Airfix 1/72 Bristol Bloodhound (A02309V) Build Review

[Ratch]

I have built this kit at least three times previously, although the last time was in 2008. Time to revisit an old friend, and I started with a little research.  I discovered that an RAF Bloodhound Mk 1 Squadron site had 32 launchers, which were spilt into two fire units of 16 Launchers, along with a Launch Control Post Building, a Works Services Building and two Type 83 Radar’s and their Control Cabins. These 16 Launchers were set up in two Sections of 8, each tied to one of the radars. This discounts a full-blown diorama, but I’d like to present this in a vignette. 

[Ratch]

I washed the runners in warm soapy water then set them aside to air dry. There is some flash on the mouldings that requires removal, either using a scalpel or sanding sticks. After this the interior components and crew can be painted. 

While the figures were being painted, I commenced on the build, starting with the Bloodhound. I primed and will airbrush the assembled parts before attaching the booster rockets to the missile. 

I fixed clear plastic sheet, cut to size, to the interior of the Land Rover for the windows and commenced assembly. 

I am unsure of the hue of the Blue Grey that post war RAF vehicles were painted. I have used Vallejo Model Color 70867 164 Dark Bluegrey, but this looks too grey to me. 

I may try Vallejo Model Color 70898 48 Dark Sea Blue. I have brushed the tilt with AK Interactive AK5036 B5 Dark Blue Grey, but I think this is too light. Maybe my expectations are wrong. I put together one small sub-assembly of the launcher and airbrushed that, and the remaining parts with Vallejo Model Air 71250 Bronze Green.

[Ratch]

The figures are ready for a matt coat.

I airbrushed white over the missile. 

Seams were filled on the Landy. 

The launch platform was assembled. 

This may be tricky for the inexperienced. We must remember that when this kit was designed, these were toys we built ourselves to play with. They were not intended as scale models, to sit proudly on a shelf, accurately aping the technology of the time. Aeroplanes were flown around the lounge, miniature soldiers fought battles in mother’s flower beds, sea battles were engaged on dry land and rockets and missiles exploded to arm’s length with great wooshing and appropriate vocal jet noises. The innocent imagination and imitation of childhood. The trailer is just the same, supposedly a functioning item for the modeller to play with. I used clamps to maintain the position of parts. Of course, minimal play would see these toys disintegrate, but we’d had the joy of building, painting, and playing (albeit briefly) with a state-of-the-art piece of British technology.

The trailer was clamped to ensure correct alignment.

 

Because my father worked at Mettoy, I also had the Corgi Bloodhound missile transporter and launch pad, a much more robust toy. The missile had a rubber nose, maybe to minimise bodily injury if the missile was thrown at a child. I wish I still had it as they appear to go for big bucks nowadays. My part # 57, the bogie of the trailer, did not have a hole to accept the pivot (part #56), so I used my pin-vice to drill one out. 

Both items are very fragile, and one must consider cementing everything in a fixed position.

[Ratch]

I was unhappy with the colour of the Land Rover and searched for colour images. I then did a test swatch with Vallejo Model Color 70898 48 Dark Sea Blue, which was, in my opinion, a better match, so re-painted the vehicle. 

I masked the fins on the boosters and sprayed yellow. I then brush painted the booster nozzles with gunmetal. May touch-ups and detail painting were done. I brushed some Humbrol Clear over the areas where the decals were to be placed, and when dry I could apply the decals that Mike Grant had kindly given to me. 

To seal the vehicles, I brushed them with Klear as a gloss varnish, the figures and tilt were brushed with Humbrol Matt Cote.

 

Conclusion:

I have thoroughly enjoyed this build, not quite thrown together in an afternoon, like it was in my childhood, but I’ve hopefully made a better fist of it this time around. The detail is quite clunky by modern standards. It certainly isn’t shake’n’bake. It will not fall together when the box is opened, but for those of a certain age it is pure nostalgia. It is the only game in town as far as 1/72 scale is concerned, and a subject that with basic skills can give a pleasing result.

Now, where did I store my Thor missile?

[Ratch]

[Tour de Airfix]

This looks fabulous. Your diorama and pictures really bring the kit alive, it’s as if we’re watching a film from the period 👍

[paul71]

its not a bad little kit ratch, like it in the dioramas

[AirportsEd]

Thanks, nice to see this. Another kit from my youth which I built badly! Hope to make a better job with the Vintage Classic! Incidentally one of the Bloodhound missile fusing buildings still exists at the former RAF Woolfox Lodge.

[Ratch]

Thanks very much guys, your feedback is appreciated.

[DoubleD]

Excellent job on this Vintage Classic

[Peter Terry1707820234]

Excellent modelling of a past modelling time thanks Ratch Great Stuff.

[Sailorman]

Very nice diorama