GWH 1/144 TSR.2
KIT #:  
PRICE:  
DECALS:  
REVIEWER: Frank Spahr
NOTES:  

HISTORY

Preview at this link.

This was a very fast build. I received the kit as a review sample for a German website, and, not having too much on my hands modelingwise and looking for a dose of instant gratification, I immediately did the preview and started the build the day after. The model was built straight from the box, the result goes to show what is achievable for a non-aircraft specialist like me.

CONSTRUCTION

The parts are very crisply molded, very well packed and mostly the fit is excellent. I did not use any putty and only did some sanding of the canopies. The only actual glitch I had been made aware of by a friend, so did not fall into the trap and was able to avoid it. Itīs imperative that the wing is only attached to the fuselage after completing the wheel wells and their fairings. Otherwise, the latter (parts A4 and A5) will not fit.

I had the aircraft built on the evening of the first day I worked on it, despite a lengthy brunch invitation (it was a Sunday). Over the next days I found some time early in the morning and in the evenings, and called the model completed on Thursday. So all in all it did not take much time.

I primed the model with Alcladīs Honey primer, partly because it was white already and partly because I was looking for ways of coping with Orange Hobbyīs resin kits at the time. The exhausts were primed with Alcladīs black primer and then sprayed in two appropriate Alclad shades I have forgotten since. The aircraft itself was sprayed Vallejo Model Air white. Following reference images, an irregular, limited and moderate washing with ochre artistīs oils and Humbrol thinner was applied to get close to the look of the original. The landing gear was primed in black and then lightly sprayed in a light grey. The same shade was used for the wheel hubs. The cockpit was painted grey and black, but honestly the very small windows donīt give much of an insight here.

 After weathering the aircraft was sprayed with some of my dwindling stock of Johnsonīs Klear to achieve a gloss base for the decals. These are commendably thin, but correspondingly delicate. Nonetheless they were applied without problems. MicroSol helped them confirm to surface details.

 Now I was able to attach the landing gear and its doors. Fit was very good throughout, and the attachment surprisingly strong. The tyres were slightly flattened, and - after the landing gear had dried thoroughly – glued and secured with some CA. After further curing time, the aircraft received a final (and not too intense or even) flat coat, using Vallejo Model Airīs flat varnish. The really final step was to attach the prepainted canopies with PVA glue.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas TSR. 2 kits in larger scales are known to be demanding builds, this small scale model builds easily and delivers a nice representation of this interesting aircraft. I do very much recommend this kit.

Frank Spahr

December 2014

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Review Index Page