Airfix 1/72 Scale Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF
Airfix Workbench: Pre-Order Now for the RAF’s Early War Blenheim Mk.IF Heavy Fighter
Welcome to the latest edition of the Airfix Workbench blog, your source for all the news, updates, and modeling exclusives from the iconic British model kit manufacturer. This week, Airfix is excited to announce that their newly tooled 1/72 scale Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF heavy fighter (A04059) is now available for pre-order!
Airfix 1/72 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF (A04059): Key Kit Specs & Modeler Verdict
Kit Verdict: The Airfix 1/72 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF (A04059) represents modern CAD-designed new-tooling of the RAF’s pioneering early-WWII twin-engine heavy fighter and radar-equipped night fighter. Featuring sharp recessed panel lines, internal wing spar reinforcement, detailed Bristol Mercury VIII radial engines, and the signature belly four-gun .303 Browning ventral tray, this kit solves the tricky alignment issues of vintage 1970s Blenheim tooling.
| Specification | Airfix 1/72 Kit Details (A04059) | Airfix 1/48 Variant (A09190) |
|---|---|---|
| Kit Category & Skill Level | 1/72 Scale Aircraft — Skill Level 2 | 1/48 Scale Aircraft — Skill Level 3 |
| Dimensions & Part Count | Length: 180 mm | Wingspan: 238 mm | 158 Parts | Length: 270 mm | Wingspan: 357 mm | 216 Parts |
| Ventral Armament Pack | Ventral blister tray with 4x .303 Browning MGs (Fighter Conversion) | Internal bomb bay with bombs or ventral pack option |
| Cockpit Canopy Engineering | Multi-part clear nose greenhouse with alignment tabs to cockpit sill | Multi-piece glazing with open pilot escape hatch option |
| Radar Aerial Equipment | AI Mk.III early night-fighter nose transmitter arrow & wing receiver masts | Photo-etched / fine-molded radar dipole antennas |
| Included Marking Schemes | No. 29 Squadron (Special Night black finish) & No. 54 OTU | RAF Day Fighter & Coastal Command camouflage schemes |
Essential Building Tips for the Airfix 1/72 Blenheim
- Step-by-Step Greenhouse Canopy Alignment: The stepped asymmetrical glazed nose is the most challenging assembly. Always test-fit the clear sidewalls dry against the cockpit floor bulkhead before applying cement. Use PVA, canopy cement, or Odorless CA to prevent fogging clear glass panels.
- Internal Wing Spar Rigidity: Airfix includes a full-span interior spar pass-through that locks into the fuselage center section. Ensure zero paint buildup on these mating surfaces to prevent wing dihedral angle errors.
- Authentic Special Night Finish: RAF night fighters wore the ultra-matte “Special Night” RDM2 black paint scheme, which was notoriously rough and weathered into faded charcoal tones. Replicate this with subtle dark grey mottling over flat black rather than pure glossy black.
- Pre-Drill Radar Antenna Holes: If building the AI Mk.III radar-equipped night fighter option, check instructions early to drill the micro-mounting locations on the nose cone and outer wing leading edges before joining fuselage halves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Blenheim Model Kits
What is the difference between a Bristol Blenheim Mk.I and Mk.IF?
The Blenheim Mk.I was built strictly as a light bomber with an internal bomb bay. The Mk.IF was a field and factory fighter conversion that sealed the bomb doors and mounted a belly tray (ventral gun pack) housing four forward-firing .303 Browning machine guns, creating the RAF’s first twin-engine radar-equipped night fighter.
What is the best scale model kit of the Bristol Blenheim?
For 1/72 scale, the Airfix new-tool family (A04059 Mk.IF / A04016A Mk.I) is the definitive benchmark for surface fidelity, interior detail, and affordable price. For large-scale 1/48 modeling, the Airfix 1/48 Bristol Blenheim Mk.I (A09190) offers unmatched museum-grade engine and cockpit detail.
What colors are used for early RAF Blenheim camouflage?
Standard day schemes utilized RAF Dark Earth and Dark Green upper surfaces with Sky or black/white split undersides. Night fighter Mk.IF aircraft were finished in overall Special Night (Matte Black) with subdued red/blue Type B national roundels on the fuselage and wings.
The Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF: An Early War Workhorse Turned Night Fighter:
The Bristol Blenheim was initially designed as a fast, unarmed light bomber. However, as the Second World War loomed, its speed and adaptability led to the development of fighter variants. The Blenheim Mk.IF was one of the earliest heavy fighters of the Royal Air Force (RAF), equipped with a ventral gun pack housing four .303 Browning machine guns, giving it a significant punch. While later outclassed as a day fighter, the Mk.IF found a crucial role as a night fighter in the early stages of the war.
A Blenheim with the short Mk I nose at RIAT, 2015
Airfix’s New 1/72 Scale Kit: A Modern Take on an Early War Icon:
Airfix‘s new tooling of the 1/72 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF promises to be a significant upgrade over previous renditions, offering enhanced detail and accuracy for modern modelers.
Key Features of the Airfix Kit (Based on Airfix’s recent new toolings):
- 1/72 Scale: A popular scale for aircraft modeling, balancing detail and manageable size.
- New Tooling: Modern tooling ensures accurate shapes, finely engraved panel lines, and detailed surface features.
- Mk.IF Specific Details: Accurately represents the features of the heavy fighter variant, including the ventral gun pack.
- Detailed Cockpit: A well-appointed cockpit with accurate instrument panels, seats, and other interior details.
- Optional Parts: Likely to include optional parts for different configurations, such as aerials or early radar equipment.
- High-Quality Decals: Decals for various RAF squadrons operating the Blenheim Mk.IF in the early war period.
- Clear Parts: Clear and distortion-free canopies and other transparent parts.
- Detailed Undercarriage: Accurate representation of the landing gear and wheel wells.
Expert Modeler’s Perspective:
Building the Airfix 1/72 Blenheim Mk.IF will allow modelers to recreate an important early war RAF aircraft. The ventral gun pack is a distinctive feature that will require careful assembly and painting.
Key Modeling Considerations:
- Cockpit Detailing: The Blenheim’s cockpit was relatively complex for its time, so careful painting and detailing will enhance the model.
- Surface Preparation: Ensure a smooth surface for painting and decals.
- Decal Application: Early war RAF camouflage and markings require careful application.
- Ventral Gun Pack: Pay close attention to the assembly and alignment of the ventral gun pack.
- Weathering: Early war aircraft often showed signs of use, so subtle weathering will add realism.
Historical Significance:
The Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF played a vital role in the early years of the Second World War, both as a day fighter and a pioneering night fighter. Modeling this aircraft provides a tangible link to a crucial period in aviation history.
Pre-Order Information:
The Airfix 1/72 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF (A04059) is now available for pre-order on the Airfix website:
Conclusion:
Airfix’s new 1/72 Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF is a welcome addition to their range, offering modelers a modern and detailed kit of an important early war RAF aircraft. Pre-ordering now ensures you’ll be among the first to build this iconic heavy fighter.
Airfix Model Airplane Kit-A09190 1-48 Bristol Blenheim Mk.I / From amazon.com $40.24
