Airfix 1/72 Lockheed Hudson

I have not previously built this kit but I’m sure it was originally released well over thirty years ago. The mouldings appear not to have been changed although there is a new decal sheet with two options : a 206 Sqdn. Mark I and a 269 Sqdn Mark III. This highlights the fact that the kit has an identity problem - it is a Mark III, except for one feature noted later.

The box is excessively large for the plastic parts and I found that some of the framing for the nose glazing was damaged - easy for me to repair but sensible packaging would have prevented the problem. There was some evidence of flash / worn moulds but it was slight and could easily be dealt with and the surface detail, mostly fine rivets, is unobtrusive. This is the one thing that could have been unique to the Mk. I as the Mk II differed only in being flush riveted and/or spot welded. Looking hard at photos of Mk. I’s I can see what could be rivets so I would keep them for a Mk. I and remove them for the others (if you feel up to rescribing the panel lines you will lose at the same time). Interior detail is adequate for a ‘straight from the box’ model, the instrument panel decal being a nice touch, but it is not quite accurate and will benefit from work, especially in the empty main cabin which should contain the wireless operator’s seat and equipment as well as wing spars, bomb bay etc..... The transparencies were better than I expected for clarity and thickness but had some moulding marks and scratches from rattling around in transit. Aeroclub offer vac-form nose and cockpit transparencies as well as an improved turret to help out here.

Accuracy was checked with Aviation News plans and the correlation between them and the mouldings was good enough for me to say the kit has no significant problems in outline. Other references which are useful include the Profile (No.253) which has several internal photos, Air International (November 1985) and Scale Aircraft Modelling (May 1991) where the Hudson is the Aircraft in Detail.

Inaccuracies noted were:- The photos below show the elevator, rudder and wing slots of the RAF Museum Hudson.


Photographs copyright © Ray Williams 1999

Other points to bear in mind include the fitment of ASV Mark I radar to Hudson I's from January 1940 (14 installations by the end of the month) for the best photo is on p.24 of 'Coastal Command At War' by Chaz Bowyer (published by Ian Allan).

Starting assembly showed that the ‘gates’ on the sprue are larger than on modern kits, I had to use a razor saw to remove the fuselage halves and care is needed on all parts. There was a slight warp on one fuselage half and the alignment of the two halves was not perfect so a few extra tabs from scrap were used to bully non-matching parts to a closer fit. At this point I have to own up and say I have not finished the kit (you’d like the review this millennium wouldn’t you ?) because I am contemplating the modifications necessary to turn it into a Mark I. These include removing the astrodome, changing the oil cooler and carburettor intakes, modifying the exhausts, fitting new propellers with spinners (early Mark Is only ?) and removing the panel lines for the ventral gun (which should be offset to starboard anyway). As a result of the hold-up I cannot say how well the decals go on but they look as if there should not be any problems and separate red centres are provided for the roundels to avoid misalignment in the printing process. Just remember only the 269 Sqdn. option is applicable to the kit ‘as is’ and (I almost forgot to mention it) even then a large ‘hoop’ DF loop should be fitted.

The kit instructions for the colour schemes are different from previous releases with umpteen languages but only Humbrol paint numbers to identify the colours which isn’t a lot of help if, like me, you use acrylics. The basic scheme for both options is Dark Green / Dark Earth upper surfaces and Sky under surfaces with black de-icing boots. Note that the scheme shown in the Profile did not come into use until the second half of 1942 in spite of the incongruity of Dark Earth as a camouflage colour for a maritime patrol aircraft.

Camouflage and markings notes

(based on a mixture of references so I would be glad of more information, especially as some of the dates from the RAF Museum book contradict Alan Hall's PSL book) :-

Initial deliveries were in standard bomber scheme of Dark Green, Dark Earth and Night with Medium Sea Grey codes. The Night probably changed to Sky around the same time as it did on Blenheims - Feb/Mar 1940 - although photos show Night undersides on Hudsons later than this period. Upperwing roundels were Type A1 pre-war, changing to Type Bon the outbreak of war and then back to Type A in November 1939 for a few months while everyone got their aircraft recognition skills up to scratch. Fuselage roundels were Type A1 until the Type C1 was introduced and underwing there were Type A roundels and white serials until Sept 1939, then I think no roundels or serials. After July 1942 the colour scheme changed to Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey with Dull Red code letters and Sky undersides then in October tthe undersides were changed again to White and code letters and serial to Light Slate Grey (serials had been Night up to this point). The last change was in October 1944 when the upper surfaces were changed to overall Extra Dark Sea Grey with White sides and Gloss White lower surfaces.

By Ross Marven with photos from Ray Williams (updated from SIG newsletters 3/98 and 1/99)
© 2003 IPMS(UK) RAF WWII SIG