1:72 Blackburn Roc Mk.I

Blackburn Roc Mk.I (1:72, Special Hobby)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the British Blackburn Roc Mk.I carrier fighter in 1:72 scale from Special Hobby. It is a short-run kit in which, alongside the plastic parts, you will find resin parts for the detail of the engine and photo-etched parts, for example the seat belts and small equipment. The mix of materials makes this a kit rather for more experienced modelers. The decals offer several marking options, British machines among them.

The real subject

The Blackburn Roc was a British carrier fighter for the Royal Navy, derived from the Skua dive bomber. Its peculiarity was a Boulton Paul powered turret with four machine guns behind the pilot's cockpit: the aircraft had no fixed armament in the wings. The turret fighter concept did not prove itself in combat, yet it remains an interesting and unusual chapter of prewar and early wartime aviation.

Building and painting tips

Wash the resin parts first to remove the mold release agent, cut off the casting blocks and bond them with super glue; protect your airways when sanding. Glue the plastic parts with a thin cement for plastic and the photo-etched elements with super glue. Finish the cockpit and the turret before you close the fuselage. Apply a primer, spray the naval camouflage with an airbrush and use a gloss clear coat before the decals; bring out the details with a wash.

Who the model is for

• For collectors of British carrier-based and naval aircraft.
• For modelers drawn to unusual turret fighters.
• For more experienced builders: the kit combines plastic, resin and photo-etch.
• As an out-of-the-ordinary addition to a 1:72 collection.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. Working with resin calls for respiratory protection and for bonding with super glue.