FROG 323P English Electric Canberra PR.7

Over The Counter

At the Tri-ang Trade Fair (see last month's "Over the Counter") several notable additions to the FROG range of kits were on show. Firstly the new polystyrene plastic kits: five are currently in production - the Hunter and Sabre at 5s 3d, the Sikorsky S.55 at 5s 9d, the Javelin at 7s 6d, and the Canberra at 8s 6d. There will be followed by D.H.110, Meteor 8, Venom and Sea Hawk. The kits are complete and ready to assemble. They include polystyrene cement, transfers and a stand for mounting the finished model.

Model aircraft, 1956-05

Trade notes

"Also from the Merton factory are the plastic scale solids for the Sabre, Westland Whirlwind Helicopter and Hawker Hunter. The Canberra has also been assembled by us. One cannot deny that these are nice models, and very reasonably priced from 5s. 9d. up to 8s. 6d. For the real enthusiast however, there is plenty of scope for individual improvement on these plastics, and removal of the Clyde-side size rivets on the Canberra is a number one recommendation. Colouring in correct camouflage can be most effectively applied in oil paints not cellulose dopes. To come in the Frog plastic range, are the De H.110, Meteor 8, and Hawker Sea Hawk, which will round off a nice range of the more popular subjects in service with British Forces today."

AeroModeller, September 1956

Over the counter

Additions to the Lincoln range, coming along shortly, are the Bristol Britannia (ready some time March), Handley Page Victor, Vickers Valiant and Boeing 707—same price again.

Starting in May, Guiterman's will also be getting in the first of the Lincoln-Hawk plastics (the American Hawk designs manufactured in Hong Kong by Lincoln).

LINCOLN PLASTIC KITS

THE Lincoln series of plastics are Empire made—actually produced in Hong Kong where labour and tooling costs are very much lower than in this country or America. Thus these kits can be manufactured and imported at a highly competitive price. British distributors are Guiterman and Co., of Soho Square, London, W.I.

The first model to appear in this series was the Lockheed Starfire, 8½ in. span and fully detailed in the American manner. The original price was 3s. 11d., subsequently increased to 4s. 11d., re-boxed and including a plastic stand, this price being maintained for the four additional models in the range. These others are the Canberra (8 in. span) and three airliners—the D.C.7 (9¼ in. span); the Constellation (10½ in. span); and the Vickers Viscount (9¼ in. span).

All these models are extremely easy to build. The Starfire is probably the easiest, and makes a most impressive first model. The airliners have a sparsity of detail, but this is in keeping with their reduced scale, and they still look most attractive when finished.

The detail lines are somewhat coarser than some of the contemporary plastic models, and the fits perhaps a little less accurate in one or two places. On the Viscount, for instance, one side of the tailplane has an exaggerated dihedral angle, but this can be taken up. But for the price, they represent extremely good value. All the airliners have nicely moulded airscrews, mounted on pins in the engine cowlings (trim off the ends of the pins before fitting the cowlings in place). The decals are printed on cellophane and must be cut out and stuck on with a rubber solution, which is perhaps a little more tedious than transfers. But again, the results are generally good, with care.

These models will undoubtedly have most appeal to the younger enthusiast and their price makes it possible for him to build up a collection, rather than having to invest his " capital" in a limited number of more elaborate kits. For the youngster, too, the smaller number of parts in the kit will be a further advantage.

Model aircraft, april 1957 года, No.190, Vol.16