1:72 AIRFIX ALBATROS D.V (90), 1963
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BLUE BIRD!
This 1963 Airfix Albatros D.V reissue was moulded in a mauve-bluish plastic and had the benefit of some much-needed retooling thanks to early American Airfix distributors MPC. Our example 's plastic is near mint although the decal sheet and paper header have suffered a little over the decades. Basically accurate in outline, the kit's upgraded surface detail is far superior to the original 1957 release improving a reasonably sound model even further, one which still holds up pretty well despite its age. This particular kit was reserved for a 10-year-old Rimell by
The Model Shop in St. Anne's Road, Harrow which explains the customer reference in Biro on the header's reverse!
WHEN MPC, US distributor for Airfix, got hold of several original tools in 1963 they passed them to a Canadian company for 'improvements'. One of the WWI kits so altered was the Albatros which was given improved wing rib detail that carried over to the lower surfaces and drastic clean-up of fuselage halves with all the panel line 'trenches' replaced by finely-raised detail, plus subtle cowling rivets, louvres and inspection doors. It is this version that has appeared ever since in the many re-issues. The revamped kit comprised 23 mauve-tinted blue plastic parts with fresh header artwork by Roy Cross whose extraordinary artistic skills were to define dozens of memorable Airfix box tops setting a standard that has rarely been matched.
Plastic content is near-mint and complete,with most parts still clinging steadfastly to their runners and being individually bagged within a new outer sleeve. Decals remain the same as the originals with plain white-outlined Cross Patee insignia and D.4422/17 serial-they are now most likely unusable...
