. Only time will tell if AF remake this kit. Best regards, Z
Yours is a lovely TSR 2 model Zin. This video will come in useful if I ever get hold of the 1/48 Airfix kit that doesn’t break the bank. I’ve been hunting one for years. Every night I pray that Airfix will re-release this kit in my lifetime or that some other kitmaker will produce one. 🤞🏻🤞🏻😁
Dear Ronald,
That very kind of you sir. I look now and again at prices of these kits and I see them at around £100, (Look here: www.kingkit.co.uk/product/airfix-aircraft-1-48-10105-bac-tsr-2), but don't tell anyone!!
Regards,
Z
Hi Zin! Yay, figures! Nice kit. Like the AVRO Arrow, it was ahead of its time...
Dear Steve,
History is generally a good judge I have found. Thanks for tuning in!
Regards,
Z
Superb work. Great to see this kit. Hope Airfix release it soon.
Dear Jan,
Thanks very much! We can hope for a change of heart from Airfix eh?
Regards,
Z
What a fantastic video! Someone who know something about the aircraft they are making a model of. I seen XR222 at Duxford a few years ago. and for a long while just stared at it. What sleek machine, even from the top view, everything just looked "right" about it.
Dear David,
It is very kind of you to comment thusly. TSR2 was always a subject of interest to me and so I was quite bought in to the project when I acquired the kit. I felt that it turned out ok as it goes, so it's nice to hear that people perhaps thought the same thing.
Cheers!
Regards,
Z
Unbuildable? Not judging by the 'What if' schemed one in my cabinet. It looks great. 👍🏻Great build & Vid, Zin! 😃
Dear Peter,
Thanks! I thought a revisit was in order given the comments!
Regards,
Z
Zinzan very very nice build. you can still get the wolfpack cockpit set, but CMK does a bucket load of updates for the 1/48 version my second kit arrived this morning with a spare set of Xtradecal too. I bought most of the CMK stuff, i just now need the nose gear resin, the pitot tube and two sets of the metal u/clegs. if my turn out half as good as yours, i'll be very happy. the panel lines are stunning. really great work.
Dear Dave,
I am certain that your project will turn out at least as well as the project I produced.
Good luck getting the rest of the resin sir!
"If Zin can, you can."
KInd regards,
Z
Zin, If you were ever to have the opportunity to do another TSR2 kit build, one additional thing you could consider is to take a page from Seamus's book and add LEDs for the nose gear landing lights and LEDs for the anti-collision beacons. Now that, with all of your other mods, would be a real stunner! One other point I would make is that I think you absolutely made the correct choice about having the main landing gear well doors closed -- if that is their normal position when the gear is not in transit, then that is the way I would want to model them.
Dear Tron,
I’m inclined to agree! I’ll have a go at lighting sometime I expect as it adds a nice touch.
Thanks!
Regards,
Z
Nice!😊
I wish they would re-release this kit...
Dear JC,
Many agree! It’s a good one!
Regards,
Z
it was always stated as a Airfix limited released, so best find a second hand one over wait in vain. i've found 2 under £70 each one even had additional decals. we were told both the 1/48 and 1/72 would be released once but the 1/72 scale kit was released as a manga issue too. if airfix are true to the old companies word, neither will re-appear. ie i don't even know if Airfix has these kit molds, along with the 1/72 Concorde and the New QE2 liner
Great timing Zinzan. I'm about to start on my first TSR2 - an Airfix 1:72, which I will complete as an early 80's RAF Wild Weasel SEAD, using a Buccaneer scheme. I have the 1:48 but that will have to wait until my skills are better. In the meantime I have a couple of 1:144 kits and three other 1:72 ones to play with. Freightdog models do a cockpit and canopy kit for the proposed trainer variant. I think this would be useful for producing an ADV what-if variant. The 1:144 kits are pretty cheap and I see them as good mules for trying out any major airframe mods that you might want to try before committing to doing them on a 1:72 or 1:48 kit.
Dear Finsbury,
Good to hear from you! I hope you get a good project with your wild weasel!
Thanks very much for tuning in again- I feel that I have done a lot on this project, but the subject of TSR2 keeps cropping up!
DO let me know how you go- I'd be interested to hear!
