FROG F204 Hawker Hunter FGA.9 Scale model kit

Hawker Hunter FGA.9

FROG 1964

FROG F204 Hawker Hunter FGA.9, 1967


Коробка FROG 334P Supermarine N.113, International Model Aircraft Limited, 1957
KIT COMMENT
BRIGHTON 1974

Just before this issue went to press, UK model manufacturers previewed their wares for the current year at the Brighton Toy Fair. Frog, Lesney, Airfix and Revell have a long list of new releases, indicated by either box art or test shots.

The following 1:72 scale subjects are scheduled for release by Frog, with their decal sheets in paren-thesis: Hunter FGA.9 (No 54 Sqdn and No 1 Survellance Wing, Swiss AF); Spitfire VIII/IX (No 72 Sqdn RAF and No 457 Sqdn RAAF); Javelin FAW.9 (Nos 5 and 54 Sqdns RAF); P-47-25 Thunderbolt (FAF and No 615 Sqdn RAF); Phantom FGR.1/2 (No 31 Sqdn RAF and RN deeals); Dornier Do 335 A-6/A-12 (Luftwaffe and captured RAF); Mirage IIIE; Nakajima A6M2-N Rufe (901st and Yokosuka Air Corps); Lavochin La 7; Lockheed PV-1 Ventura (Aero navale and No 13 Sqdn RAAF); Jaguar T.2/GR.1

Aviation News Vol 2 Num 19 15-28 February 1973


MODEL ENTHUSIAST
New ones for the workbench

The latest catalogue to be received from Frog includes a number of interesting new 1/72nd scale kits scheduled to be released during the course of this year, the industrial situation and supplies of plastic permitting. The completely new kits listed include a Spitfire VIII or IX, a Hunter FGA Mk 9, a SEPECAT Jaguar, a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, a Gloster Javelin FAW Mk 9, a Lavochkin La-7, a Dornier Do 335A-6 or -12, a Mirage IIIE and O, a Nakajima A6M2-N, a P-47D-25 Thunderbolt with "bubble" canopy and a Typhoon IB with the early type hood. There are also three welcome re-issues which take the shapes of the Super-marine S.6B, the D.H.60G Moth and the Vickers Vimy, the last-mentioned type to be in fully militarised form and RAF markings.
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1974-05 vol.06 no.05


KIT COMMENT
FIGHTERS FROM FROG & AIRFIX
HUNTER AND THUNDERSTREAK KITS RELEASED
GOOD LOOKING HUNTER

As with the Thunderstreak one is almost bound to compare the new Frog Hunter with its Mk. l predecessor from the same stable of with the more readily available Airfix version. Right from the start of taking the parts from the box we knew this was a good one and the more we worked on the kit the more we were impressed by it.

From the start it was obvious that the Frog model was easier to build than the Airfix one. Agreed there are not so many parts but most of the Airfix ones were superfluous anyway. The link collector bulges under the fore-ward fuselage for example simply stick in place and do not have to be made up with the Aden gun pack as well.

The greatest advantage of the new model is that the wings do not have the anhedral inherent in the Airfix rendering. One of the biggest problems with this kit was to rectify this fault as it lay in the contours of the upper wing half and could not easily be overcome.

Frog have also paid attention to the see-through problem that has so often dogged others in their range such as the Buccaneer. Blanking plates have been provided in the jet orifice and the intakes are also sealed off satisfactorily.

We also liked the way in which the undercarriage had been dealt with. There's now sufficient detail in the wheel hubs to make the model look like a Hunter though the old problem remains of getting sufficient lead in the nose to make it stand correctly. We found that by packing the nose section with small pieces of lead and plasticine that the object was achieved.

That's the good news.....now for some minor criticisms. The detailing of the cockpit was one of the things we picked on as having been skimped a little. The ejector seat looks a little odd and could have had more attention, so could the cockpit interior as a whole. The canopy was rather on the thick side too. It is often desirable nowadays to cut the windscreen away from the rest of the main canopy and place the latter in the open position. This is the sort of minor mod that can win local IPMS competitions and is a small but important consideration to the advanced enthusiast. One can argue that if the modeller is experienced he will vacuform a new canopy in any case but even so we are lazy and often prefer the easy way out.

Frog have produced the FGA. Mk. 9 version of the Hunter which again is to their good as the Airfix one is a Mk. 6 without the bulged section over the jet orifice to the rear of the tail unit. This part was always a slight problem when modifying the Airfix kit into a ground attlack aircraft or the T.7 trainer.

