04 July 2014
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Airfix unveils Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier model
One-off scale model is the largest ever aircraft carrier in 1/350 scale. ...
Airfix unveils Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier model Images
Today the Queen officially marks the naming of the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and Airfix has announced it was commissioned to make a one-off scale model of the Royal Navy’s largest ever Aircraft Carrier in 1/350 scale. The model, which is over 800mm in length, is currently on display to visitors aboard the ship. The Airfix model is unique, created from parts gleaned from other Airfix kits, as well as other raw materials, expertly put together by Dave Coventry.
Darrell Burge, Airfix Selector was delighted when he was approached by the Royal Navy to create the one off model. “We were very pleased to be asked by Lieutenant Commander Lee Davies to create the model," he said. "Airfix has an excellent tradition of making accurate scale models of military vehicles and this involves a lot of collaboration with the Armed Forces so I suppose we were the obvious choice for the Aircraft Carrier. Depending on when the ship comes into Royal Navy service, Airfix may look at the possibility of making a kit for enthusiasts.”
Lieutenant Commander Lee Davies said: “The Royal Navy is delighted to be associated with this iconic UK brand and we hope our relationship continues way into the future.” Airfix has previously made models of the Royal Navy’s HMS Illustrious and HMS Daring Type 45 Destroyer and in the past Airfix models have remained on board various ships throughout their service so we expect this superb model will also be featured aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for some months to come.
The Airfix model is, like the aircraft carrier, the largest ever built and proved to be a challenge for experienced ship modeller Dave Coventry. “Obviously the ship is so new, there isn’t a boxed kit," he explained. "I had to create the hull from different models to provide structure and strength, using plans lent to me by the ship builders themselves. I only saw the actual ship once but worked largely from images, measurements and plans.
"The process began in February and involved coordinating with the Royal Navy at Rosyth to obtain images and the correct measurements. Airfix supplied me with the materials including the Merlin and Lynx helicopters shown on top of the Aircraft Carrier which came from the HMS Illustrious and HMS Daring kits.”
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Darrell Burge, Airfix Selector was delighted when he was approached by the Royal Navy to create the one off model. “We were very pleased to be asked by Lieutenant Commander Lee Davies to create the model," he said. "Airfix has an excellent tradition of making accurate scale models of military vehicles and this involves a lot of collaboration with the Armed Forces so I suppose we were the obvious choice for the Aircraft Carrier. Depending on when the ship comes into Royal Navy service, Airfix may look at the possibility of making a kit for enthusiasts.”
Lieutenant Commander Lee Davies said: “The Royal Navy is delighted to be associated with this iconic UK brand and we hope our relationship continues way into the future.” Airfix has previously made models of the Royal Navy’s HMS Illustrious and HMS Daring Type 45 Destroyer and in the past Airfix models have remained on board various ships throughout their service so we expect this superb model will also be featured aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth for some months to come.
The Airfix model is, like the aircraft carrier, the largest ever built and proved to be a challenge for experienced ship modeller Dave Coventry. “Obviously the ship is so new, there isn’t a boxed kit," he explained. "I had to create the hull from different models to provide structure and strength, using plans lent to me by the ship builders themselves. I only saw the actual ship once but worked largely from images, measurements and plans.
"The process began in February and involved coordinating with the Royal Navy at Rosyth to obtain images and the correct measurements. Airfix supplied me with the materials including the Merlin and Lynx helicopters shown on top of the Aircraft Carrier which came from the HMS Illustrious and HMS Daring kits.”
Remember, to get the latest collecting news delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks, sign up for our e-newsletter.
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