Airfix Avro Vulcan 1/72 scale 2021 tooling review and build - HD 1080p

[@soppdrake]

Bought this kit the other week! Thankyou for the interesting tips 😊 I grew up near Farnborough and saw this remarkable aeroplane many times. The most memorable was the time I witnessed a low and exceptionally loud fly-by with a fifth engine strapped to the underside. I was told it was testing the new engine for the upcoming jet, Concorde. I would love to build that version 🤪

[@garys_stuff]

Sadly I can't find any conversion sets to give you the Olympus under the fuselage - it'll have to be built from scratch!

[@JonqsSimulationsOfficial]

@@garys_stuffthere could maybe be some resin stuff online? If not it’s quite a simple shape so making one won’t be THAT difficult

[@AlanWitton]

What a terrific kit Gary! You've done a fantastic job of putting it together

[@NickGeorge-l9b]

Excellent job Gary, I live in Lincolnshire so used to see the mighty Vulcan in anti flash white.

[@kenstevens5065]

Me too, loads of them usually heading north to the stop/go line between southern Norway and Denmark. What a target Lincolnshire was with the V Force and until 1963 Thor IRBM.

[@Kennyuk77]

Just got underway with the new 'Black Buck' version - thanks for a great instructional video.

[@rustywarrior5288]

Mrs Rusty bought me this as a Xmas present so this is a timely build and review. Looks a right beast but you've made a good job of it. Thanks

[@garys_stuff]

You know what they say Rusty, "Per Ardua!!!" Hope you enjoy building it mate.

[@robertware1505]

Snap Rusty, Xmas present for me too. Thanks for this video it has given me the confidence to start on this build.

[@AlanWitton]

Great kit and great build Gary! I hope you are well

[@royalsaviationbabft7518]

This made me happy for the rest of the day, it’s so satisfying to watch building videos!

[@garys_stuff]

Glad to hear it - new build videos every week!!

[@royalsaviationbabft7518]

@@garys_stuff cool! What you planning next?

[@garys_stuff]

You can see what I'm doing each week in my Monday Matters video... no spoilers!!!

[@paulhowells6172]

Had this as a Christmas present and only starting it as this is my 5th kit I have built , I'm looking forward to build it , but nervus . Thank you for your video I feeling a little better after watching it .

[@garys_stuff]

Just take it step by step, take your time and test fit wherever you can before glueing. It's not a complicated kit really, just big!

[@audeamus1180]

...- is for Vulcan! Nice build, Gary!

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks man!

[@davewinter5999]

enjoyed that Gary what a fabulous aircraft

[@MoreRift]

Cant wait for the Airfix Victor to come out so I can have a full set of V bombers!

[@garys_stuff]

Just wish they'd do it as a conventional bomber with 35 1000lb-ers!!!

[@jamesbeeching6138]

I made the "old" Vulcan Airfix kit....it was a lot simpler but slightly less detailed!! However i did paint it anti flash white with the Blue Steel missile!!

[@darrenhillman8396]

Superb job there, Gary. What a beast! 👍🏻👏🏻

[@garys_stuff]

I loved it. They should have the Black Buck Vulcans out next year...

[@ianwilliams9127]

Nice work my friend. 10/10.

[@garys_stuff]

Cheers Ian!

[@robertgarner11]

Very impressive, Gary!

[@darthhokum]

Very beautiful build 👍👍👍

[@garys_stuff]

Glad you like it! It's a beast of a kit!

[@ramonrodriguezadam3584]

Superb review. Will consider for a future buy. Cheers!

[@garys_stuff]

Cheers, well worth it!

[@owenklein1917]

I’m still somewhat a beginner/intermediate scale modeler and I just order this a yesterday. Looking forward to getting it. This was a very good video.

[@garys_stuff]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and well done on ordering the kit! I loved it. Do remember to share the end result on my Facebook page facebook.com/groups/320555816715400

[@adrianellis6902]

Super Build mate, really enjoyed your presentation, thanks very much, take care.