The Frog decals for the Hunter are as usual a delight. An aircraft Of No. 54 Sqdn XJ642 has been chosen as the RAF subject and a Swiss version, a Mk. 58 of No. 1 Sqdn. J-4078 is the alternative. The decals themselves are semi-matt which is a great consideration as they blend much better with the style of polyurethane paint work applied to the Hunter and which can be matched by present day model colours. Both machines are equally attractive and we look forward to seeing plenty of the finished product on display in the not too distant future. The price of the kit is 23p.

Aviation News Vol 3 Num 2 28 June-8 July 1974


NEW TO YOU ?
Hunter


FROG have finally released their new 1/72 scale kit of the famous Hawker Hunter, this being the FGA 9 version.

Generally, moulding is very good, but faults on and around canopy are noticeable, i.e. it appears too shallow.

Also, the Hunter's four 30mm Aden cannons have been moulded in four small 'blisters' as opposed to cannons being concealed inside gun ports.

Construction wise, the kit (consisting of 38 parts), is fairly easy to assemble, having a very clear and comprehensive instruction sheet, including some useful modelling tips, and a colour painting guide.

The markings give a choice between an Mk. 9 of No. 54 squadron R.A.F., West Raynham 1963, and the other from Surveillance Wing, Swiss Air Force 1964, No. 1 Squadron, this being an F. Mk. 58. Also supplied in decal form are the trestle positions along the fuselage. Good value at 50p.
R.C.

Scale Models, AUGUST 1974 Volume 5 No. 59

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
Predatory Hawker from Frog

Easily frontrunner among British jet fighters on the score of longevity, if one ignores the Venoms still fulfilling a first-line role with Switzerland's Flugwaffe, the Hawker Hunter has been accorded reasonable but by no means munificent treatment by the kit manufacturers, so a new kit of Hawker's graceful predator in its FGA Mk 9 ground attack configuration from Frog is by no means unwelcome. To 1/72nd scale, the kit falls short of the super-detail category, but it is accurate in outline, assembles easily and possesses some very good features.

Surface detailing consists mainly of fine raised lines and is effective enough, but the cockpit interior is woefully bare, featuring merely a floor, a seat and a somewhat rudimentary pilot figure. The undercarriage is simple but neat. The doors are quite thin but the wells could certainly benefit from some added detail. The only transparency is the cockpit canopy which is clear and fits well, although our sample suffered some easily-removable flash. External stores accompanying the kit comprise a pair of fuel tanks and two rocket pods. Weight, incidentally, is called for in the extreme nose in order to balance the tail.

The assembly instructions are adequate and the colour guide on the bottom of the box offers full marking and camouflage detail for the two versions of the Hunter that may be produced from this kit. The decal sheet is excellent in all respects, giving full markings for an FGA Mk 9 of No 54 Sqdn, RAF, at West Raynham in 1968, and also for an F Mk 58 of Fliegerstaffel 1 of the Uberwachungs-geschwader (Surveillance Wing) of the Swiss Flugwaffe, 1964. Both aircraft are camouflaged in dark green and dark sea grey, with Light Aircraft Grey and natural metal under-surfaces respectively. This kit must certainly prove popular, and deservedly so at the UK price of 50p.
F J HENDERSON

Air Enthusiast 1974-11 vol.07 no.11


Modelling world
James Goulding
Frog's new Hunter

Although the Hunter was one of the most widely used of modern combat aeroplanes—and there are still a great many about in various air forces around the world—there have only been two 1 /72^ scale kits of the aircraft in the past, the very old kit from Frog and the Mk 6 from Airfix. Frog's old Mk 1 is no longer available, except as a collector's item, but although somewhat crude the outline was fairly accurate and it could, with much modification, be made into a fair representation of a Mk 1. Airfix's Mk 6 is better, but still suffers from some inaccuracies— notably canopy shape, wing thickness, and incorrect saw-tooth shape on the wing.

This kit is, of course, several years old and it was certainly time that we had a new one of this famous aircraft. Unfortunately, apart from Frog, other manufacturers have been reluctant to produce kits of British post-war aeroplanes, being of the opinion that they have poor sales potential. Frog has produced the occasional kit of these subjects, with the Wyvem, Vampire 5, Sea Venom, Canberra, Shackleton, Sea Fury, Hornet (these two were World War II designs and flown in prototype form during the war, but entered service after the war) and now a new Hunter, with a Javelin shortly to follow. There are signs that other manufacturers are warming to the idea of producing kits of this period. Airfix's Canberra will be available soon, and perhaps one day we will have a Sea Vixen, Vulcan or Victor.

