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Airfix 1/72 Hampden


Pretty Mediocre Modeller

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I was up in the loft and came across this, which I made a couple of years ago. Built more or less out of the box, except for reprofiling the wingtips to make them squarer, knocking the 60's rivets back a bit, and using Modeldecal replacement markings. The multi part tail was a bit of a pain, and the cockpit a bit basic, but I think it looks pretty neat and makes a change from Lancasters and Wellingtons. I was going to use the open bomb-bay option, but as no detail other than the bomb load is provided and in places you can see through to the crew area, I decided to close it up. However, for an older kit some of the detail is rather nice including mass balances on the controls, the undercarriage, wing bomb racks and Vickers K guns. The moulds were showing their age with a lot of flash present, but altogether an enjoyable built.

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On the real aircraft the underwing roundels were given a thin coat of night paint to knock the white back. I tried to replicate this with some thinned black paint in a light coat. Paints used were Humbrol Acrylics applied by brush.

 

Ps Can't wait to see the RAF Museum's Hampden when it's finally rolled out after restoration, maybe it will prompt Airfix to bring out a new tool, like the raising of the Dornier did! 

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Nice one, and yes it does make a welcome change. It sometimes amazes me just how good some of these older kits really were especially when you made by a modeller who knows what he's doing, and considering when they were made. Airfix didn't only make old miss-fitting dogs, quite a few stand up reasonably well even today, Obviously they can't compare to the likes of the Nakijima "Kate" but many are still worth-while. Keep them comming.

Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom

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Nice model allways a favourite would really like see a new tool eventually, once saw the cockpit section of a Hampden at duxford about 20 years ago, I think it was there to raise money for the restoration... I couldn't get over just how small it really is! not much room in it and narrow to boot...

I think the design was basically to take advantage in new understand of drag co-efficients, makes sense to me anyway.... twice the area (cross-section and surface) twice the drag, this would allow for a faster A/C or increased range(less fuel consumption)... in theory...

😉

Link to a Canadian Hampden Restoration project:

http://www.canadianflight.org/content/handley-page-hampden

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Yes you're tight Discostu, it was called the Flying Suitcase, not so much because of the narrow cockpit, but more for the general shape of the deep but narrow fuselage. I beliave the cockpit was only something like only 2ft 6ins or less wide I believe there was a rumour that if pilots felt confined that they should transfere to Spitfires for a roomier cockpit.

Remember we do this for fun.    John the Pom

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