Trumpeter

1/32 Fairey Swordfish Mk I

Kit Number: 03207

Reviewed by  Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35220

MSRP: $124.95 Review Sample supplied by Stevens International Website: www.stevenshobby.com I first saw the review model at the Nationals in Virginia Beach this summer and it looked real nice. Let me tell you the kit is nice and builds into a very attractive display. The Swordfish comes packed in the usual Trumpeter manner with no damage to any of the parts. The photo etch and rubber parts are in an individual box inside the big box. The manufacture gives you an entire clear fuselage sprue so you can show off the highly detailed interior. Very nice novelty but in my opinion they could have saved us a couple of bucks and left it out There are two decisions you will have to make before you start the assembly process. Do I use the clear fuselage and show off all the detail inside and do I make it with the wings extended or folded? The cockpit is the first step in the assembly process and when finished builds into a sturdy and highly detailed model of its own. The engine is next followed by the instrument panel. I left the engine out of the cowling until final painting was completed.

The instrument panel is one of the downfalls in the kit. You are provided a decal, not the normal Trumpeter photo etch. The panel itself is clear plastic with raised details so you will have to sand off the raised detail if you want to use the decal. This is what I did and you know what, it sit far enough inside that you really don't see the raised detail and the decal looks just fine.

You also have a fuel tank to build and paint before you put the fuselage halves together. Remember to place the two clear pieces in each side of the fuselage halves. I had the glue applied and ready to go before I remembered to do this. Everything goes where it is supposed to and the two halves went together with out a hitch. There was very little clean up to do and I hardly used any putty to hide any seams.

The torpedo builds into a very nice assembly with a seam running down each side that will require attention. I used Alclad II paint for the weapon. Now is the time to decide if you want folded or unfolded wings. In my past experience, working with Trumpeter models that have this option, trying to get the wings to line up straight in the unfolded position is a hit and miss affair. Sometimes it looks good, some times no matter what you do they will not line up. I chose folded, not because of the challenge I'm sure would come, but because of shelf space. With the wings extended it's a large model, with them folded it's less than 7" wide. Your choice. If I had the space I would have left them extended.

I painted everything with Model Masters paint using the kits plans as guide, before I attached any of the rigging and glued the upper and lower wing together. About the photo etch rigging. I do not know what Trumpeter used but it has to be the toughest and hardest metal in the world. If the Navy can get this secret formula and apply it to Subs, we could dive to the deepest part of the world without a problem with pressure. I normally cut my photo etch with a number 11 blade, no such luck. I tried scissors, again no luck. I ended up using a cut off wheel on my motor tool and grinding the parts off the tree. At least they were sanded when I finished. They fit in place and when attached the wings are a very sturdy assembly. How do I know this? I dropped it right before I was applying the final dull coat on my garage floor and nothing broke. I do like the way the Manufacturer gives for attaching the wings in the folded position. They are firmly attached and won't be falling off with normal handling. I used Testors cement in the black bottle to give me some working time to align the rear brackets on the elevators used to hold the end of the wings.

I enjoyed building this unique aircraft. Would I recommend it, YES! It's not a hard kit but I would caution you if it's your first bi-plane model kit. The photo etch is the limiting factor here. You will have to paint a lot of things before final assembly so plan ahead. Thank you, IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review and build this model and thank you Steven International for providing use the kit for review. Now if someone would come out with a 1/32nd Bismarck, they would make a good pair.