Frog's Hunter, an FGA9 or F58, is the best model of the famous Hawker fighter yet—as, of course, it should be, because all that needs to be known about the Hunter to make an accurate kit is surely available. Hawkers are excellent people for keeping historical drawings in their archives and I hope they always will show such consideration for future generations. So many companies have cleared away their old drawings, thereby destroying details of their past designs for ever and also erasing in a moment what represents thousands of manhours of thought and patient, skilful design draughtmanship. It is like a nation destroying all its buildings, monuments, museums, art treasures, etc over two or three years old, and living purely for the present time. It is too late to save so many designs, but may I make a plea to companies to retain' at least accurate, dimensional drawings of their weli-known present-day types and good GA drawings of their more important projects.

My first reaction to Frog's new Hunter was to feel that the rear fuselage was possibly a little too bulbous, but this may be due to the landing parachute fairing, above the jet pipe, tending to make the rear fuselage appear deeper than it is. Overall, though, this is a very nice Hunter mode! and one that does justice to this very beautiful aeroplane. The wings are excellent in section and pianform, and surface detail is unobtrusive. Undercarriage detail is very good and the door fairings are commendably thin.

Underwing stores provided in the kit are two 230 gal long-range tanks and two rocket pods. Alternative loads for the pylons could be made up from other kits; two excellent 100 gal tanks are included in the Frog/Hasegawa Harrier kit and could be used on the Hunter inner or outer pylons. 10001b bombs are included in several kits and are suitable for use with the Hunter, notably those on the Airfix and Matchbox Harrier models. Tiered 3in rockets are included in the Airfix Hunter kit. Practice bombs and their mountings are included in the Frog Harrier kit.

A very comprehensive transfer sheet is one of the features of Frog's kit, and gives markings for two Hunters. One is an FGA9 of 54 Squadron, based at West Raynham during 1968, and the other an F58 of 1 Squadron of the Swiss Air Force, flown during 1964.

This is a good model, which offers a number of conversion possibilities if the parachute fairing is removed—the standard F6 and the Firestreak-armed P1109A to mention two. This kit would provide an excellent basis for the Hunter two-seater conversion, because this aircraft does have the tail parachute fairing.

AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED 1974-08


NOVO Cat.No.78075 Hunter FGA.9, NOVO Toys Ltd 1980


NOVO Toys Ltd
МКИ «Горизонт»
78075 Hunter FGA.9 95000
  • 01.09.Z0Z4


  • Matchbox 70 logo

    Matchbox PK-117 Hunter T.Mk.7/Mk.6 Lesney Products & Co Ltd.,


    KIT COMMENT
    HUNTER PROBLEMS
    Latest Matchbox kit provides new Mark but several inaccuracies

    THERE can be few ardent modellers of RAF aircraft who have not waited eagerly for the Matchbox Hunter as it was known that the kit included not only the single-seat aircraft but a two-seat Mk.7 as well. We were equally keen to get our hands on this new model but unfortunately have to report that in several respects it is not 100 per cent accurate.

    We rarely like to critisise a kit too much because there are many reasons why the designer may have let small inacuracies slip by. The ever present problems of the restrictions of finance, popularity and the disciplines that come with working in plastics are all contributary causes to getting things slightly wrong. On the other hand we hope that critisisms in this column might help to keep up and perhaps improve standards. It is with these thoughts in mind that we looked at the Matchbox Hunter kit which, in its single-seat version could possibly have been better.

    Perhaps the designer of the kit has tried to produce too much by getting botn versions into the same box but this should not have presented any real problem as if his research was right then he would have followed the real aircraft in that the nose of the fighter version was interchangeable with the trainer and that with minor exceptions both aircraft had the same rear end aft of the wing leading edge and the dorsal spine.

    Basically this seems to have been done satisfactorily hence our critisism as the nose of the fighter is not correct. Looked at in side view the outline shape is acceptable but for some reason the plan view is much too wide and does not taper as sharply as the real thing. We have no idea why this should be as there are still plenty of Hunters around to look at and from our own experience Hawker Siddeley are very cooperative in providing the original draughtsman's work for the Hunter on which to base the model.

    TAIL FAULT

    One other part to which we took exception was the rear end of the fuselage aft of the fin and rudder and including the jet orifice. The single seat aircraft claims to be a Mk.6 according to the box art and instruction sheet. This would have been fine if a separate part had been included for the brake parachute housing that appears on the modified Mk.6A and the T.7 but a half-way compromise seems to have been attempted that is incorrect for both versions.

