Pro Resin 1/72 Fairey Delta FD.1

Background

Taken from the instructions:

When all of the captured German data was evaluated after the War, one of the aircraft that seemed really was the Bachem Natter vertical take-off (VTO) interceptor.  In July 1946, the Air Ministry proposed a series of tests with rocket-powered scale models culminating in full-scale trials of the ultimate VTO fighter.  The first prototype, VX 350 (to the specification E.10/47), flew with the four fairings around its normal jet orifice, originally intended for the swiveling nozzles, still fitted.  Construction of VX 350 was completed at Fairey's Heaton Chapel, Stockport factory, and commenced on 12th May 1950 at Ringway Airport (now Manchester International).  It was then dismantled and transported by road to Boscomb Down, where it eventually made its first flight on 12th March 1951, some ten months later.

Another landing accident occurred on 6th February 1956, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and the undercarriage to be torn off.  Repair was deemed to be uneconomical and the aircraft was allocated to the Mechanical Engineering Department, Farnborough.  On 9th October 1956 it was transported to Shoeburyness Range for use as a gunnery target for  airframe battle damage assessment.  Presumably, at the end of these test, what remained of the airframe was scrapped.

The Kit

The Pro Resin Fairey Delta 1 (FD.1) consists of 43 pieces of resin and a vacumformed canopy (thankfully two are provided).  Markings are for VX 350 - one scheme - in overall aluminum with some black panels.  Decals are very nicely done and in register.

Construction commences with the cockpit and the instructions include excellent information on the coloring of the various cockpit components (tub, instrument panel, control column and seat).  The molding here is exquisite and the detail is fantastic.  From here the instructions have you assemble the landing gear (three pieces for the mains, four pieces for the nose) although I would hold off on some of the pieces until you add it into the landing gear wells, this way you're certain the parts will meet up not only with the landing gear, but also the areas in the gear well meant for those parts.  I would also hold off adding the landing gear until the last stage of finishing the model.

Now you assemble pieces into the fuselage halves (not only the built-up cockpit but also the main gear wells, which are separate pieces, as well as the tail pipe, etc.) and glue the halves together.  The next stage of this assembly step is to add the wings and vertical tail to the fuselage, and now you have the makings of a built-up FD.1.  Although the next stage of construction has you add the landing gear, I would hold off until after painting is finished - although you'll want to add the tear-drop shaped pieces to the underside of the wing-to-fuselage joint in the forward part of the model.

Once the main pieces are all together, then painting can commence.  One item that's not in the instructions but I'm sure will be needed is an indication of weight needed inside the model so it sits on its nose landing gear.  There is some area inside the forward fuselage that could take weight, but if a lot is needed then you'll have to add it to the area behind the cockpit tub.

Conclusion

Like the Bristol 188, Pro Resin has created a very nice kit of the Fairey Delta.  Their molding is some of the best and you'll be hard pressed to find any flaws in the resin, such as air and pinholes.  The detail is great, and making the landing gear up in separate pieces keeps the level of detail high.  If you enjoy British experimental jets - or experimental jets in general - the you'll be very pleased with the Pro Resin FD.1.  It could even be the second or third resin kit you build, if you haven't built many resin kits before.

My thanks to Pro Resin for the review sample.  It's great to see them back at it again!