Fairey Fulmar Mk.II
AZ Models 1/72 Fairey Fulmar Mk.II, NF.Mk.II by Carmel J Attard
MANUFACTURER: AZ Models
SCALE: 1/72
KIT NO: AZ7567
TYPE: Upgraded Ex Vista
PARTS: 34 plastic, 2 resin, 12 etched brass
MARKING OPTIONS: 3HISTORY
T
he Fairey Fulmar was
designed as a light bomber
that was also capable of
being used as a dive bomber, but
eventually its mission altered to
being a two-seat fleet defence
fighter. Priority was given to its
long range for the long over-ocean
flights that would be required,
and its heavy armament. For dive
bombing, the requirement was
that the Fulmar could safely drop
a 500 lb bomb during a 60 degree
dive at a speed up to 310 knots.
The Fairey Fulmar remains a
popular British WWII shipboard
fighter among modellers, appearing
in the past from Rareplanes,
Pegasus, Revell, Vista, Smer,
and now from AZ Models.THE KIT
The kit represents a Fulmar
Mk.II, whose production began
in January 1941, reaching
operational squadrons in March- It was powered by a Merlin
XXX engine and had provision to
carry a 250 lb or 500 lb bomb in
lieu of a centreline drop tank.
Instructions come in the form
of two pages, all in colour, which
contain plan views of the
two sprues with plastic
injected parts, as well as
the two brass photo-etch
(PE) frets. There are 15
easy-to-follow stages
of construction. There
is also a good decal sheet, for
three different liveries, covering
a Fulmar NF Mk.II or a Mk.II. Note
that although a Mk.I can be made,
all decal options cover the Mk.II
The kit contains good quality,
dark grey styrene with lots of
recessed panel lines, plus resin
wheels in addition to the injected
ones. Details include a three piece
instrument panel, a detailed
pilot and observer seat, a control
column, rudder pedals, and a
big dish shaped part, mounted
on an integrated pillar, that
I assume to be a compass.
The PE parts include seat belts
and straps, wing antennae, detailedcockpit panel, radiator front, and
small air intake interior detail.
One version has a complete set of
Night Fighter antennas, which
fits above and below the wings,
and are supplied on the brass
etch. The canopy is clear and has
raised framework to aid painting.60 • MAY 2018 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
KIT REVIEWS
060-63-Reviews-0518.indd 60 13/04/2018 14:10