    Instead of the district hump and 'pen nib' extension over the orifice only the latter has been included. The instruction sheet advises that to make a Mk.6 the extension should be cut off and this in itself is entirely correct. What it does not say is that the rear of the fuselage dorsal line should be built up with body putty to achieve the correct shape for the Mk.6A and T.7.

    In attempting a compromise solution to this feature Matchbox have missed both answers and whatever the version the modeller may choose to produce will require some additional work if the result is to be accurate..

    SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION

    Putting the Hunter model together was a very straightforward piece of work as it comes in easily manageable parts. Both nose and dorsal spine sections are separate and these fit onto the rear fuselage which starts on the line of the wing leading edge.

    The wings and tail unit are well within scale proportions and in the case of the former we think they are the best set we have available if one includes the Airfix and Frog Hunters for comparison. The wings join the fuselage unlike the other two which have the break outboard of the engine intakes. The fairing on the Matchbox kit is very accurate and prevents all possibility of getting the wings on inacurately. Wing and tail unit trailing edges are within scale bounds and fit snugly. The fitting of the nose section onto the fuselage was another matter and rather a large gap showed up here after we had cemented it in place. Body putty was needed to complete the job which had to be left to dry before rubbing down.

    The detail on the wheels was exceptionally good and beyond the standards often found in Matchbox kits. Undercarriage legs were satisfactory for scale but the doors did not get our entire approval. Firstly the upper sections were too narrow according to photographic evidence and our own scale plans published in AN5/5, secondly the doors which fit orvthe fuselage had their lower edge straight and not curved and lastly the lower doors fitting on the undercarriage legs tended to angle the wrong way in spite of our trying out various alternative ways of fitting them. These are all minor critisisms and can be overcome by the fastidious modeller cutting new ones from plasticard and enlarging the undercarriage wells in the wing.

    DECAL DIFFICULTIES

    We were mildly surprised when checking on the decal sheet to find that for once Matchbox had provided the cockpit panel. In fact the sheet as a whole was extremely good but let itself down slightly in not having the position of several of the smaller items indicated in either the box art or the instruction sheet. The 'Lift here' and trestle markings under the fuselage for example were not shown and we had to revert to the Modeldecal sheet for Hunter T. 7s to find out the exact position of these.

    Two aircraft are depicted in the sheet, both squadrons of which were until recently based at RAF Wittering. These were Nos45 and 58 Sqdns, the former being the F(GA).9 and the latter the T.7.

    There is also a slight hiccup in the captioning to the box art which shows the colour schemes for the No.58 Sqdn. aircraft as a Mk.6. Looking at the drawing which clearly shows either a Mk.6A or a F(GA)9 this is obviously wrong and by checking on the serial, XE651, we found that this aircraft is in fact a Mk.9. A small point, we agree, but again a detail overlooked.

    The decals themselves are first rate. They adhered well and show a fine amount of detail which is most praiseworthy.

    Modellers will find a problem come up when they look at the underwing serials in the sheet. A glance at the plans will reveal that these go over the undercarriage doors and therefore have to be cut up before being placed in position. We did this by tracing off the undercarriage doors from the Aviation News plan cutting out the shapes on the decal and then placing the parts in water. Naturally they did not fit the kit undercarriage doors as our plans differ from the kit offering but by carefully adding a little black paint to the edges we were able to overcome the problem. Those who use the accurate drawings to recut undercarriage doors will not be troubled by this, but time prevented our doing the job in the way it should have been completed.

    Having criticised the model far more than we would normally do in one of our kit reviews we feel that it is only fair to make the point that the Matchbox Hunter kit, in its T.7 version, requires only minor modification to make it into a first class model. Readers will note from the photographs taken of the finished product that it looks like a Hunter trainer and after all is the only mass-produced model of this aircraft on the market apart from the various modification kits that have been supplied by others over the years.

    There are countless colour schemes that can be applied' to this model and as far as the fighter version is concerned there are already two other kits of this version available. Out of these we think the Frog one to be the best.

    At, 60p the Matchbox Hunter is well worth the money and in spite of its shortcomings will doubtless be very popular.

    SUPER SKYHAWK

    Whereas we have taken the Matchbox Hunter kit to pieces the opposite is the case as far as the other kit in their range sent to us for review this week. We have nothing but praise for their magnificent model of the A-4M Skyhawk. Accurate in outline, considerate on detail and very reasonably priced at 36p this version of the US Navy's 'wee-jet' takes top marks.

