The venerable 1/72 Bristol Belvedere helicopter by Airfix has been reissued in the firm’s Vintage Classics range, as CHRIS CLIFFORD reports.
Debuting in 1959, it’s slightly surprising that Airfix’s 1/72 Bristol Belvedere has returned to market just four times since. However, it’s now back again as item A03002V, as part of Airfix’s ever-popular Vintage Classics series. It’s certainly a product of its time, with detail that’s sometimes heavy/sparse in equal measure. But it’s the perfect opportunity for keen scratch-builders to flex their creative muscles. One thing to remember is that this kit replicates two of the prototype airframes working with test/trials units. If you wish to portray a service HC.1, you’ll have your work cut out in that the rear fin arrangement was different, along with the undercarriage units. The prototype upwards-lifting cabin door was also replaced by a sliding version on the HC.1
Above: The Belvedere’s fuselage halves, adorns with a seemingly endless number of fine, raised rivets. Note that this model portrays a prototype airframe.
Above: Shown here are the cockpit floor and rear bulkhead; the items at top are under-fuselage surface panels.
Airfix’s kit offers four grey styrene runners and a clear frame…
