1/72 Revell Fairey Gannet AS.1

Gallery Article by Bill Gilman on Aug 26 2011

 

Here is my rendition of the Fairey Gannet in 1:72 scale using the Revell of Germany kit. For this model I also used the “Big Ed” photoetch set from Eduard which provided much more detail in the cockpit, gear wells, weapons bay, and the landing gear. Although the Gannet is often chided as the “ugliest airplane ever built” I think it’s quite elegant while brutish at the same time. Definitely a case of form following function.

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The model was painted with Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby Colors, with pre-shading and panel wash. Post-shading was accomplished with pastel chalks. The top seam on the accurately molded canopies was removed by sanding up to 2,000 grit and a final polish with Tamiya polishing compound. Overall, the kit was a joy to build and an excellent value from Revell.

Hope you enjoy the photos. Just remember if you ever meet a former employee of Fairey Aviation, don’t call him a “Fairey Engineer.” He’s an “engineer from Fairey.” Cheers!

Bill Gilman

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Photos and text © by Bill Gilman