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REVIEW
Anson is as Anson does...
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#017
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Posted: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 03:33 AM UTC
A painful pun - but it''s a WW2 original, so it''s good enough for me! Here''s a look at Classic Airframes'' Avro Anson, appearing for the first time as a 1/48 scale injected kit.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
jRatz
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Posted: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 06:28 AM UTC
Merlin:

Nice review.

I have both the MKI.I Early & the Mk.I Export & am reviewing both for IPMS. I, too, think the wing & stab relief is a bit too much. The kit should have defaulted to the long aileron for the earlies, but I understand the decision. The wing landing light option goes with the clear nose only, not the solid nose. Have you figured out what part R30 is ? I didn't think the gun, if stowed, had a cover, so maybe only use with the decking ?

Regardless, it is a beauty -- I wasn't going to get it until I popped the box open at the IPMS/USA Nats ...

You noted they have released a Mk.II already ? I would hope they come out with the later MK.I, with the "upright" windscreen, first -- there were about 6700 MK.I and the two early kits represent about 380 of 'em.

I'll post some build progress over here as I go ... Right now I plan to build only one of the two, since the plastic is identical, but may go ahead & do the aileron conversion separately to see how it goes ...

John

Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
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Posted: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 11:36 AM UTC
Hi John

Yes - as you suggest, part #R30 is for blanking-off the gun stowage-slot if you build an aircraft without a turret:



Some of my refs talk of Mk 1s modified for training uses with the addition of landing lamps (one photo shows lamps and a nose like part #CP8 - but it has the later-style windscreen).

I wonder if they'll bring out the later versions with moulded plywood fuselages?

I''m really looking forward to seeing your build, as it'll be a long time before I can tackle my kit.

All the best

Rowan
jRatz
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Posted: Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 05:30 AM UTC
Merlin,

Yes, I do not think the landing lights, clear nose combo came until later in the Mk.I run, after the upright windscreen came in. I peg the latter event at the end of the K- & L- serials, or after the first 380-some aircraft.

One of my problems has been references.
I started from absolute zero and so far have gotten the Warpaint #53, Hall & Taylors Avro Anson (Almark), and the Anson I Pilot Notes. I have another by Harry Holmes inbound. But even the net is pretty dry ...

Any suggestions ?

I don't think I've got too many Ansons in me -- I'd love to trade an early windscreen for an upright and call it quits at two ... I'll have to go begging ...

John
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
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Posted: Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 11:18 AM UTC
Hi John

There don't seem to be many books specifically about the Anson. I've found useful photos in a number of generic books about RAF aircraft. There a fuselage and tail of a Mk1 at RAF Hendon, but that area of the museum was closed to the public during my last visit (while a new display is prepared). I'll be going again soon, so I'll try to get some pics for a Walkaround.

All the best

Rowan
betheyn
Staff MemberSenior Editor
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#019
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Posted: Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 08:28 PM UTC
A great review Rowan.
I must admit to looking at this kit and pondering over buying it, but then went and bought something completely different :-) .
Andy
jRatz
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Posted: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 06:22 AM UTC
Merlin:

Not to create dueling reviews, but here is the First Look I posted over on the IPMS site, where I review a few things & am also the guy who posts all the reviews.

jRatz' Anson Review

Ol' Annie's not getting much discussion here ....

John
Merlin
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#017
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Posted: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 11:29 AM UTC
Hi John

Nice review! It looks like you had better luck than me with the clear parts - no speckles in the styrene. It happened to me with Hasegawa's Fw 190A-3 too - I must be a speckle-magnet! LOL!

It's odd that, having been on their "wanted list" for so long, the Anson has finally arrived and not caused much of a ripple among most of the modellers I know.

All the best

Rowan
jRatz
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Posted: Friday, October 13, 2006 - 06:42 AM UTC
Just posted Part 2 of my Review/Build on the IPMS site,

jRatz' Anson Review

John
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