Airfix Typhoon FGR.4 build review

 

.. Airfix have been getting so much 'flak' recently that people all over 'social media' are starting to jump to their defence - maybe they should go and build this kit instead! Airfix have excelled themselves with this one... a 'Starter set' that no beginner modeller will ever be able to complete to a reasonable standard! 

And it wasn't just the parts missing from the box either - in this instance, the nose wheel and one undercarriage gear door! That's 3 out of the last four Airfix kits I've built that have had parts missing.

But aside from those issues this kit just did not go together well for me..it was a real struggle just to get the fuselage halves aligned at all. The canopy needed a lot of work (and filler in the gaps) and the wing roots and tail fin also needed work.

Another of the kit's 'problems' is the poor location points for the gear legs. Lots of superglue required. The main legs are also missing the hefty retraction struts. And the very prominent landing lights - the toolmaker had to stop somewhere of course. The total absence of any underwing stores is also disappointing, not to mention the minimalist decal sheet. The Airfix Tribute Forum suggested that this may have been a deliberate choice to make the Typhoon less 'war-like' putting the emphasis more on it's airshow display prowess. Having seen a German Typhoon in the air ahead of the Rafale at the Paris Air Show last year I can get that.. In the end I took some AMRAAMs from the Revell kit (.. to take out those Argie F-16s as they may well do one day) and got the Mark I decals for machines from the Falklands RAF 1435 Flight. 

Bottom line - I wouldn't bother with this Airfix Series 1 effort - for much the same price get the Revell kits.

A few views of the almost completed Typhoon FGR 4. Airfix model in its Falklands 1435 Flt livery. A few bits of detail painting still to go. FOD covers - its a big intake and there's nothing there - were pieces of suitably-painted foil.