Kind regards,
Z
@@ZinzanModelling Following your video I thought I'd check eBay for the state of play with 1:48 TSR2s - and yes, there were some eye watering prices. However, there was one that had recently been posted with a starting price of £60, and with a day or so to go, had yet to receive a bid. I of course put in a bid and bizarrely, no one else did and I've secured the kit for £60!
@
Far out!!
Z
Hey Zin, nice build and great little hints to get things correct with the kit. I have 1/48th kits with many aftermarket parts and decals . It will be interesting. BUT , I also have to build the 1/72 kit 1st. Again I have shed-full of aftermarket bits. I will be game and have a go this year. I was able to travel from Australia and go to see the 2 of the TSR 2s in both great Museums and the Staff let me get inside the barriers and poke around and take plenty of pics.
Like the Channel mate. Cheers from a warm Perth West OZ
Dear Mr Quadrant,
Thanks very much for tuning in and letting me know what you think. It's pleasing to think that I'm in the vicinity of being entertaining!
Glad you saw the TSR2 examples- the Cosford one was the closest to flying and it shows!
Have a good set of projects and let me know how you get along!!
Kind regards,
Z
A very nice retrospective on a very nicely-built kit. Thanks for sharing, Z! Btw, your presentaion is just fine. Cheers, my friend
Dear Paul,
Thanks very much- kind words as ever! Hope all is well over there…
Kind regards,
Z
@@ZinzanModelling All is good over on this side of the pond.
Great looking model. I had a look at one of these at Duxford recently. The paint finish is a smooth satin. The whole airframe is very very clean with very few visible panel lines. Nothing like the representation by Airfix. If I can get one I will tone the lines down and polish the paint to a very smooth satin finish. Shame they don't still make the kit. I guess £60 in ebay is OK
Dear Richard,
Thanks for looking in again! I used XR220 as my living reference (as it were) and the lines around the inspection hatches are quite visible, even from a distance. I reasoned that this was the fact that XR222 was an agglomeration of several surviving airframes put together as a representation of the original aircraft. It is therefore a very clean version of the aircraft. Nevertheless, I can see why you might want to change the look at tad and note that some examples are available on the web., but at around the £110 mark.
Good luck!!
Regards,
Z
@@ZinzanModelling Hi Z, I'll add one to my growing to do list. I took loads of ref pics so I'll give one a go at some point. I'm kinda commited to foiling videos at the moment 😀
@
I wouldn’t want to “foil” your plans…
@@ZinzanModelling 😆😆😆
You did a great job building this one😊
Dear David,
How kind- I do appreciate your comment.
Best regards,
Z
Hi ,i built this kit, one of the very few kits that didn't require filler. Even managed to get the undercarriage in the coming into land pose.
Dear Phillip,
Thanks- that landing configuration you managed is a lovely touch!
Regards,
Z
Thanks. Hoping to start mine soon.
Dear Simon,
Good luck- I hope you get a good result!!
Regards,
Z
Just one more example if one were needed of Britains at the time world beating technological expertise being sunk by foreign vested interests and totally corrupt self absorbed meddling domestic politicians, the aircraft was right at the end of its long and VERY expensive development period and NO ONE in the world had ANYTHING that was even half as capable or half as good as TSR2 in ANY metric, AND half the world was queing up to buy her with more and more wishing to have the option.
But Harold Wilsons recently elected Labour government was chasing loans from the I.M.F (international monetary fund) - which had a huge imput from the Americans, and in order to get those loans the Americans with strident lobbying by among others Boeing and General Dynamics, demanded that TSR2 be INSTANTLY scrapped. And Wilson caved and duly did just that, right at the moment of her acceptance trials by the RAF.
And in a truly scandelous move that has never happened either before or since, production was halted with immediate effect and ALL finished and unfinished aircraft ALL its tooling and ALL of its blueprints and design sheets were immediately burnt and destroyed in huge bonfires and its all of its production staff sacked OVERNIGHT, in what is effectively todays terms an aircraft that had cost the British taxpayer trillions of pounds to develop over a ten year period and resulted in a TRULY untouchable world class aircraft was effectively wiped from the face of the earth almost overnight....it really was that fast !....... and with the added codecil that Britain MUST purchase options on the American F111 swing wing fighter bomber from American constructors, and just to rub salt in our wounds the Americans later revealed the loans had already been sanctioned anyway with or without TSR2 !............AND as is typical from our self entitled so called "ruling class" NO ONE was ever held to account. It really IS a tragedy the way this aircraft was treated.
