Airfix 1:48 Super Lynx " Naval versions"
This is the New 1/48 scale Airfix (Naval version) Westland Lynx MK88A/HM8/Mk.90B depending on which version you build. This is a completely new tooling and Airfix are rightly very proud of their new baby. Launched alongside an Army version AH-7, these two kits share many parts but build to be distinctly different models.
The Lynx entered service nearly 35 years ago with the British armed forces and in that time has been continually updated to keep it on the cutting edge. I remember seeing these 30 years ago and being stunned at their ability to roll and loop the loop at air-shows. Couple that with its 249mph top speed setting a world record in 1986 ( a specially modified version) that stood for 25 years, you can see this is not your normal whirlybird. Now its days are numbered in its present Super Lynx 300 guise and already the British armed forces are starting to take delivery of the new “AH-9 Lynx Wildcat” which is a joint Navy/Army venture which will see its old lynx’s completely rebuilt with new concept rotor blades, new engines , complete new tail boom and ultramodern state of the art electronic systems and avionics. To this end expect a new model from Airfix in the future based on this kit I suspect.
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You can’t help but be impressed by what is the nicest box I have come across in my years of model making ! Airfix have come up with a super strong photo finished, gloss super box to put their new kit in and it is a bench mark in its self. Inside are five light grey spru’s and one clear. All the parts have fine tapered attachment point to the spru’s and the detail looks to be top notch with recessed panel lines and ultrafine rivet detail which again, is some of the best I have come across in this scale. Clear parts are crystal clear and Instructions are in the form of a 24 page A4 booklet as well as three double A4 fold out colour painting guides/sheets for the three versions. Decals are included for three versions which include the British Royal Navy HMa-8, the German Navy Mk.88a and the Danish Navy Mk.90B.
Parts are supplied to depict a model ready for flight or interestingly an aircraft with folded tail and rotor blades, complete with rotor stays and supports for below decks storage. Other points of interest are the fully detailed interior/rear cabin and the ability to pose the side doors in the open position. At this moment there are no aftermarket options for this kit except for a decal sheet but I suspect Eduard will be working on this is I write. A nice PE instrument panel would be a good start to replace the smooth panel and decals in the kit! That said I suspect that these decals will be quite adequate given the limited view you would get through the windows.Likewise the seat belts are moulded to the seats but will look fine if carefully painted however it would be easy to shave them off and make your own should tou feel the need. Overall this looks to be a very nice model and I will now build it and report back via the Modelling Alliance “Wesendorf Field” WIP forums.
Lynx Spec:
- Crew: 2 or 3
- Capacity: 10 troops
- Payload: 737 kg
- Length: 15.241 m (50 ft)
- Rotor diameter: 12.80 m (42 ft)
- Height: 3.734 m for mk7; 3.785 m for mk9 (12.25 ft for mk7; 12.41 ft for mk9)
- Disc area: 128.71 m² (1,385 ft²)
- Empty weight: 3,291 kg (7,255 lb)
- Max. take-off weight: 5,330 kg (11,750 lb)
- Power plant: 2 x Rolls-Royce GEM turbo-shaft, 835 kW (1,120 shp) each
