Extras for Airfix Blenheim?

[Guest]

Browsing the latest Hannants newsletter I saw a few new extras for a 1/72 Blenheim Mk.I, but was wondering whether these would really be worth it. Some of them I'm leaning towards, others I just don't know. Given that the current Airfix Blenheim is a completely new tooling (with some pretty good reviews), how much of this is surplus to requirements?

Here's my current shopping list:

• Airfix Blenheim Mk.I, 1/72 scale
  
• XtraDecal decals for frame L6670, 211 Sqn, Paramythia Greece
  
• Montex Mask
  

Here's what else I've found, and would love to hear whether you think any of these would make a huge difference (or where I'm being thick and they're really not required) and perhaps how much bang per buck one could expect:

• Pavla models undercarriage wheel bay details (resin kit) - £7.50
  
• Yahu models instrument panel (PE detailing) - £2.20
  
• S.A.C. landing gear (metal replacement) - £13.50 (Specifically mentions it's for the 2014 kit)
  
• SBS Model engine & propellers (resin kit) - £11.99
  
• Avia Equipage soft wheels (rubber & resin kit) - Can't find these on sale anywhere
  
• Barracuda replacement mainwheels (resin) - £3.99 (not sure if 2014 kit has same issue with wheels?)
  

[Dave W]

You can spend a lot of money on after market 'Improvements'.The metal undercarriage sets are nice.I have used them on models where I needed to put a lot of weight in to avoid a tail sitter,so needed the extra strength.But in this case I think the kit items would be ok.You can spend a lot of money on this stuff.I think you have to ask yourself ' Is it worth it?'.In this case,you could get one of those Classic Airframes 1/48 kits from Hannants for the money you would spend on all those extras.If it was me I would buy the instrument panel,masks and the decal set.

[Ian M]

I would buy the kit and see how it is.

In 1/72 Scale, any interior detail will be a) tiny, b) hardly seen.

The metal legs.... They are for all intent a white metal copy of the original kit part. So no better detail, just a bit stronger (?).

Aftermarket is fine when it comes to producing a mk. that is not kitted, or the kit is so poor that it needs it. A lot of what there is these days seem to be just for the sake of it.

Buy the kit have a good look at the detail in it and if you feel the aftermarket parts are worth investing in, go for it.

I have wasted a lot of dosh just buying all there is, only to find the kit is just fine.

Ian M

[The Migrant]

Apparently the kit wheels are undersized, so the Barracuda wheels will correct this, as well as including more detail than the kit parts, so I'd probably opt for those. Personally I wouldn't bother with the metal legs, the wheel bays or the PE instrument panel; for me they wouldn't be visible/obvious enough to justify the extra cost. If you go for the Barracuda wheels there'd be no need to buy the Equipage rubber wheels (not a big fan of soft rubber tyres anyway). From your list the only one I'm undecided about (assuming this was my build) is the resin engine/prop set. Looks very nice on the Hannants site, and if you can open up the cowling it might be worth installing, but the kit parts might be more than adequate.

[Alan 45]

I'd just go for the decals really everything else is hidden so I personally don't see the point but at the end of the day if you want to, go for it each to their own

[Guest]

Thanks all - some good pointers and frankly some excellent down-to-earth advice I prob needed. Lesson learned: after-market kits where necessary, not just because they're there...!

I'll prob get the instrument panel - there's a lot of glass on the Blenheim, may well be visible.

I also the engine set looked good... but my plan is to somehow recreate the moment below as the plane lands in Menidi, returning from ops in Albania. It may well have been my grandfather at the controls, can't verify that, but as far as I can tell he regularly flew it. Anyway, the cowling flaps are closed etc so perhaps the engine kit won't be necessary. One thing I do notice is the presence of tropical filters beneath the engines, which I don't think are in the Airfix kit so might need to be scratch built.

[ATTACH]88732.IPB[/ATTACH]


Source: Imperial War Museum collection (http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205208731)

(Of course, if that's Grandfather James, I'm going to have to make an effort to paint the pilot figure better than I've managed so far...!)

[Guest]

Rats, masks sold out at Hannants... anywhere else stock Montex stuff? (Eduard are due to release masks too, prob in October.)