Airfix 1/72 Consolidated B-24H Liberator (A09010) In-Box Review

[Ratch]

History:

The Liberator was an American designed heavy bomber. The shoulder-mounted wing gave a high cruise speed, long range, and a heavy bomb capacity. But it was relatively difficult to fly with a poor performance at low speed. It had a lower ceiling than the Flying Fortress but was used extensively in WWII. Technical advancements made it obsolete after the war. The B-24H was developed because of the vulnerability of earlier marks to head-on attack. The Emerson A-15 nose turret replaced the greenhouse nose employed earlier, and a further 50 airframe changes were made. Most of the 3,100 H models were built by Ford at Willow Run, USA.

In-box Review:

This is a new tool 1/72 scale kit. Dimensions are 298mm x 465mm. Parts count is 278 pieces. Skill Level is 3 and 3 Flying Hours are printed on the box. Moulded on eight runners, two of which are clear. 

Frame A

 

Frame B

 

Frame C

Reverse

 

Frame D

Reverse

 

Frame E

Reverse

 

Frame F

Reverse

 

Frames X and Z

Detail quality is exquisitely moulded, and the frame breakdown suggest that further variants will be issued. 55g in nose-weights is needed and no crew figures are provided, but a boarding ladder is included.

The country of manufacture is India. Instructions are printed in a 16-page, A4 booklet, over 130 steps. 

Engine gills may be open or closed and in-flight configuration is illustrated. Airfix provides schematic reference images for paint colours and decal placements.

Decals are by Cartograf, ensuring good registration, sharpness, density of colour, and unobtrusive carrier film. 

The marking options are:

42-52234 ‘Corky Burgundy Bombers’, 733rd BS, RAF Old Buckenham, Norfolk, England, 1944.

‘Valiant Lady’, 831st BS, 485th BG, 15th AF, USAAF, Venosa, Italy, 1944.

Paints advised:

11 Metallic Silver

24 Matt Trainer Yellow

25 Matt Blue

26 Matt Khaki

33 Matt Black

53 Metallic Gunmetal

56 Metallic Aluminium

81 Matt Pale Yellow

85 Satin Coal Black

100 Matt Red Brown

110 Matt Natural Wood

125 Satin US Dark Grey

128 Satin US Compass Grey

155 Matt Olive Drab

226 Matt Interior Green

These are not included in the kit.

RRP £46.99

[SD45elect2000]

I just ordered one, thanks for the recon Ratch.

 

 

Randall

[Tour de Airfix]

Interesting to see this moulded in green plastic. I can’t recall ever having an Airfix aircraft not in the standard grey or white for perhaps the Concorde and Sunderland. I’m guessing it’s because it’s top side is camouflaged? 🤔

[Marto]

5 minutes ago, Tour de Airfix said:

Interesting to see this moulded in green plastic. I can’t recall ever having an Airfix aircraft not in the standard grey or white for perhaps the Concorde and Sunderland. I’m guessing it’s because it’s top side is camouflaged? 🤔

Having brought a lot of various Hornby products of late, it seems they have taken the view to produce models in the same colour plastic as the intended paint scheme (trains and slot cars too).

[jopres57]

I seem to remember that back in the day Airfix aircraft kits were quite often moulded in the colour of the underside. I think it's a good idea to have kits destined for a light coloured finish, such as white or yellow, to be produced in a light coloured plastic. It makes things a lot easier when painting by brush.

[Tour de Airfix]

24 minutes ago, Marto said:

it seems they have taken the view to produce models in the same colour plastic as the intended paint scheme

Wow, that’s so old school Revell 

[Ratch]

40 minutes ago, Tour de Airfix said:

Interesting to see this moulded in green plastic.

Check the colour balance on your monitor - the plastic is grey!

[Tour de Airfix]

😂 no way! Even the pictures I took look green 🤦‍♂️. Well at least this means all is still well in the world of Airfix 😆

[john redman]

ISTR the previous Airfix Liberator, of 1960s vintage, had the most working parts of any Airfix kit.