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How good or bad is the Airfix 1/48 B-57

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Coldwater, Mich
How good or bad is the Airfix 1/48 B-57
Posted by MKelley on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:35 PM

I see Squadron has on Airfix B-57B for about $30.00. I always have like the B-57 and I would like to get one. My question boils down to this is it worth it or should I save my money and buy the Classic Airframes version for considerably more. Thanks for the input. 

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Monterey Bay,CA-Fort Bragg, NC
Posted by randypandy831 on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:41 PM

tamiya 1/48 P-47D $25 + shipping

tamiya 1/48 mosquito $20+ shipping

hobby boss 1/48 F-105G. wings and fuselage cut from sprue. $40+ shipping. 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 10:09 PM

Hmmm...  That's a toughie.  The Airfix kit is way easier to build, but has more inaccuracies.  The CA kit is a better representation of a B-57, but is really fussy to build.  I noticed the Airfix B-57 has strange bulged forward fuselage sides that I think is wrong, and the cockpit interior is pure fiction.  Airfix got lazy and used the same panel lines as the Canberra, but the B-57's panel lines differed quite a bit, especially the wings.  There are a host of other little problems, like the mis-shapen tip tanks, undersized FLIR pod for the G version, missing wing guns, horizontal stubs for the stabilizers, and of course the inaccurate scribed rudder.  On the positive side, it has an optional position bomb bay, separate flaps and speed brakes, and the small oil cooler inlets under the intakes have better definition.

The CA B-57, like all their Canberra kits, will require a motor tool with a big grinding bit to thin down the trailing edges of all flying surfaces, although I think the rudder will need less work than the other Canberras.  The cockpit tub, canopy sill, and forward fuselage are kind of tricky to get lined up.  On the plus side, unlike the other CA Canberra kits, the B-57 has correct sized tip tanks.  The rear fuselage and wings look the same as the other Canberras, but CA tooled entirely new ones for the B-57.

If you are not really picky about absolute accuracy and just want a cool looking B-57 on your shelf, the Airfix kit is the one to choose.  If you want a more accurate model and don't mind building a limited run kit, CA is the way to go.

If only Tamiya, Hasegawa, or Revell did a 1/48 B-57...

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Coldwater, Mich
Posted by MKelley on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 11:35 AM

Gentlemen, Thanks for your replies. Read the info provided and I have ordered the Airfix one from Squadron. Toast

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Coldwater, Mich
Posted by MKelley on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 9:37 PM

Well I thought I had one ordered. Out of stock Crying

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