AIRFIX BRISTOL BLENHEIM Mk.IVF, 1/72 (A04017)

Airfix had released its first 1/72 scale kit of the Blenheim Mk.IV back in 1968. The same kit has been released eight more times over the years, each time the manufacturer changing only the box cover.

That kit had (for the 70s standards) good surface detail, although in the form of raised rivet lines, minimal cockpit interior parts and some shape issues (outline of engines nacelles, wingtips and fin tail). The overall fit of parts was good, with the exception of the clear canopy, which had the added problem of overscale thickness. However it was acceptable at that time and, when carefully assembled and painted, turned out as a very realistic model of a Blenheim.

In 2014 (after 46 years!) Airfix released the Mk.IV(F) as an entirely new tool kit in 1/72 scale, with double number of parts (160 instead of 80), correct shape and many lovely details inside – out. The exact version depicted here is the fighter version Mk.IVF and not the bomber (Mk. IV). Probably Airfix plan to release the bomber version in the future, including the nose rear firing gun pack (unfortunately missing in this kit).

This Mk.IVF kit shares many common parts with Airfix Mk.I last summer’s release, with the clever inclusion of separate forward fuselage section for each version in the respective box. The 12 page instruction manual is very clear and easy to follow with 58 assembly steps and 3D drawn multi-tone grey, black and red colour diagrams for enhanced clarity. There is no parts map and this is something Airfix should really consider adding in its future instructions.

Six grey sprues are enclosed in a single heat-sealed plastic bag, with the clear sprue further protected in its own smaller bag. All sprues have acceptably thin attachment points. 

Upper and lower wings come as one piece each, with two vertical positioned spars (front and rear) enclosed within and running lengthwise of the span, assuring the rigidity and simplicity of the construction. Lower wing part has an integral bomb-bay (separate bomb doors and bombs are included in case you need to convert to a Mk.IV bomber version). For the Mk. IVF Fighter version a single part serves as closed bomb bay doors and also as the base to attach the underbelly 4 machine gun pack provided. 

The eight 20lbs small anti-personnel bombs (also included in the Mk.I version) are provided (together with their racks) behind the underbelly gun pack.

Inside the upper wing part there is beautiful raised flaps structure and the separate lower flap parts carry respective detail (flaps can be cemented in the open or closed position). Separate parts for the ailerons, elevators and rudder add to the realistic look of the finished model.

A clear part provides the leading-edge landing light, but the wingtip navigation lights are moulded solid and have to be cut by the modeller. The cut areas can be filled by crystal klear or other suitable clear-drying liquid or clear plastic material.

Cockpit detail is excellent, with separate pilot’s seat - frames, moulded detail on the cockpit sidewalls, rear bulkhead, engine controls, control column, instrument panel (with decal instruments), navigator’s seat (made from three parts), plus his forward bomb-aiming seat-pad, and a bomb-sight. There are no rudder pedals and the modeller must provide the seat harnesses. A realistic seated pilot figure is provided but no navigator/gunner (or other crew member) are included.

The nose/cockpit canopy consists of four clear sections, two of which form the small side-windows near the crewmen’s seats. The fit of these parts are very good but extra care (and a good quality canopy glue that dries really clear) will be needed -at the minimum quantity- to avoid spill out and ugly marks/fogging at the seams.

Airfix have done a very nice job of the undercarriage, with deep and detailed wheel wells and they have correctly sized wheels with weighted tyres with nice hub detail. The landing gear has beautiful raised detail and can be modelled extended or retracted.

The engines and their cowlings are very well rendered, and consist of quite complex sub-assemblies. There is a choice of open our shut cooling gills, followed by the inlet manifold, single-piece engine crankcase and cylinders, and separate reduction gear cover with three cowl bracing struts. The engine is enclosed by three cowl panels that do a good job of capturing the shape and size of the rocker-gear clearance blisters and give the modeller the choice of exposing the inside detail (especially if he is willing to add some wiring and thin tubing after drilling the relevant parts).

The kit offers two markings options:

• The aircraft flown by No 248 Sqn (code WR-L, N8239), RAF North Coates, England 1940.
• An all black aircraft (code Z-WM, Z5722), flown by Wing Commander John W. Maxwell, CO of No.68 Squadron, RAF High Ercall, Shropshire, England, 1941.

This is another excellent new-tooled kit from Airfix, and exceptionally good value too. It has the right shape, nice assembly options, refined panel detail, very well detailed engines, realistic cockpit, convincing multi-part undercarriage, and superb decals. Highly recommended to all Βlenheim and RAF/WW2 modellers, regardless of scale bias. It’s been a long (Classic Airframes) time since we’ve seen an 1/48 scale Blenheim kit, so even larger scale lovers will seriously think of building this smaller one!

https://www.pla.gr/airplanes/382-bristol-blenheim-mk-if-172.html