1/72 Fairey Albacore Mk.I

The Fairey Albacore was the last biplane designed for torpedo and bombing missions to enter service with the British Fleet Air Arm. It was developed as an aerodynamically improved successor to the older Fairey Swordfish, designed to offer an enclosed cockpit for a three-man crew and more modern equipment. Like its predecessor, it was designed for torpedo and bomb attacks from both level and dive flight, as well as for reconnaissance. Although it was intended to replace the Swordfish, the ‘Stringbag’ ultimately outlasted the Albacore in service, making this type an interesting and somewhat overlooked chapter in naval aviation for modellers and historians alike. The Albacores took part in a number of operations in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, and their deployments included supporting the Allied landings in North Africa in November 1942 (Operation Torch).

This Special Hobby kit in 1:72 scale is a glue-up model produced from new moulds. It consists of four sprues of grey plastic parts and one sprue of clear parts. The included decals allow you to build four different Fleet Air Arm aircraft. One of the most interesting variants is the aircraft bearing American insignia, as seen during the North African landings (Operation Torch) – it is precisely this combination of a British aircraft with American markings that makes this kit so appealing to collectors.

The model thus combines several appealing features: interesting decals with unconventional markings, parts cast from new moulds, and a subject with an intriguing history, which – despite its ‘outdated’ biplane appearance – played an active role in key operations of the Second World War. The pack does not contain the paints or adhesives required for assembly.

Country: United Kingdom / Fleet Air Arm. Period: Second World War (1939–1945).