1/48 Transparent Swordfish Mk.I

Description

This is an injection-plastic aircraft model kit.

A transparent version of the standard Swordfish kit that lets you see all that incredible interior detail that you unfortunately have to cover up with the standard kit. Both the clear and standard fuselage parts are included with an additional set of semi-clear markings.

Tamiya’s Swordfish Mk.I is another one of those kits that serves to cement their place as the world’s finest manufacturer of plastic models. The extremely complex configuration of the plane is perfectly rendered into plastic and, if you purchase the optional photo-etched parts set, metal. In particular, the Swordfish’s fabric-on-wood construction is faithfully duplicated in a surface texture that is neither under or overstated.

Because of the construction of this biplane, there is a lot of parts in this kit, and the price reflects it. But they have gone out of their way to make it a great building experience, throwing in plenty of 250lb. Bombs, a torpedo, smoke floats, signal flares and three crew members. Decals cover both pre-war and wartime planes, including an 825th Squadron plane flown by Lt. Commander E. Esmonde, an aircraft flown by A.W.D. Beale off HMS Ark Royal that attacked the Bismarck, and a plane of 823rd Squadron. Perhaps the kit’s greatest feature is that you can choose to build it with the wings folded (select one or the other configuration — they don’t move after assembly). Sure to be a classic for years to come.

Additional photos on the TAMIYA site.