Cyber-Hobby has spawned another 1/72 scale member of the Hawker Siddeley Sea
Vixen family. The Sea Vixen was a twin-boom jet fighter used by the Fleet Air
Arm of the Royal Navy in the 1960-70s, and this carrier-based aircraft could
travel at speeds of up to 1,110km/h. Following on from Cyber-Hobby’s kit of
a twin-seat Sea Vixen FAW.1 (FAW denotes ‘Fighter All Weather’), this latest
kit represents an FAW.2 variant. As successor to the FAW.1, it possessed many
improvements such as an enlarged tail boom allowing additional fuel tanks, an
improved escape system and more space for electronic countermeasures systems.
The FAW.2 entered frontline squadrons in 1964 and some 29 new-build aircraft
were produced as well as 67 FAW.1s converted. The Sea Vixen was withdrawn from
service in 1972.
Just like Cyber-Hobby’s recent FAW.1 kit, this 1/72 scale model makes extensive
use of slide molds to create a harmonious blend of detail and ease of assembly.
The fuselage is a complex shape because of the twin tail booms, but very judicious
engineering and clever parts separation mean all the components fit together
perfectly. The newly tooled fuel tanks accommodated on both wings are delicately
reproduced. The cockpit for the pilot, which is offset towards the port side,
is featured correctly, and the upper fuselage has been updated to include the
correct top hatch for the observer. Panel lines are sharply and precisely rendered
thanks to the application of laser technology. Modelers can now complete their
Sea Vixen families!
- Newly tooled Sea Vixen FAW.2 rendered w/authentic
detail
- Newly tooled air observer seat available
- Newly tooled fuel tanks
- Red Top missile newly added on Sea Vixen
- Newly designed upper fuselage w/correct detail
- Folding-wing mechanism rendered w/fine detail
- Air intakes accurately represented
- Wings can be assembled extended/folded
- Detailed cockpit interior
- Launchers for 2-inch rocket projectiles included
- Standard 150-gallon drop tanks included
- Intricate fuselage for Sea Vixen FAW.2
- Twin-boom tail made by slide-mold technology
- Realistic jet exhausts reproduced
- Airbrake can be shown open/shut
- Fuselage possesses metal-skinned appearance
- Rudders can be modeled in different positions
- Landing flaps can be displayed in fully extended position
- Landing-gear bay w/intricate detail