Matchbox 1/72 H.S. 125/600

MATCHBOX 1:72 H.S. 125/600

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 23 November 2003 (#87)

Kit Details:

MATCHBOX #PK110 1/72 -- BAe / HS 125 - 600B / CC.2

Aircraft History:

The De Haviland prototype “Jet Dragon” G-ARYA first flew on the 13^th. August 1962 as a turbine replacement for the popular DH104 Dove. The original order for twenty series two aircraft were used by the RAF as navigation trainers and were known as Dominie T Mk.Is.They then ordered four 125-400s known as CC Mk.IAs as VIP transport and then two 125-600s known as CC Mk.IIs being XX507 and XX508. civil sales, especially in North America, made the 125 the most successful British civil aircraft of all time. The design was improved through the -400,-600,-700 and -800. Up to the -600 various RR Viper engines were used and then Garret AirResearch powered them.

The Kit:

This 1974 Matchbox kit consists of forty nine parts in red, dark grey and white plastic and includes two crew in bone domes and oxygen masks! The instructions are adequate for, what is, a very simple model. Paint colours are referred to by name and, rather confusingly, a mixture of Humbrol, Humbrol Authentic and Airfix. The box art is good but the box design and lack of packing means that it is easy for loose parts to get lost. Two decal options are supplied.

Construction:

Next to no interior detail is supplied and the crew are best discarded (did they really wear bone domes, oxygen masks and red overalls on a VIP flight?). This doesn’t matter as nothing can be seen inside unless the door (complete with air stairs) is left open.

The engines can be left off till all painting has been completed. From what I can see in photos the inner undercarriage doors (32&34) are only open during the deployment and retraction of the undercarriage however Matchbox show them hanging down. I opted for up. Surface detail is restrained as would be expected in a jet transport aircraft but what there is is rather “soft” and heavy. I cut out the marked landing lights in each wing, boxed them in, added a couple of “jewels” (from any good Model Railway Shop) and added transparent covers. The engine parts don’t fit very well and I wonder why Matchbox made parts 16 & 17 separate especially as they don’t fit very well and need filler.

Again, I can see no reason why the inner main wheel bays were not boxed in. This needs doing as the passengers could come to a sticky end if this is not done. In contrast the wheels are well detailed. In all, a sort of half hearted effort by Matchbox. I doubt if they ever made any money with this kit. One reason is that it isn’t really an airliner and it isn’t really a military aircraft. That might be the reason why Revell haven’t (yet) re released it. I can’t remember any one making after market decals for it and no one made any replacement engines either Viper or Garrets to modify it to a -700.

Decals:

The decal option is for a demonstrator G-AYBH for which I can’t find any photo and XX507 of 30 Sqn. Northolt. This caused me a problem as, already mentioned, the RAF had only two -600s. The pictures that I have found show XX507 with a Northolt Crest on the fin but XX508 without the crest. Matchbox supply no badge so, lacking a couple of crests, I made up some XX508 decals. Perhaps XX507 flew without the crest at some point but all I can do is go by what photographic evidence that I can find. Both options are all over white so why on earth did Matchbox use red and dark grey plastic!!! I made the model less wheels and engines, sprayed it light grey till all the colours were hidden then matt white undercoat and last Testors 1745 Insignia White. The leading edges of the wings and horizontal tail and the front half of the engines I painted Testors 1790 Chrome Silver.

Conclusion:

Scale Aircraft Modelling “Aircraft in Detail’ of Jan.’85 covers the 125 in depth and the Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Aircraft V4 p.959 mentions it. The net result doesn’t look too bad but from certain angles in strong light the wings look slightly pink even after all my efforts to hide that b***** red plastic. I am sure that if Revell do re issue it it will be in grey or white plastic, hopefully with different markings. With surgery, a -400 could be made and with different engines, a -700. Airfix made the earlier Dominie T Mk.I and it’s about time that they re released it along with a Dove.

RHS / 87

web hosting • domain names
web design • online games