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In-Box Review
132
BAe Hawk T.1A - Red Arrows
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by: Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]

Revell delighted WW2 modellers in the run-up to Christmas with their Arado Ar 196, and now they look set to do the same for fans of modern jets with a similarly low-priced new-tool BAe Hawk. In a way, in the UK at least, it's even cheaper, because it's been released at the same price despite the rise in VAT.

So, for penny less than £20, what do you get? The first impression is how surprisingly compact the attractive end-opening box is. Yes, end-opening – not my favourite style, but the sides and rear do include some useful reference photos of the real aircraft. Opening it reveals it's pretty tightly packed with the sprues in several separate bags, with everything present and correct in my kit.

The next impression, for me at least, is one of slight disappointment on seeing that Revell have predictably moulded this Red Arrows version in, surprise, surprise, red styrene. This may well appeal to younger modellers who perhaps don't want to paint their finished kit, but I find it a bit of a pain, being more hassle to work with than conventional grey. As you can see in the accompanying photos, it's hard to pick out the details. (I'm not even convinced of the supposed benefits when it comes to final painting on a scheme like this - you could maybe argue that it provides a solid base for the overall gloss red, but you could equally say it makes it harder to see where you've actually painted.)

Anyway, enough moaning – and believe me, on first inspection, there is little else to gripe about! The kit comprises:

132 x red styrene parts (plus 5 spare)
12 x clear styrene parts
Decals for any of 14 aircraft of the Red Arrows team

The parts are very cleanly moulded, with just a few fine mould lines to clean off. Ejector pin marks are light and the designers seem to have done a good job keeping them out of harm's way. So far I've found just faint sink marks next to the moveable control surfaces that might disappear under a coat of paint, plus a couple of deeper ones beneath the wing root fillets. The exterior finish of the main airframe is best described as "satin", which seems slightly strange as most interior surfaces are polished, so you may well want to polish the exterior in preparation for the high gloss paint scheme of the display aircraft. Panel lines are precisely engraved and quite lightly done.

A test fit of the main component is very encouraging. The fuselage halves are quite thin and flex a bit when removed from the sprues. But taped together with the cockpit floor in place, every firms up for a solid assembly. The wings are a good fit, but will need taping while the dry to ensure they don't sag (note, this is without the benefit of the mainwheel-well liners, that may help).The trailing edges at the landing flaps will need a bit of work thinning them and ensuring there's no gap. The stabilizers fit together perfectly and slot in firmly. The rudder and ailerons are separate and designed to hinge.

A few details
Construction starts with the nicely detailed cockpit. The 27 parts include well moulded main instrument panels and side consoles, and multi-part Martin Baker Mk.10 ejector seats. Decals are provided for the instrument displays, but I have to say the layout doesn't quite match the moulded details, so I'll punch out the individual instrument faces to apply them individually.

Revell have wisely refrained from attempting moulded-on seat harnesses, instead supplying decals. Trimmed out carefully and attached dry with their backing paper still on, these should look quite reasonable, and of course it leaves the way open for superior scratchbuilt or aftermarket harnesses. The seats are quite well detailed, but judging by photos of the real thing, you could add a fair amount more, with more convincing cushions, lifting straps and leg restraints – plus the most important item that Revell have missed… the firing handle.

Effort spent on the cockpit won't be wasted, because it'll all be visible under the crystal clear canopy. I have to say, of all the parts in the kit, this held the biggest "wow factor" for me. To someone most used to working in 1:48, it's enormous and beautifully moulded without a blemish. It's designed to be posed open or closed, and a decal is provided for the detonation cord. Clear parts are also included for the navigation and formational lamps, along with the nose headlamp.

As far as I can see, there's no mention in the instructions of the need for any weight in the nose to balance the finished model. If it does turn out to be needed, there's a little room over the nosewheel well and under the floor between the cockpits, but you'll need to plan ahead, because there's no access to either after the fuselage halves are closed up.

There's some extensive trunking running back from the jet intakes to a dummy engine front to avoid a see-through fuselage, and likewise a nice deep tailpipe. The wheel wells are simply, but effectively detailed. The mainwheel wells are boxed in with some good structural details. Aftermarket wells may become available, but to be honest, there's very little room to squeeze in a resin replacement, so etched additions may be the best solution.

The undercarriage itself comprises unweighted wheels with well moulded hubs. The gear legs are each built up from three main parts and look sturdy enough to support the model without any problems. The kit is designed to be built with the gear raised or lowered, and the mainwheel doors are moulded closed. This should make applying the white underwing striping easier before slicing them apart to attach for the lowered landing gear.