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks Adrian!

[@themagnificentmackrel6505]

love the end result great build and video

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks 👍

[@cornwallonline]

Very good video and finished model looks great....thanks!

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks!

[@marksinthehouse1968]

The superb Vulcan ,I built the first airfix Vulcan kit and it took me two weeks getting the air intakes too look seamless as these are the most noticeable areas but in the end it was worth it filling rubbing down priming etc your kit is better my one the cockpit wasn’t as detailed I sprayed mine anti flash white and it was a dam buster aircraft I think XL321 with blue steal ,growing up in the seventies and living in London I saw one fly over me and it was heading into Heathrow 1975 ? It was still up there on the Sunday ,great video and good to put a face to a voice ,all the best Mark

[@garys_stuff]

Cheers Mark! The new kit is really good. Once seen, never forgotten!

[@johnmarley6695]

That’s a very nice job you’ve done there. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this one. All the best.

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks John! It's a kit I've wanted to build for many, many years - since the days they were only available in vac-form! Airfix has done a good job with this one.

[@johnmarley6695]

Gary, you’re not helping. I’m here again! Although I was given the kit for Christmas, you and I both know that neither of us have room for these things! Was this your first time using camouflage masks? Which brand did you use? Top Notch? If I can have mine turn out half as good as yours, I’ll be very pleased indeed.

[@jetaardvark9825]

Great job, looks fantastic!

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks!

[@paulhowells6172]

I’m taking it slowly and at this present time just about to stick top and bottom of the wings together.

[@ninjawithfishontheback]

you did a spectaclar job well done, i am currently working on a revell bf 109

[@danielcgomez]

Nice job Gary! Came out great as usual! ...nice to have a face to go with a voice too, ha!

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks Daniel!

[@julianmhall]

Idea for dry brushing (before I forget it as usual). How about a home made tool of a piece of sprue with a small layer of sponge wrapped around it? Then get a small amount of paint on it, remove it until it's tacky as for normal dry brushing, then gently roller the surface detail. You can't accidentally get in the grooves because it's a roller not a brush.

[@Blastfromthepastrc1346]

Another well executed build!Well done sir!🙂👌👌

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks man!

[@kenstevens5065]

I'm building one at the moment.Having built three of the old kit, I got rid of the cement mixer for filler as this kit goes together well. Jet pipe nozzles were a pain and the instructions could be a little clearer but a great kit. Love the bomb bay. Only problem where do I display this big bird?

[@alanreeves2081]

Another good build Gary, keep them coming 👏

[@garys_stuff]

Cheers Alan - it is a beast but worth the effort. Plenty more builds on the way!

[@johnpritchard7591]

Great build Gary, I'd love to build this, just don't think I have any more room for my models!

[@garys_stuff]

Cheers John. I know the problem - rapidly running out of space and a 1/48 Meteor and a 1/72 B-17 waiting for me...

[@Maestro_Modeller]

Look at the size of this beauty!

[@paulchaplin73]

AIRFIX!!! Please, please, please, please make a 1/48 scale kit! If Revell can make a 1/48 B1b, I’m sure you can upscale this beautiful kit!

[@garys_stuff]

I'd need to build an extension to my house to make one that size!

[@jciwallcrawler3673]

Theres a B1 kit?!

[@AlexModeling]

Very good build! Top! Thank you for This vídeo sir!

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks Alex! Especially great to have such kind feedback from someone like you!

[@alantoon5708]

Airfix, at the moment, can do no wrong. They are releasing new kits that people want, and offer a great value for the modeler's money..

[@garys_stuff]

Absolutely, although a 1/48 Scimitar is sorely needed!!!

[@stuartwren5526]

Great video, just the right length. Hope to get this kit. - but where to put it.? Super build and always the question - why do we detail interiors we can't see.? Camouflage masks a great idea.

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks Stuart. I know, it's crazy, eh? I spent ages on it - the Valiant too.

