Bristol Bulldog Mk.II

Airfix 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

A gleaming silver steed flown by the most capable and intrepid young men Britain could call upon, the Bristol Bulldog was one of the most important British aircraft of the inter-war period, when powerful biplane fighters unquestionably ruled the skies. Initially developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bulldog was the brainchild of accomplished aircraft designer Frank Barnwell, the man behind the successful Bristol F2B Fighter of the Great War, and was a light, all-metal and fabric-covered fighter, powered by a 440hp Bristol Jupiter engine.

The Bulldog was armed with a pair of forward-firing Vickers 0.303" machine guns mounted on either side of the cockpit, but ultimately never fired its guns in anger during a relatively short seven-year period serving with Fighter Command. Although it was the most capable fighter of the day, the Bulldog was more closely associated with challenging formation flying and spectacular aerobatics, with the Royal Air Force thrilling huge crowds at airshows and pageants around the country, as they demonstrated the effectiveness of a modernising air force. 

What the Bulldog did do was help advance Britain's aviation industry towards the production of the sleek, monoplane fighters which would contest the Second World War, as it highlighted the fact that biplane designs were fast approaching their zenith. Perhaps the most famous incident involving a Bristol Bulldog proved to be a rather unfortunate one, when an accomplished, but rather headstrong RAF pilot performed unauthorised low-altitude aerobatics for a group of onlookers and a private civilian aerodrome in Berkshire. 

Flying so low that the wingtip of his fighter struck the ground during a manoeuvre, the Bulldog cartwheeled across the airfield, inflicting catastrophic injuries on the pilot - that pilot was future Second World War RAF ace and inspirational national hero Douglas Bader.*

* Historical text from Airfix

We have not exactly been knocked over in a flood of 1/48 scale Bristol Bulldog kits over the decades,. As far as I am aware there have really only been two. The first was offered by Merit in the 1950s which was later re-released by Artiplast, Atma Paulista and Smer. This was not a great kit.

The second was released by Inpact in the 1960s, and it was followed by re-boxings by Pyro and Lindberg.

The latter kit was good, with a fair level of detail and restrained surface textures.

Airfix has now released a brand new 1/48 scale Bristol Bulldog Mk.II. This one simply blows the competition away.

The kit comprises 116 parts in medium-dark grey plastic and five parts in clear. Markings are supplied for three options.

The model is packed in a cardboard box with a separate lid – a small detail perhaps but more robust that end-opening boxes.

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Thumbnail panels:

The grey plastic is Goldilocks material - not too hard, not too soft but just right.

The plastic easy to clean up and work on.

Surface textures are really lovely, especially the restrained and convincing stretched fabric effect. Recessed panel lines are appropriately placed and crisp. The finely finned radiator is also worthy of mention. The overall effect is very well done.

The wings, rear fuselage and tailplanes are finished in a stretched fabric effect. This is subtly done and quite convincing.

The cockpit looks good. A decal overlay is provided for the instrument panel. Raised bezels are also included on the panel. You’ll have to source your own harness straps as none are supplied. No pilot either. The pilot's seat is made up from three parts, while the "bottomless" cockpit floor is fitted out with foot skids and rudder pedals.

Separate parts make up the tubuar framing of the cockpit sidewalls.

Kit engineering is thoughtful. The upper and lower wings are both full span parts made up from upper and lower halves.

There are only two interplane struts on each side.

The rudder and elevators are supplied as separate parts. The elevators are moulded in neutral position.

The engine quite adequate with more than 20 pieces.

Airfix has supplied two sets of bombs and racks for the bottom of the wings.

The wheels are unweighted with gorgeously subtle stretched fabric effect on the wheel hubs.

Clear parts look good.

A detailed rigging diagram is included.

Markings

Markings are offered for three aircraft, all finished in overall silver dope:

• Bristol Bulldog Mk.II, No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Upavon, Wiltshire, England, 1929

• Bristol Bulldog Mk.II, No. 17 Squadron, Royal Air Force Upavon, Wiltshire, England, 1930

• Bristol Bulldog Mk.II, Fighter Squadron, No. 1 Flying Training School, Royal Australian Air Force Point Cook, Victoria, Australia, 1930s

Decals are glossy in finish, with good colour saturation and registration.

Airfix has delivered another sweet kit with their 1:48 scale Bristol Bulldog Mk.II. Detail is great, surface textures are restrained and convincing, and parts breakdown is straightforward.

Sample purchased by reviewe from Hannants

Text and Images Copyright © 2024 by Brett Green
Page Created 18 June, 2024
Last updated 18 June, 2024

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