Bristol Blenheim Mk.I

Classic Airframes, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman

Classic Airframes' 1/48 scale Blenheim Mk.I is available online from Squadron

I believe that one of the most wanted out-of-production Classic Airframes kits is the Blenheim Mk.I, especially the Finnish Air Force kit.  Well there no need to go on the quest any longer.  Classic Airframes has reissued the Mk. I, and it includes markings for a Finnish aircraft. 

There is really not much to say about this reissue, other than it contains all the improvements, such as wheels and wheel wells, that were in the newly reissued Blenheim Mk. IV, which I reviewed previously.  Other than the Mk.I nose and the exclusion of the chin-guns, the content of the kit is identical to the Mk. IV. 

Having built the original issue of the Mk.I, it is nice not having to fight the wheel wells.  But, I still have a concern about the gluing of the clear parts to each other and to the fuselage.  All I can say is thankfully the seam falls on a painted frame.  After some mishaps, I found that very careful application of slow set super-glue gel worked.   Note that care will be needed to remove the molding plug inside each nose half; the new clear parts appear to be very fragile.

Markings: 

There are all new markings for five different aircraft.  The decals are well printed by Cartograph of Italy.  While the center dot for the roundels is not printed separately, all the roundels appear to be in good register.  The Finnish national markings are printed in two sections. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

• PT*F, L1134, no. 62 Squadron, Alor Star, Malaya, circa December 1941.  This aircraft is in Dark Green and Dark Earth with Night undersides. 

• WR*E, L1338, No. 248 Squadron, Hendon, circa 1939.  This aircraft is a Mk. IF and has the belly gun pack.  The Aircraft is Dark Green and Dark Earth on top with a Black and White underside split along the mid line. 

• VT*B, K7107, No. 30 Squadron, Ismailia, Egypt, circa April 1940.  The aircraft is in Dark Earth and Middle Stone with black undersides.  Note that the printing of the painting guide is very low contrast, so it may appear to be a single top-side color, but it is not. 

• BL-136, Finnish Air Force, 2/LeLv 42, Heinakuu (Joensuu?) Finland, circa April 1941.   This aircraft appears to have retained its British delivery scheme of Dark Green and Dar Earth with black undersides.  It also has the over-sized Finnish national markings.   If one wanted to, one could leave off the Continuation War yellow tactical makings and represent the aircraft as it appeared in 1940.  The replacement aileron was from a Mk. I and appears to be Dark Green also.  This aircraft was shot down by flak on 13 August 1941. 

• Rumanian Air Force, circa 1941.  Simply Dark Green on top with Light Blue underside and Yellow underside wingtips and fuselage band.

As I noted in my review of the Mk. IV reissue, this is a great kit to have back in production.  I know that over the years there has been some criticism of the cockpit detail.  But, even though that has not changed, this is still an excellent addition to any collection of early World War  Two bomber aircraft.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Classic Airframes for the review sample.

Classic Airframes kits are available worldwide through hobby retailers and from Squadron.com

Review and Images Copyright © 2007 by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman
Page Created 18 October, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page