Airfix
1/600 Queen Mary 2
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Overview
PRO'S : New tooling, gift box packaging, good breakdown of parts, paints,
glues, thread and brushes supplied, comprehensive decal sheet and instruction
booklet.
CON'S : Some windows not supplied with clear inserts, large package
difficult to sneak into the house if the wife is at home!
During the last two decades it has been seen that the popularity of
the large cruise ship as a holiday destination has been steadily on the
increase. This growth has been responsible for the creation of a succession
of what would only be termed as "superliners", the latest and I believe,
greatest being the subject of the kit featured in this review.
The Kit
 Airfix
have shown great skill and commitment in this recent release. Upon opening
the huge 60cm x 35cm x 12cm gift box one is immediately impressed by the
extensive A-3 decal sheet, containing all necessary windows, deck markings,
tennis courts, pools and a set of neat waterline markings that make that
particular job a whole lot easier.
  The
black hull moulding alone measures 571mm and when one considers that the
model is made at 50 feet equals one inch or 1/600 the real thing must
be enormous. All the apertures for the windows are excellent and 99.9%
flash free.
 The
bulbous bow is moulded separately and optional inserts allow the bow thruster
doors to be represented in either the open or closed position (see below),
a little scraping and filling may be necessary to get the waterline joint
right - but not much. Clear inserts are supplied for some of the hull
 windows,
but not all (open galleries?), the propulsion pods are nicely done as
well as the propellers which will need to be handled very carefully.
 The
long pieces that form the sides of the superstructure are quite flexible
but are well supported by two large bulkheads that also locate the components
of the upper deck levels.
 Deck
planking detail is engraved making a nice change from most other model
ship kits. Lifeboats are also well represented - hopefully enough of them
to go around! - as well as 8 twin hulled launches plus a couple of zodiacs.
The lifeboat davits are crisply moulded if somewhat simplified.
 All
the cabins with balconies which line the sheltered sides of the upper
superstructure, are easy to handle due to the inclusion of some great
decals and when combined with the other door and window decals really
set the model off with good effect.
The sloping forecastle, the funnel and the bridge wings - all inspired
by the earlier Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Mary - are beautifully
reproduced. The model when finished will truly convey the best aspects
of the tradition of trans-Atlantic sea travel and all that's best of modern
shipbuilding technology.
  Ten
small and five large paint pots, plastic cement, clear fix cement for
windows, large and small brushes plus a quantity of rigging thread are
included should the modeller so desire to use them. Instructions are provided
in the form of a 44-page booklet, the diagrams are clear and precise with
a development history and list of vital statistics.
Undoubtedly within a short space of time a photo-etched accessory set
will become available for those modellers who desire to put in the extra
effort.
Conclusion
The Airfix 1/600 scale Queen Mary 2 is quite a stunning kit, an amazing
new release from a company that has always been a industry leader. The
fact that a good range of ocean liner kits in the same scale are still
readily available make the potential for a great collection quite high.
When one considers what's in the box and the size of the finished model,
the AUD$71.50 price tag is good value.
Many thanks to SANDLE Hobbies
for the review sample.
Good luck and happy Modelling.
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