Avro Anson 1 - by Airfix

Kelly Wellington
This kit now known a "Helix the Misfit". The cabin ceiling did not come together, nor did the side windows fit. The entire front canopy, a clear piece sits too low. The separate ailerons came twisted into a semi-helix and, with warming and twisting, when they were returned to near the right shape, they were too long for the wing spaces into which they were to fit. The retracting landing gear is trick, if you could just trust it to stay in the 'landing' position. Plus, the gear splays outward.

It's a real ugly duckling that I didn't have the heart to turn out as Coastal Command. Instead, I opted to paint it instructor craft yellow and provide the insignia for the RCAF trainer.

*sigh* Another unsatisfactory Airfix kit.

If my kit is any indication, I would recommend against this Airfix kit. Pay more for one of the Special Hobby kits. I haven't built one, but I'm assuming that, even at its fussiest, it isn't worse than this.

Bill Gilman
Of course, the kit is from 1962. That's 50 years ago, if I did my math right. The lack of detail is typical of kits from that period, and the warping of the plastic is not uncommon in moulds that have used for that long. The Special Hobby kit is, as you surmised, quite good. I see there's no reviews of it posted here on SM, let me add some!

Kelly Wellington
*sigh* Someday.....

I started out ages ago, it seems, with the 'wannas' for a Special Hobby Avro Anson. It was just...too expensive for my tastes. I had to jump for the cheap Airfix. When _that_ came around, which wasn't with any frequency.

Ah, well...

Dave Flitton
Hey!!! just because a kit is 50 years doesn't mean we...errrrrr...that kit is twisted from age I resent...I mean, the kit resents such off handed remarks on age!!!! You just to get to know me....I mean... get to know how the kit responds to manip..... I mean expert handling. (just ask my wife... I mean the manufacturer).

I just realized I am older than that kit and I seem to be twisted in the same way.

Kelly Wellington
Yeah...I'm beyond the half century myself and looking at another 'zero' year this coming.

I can related to being twisted, too.

Kelly Wellington
Coat #4 of 'Deep Yellow' and it will still need at least another. A huge difference from the 'Chrome Silver' I used on the MiG-15.

Frank Krause
Hmmm, this yellow reminds me of.... Add a red stripe and it'll look like a "forced delivery" of my employer...😉

FBMinis
I have started this kit and I agree it's very simple compared to today's standards. You made it even more difficult for yourself by painting it yellow, which is one of the hardest colours to paint properly. I'm definitely going for the brown/green combination, even if it's not that original.

Kelly Wellington
Yeah...but at least I like the cheery yellow livery. I just didn't give it my best effort, so I gave it lots of yellow enamel.

Kelly Wellington
And....done. Or, as done as it's going to get with me working on it.

I believe this has a home, actually. We'll see.

Frank Krause
You mastered the yellow. I like it! 👍

Kelly Wellington
I like the yellow, myself. I'm a big fan of the Canadian rescue yellow craft. When I finally get to that Matchbox DHC-6 Twin Otter, it's gonna be this yellow.

Bill Gilman
I like it! I have grown so bored with all the grey schemes, that I look forward to builds that have some color!