MPM 1/72 Fairey Albacore

MPM 1:72 FAIREY ALBACORE

Reviewer: Dave Godden (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 16 September 2003

Kit Details:

MPM 72095 1/72^nd Fairy Albacore

Aircraft History:

The Albacore is often overlooked in the history books of general aviation. Designed as a replacement for the successful yet ageing Swordfish its similarities are obvious. It still retained the biplane layout and the fixed undercarriage of its predecessor yet was larger in all dimensions and added an enclosed crew compartment. The total production was only 800 aircraft and, not proving itself to be as popular as the aircraft it was designed to replace, resulted in it being withdrawn from service around the same time when the Avenger was acquired for the torpedo bombing role in the Fleet Air Arm. It saw service in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Indian Ocean with the FAA and last saw service with 415sqn RCAF in rescue duties in the English Channel from RAF Manston in Kent around D Day.

The Kit:

The kit is multi-media in that it consists of 45 parts in a rigid grey plastic, 3 clear parts, 11 resin parts, 12 etched parts and a printed film instrument panel. Each material is packaged separately as are the decals in a two part box with nice artwork on the lid. There is no flash on any of the parts and the detail is very fine. The often overdone fabric ribs on the wings are nicely done and do not look overscale once assembled.

Colour Schemes:

There are three versions available, all of which use the same parts. These are from 822sqn FAA deployed in Operation Torch in Nov 1942 with standard colour scheme but US period stars as used on this operation together with the retained RAF/RN fin flash, 828sqn from Malta in 1942 in standard scheme and markings but with night undersides, and a completely black version from 415sqn RCAF from Manston in 1944/5 ( although this is shown as 145sqn on the colour guide)

Instructions:

The instructions are in a booklet style with a multi-lingual history on the front, a schematic drawing of all numbered parts on page two, 12 assembly stages and two pages of four view drawings. Throughout the instructions there are references for paint colours inside and out. These correctly identify the use of lighter colours on the lower wing upper surfaces. Paint references are given in Humbrol and FS numbers.

Construction:

The first page of the instructions is taken up with instrument, torpedo, interior tank and crew compartment assembly. The instrument panel consists of sandwiching the painted film sheet between a well detailed from console and forward bulkhead. The cockpit includes floor, seats, pilots side panels, etched seat belts and etched rudder pedals. This assembly is then sandwiched between the fuselage halves after a third seat is added for the gunner and the mid mounted tank. A rear bulkhead also seals off the rear of the crew compartment. The side windows are also added at this time but may be preferred to be left until later as they do not require fitting from the inside and so can be left until all painting is done.

The resin and etched rear mounted Vickers K is assembled next if you want to hack the rear hatch off the one part canopy and position it open. I didn’t want to risk breaking the canopy in this operation so left the gun. I am sure it is very nice! All references I can find point to the rear gun being a TWIN Vickers K not singular so possibly this is an error by MPM.

Tail surfaces and lower wings are added next. These have no locating pins and are flush mounting although the position is clear and with a small amount of superglue a good fit is obtained without the need for any filler!! The neat resin Bristol Taurus engine fits in its cowling and to the front of the main fuselage. There is a curious small panel (A37) which fits in the top of the cowling which I found a bit tricky and getting the fit onto the fuselage took a bit of careful aligning. I think some of this was down to optical illusion more than anything else as for such a large aircraft the circumference of the engine is relatively small unlike the Swordfish / Pegasus pairing.

Wing struts are next, followed by the top wing. Alignment here could be tricky but went very smoothly indeed. Suddenly you become aware of the weight of this kit as all the wing parts are single piece and very solid. The last two stages consists of the adding of the undercarriage, torpedo and resin and etched details. The two small undercarriage supports inboard of the main units need fashioning out of sprue or some such material. The arrestor hook does not have any recesses in which to place the fuselage attachments so it looks a bit like a bolt on option as opposed to part of the plane.

For the record you get resin torpedo rack and arrestor hook along with etched torpedo aiming gear for the nose. The instructions show the sight bar requiring bending into a semi-circle and the ends bending up. Mine ended up looking like a TV aerial so I deleted it!

Decals:

The painting guide is more than sufficient and shows accurately the locations of the decals. These are very well detailed, in register and easy to apply.

Overall Recommendation:

There is no choice in this scale that I am aware of and for the price MPM have made a great job of this aircraft. A few minor points but the fit was excellent and detail superb. If anyone is building a collection of British Aircraft of WWII then this is for you. Recommended without hesitation.

Oh and the thread for the bracing wires is not included. I added that myself!!

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