1:72 Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c

Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c 1:72 - Airfix

Injection-molded plastic kit model of the British biplane Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c of the First World War in 1:72 scale from the firm Airfix. It is the newer tooling with fine surface detail and decals for two color schemes, including the famous machine from the night defense of Britain.

The real subject

The BE2c was a British two-seat biplane designed at the state works Royal Aircraft Factory. It excelled in calm and stable flying characteristics, thanks to which it proved itself as a night hunter of airships in the defense of Britain. It was on this very type that Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson shot down the first German airship over British soil on the night of 3 September 1916, and he was awarded the Victoria Cross for it. As a daylight reconnaissance machine, on the other hand, its lack of agility made it an easy target for fighters.

Building and painting tips

The core of building a biplane is the accurate setting of the spars and struts between the wings - work patiently and let the glued joints dry properly. The classic high point is the rigging, that is tensioning the fine bracing wires, which you imitate with thin thread or line and which gives the model an authentic look. Paint the fabric surfaces matte and bring out the ribbing; apply the national insignia of the period onto a gloss base.

Who the model is for

• fans of aircraft of the First World War and of biplanes
• anyone interested in the defense of Britain and the hunt for airships
• modelers who want to try their hand at rigging the bracing wires
• collectors of classic RAF and RFC types in 1:72 scale

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.