    Constructionally it is easy to make, the cockpit needs a floor to be added as well as a reasonable instrument panel before putting the fuselage halves together but apart from that the remainder is all very straightforward.

    Included in the kit are the refuelling boom, the electronic 'back-pack' and the small ECM package that fits under the jet orifice. The wings are moulded in two halves but even so the trailing edges are quite sharp as are the vortex generators near the tips. There's even detailing shown in the undercarriage wells! The undercarriage legs themselves could perhaps have shown a little more detail particularly in the nosewheel leg as this tends to appear on the thick side but the wheels are full of detail.

    As far as the undercarriage doors go these are, particularly the forward ones, far over scale limits. They are both too thick and whilst it is realised they are shaped this way to allow them to fit properly should the modeller want the undercarriage in the up position, this does not excuse a little extra tooling to overcome the fault. The only way to solve the problem is to mould your own but this is likely to take time and be very difficult.

    Two sets of decals are provided, one for a US Marine Corps A-4M BuNo. 158167 belonging, to VMA-324 and the other for an Israeli Air Force machine. We chose the former to produce but there are many decal sheets on the market, particularly those from Microscale on which variations can be performed.

    In fact we are a little suspicious of the colours used for this aircraft as suplied in the kit. The reds printed on the unit badge and those used on the rudder are different though they are shown as the same shade in the kit. A small point maybe but one that cannot be easily overcome without a lot of reference material and a skilled piece of hand painting.

    There's also a small mistake in the colour guide on the box art. The Bu.No. and the tail numbers do not agree, in fact the latter is shown as '8163' and not '7' so don't go changing the numbers as the box art is wrong.

    Overall there is almost nothing that one can fault in this kit. From our own point of view we would have rather seen drop tanks instead of Bullpup missiles supplied for underwing stores as the tanks are far more common in service use. The Airfix model can supply what you want in this direction should the spares box not reveal a suitable set.

    Both the Hunter and the Skyhawk have yet to reach the shops, it seems, as the Model Mail supplies have yet to arrive at the time of going to Press. Matchbox! kits seem to have had their problems just lately, as from reports we have received from readers the dispatch of kits from the manufacturer is somewhat patchy. We heard of one instance where the corner sweet shop had samples of the Provost kit weeks before they appeared in the model shops which just goes to prove what will happen if one relies on a computer!

    Aviation News Vol 5 Num 13 29 November - 9 December 1976


    MODEL ENTHUSIAST
    A pair of predators

    For many years, modellers have been laboriously converting and adapting kits of single-seat Hawker Hunters to produce two-seaters, but such labours are now at an end, Lesney having released a new "Matchbox" kit which offers all the parts necessary to build either the single-seat Hunter F Mk 6 or the two-seat Hunter T Mk 7. A very nice little 1/72nd scale kit this is, too, with a total of 56 component parts moulded in two shades of blue and light grey, and with two clear canopies. Surface detailing is limited and what there is may be adjudged on the coarse side, but it looks well enough after painting, and the parts are very cleanly moulded. These parts fit together well, despite the complexity created by the need to separate the fuselage aft of the cockpit to cater for the alternative nose configurations. Cockpit interiors are frugal, but at least there are instrument panel decals.

    A good selection of underwing stores is provided, including four fuel tanks and two Matra missile pods, together with the pylons for mounting them. The decal sheet is very good and includes colourful unit insignia for aircraft of Nos 45 and 58 squadrons, RAF, at Wittering in the spring of '74.

    Whereas the Hunter kit is in the "Matchbox" red range, the McDonnell Douglas A-4M/N Skyhawk kit released simultaneously comes within the purple range, and as all three previous 1/72nd scale Skyhawk kits represent earlier sub-types of the 'bantam bomber', this new Lesney offering does not result in any duplication. Possessing 43 parts moulded in light grey and mid-brown plastic, this kit offers reasonably good — but leaving ample scope for improvement — surface detailing and an even more frugal cockpit interior than that of the Hunter as it lacks the instrument panel decal. The undercarriage is well done, there are two Bullpup missiles for attachment to the underwing pylons and there is an excellent decal sheet with the markings of an A-4M of USMC squadron VMA-324 operating from McChord, South Carolina, and an A-4N of Israel's Hey I Ha'Avir.
    F J Henderson

    Air Enthusiast 1977-01 vol.12 no.01




    Central CE-203-150 Hawker Hunter F6, Japan 1971


    IN VIEW

    From JAPAN comes advance news of some of the forthcoming kit releases, many of which will probably be seen at the Japanese Toy Fair taking place this November.