Instructions & decals
The assembly guide is clearly drawn in Revell's usual "international" style and presented as a 16-page A-4 pamphlet. Construction itself is broken down into no less than 51 easy stages, which seems a little excessive as many are simply left/right mirror assemblies, but it's always best to err on the side of caution. Colour details are keyed to most items throughout assembly, linked to a list of Revell's own-brand paints.

The kit's decals are designed by The Aviation Workshop /Model Alliance and are printed in Italy. The quality looks excellent, with the glossy items printed in excellent register on my sheet. The extensive white trim is broken down into a number of elements. Of course the crucial thing will be how opaque the white ink proves to be when applied over the red background. I'd have preferred to see items like the union flags and badges also supplied as separate elements to give you the option to mask and paint the white – as it is, you'll have to cut them out very carefully, along with the fuselage roundels.

Conclusion
Revell's new Bae Hawk is a real cracker of a kit and represents stunning value for money. At a time when kit prices are creeping ever higher, it's refreshing to see just what one the major manufacturers can produce without charging the earth. It's also very clever marketing by Revell because, in the UK at least, this Red Arrows version should deservedly sell like hot cakes. With the start of the airshow season fast approaching, there are going to be countless kids (and parents!) inspired by the Red Arrows who'll want to build one of their aircraft – and at £20, Revell's new kit will be just the ticket. Highly recommended.

I just wish it wasn't moulded in red plastic – ohh, there I go again!...

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.

SUMMARY
Highs: Exceptional value for money. Well moulded and detailed. Very good looking decals.
Lows: Moulded in red styrene.
Verdict: Even if you aren't an out and out fan of modern jets, Revell's Hawk is just too good an opportunity to miss at it's amazingly low price. Buy one quick, before someone decides to add a tenner to the r.r.p.
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: 04284
  Suggested Retail: £19.99
  PUBLISHED: Feb 21, 2011
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.37%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 83.55%

About Rowan Baylis (Merlin)
FROM: NO REGIONAL SELECTED, UNITED KINGDOM

I've been modelling for about 40 years, on and off. While I'm happy to build anything, my interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft. I mostly concentrate on WW2 subjects, although I'm also interested in WW1, Golden Age aviation and the early Jet Age - and have even been known to build the occas...

Copyright ©2021 text by Rowan Baylis [ MERLIN ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

I know the red plastic is a big turn off, but I can't wait to recieve mine. Also looking forward to the second release of the Hawk trainer by Revell in less vivid colours hopefully some good line markings. thanks for the review Rowan. All the best. tim
FEB 21, 2011 - 06:05 AM
I think the red plastic is a great idea. How many people are going to do a scheme other than red I wonder?
FEB 26, 2011 - 03:30 PM
Already considering an alternative Xtradecal scheme.. Also, watch the nose gear, some were short shot, as was mine , so I and a few others got white metal units from Aeroclub last wekend at Huddersfield
FEB 27, 2011 - 07:33 AM
Pardon ?!? - please elaborate further as i`ve just gotten this beauty myself,so if there are any problems/inacuracies with the kit i`d be grateful to know about them.As the motto of the Observer Corp used to go "Forewarned Is Forearmed".
MAR 06, 2011 - 07:20 AM
Pardon ?!? - please elaborate further as i`ve just gotten this beauty myself,so if there are any problems/inacuracies with the kit i`d be grateful to know about them.As the motto of the Observer Corp used to go "Forewarned Is Forearmed".[/quote] My nose gear was fine. The canopy on the other hand doesn't particularly fit very well if you close it, its a little large and overhangs on one side. Actual build is pretty easy and straight forward, decals are a little troublesome trying to line them up. The canopy heater elements that are supplied as decals need the extra carrier film trimmed off, or they will crinkle up because of the curvature of the canopy. Andy
MAR 06, 2011 - 07:45 AM
Pardon ?!? - please elaborate further as i`ve just gotten this beauty myself,so if there are any problems/inacuracies with the kit i`d be grateful to know about them.As the motto of the Observer Corp used to go "Forewarned Is Forearmed".[/quote] the initial first batches got out with the main gear strut mouldings coming up with a deficiency in length.. Revell were aware of this ,but apparently a lot of these were supplied via Argos later mouldings were more scrupulousely checked for errors
MAR 06, 2011 - 08:45 AM
Hi there There were certainly no such problems with the review kit. Revell have a good reputation for their after-sales support if anyone does need replacement parts. All the best Rowan
MAR 06, 2011 - 08:12 PM
Got the Hawk T.1A -- totally similar to Red Arrows version except not red plastic...
SEP 09, 2013 - 06:50 AM
Nice one James That was the only thing I didn't like in the original release. All the best Rowan
SEP 09, 2013 - 08:01 AM
   
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