Valom 1/72nd Blackburn Firebrand TF.Mk.II By Matt Bittner

Overview

The Blackburn Firebrand type B-37 was originally developed as a two-seater carrier fighter plane for the needs of the Fleet Air Arm under the specification of N.8/39, dated March 1939. In 1940, the specification changed to N.11/40 and Blackburn was ordered to develop a single-seat fighter plane with four 20 mm guns. It was a reaction to progress in radio-technology, where the navigator could be omitted from the crew. The plane was driven using the then most powerful engine - a Napier Sabre III liquid-cooled 24-cylinder engine with takeoff power of 1694 kW, which drove a de Havilland three-blade adjustable propeller. Significant structural elements were high upward lifting valves from Fowler providing low landing speed on the deck of an aicraft carrier. The external part of the wings could be mechanically swept back along the fuselage. Another characteristic element was also relocation of the rudder in front of the vertical tailfin, which was usual for structures from Blackburn.

The first prototype, F Mk.I, was first tested on 27 February 1942. Then, 9 serial production planes were produced and used for diffferent tests and trials. The next change to the fight efficiency of Firebrands took place in early 1943. The classification was now torpedo or fighter-bomber as a replacement for the Swordfish and Albacore biplanes and Barracuda monoplane. The extension of the central plane by 390 mm to attach a 457-mm torpedo reclassified the type to TF Mk.II. The first flight of this category took place on 31 March 1943. Altogether, 12 Firebrands of this version were constructed. It was limited by the number of applicable Napier Sabre III engines, which had meanwhile been chosen to exclusively power Hawker Typhoon planes. Large serial production of Frebrands started with the 18-cyliner air-cooled Bristol Centaurus VII engine. However, it happened at the end of the war and the application of the plane fell to the post-war period.

History courtesy of the kit's instructions.

The Kit

The Valom kit of the Firebrand consists of 40 plastic injected, 4 resin (torpedo, wheels and the (I think) IR pod on the port wing leading edge), 2 vacuform (which thankfully includes a replacement canopy, "just in case") and 22 photoetch pieces. All parts are nicely molded and it's good to see a company progress like Valom has. Their first release, the Sukhoi Su-6, was a good start but there was definitely some work to be done. The Firebrand is a definite step forward and is molded very well. The decals are also in register and nicely done and there are enough markings for one scheme.

Constuction starts with the cockpit, consisting primarily of plastic injected pieces as well as some of the photoetch. Once the cockpit is finished then it's glued onto more cockpit pieces and then into one fuselage half.

From there the wing center section is completed along with everything in and on it. After the torpedo assembly, the fuselage halves are glued together, the center section is glued to the fuselage and the tail pieces are glued on. There are some internal pieces to be added to the fuselage as it's being assembled, so study the plans carefully. Once all that is together, then the outer wing halves are glued together then glued to the center section, which has already been glued to the fuselage. Valom tells me that dryfitting the outer wings to the center wings is definitely required. In addition, since this is a butt-joint, you may want to add shims of plastic card to help with alignment and strength.

Once the major parts are together, I would move into painting the machine the typical British "multi-color camouflage" before adding the rest of the pieces, like the landing gear, gear doors, torpedo, etc. All colors are laid out nicely and have multiple paint matches, for example, Humbrol, Model Master, etc., including FS matches were applicable. The final step to assembly is cutting out the vac canopy and attaching it.

Conclusion

Valom continues to improve. Thankfully they're not a company that just stays at one place and remains stagnant. They have gone from a multi-piece prop (separate blades with a separate spinner) to a one piece prop - a definite improvement (especially since I don't like assembling prop blades). The quality of Valom kits has also steadily improved. While their output so far tends to the esoteric, it's a definite positive release from all the 'Stang, 'Spit and 'Schmitt releases we see consistently and constantly. One of their upcoming releases that people seem to be pleased with is the Albermarle, another ungainly looking British machine. While Valom kits are not typical "shake and bake" Tamigawa models, Valom kits are for people who enjoy modeling and enjoy some challenge to their hobby. Definitely recommended.

I would like to thank Valom and Squadron Mail Order for the review kit.