Dear Mr Reprise,
Thanks- your background writing is most useful.
You may like to look at my sub stack piece where I investigate this a little. It can be found here:
substack.com/home/post/p-143793684?
I have one in my stash that I bought when it first came out.
I am tempted to make it with whatever detail accessories are available.
Or should I sell it?
Dear Mr Glover,
That is the “question due jour”!!
I might be inclined towards the latter.
Thanks for writing!
Regards,
Z
Your kit looks amazing, hopefully when I manage to build mine it will look the same. I have the 1/48 Airfix TSR2 kit, I bought it at a model show in Glasgow a few years ago and was assured everything was present. I got it home and discovered that the part the exhaust nozzles was missing. I tried to get this part for years with no avail🥲 I joined a model club and we were talking about the kit and lo and behold one of the guys had a 1/72 version. Another of the guys has a 3d resin printer who scaled up the part and printed me one...........happy days. It needs a bit of filling to get a perfect fit but it's better than not having one. How did you get on with the white metal u/c unfortunately I don't have a great experience with white metal, through time it seems to wilt.
Tried to get the Wolfpack upgrade but unable to find one😮💨
Dear Harry,
Thanks for getting in touch and very kind of you to say what you did!
I am hopeful that you manage a good finish with the resin tail assembly. The white metal oleo legs need some care as the surfaces are not smooth, but you can get a nice finish with a bit of patience and a set of smooth files.
I appreciate your time in writing.
Regards,
Z
my quick views and memories of this kit. 1. The kit was not received very well. 2. Airfix was in that gallows mode, ie they had gone Bust, were in bankruptcy hearing. 3. They promised that both the 1/48 and 1/72 kits were to be one shot, one run, then they broke that promise. ie they re-released the manga japanese TSR2 in 1/72 but with RAF decals. 4. There was no real aftermarket bits, they came after 8 to 10 month later. 5. the kit mold quality was very poor, the surfaces look like orange peel. this was common on several newer kits. ie the TSR2, the QE2, and the 1/72 Concorde. and this was due to the molds being spark eroded over machined. 6 these were no were near as durable as machined molds.
hence my memories are these, the kits didn't sell well. they were over priced due to the predicted demand, but the kits end up being basic and looking like they needed a lot of work hence the UNBUILDABLE comments. it was presumed that the TSR2 kits, Concorde and QE2 kits mold produced what they could, and then retired, it reuse would have meant new mold being eroded. all i know is Airfix Hornby as we know them now have made no mention of these molds and remember then every kit was punched in China. (so they could be anywhere. But it must be remembered for airfix to use them, they would be breaking that Limited Edition promise made.
Lastly there a myth around the availability on these kits, ie i've bought 2 x 1/48 TSR2 kits for under £80 quid. (inc postage) one even came with spare decals (Xtradecal) yes some people are asking stupid prices but if you look you can find one for the same as the Buccaneer or Javerlin. you can blow £150 quid on Resin, ie replacing most bits bar the fuselage. yes they will become rare, but another will come along, ie EE lightning are worth a fortune, untill airfix rerelease them, and then the price will fall below RRP. So my advice is if you want a TSR2 keep looking till you find a cheap one.
Dear Dave,
I thank you for your impressions and appreciate the time you spent outlining them.
I am a relatively recent returner to the world of scale modelling and therefore wasn't around when the TSR2 was first released, so I can't really speak to the situation at the time. Your perceptions therefore are what I can comment upon.
I note your point about the kit not being received well, but wonder why it would be that such products would be thought of poorly and still sell out twice. I think it doesn't matter that AF said the mouldings would be "one offs," the commercial imperative is what counts in such cases and I suspect that no model company went out of business by selling too many kits.
My impressions of the 1/48 kit is that the plastic is of good quality and the finish is consistent and smooth, quite unlike orange peel in fact. Very little, if any finishing was required to complete the preparation for paint.
Your points about pricing and low sales don't seem to be borne out by your earlier opinion- the kits can't both sell and not sell at the same time. I agree that the detail is somewhat basic, but only in the cockpit and in all other areas were/ are well rendered. The overall design is carefully thought through in order to make the kit easy to build and also to achieve a good result with a minimum level of skill. The "unbuildable" comment, (whoever made it), is not sustainable in the face of my own experience with this particular kit.