[@zetectic7968]

Spectacular finished model! Last year I watch a build of a large model Titanic. It had a motor to turn the propellers and the interior staircase could be seen but was built anyway.. Just the same with you painting the interior which is not visible. As a child of the Cold War I remember seeing V bombers at various aerodromes and Bloodhound missiles at RAF Bassingbourn. I believe you have made the Valiant, do Airfix do the Victor as well?

[@garys_stuff]

There was a Victor which was a new tooling in 2016 and it is being re-released later this year. Sadly it doesn't appear that it will be available with the full load of just 35 x 1000lb bombs!!!

[@zetectic7968]

@@garys_stuff I wonder if there is an air-tanker variant? That would deal with the bomb shortage or maybe there will be a kit from another supplier

[@garys_stuff]

They did a release of the K2 version in 2018...

[@timwingham8952]

Fab build. I never knew about those underside camouflage colours. What was the thinking behind them?

[@garys_stuff]

The original Vulcans had white undersides. When they were at Red Flag in the Nevada desert pulling tight, low level turns they stood out as a big white triangle against the desert hills. So they painted the undersides desert cammo.

[@timwingham8952]

@@garys_stuff I live and learn, Thanks

[@charlesvick7659]

Could you please tell me where you get the camouflage masking from thanks i am new to modeling and enjoy your blog

[@garys_stuff]

Hi Charles, yes the camouflage mask is by Top Notch, you can buy them online direct or via people like eBay or online stores such as Hannants. There are two sets - one for the top surface only and one for the wrap-around camouflage top and bottom. About £10 and £20 respectively IIRC. Glad you enjoy the videos, plenty more to come!

[@charlesvick7659]

@@garys_stuff thank you very much

[@markweir-smith9341]

Hi and what was the manufacturer of the plastic templates used during airbrushing ?

[@garys_stuff]

They come from a company called TopNotch. You can buy them just for the top surfaces, or another set that does top and bottom if you're doing wrap-around.

[@iannicholls7476]

Very nice build. Thanks. What are the length and width of the finished model? (I’m wondering if I have the shelf space!)

[@garys_stuff]

Cheers Ian! The span and length are both around 48cm or so (with the refuelling probe!).

[@danielquy7497]

Excellent build, Gary! May I just ask, where did you get the adhesive masks for the wings from?

[@garys_stuff]

They are a set made by a company called TopNotch, set TNM72-M185 is for the upper surfaces only and set TNM72-M186 is for the wrap-around camouflage. Should be easy to get from most outlets or online.

[@danielquy7497]

Thanks ever so much for your quick reply, I am looking forward to more excellent content 😊

[@alanreeves2081]

Really good job ✔ well ✔ 👍

[@julianmhall]

'Why do we do it?' Probably self satisfaction. Others may not know you did it right, but /you/ will :)

[@CIAisntreal]

Can I ask whether you did any weathering? Because I'm at that stage of my kit and i'm unsure if the vulcan weathered or not.

[@garys_stuff]

I did some very light weathering - mainly some panel lines. I think by the time they left red Flag they would have had the usual Vulcan steaks under the engine bays and so on. The ones I saw back in the 1980s were pretty clean, although the insides of the bomb bays and wheel wells were pretty filthy!

[@CIAisntreal]

@@garys_stuff thank you so much, and props to you for replying so quickly 🙏

[@argentinianspotter]

It's really impressive how aviation advanced so fast after WW2. From slow, ugly, lumbering bombers as the Lancaster or He 111, to the sleek Vulcan. In just 6 years.

[@Ryan_Munday]

What adhesive do you use for the top camo pattern?

[@garys_stuff]

It was a set of masks made by TopNotch - they do either just the top surface or the whole wrap-around depending on what you want.

