Revell Halifax B1/ 11 GR11

[Gregers]

Maker. Revell
Type Revell Halifax B1/ 11 GR11
Decal options 2
Price (UK) £19.99

On first sight this looks like a big box for an aircraft the size of the Halifax, and indeed there is some space left in the box bit this doesn't mean you are not getting you're monies worth. What you get is a fairly comprehensive kit with parts to make almost every variant of the B1 and B11 versions of this iconic aircraft. Looking at the parts breakdown I would guess that the later B111 could be made with a new sprue for the engines and necels There are parts for the towing hitch for glider tug versions (MKV) but this should be omitted as the kit versions would not carry this.
The Aforementioned engines. hmmm, to put it simply they are too wide and correcting them would be quite major surgery. There are three and four blade propellers but the blades are the wrong shape being too broad. sanding them to shape would be possible but would be tedious. Both types of fin and rudder are provided and the big bonus is that there are no less than SIX gun turrets provided so the spares box will be well stocked. Also the glazed nose is on the sprue and is needed for the GR11 version. Now the glaring error.
All in all apart from the errors mentioned I would say that this is a damn fine kit and should build into a great model even OOB. Mine will probably be built as the prototype.

All the best.

Greg

[MerlinJones]

"Also the glazed nose is on the sprue and is needed for the GR11 version. Now the glaring error."

What's the glaring error?

Regards,
Bruce

[Gregers]

Sorry Bruce. messed that up in a re type. I was supposed to edit that out I was referring to the engines when I typed it but re wrote the review as at first read it seemed a little harsh on what is indeed a very nice kit.

All the best.

Greg

[Martin R]

I was referring to the engines when I typed it.

Greg

Happy Christmas Greg,

I'm still a bit confused. Reading your initial post, you seem to be saying that the engine cowlings are too wide. If so, by how much - and to what have you compared them? You also mention the shape of the prop blades, which has been mentioned by others.

I'm not deliberately trying to be argumentative, but please enlighten me

regards,

Martin

PS I've been caressing the sprues this evening as I got one for Christmas, so I'm definitely interested.

PPS Does the shape of the H2S bulge seem a bit 'odd'. By 'odd' I meant too pointed at the rear. Should it really come to a point?

PPPS Again I'm not trying to shoot down the kit. I fully intend to build it early in the New Year - and I'm really hoping they bring out a Hercules engined version!

[peebeep]

I don't have one of these kits myself, but I think comparisons have been made with the Granger drawings, that are generally held to be pretty good. From the sprue shots that I have seen and in comparison with the Granger drawings and photos it is pretty clear that the kit supplied props (three and four blade) are not representative of those fitted to the Halifax.

peebeep

[Gregers]

Hi Folks.
The engines looked a little wide when I saw pictures of revells build up and I asked a few questions from someone who has worked on the real thing as knows whats what about them. He said the math has been done and they are too side by approx six scale inches both sides (From up scaling the models parts and measuring the rocker cover of a real Merlin) The props are a basic shape and not tapered outwards from the root like the real thing with the four blade unit looking more like the ones from a P51K Mustang. I'll dig my Halifax book out and check on the H2S.
Hope this helps.

All the best.

Greg

[VMA131Marine]

There are some good pictures of the pointed propellor blades at this site:

http://www.polishsquadronsremembered.co ... indisi.htm

The Revell and Hasegawa Lancasters each contain both the paddle bladed and pointed props. The pointed blade props should be suitable for the Halifax and there are probably a fair number floating around in the spares boxes of those who used the paddle blade props.

The Revell 3-Blade Halifax props also look like they would be fine on the Hercules-engined Mk.III.

[MerlinJones]

Question for those 'in the know'...

Both Revell new-tool Lancaster and Halifax have (relatively) serious errors in them. Does their B-17 suffer the same fate?

Regards,
Bruce

[VMA131Marine]

Question for those 'in the know'...

Both Revell new-tool Lancaster and Halifax have (relatively) serious errors in them. Does their B-17 suffer the same fate?

Regards,
Bruce

The only complaints I've heard about are the escessive width of the panel lines. I have the kit and I can see how the panel lines could be too prominent for some, especially under a natural metal finish.

[Chuck E]

I would say that the B-17 is the best of the three kits. The Halifax looks pretty good and the props can be whittled down or replaced. The Lanc needs the most work, but is not to be written off. Luckily I have a few spare parts to replace the dubious ones.