I think of it like this: an out of the box, (ie unmodified) kit could be completed by a relatively inexperienced builder and a good result could be obtained. A more experienced, (or lucky in my case) builder could add modifications and upgrades leaving him with a very presentable result. The mark of a good kit in my view.
Available examples are dwindling and I thought that costs were rising, but my recent looks (as do yours) show kits at some very reasonable prices which has surprised me somewhat. However that is good for those who want a TSR2 in 1/48 and I am pleased to see this. I am sure that Lightnings and others will be sought after and so your point there is accepted fully.
There does seem to be an enduring desire for the TSR2, possibly because of the history or maybe the look of the aircraft, even perhaps both.
I hope that those who want to build one of these get to do so- it's nice to see so many examples around just now.
I know you put some effort into writing and it seems only good manners to devote a similar amount of effort to a response and hope that it meets with your approval.
I thank you.
Regards,
Z
@@ZinzanModelling Cheers Z. yep i know it's strange but this kit really was a slow burner. I think you and I, have the same view on model kits, ie any kit is just a starting place, building and tweeking is down to the builder. There is also no right or wrong, and to me, the greatest build is one, that anyone finishes, ie i love to see well built model but seeing those of those starting out with the glue finger prints and painted with those gift paints are to me, the true masterpieces. ie i remember the days of my youth, my parents would go out, leaving me to my own devices. ie that where i cut my teeth, ie Friday or saturday night, a bottle of pop, a bag of crisps, and a Airfix kit (that was always finished before my parents got home!) ie i remember building G for George the airfix 1/72 scale Lancaster) lets just say my modelling has moved on a little since then.
Sadly in the late 90's early 2000s modeling forums had several types of builders, the fair, the good, and the rivet counters. and they moaned at a lot of kits. in those Days i was know on many forums as Zero or Zero-X due to my love of the Thunderbirds Mars Exploration craft, or for the Japanese. (i was even Stupid enough to have had over 100 different 1/48 phantom II kits) They were good days, and they was a very positive spin on all modeller, old and new. each offering help and advice when asked for. negativity was very uncommon.
Z if that TSR2 is only your second kit after 40 years away, i certainly will be watching to see what came next. ie the popcorn is already waiting. Also did you re-scribe the panel lines as they are absolutely spot on in depth and colouration. ie as i said if i get mine half as good i'll be happy. I also agree with you on the availability of the TSR2 kit. i was shocked to get only under £100, but to get two under £80 was a real bonus. I also think we agree if you want one Grab it now. 1/72 or 1/48 scale. ie a re-release would be great, but as i said. the molds could be in China, broken or unusable. Also at the moment if lucky you can get these for larger 1/48 kits. i need to get a picture host site up and running once i do that i can post what i have for my TSR2 builds so far.
lastly cracking site, cracking builds, and you commentary and build pointer were very useful. so i'll certainly be watch from now on. cheers Dave AKA Zero.
Dear Zero!!
I am often humbled by the effort folk put into writing to me. Yes, we aren’t far apart in opinion and your “glue marked masterpiece” comment struck a chord with me. It’s funny, the forums are all the same- I spent time on pink fish, (a hifi forum) many years ago and found the same sort of thing. Forums are ok if you don’t take them seriously! I signposted someone to a lower cost TSR2 earlier- I hope that folk get to look on a finished project with the pleasure I take in that aircraft. I give a lot of my completed aircraft away.
Not this one though!
Regards to you Dave!
Z
I have this in the stash with Aries interior ,
Dear Bez,
Ah! I didn't know about the Aries version, but I certainly have some Aries upgrades for the Lightning. I hope you go well with the kit! I had a good time with this one!
(Are you the Bee from the Happy Mondays?)
Regards,
Z
@ no , I’m better than him ,, lol,funnily enough he was born quite near where I’m from , I bought it from flea bay including a book , I think I got a bargain , it’s about number 5 on my build list 😜
Actually just looking it is the AMK upgrade kit
Airfix please do a vintage classic it will sell not a Bristol belvedere 🙏
Dear Mr Toon,
Thanks for writing. It seems that every time I write or speak about TSR2 many people say what you say. I don’t think you’re alone in thinking this.
Only time will tell if AF remake this kit.
Best regards,
Z