[@Ryan_Munday]

@@garys_stuff thanks, great kit can't wait to build it, hope it looks as good as yours

[@RobertSmith-gw9di]

Hi Can you tell us what company produces the decals you used for this build please

[@garys_stuff]

Sure, I used the Kits World set KW172214

[@BobMuir100]

Gary you you are a controlled and gentle modeller that produces really good results! This is an excellent video. Now this ‘cat’ in workshop issue: how may we protect ourselves against similar? I am deeply concerned as I hear ‘rashes and breakouts’ may also occur?! What a spectacular model, she looks so wonderful and ready to go, I hope mine will look as good I don’t own her yet as that spend level is not on my list until I know if I can do justice to lessor sizes/complicated kits. It must be a brilliant situation to build a plane you ‘clambered around in’ during your youth! Want to share more? I won’t risk building her without another view of this video before I do so as this is very educational. Thanks Gary Bob England

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks Bob! When I was a youth in what the regulars called the "space cadets", we had a summer camp at RAF St.Athan which was a major servicing centre. We were given a guided tour of a Vulcan that was there, including climbing into the closed bomb bay (which is cavernous) and sitting in the cockpit. We also sat in Buccaneers and Phantoms that were being taken on charge from the Fleet Air Arm after HMS Ark Royal was decommissioned - so I guess around 1978-ish? Great experiences in the cadets!

[@xero5773]

Hiya Gary! I’m a beginning modeller with only a few kits under my belt. I couldn’t build the Lancaster unfortunately but I’m deeply considering getting this kit as a bit of a challenge. Would you say it’s suitable for someone with just a few kits or should I hold off?

[@garys_stuff]

Depends what those few kits are! But the thing with these is patience, follow the instructions and take your time. Dry fit (test fit without glue) everything. Its not impossible by any means.

[@xero5773]

@@garys_stuffawesome! Just wondering, what colours did you use for the camouflage?

[@davidparry5479]

Gary have you got any part numbers for the package camouflage masks for the vulcan

[@garys_stuff]

Yes these are made by TopNotch - TNM72-M185 for the upper surfaces only or TNM72-M186 for upper and lower surfaces.

[@davidparry5479]

@@garys_stuff thanks for your help I will check them out

[@Fortress60]

What a good walk-through of the build. Were the camouflage masks home made?

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks! The camouflage masks are from Top Notch - they do one set for the wrap around and one set for upper surface only.

[@oceanvibesphotography8395]

Awesome

[@garys_stuff]

Thanks man!

[@rafaeleclectic]

After a year of ending this build, I have a doubt. When you set in place the front landing gear it seemed to be a little fragile, at least to me. Has it maintained "well"? I mean any bending or broke?. Thanks for the video, a great build.

[@garys_stuff]

So far the nose gear has stayed where it is supposed to be!

[@mickhope8702]

Thanks for the video, very clear to follow. Question, where did you get the pvc masks from? I've never seen that before...., would like to buy some, would make life a lot easier

[@garys_stuff]

They are made by Top Notch, they come in two sets - one for the upper surfaces only and another for the wrap around schemes. Can be found on their own web site also at online stores and eBay. I think they cost £10 and £20 respectively.

[@arlenlangham949]

First of all good job Second of all nice to see an ex cadet doing this Third of all I’ve built two of these monsters and I want to do a third

[@julianmhall]

Random idea. What about a tribute Vulcan in the markings of F/L Withers from the Black Buck mission to the Falklands?

[@garys_stuff]

Airfix will probably release a Black Buck Vulcan next year. The reasons I think this are (a) most of the bits are in the existing kit and an extra sprue for Shrike missiles and their pylons is easy, (b) the location holes for said missile pylons are already in the kit, (c) Corgi have released one and (d) when I visited Airfix and said they missed the 40th anniversary they said they could make the 41st. I suspect a boxing with two Black Buck versions, one SEAD and one bomber. Maybe also the Red Flag colours with the desert undersides???

[@julianmhall]

@@garys_stuff They'd have to model the refueling probe too. They'd be OK for missiles though as the Black Buck Vulcan only had bombs so they wouldn't need the Shrike sprue.

