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CMR 1/72 Jet Provost

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

Overview

Developed from the successful Percival Provost piston-engined trainer, the Jet Provost first took to the air in 1954 and soon entered service with the RAF. The stable platform and solid construction quickly led to its export, both as a trainer and as an air support attack aircraft. The initial versions saw some updates with regards to the engine, with both the T3 and T4 getting uprated engines. The T5 variant was markedly different from the previous versions in that it was pressurized, which changed the lines of the aircraft subtly.

Operationally, the Jet Provost flew with Ceylon, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Singapore, South Yemen, Sudan, and Venezuela, as well as the many aircraft that flew with the RAF. Australia also flew one for evaluation, although no orders came about. Many of the countries that operated the type flew them as trainers, although some used them as armed support aircraft. Currently several Jet Provosts can be found in private warbird collections, so the chances of seeing on in the sky is still a possibility.

The Kit

Prior to this release by CMR, the only choice for a 1/72 early Jet Provost was the ancient Airfix T.3 kit, which was simplistic at best and required quite a bit to bring it up to current standards. Czech Master Resin comes to the rescue with this highly detailed resin kit of the Jet Provost T.3/T.4. The kit contains a good number of tan resin parts, as well as a fret of pre-painted photoetch, a few clear resin parts, and a set of canopy masks. Finally, the decal sheet provides markings for several colorful and interesting aircraft.

Construction begins with the interior, and since this is a trainer, all of this will be very visible under the large and clear canopy. Luckily, the detail in this kit is very complete, with a detailed cockpit tub, two beautiful ejection seats complete with photoetch seat belts, a nicely done pre-painted photoetch instrument panel, and solidly done sidewall detailing. A deep tailpipe is also included, which concludes all of the fuselage innards. What the instructions do not mention is the amount of nose weight needed to keep this on its nose gear. Be ready to add quite a bit here, as this has a rather long rear fuselage behind the main wheels. There is not much space for that weight, either.

With the fuselage together, this kit is just about done. The wings are solid right and left pieces, as are the stabilizers. The landing gear is sturdy, an advantage to aircraft that are low to the ground. The kit features separate flaps so you can choose to have them dropped if you wish. The resin clear parts include a large windscreen for the rear cockpit section, as well as some of the smaller lights and such. Apply the included canopy masks and you're ready for paint.

Now the real challenge arises, as the decal sheet provides no less than five aircraft, all in different color schemes. The first one is a Jet Provost T.3 from the RAF's Central Flying School in 1960. This one is painted in overall silver with fluorescent orange sections on the nose, rear fuselage, wingtips and tanks, and flaps. The second option is from No 3 Flying Training School in 1969, and features the RAF's later trainer color scheme of a white and red fuselage, with aircraft gray wings. The third RAF example is the boxtop scheme, that of the Red Pelicans Aerobatic Team in 1964. This aircraft is overall red, definitely one that will stand out.

The final two options are camouflaged examples. While most of the export aircraft were of the later T.5 variant, some countries flew the earlier T.3/T.4 type. First up here is a Jet Provost T.52 from the South Arabian Federation Air Force in 1967. This plane is camouflaged in dark earth and deep buff over light aircraft gray. Switching back to the RAF, the final option is an aircraft from No 79 Squadron at Fairford in 1983. This plane is camouflaged in dark sea gray and dark green over medium sea gray. The decals overall are very nicely printed and should go down wonderfully.

Conclusion

This is a very nicely done kit of a popular RAF trainer, one which has been sorely overlooked in the kit market. While full of detail, it is still a fairly simple resin kit, and as such would make for a great subject for one wanting to try out a full resin kit. My thanks to CMR for the review sample.