Phantom FG.1
First look at Airfix 1/72 Phantom FG.1
B
y the skin of its
teeth, the much-
anticipated
British Airfix Phantom
arrived just in time to
get into this issue. So
only time for a very
quick look at what
you get in the box this
month but we will go into far
more detail in a future issue.
On opening the box I was
initially quite impressed but
did notice one elephant in the
room. The fuselage halves
feature recessed detail that
is considerably wider and
deeper than in other areas
of the kit. To be honest I
have come across this before in
Airfix kits and it is the work of a
few minutes to use a typewriter
correction pen to fill them if you so
desire. But it is strange considering
how petit the detail is on the
tailplanes on the same runner!
But that is a relatively minor
issue considering what else thekit supplies options, many, many
options on how your finished
model will look. So many it is
hard to know where to start!
The kits start with three
illustrations showing the three
most common display options- In Flight 2. Ready for catapult
launch, 3. Stowed above or below
decal and what I will call 3A under
maintenance. Each version has
a silhouette, which issued to call
out your final look as you proceed
through the instructions.
Of course, we have the option
of folding wings and two ways to
fold the nose, either just folded as
seen when on the carrier deck. Or
alternatively with the nose radar
exposed and slid forward to expose
the instrument boxes as seen on
an aircraft under maintenance..
But it does not stop their, open or
retracted flaps, airbrakes, engine
cooling bay doors and refuelling
probe. The tail surfaces have
alternative parts so you can mould
them straight or at an angle as
seen on take off, while the nose
undercarriage can be positioned
in two different positions. While
a choice of tail, gives you the
option of a plain early tail, or alater one with the RWR (Radar
Warning Receiver) at the top.
Full underwing stores are
supplied and you can pick between
500Ib bombs, Matra Rocket
pods, fuel tanks, and of course
Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles.
Decals are supplied for three
options and comprehensive does
not really do this justice with over
300 images beautifully printed. The
three units covered are not really
that surprising, 767 with its diving
eagle and 892 with the famous
Omega symbol that most associate
Royal Navy operations with. The
final option an aircraft from the
Naval Air Support Unit and the
printing of this units Day-Glo tail
marking really stands out on what
is otherwise the plainest option.
The full-colour profile includes
notes that explain that the FG.1
was initially painted in high
gloss finish which weathered
to satin and matt finishes and
they supply recommendations
using the Humbrol paint range.CONCLUSION
In all but one area this kit easily
surpasses the 1980s Fujimi range of
British Phantoms and out of the box,
this looks like this will make into a
beautiful model though I suspect
many will have to purchase more than
one so the can make the most of all
the options supplied. And if you want
to make more Xtradecal have already
released two sheets covering both
Royal Navy and lather RAF operation
of the FG.1. ( X72268 & 72287).
Our thanks to Airfix for supplying
the review sample and a full build
will appear in a future issue.WWW.SAMPUBLICATIONS.COM • FEBRUARY 2018 • 57
FIRST LOOK!
052-57-FirstLooks-0218.indd 57 12/01/2018 12:03