Saturday, February 7, 2009

Model Magazine International 11 2006


The Avro Anson was derived from the civilian Model 652 transport aircraft, and in 1936 the type earned the distinctions of being both the first monoplane and the first aircraft with retractable undercarriage to enter service with the Royal Air Force. The Anson initially performed the anti-submarine and reconnaissance roles, but was relegated to navigation and gunnery training duties as the war progressed. Perhaps its most important responsibility however was as the nursery to new pilots and aircrew throughout the Commonwealth under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Despite its important role in the Second World War and beyond and a total production run in excess of 10.000 examples, the Avro Anson is a sadly neglected subject in styrene. Before now, there has not been a single injection-moulded Anson kit in 1:48 scale, and only the Airfix Mk.I in 1:72. Classic Airframes' all new kit is therefore a real breath of fresh air to RAF and Commonwealth aviation fans. Classic Airframes first Anson release is the early Mk.I with its characteristically raked windscreen. Later production aircraft featured a more virtical windscreen, but I have always preferred this more streamlined version. The kit comprises fifty one parts in grey styrene, sixty eight in cream coloured resin, fifteen clear injection moulded parts, instructions, a painting guide and a decal sheet with markings for seven aircraft.


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