[@garys_stuff]

@@julianmhall the refuelling probe is already in the kit, the one I built has the probe fitted. Black Buck 4, 5 and 6 were SEAD missions targeting anti-aircraft radar using Shrikes, although Black Buck 5 was scrubbed. Black Buck 6 was the aircraft that had to divert to Brazil due to a broken IFR probe.

[@julianmhall]

@@garys_stuff Ah! When I read about the mission they couldn't find a refueling nozzle for a Vulcan as they hadn't been used in years, until a sergeant recognised it as what they had been using as an ashtray in the sergeants mess *lol*

[@garys_stuff]

They had to go around all the museums looking for some bits too. When you think about the effort and engineering inventiveness that went into it all, it's no wonder we won! I mean, toboggan refuelling from Victors to Hercules??? Bloody madness but it worked!

[@Adam_Boots]

I hadn't thought of using PVA for clear parts. Have you tried clear PVA? I picked up a 250ml bottle from 'The Works' for £1.50 and will try it on my next build.

[@garys_stuff]

Not tried clear PVA yet, I got a bottle of the Revell stuff that is like clear PVA I think. There is also Micro Krystal Klear which is good for making small windows as well, I'm going to use that on my Concorde as they don't supply cabin windows!

[@RD-ut2fy]

PVC adhesive mask? Where can I get this? Thanks

[@garys_stuff]

They are a set made by a company called TopNotch, set TNM72-M185 is for the upper surfaces only and set TNM72-M186 is for the wrap-around camouflage. Should be easy to get from most outlets or online.

[@mrjockt]

It’s unfortunate that the lack of ejection seats for the three rear facing crew was common to all of the ‘V’ bombers, I think the Victor crews had it the worst, their crew access door, was right in front of the left hand engine intakes.

[@garys_stuff]

I believe there was a plan to retrofit with all crew having ejection seats but the weight penalty was too much. Bailing out isn't much of an option at 500kts and 200 feet!!!

[@Gibbo263]

It’s very different to the Falklands 25 version I’ve got

[@garys_stuff]

Yes, it's a completely newly designed kit.

[@Mullet94]

Awesome build and I like the Red Flag version, something a bit different. I have the kit but it's a bit intimidating to tackle at my skill level at the moment. Quick question, the plastic masking set, did you make that or buy it somewhere?

[@garys_stuff]

Don't be too intimidated. Just take it step by step. The mask set was from Top Notch, they do one for the upper surface only and one for top and bottom. The canopy mask is by Eduard but there are a few available. Good luck, let me know how you get on!

[@modelheaven5471]

Your paintwork finish is lovely and a phenomenal build, well done. I can't recall hearing in the video if this is handpainted or airbrushed?

[@garys_stuff]

The top surface rattle can, the lower surface airbrush. Thanks for the very kind feedback!

[@modelheaven5471]

@@garys_stuff thanks for confirming, where did you manage to find the PVC camo masks from and how long did this build take to complete?

[@АндрейШмырев-х8н]

Прекрасный обзор.

[@TheWGLOVER]

I wonder how many of us got caught out by the main wheel doors.

[@garys_stuff]

Entirely my own fault, I will add...

[@WulfCorbett]

You should have at least mentioned the Vulcan Howl. I think this is the best one kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnvPpHefeJ6HeKs I remember seeing the Vulcan at many RAF Leuchars shows - on one occasion, after it had buzzed around like an oversized fighter, a USAF B52 flew past. Some RAF crew were near the crowd line & one shouted out "He'll be back soon, he needs most of the North Sea to turn around"

[@garys_stuff]

That howl was something special. I may extend the start into a proper documentary as I've found lots more archive online.

[@mattgoodwin1219]

FACE!!!!!!!!!

[@garys_stuff]

Yeah, sorry about that. Someone else's idea...

[@mattgoodwin1219]

@An ordinary Bloke Doing Stuff. No its fine Great build by the way