    DEFINITE items will include:

    CENTRAL - that elusive Japanese company who announced that they would be releasing a kit of the HUNTER jet fighter have at last produced this kit - and we hope to have this in time to review same for our next issue - but they have also done a 1/72 scale kit of the MIRAGE IIIC which our reporter states is the most accurate kit of this aircraft he has yet seen.'

    The IPMS magazine, NOVEMBER 1971 VOL.8 No.11


    Airfix 1961 logo

    Airfix, Hawker Hunter, 1961


    Hawker Hunter F6, Airfix 288 header card, 1961
    MODEL TALK by Michael Farmer
    111 ARE BACK! - in model form
    Plastic fans can now build one of the world's most famous aircraft

    As the world of aviation was busy saying a sad "good-bye" to the 111 Squadron aerobatic team, the plastic modeller was, thanks to Messrs. Airfix, making his acquaintance with these famous aircraft. But the fact that Airfix have chosen this seemingly inappropriate time to introduce their all-black Hunter is not quite so unfortunate as it might seem.

    In the first place the memory of "Treble One " is likely to remain green for many years to come. And the Hunter, still serving in the RAF and thirteen other air forces, will be seen in skies all over the world for a long time yet.

    Obviously this is a kit which deserves close attention. Have Airfix given it their customary careful treatment? A quick check is reassuring.

    They have chosen the F.6 variant which allows rockets, bombs, drop tanks and a variety of markings to be used. The first good points which strike the eye are the transfer sheets. Two are included, one with " Treble-One" markings and the other with Swiss Air Force markings, the former being quite detailed with Union Jacks and squadron crest. A very novel feature, and the only working part on the model (apart from the retractable nose-wheel—coupled with fixed wheel doors!) is the removable gun pack. This can be lowered from the aircraft, complete with cannon link collector boxes, onto a trolley for " rearming." Control surfaces have been moulded separately on the Hunter, and although not move-able, this is still a step up from previous small kits. The dive brake under the rear fuselage can be cemented either open or closed.

    But unfortunately not everything is.on the credit side. The canopy is perhaps the worst offender, having a shape which is just not the readily recognisable Hunter canopy. Bad moulding marks cover this so-called transparency, and the discerning modeller would substitute a Frog Hunter canopy. The upper wing halves are covered with peculiar marks, perhaps the result of a moulding defect, and maybe confined to only a few kits. To remove these from view, the black plastic requires a fairly thick coat of paint, or better still, lightly working on with abrasive paper. The other fault of this kit is a " standard Airfix fault " and in no way affects the appearance of the finished model. This is a 1 /96th scale pilot who has been included in a 1/72nd kit; he is best thrown away.

    For those who would wish to colour their Hunters other than the all-black of " Treble-One " squadron, the three-view colour drawing of an FGA 9 published in No. 1 issue, vol. XVI, would serve as an accurate guide. The camouflage patterns and colours of the Swiss, Danish, Indian, Peruvian, Dutch, and Belgiaa air forces are identical to those depicted by this drawing.

    Taking a little care improving the finish, fit of the wings to the fuselage, and changing the canopy, a quite presentable Hunter, or squadron of Hunters (a whole aerobatic team?) can be made from Airfix kits at 3s. each.

    RAF Flying Review January, 1961, Vol. XVI, No. 5

    OVER the COUNTER

    In recent months the customary deluge of new kits from most " plastics " manufacturers seems to have dried up. However, Airfix continue to expand their already vast range, and this month we received no fewer than three new models.

    Airfix, of course, do not only concentrate, on elderly aircraft and for their third new model they have chosen the Hawker Hunter. The somehow elusive " lines" of the Hunter have not until now, been entirely successfully captured by the kit makers, but. here for 3s. 0d. is a model that really does look like its very shapely prototype.

    Unique features of this model are the operating retractable gun pack and air brake, which, like the undercarriage, can be locked in the up or down position.

    There is also a full complement of rockets and overload tanks for use with the operational version. Two sets of markings are provided, one for the Swiss Air Force Hunter and a special while-outlined British set should you wish to complete the model as one of 111 Sqdn's Black Arrows.

    For those who shy away from using the paint brush, the Airfix Hunter is moulded in black plastic correct colour of course for this famous acrobatic team.

    Model Aircraft Vol.21 No.235 1961 January