VAMPIRES IN KIT FORM
1/144th Scale
1/72nd SCALE
FROG
The first kit released was done by the now defunct British modelling company, Frog. This model was typical of the later generation Frog kits and needs some care when building it. The detailing is typically FROG, i.e. on the heavy side . This kit has been released under various Eastern Europe boxing's as well
HELLER
This was followed by Heller who released a superb little FB5 and the French version called a Mistral with larger engine and different shaped fuselage. These kits are very typically late generation Heller models with adequate cockpit detail (for the scale) and enclosed (with detail) wheel wells. The canopy is reasonably thin as well. The largest error with the kit is the height of the main undercarriage legs which causes the completed model to sit very tail high. Shortening the legs will vastly improve the sit of the finished model.
The wing roots include the ducting for the the engine air intake which run dead against the solid fuselage. The modeller could open this area on the fuselage and add the internal ducting and engine face. This kit has also been released under both the Airfix and Revell labels. This model will reward the modeller who invests his time and skills in it.
Pegasus
Pegasus released a Vampire T11 in their limited run injection moulded series. Being of a limited run nature the mouldings are on the heavy side thus this kit will need lots of work to bring it up to modern standards of detail.
CMR
CzeckMasterResins appear seems to specialise in the more esoteric British aircraft types. They have produced a wide range of the shorter production run British aircraft cast in resin. To date they have released a Vampire T11, T22 and F Mk1 in resin. Apparently they are very good but being cast in resin, are very expensive.
Marivox
This Swedish based company has used the Heller FB5 kit with a new set of wings to produce the F Mk1 version of the Vampire. This kit has a large amount of esoteric users markings included.
Airfix
Vampire T.11
1/48th Scale
AEROCLUB
Aeroclub announced a multi-media kit of the Vampire in 48th scale and this was greatly anticipated by all. When Hobbycraft Canada announced an injection moulded version, Aeroclub canceled their plans to release theirs, well that was until the Hobbycraft kit was released. Suffice to say, the Hobbycraft kit attracted so much adverse criticism, Aeroclub reversed their decision and released their kit to the delight of many modellers around the world. I personally have not seen either of these kits so cannot comment on their buildability although I would believe that the Aeroclub model will reward the modeller who takes his time with a superb model. This kit is no longer in production.
HOBBYCRAFT
When Hobbycraft announced their impending release of a Vampire family a number of modellers I know looked forward in anticipation. Well that was until the Hobbycraft kit was released. Suffice to say, whilst the Hobbycraft kit looks like a Vampire, maybe, it is in most respects crude and inaccurate. Hobbycraft have released this kit as a F1, FB5 and FB9 as well as a T11 version.
CLASSIC AIRFRAMES
Then along came Classic Airframes to the rescue of the modeller who was wary of tackling a vac form model. Whilst not the perfect model, the single seat versions suffer from a short fuselage (which has been addressed by Aeroclub and not that major a fix to do if you do not wish to buy the Aeroclub replacement fuselage) and incorrectly shaped air intakes. Other than these issues the kits are superb with excellent resin casting for the cockpit area. The only issue I have with CA is that the main instrument panel is devoid of instrument detail. To date CA have released a FB5 and a FB9 as well as the two trainers, a T11 and a T22 and the latest release has been the NF11.
Airfix
Vampire FB Mk3 and FB Mk5
A good quality injection moulded kit has been a long time coming. Airfix have produced a cracker of kit..
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Infinity Models
Vampire FB Mk3 and FB Mk6
Looks like a great kit with some photo-etched parts. Infinity Models also produce several resin detail parts to add to the kit.
