Valom 1/72nd Blackburn Firebrand TF.Mk.II
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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.
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