DML 1/200 Vulcan B.2 Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The AVRO Vulcan was one of three bomber types built as part of Great Britain's V-Bomber force as part of the Cold War nuclear deterrant. Each of the V-bombers was required to be able to scramble away from their bases in very quick time due to the much shorter time of flight for incoming bombers or missiles that might strike the UK. In the case of the Vulcan, the aircraft was powered by four non-afterburning Olympus engines that gave the aircraft the ability to speed away from home and provide an appropriate response to any hostility.

While the Vulcan was never called upon to deliver a nuclear strike, the aircraft did see combat during the Falklands War as it staged from Ascension Island to fly surveillance, electronic warfare, and strike missions against Argentinian targets. One of the Vulcan missions ended prematurely when it was unable to air refuel and was forced to make an emergency landing in Brazil. The aircraft was eventually returned to the UK on the condition that it no longer took part in the war.

In time for the 30th anniversary of the Falklands/Malvinas war, DML has produced this beautiful kit of the Vulcan B.2. Produced in 1/200 scale, this kit is still a fair-sized model and provides some nice details and options. Among these:

• Choice standard bomb bay doors or recessed door for the Blue Steel missile (the latter not used in this release but still in the box
• Optional Blue Steel missile
• Positionable landing gear
• Positionable boarding ladder
• Optional AGM-45 Shrike missiles on dual launcher

Construction is very simple and well designed. While there is a cockpit, DML didn't spend much energy on it given the limited visibility into the cockpit once the cockpit cover is installed.

Markings are provided for two published and one unpublished option:

• Vulcan B.2, XM607, 27 Sqn, Ascension Isiand, 1982
• Vulcan B.2, XH558, Restored Aircraft though not mentioned in instructions
• Vulcan B.2, XM597, 44 Sqn, Ascension Island, 1982

I had no idea that you could get so much detail into such a small-scale kit. I'll never look at the 'simplistic' details of the 1/200 scale kits the same ever again as it is clear that DML has raised the bar quite significantly. This will make a really nice project that doesn't take lots of time or effort to complete.

My sincere thanks to DML for this review sample!