I kinda want to do a review and progress of the airfix qe2 model kit before it dies out completely so anybody who has one, look after It.
After i developed an interest in the qe2, i wanted to seal my memories in a case, but the question was how. I had cunard items i wanted to include as well as my pictures but i wanted a model to go with them. I had built the japaneese version of the ship but to be honest it did not look complete when it was completed as i founs it lacked detail for 1:450. I knew airfix had a long out of production model but did not think i would get a hold of one to be honest so i decided to go for the 1:1200 qe2 revell have as the detail was fabulous and its pocket size was even more appealing to me anyway. Then i found an airfix kit. I was very excited when i got it and to think i must have looked at that box a hundred times and turned my nose before it went out of production.
The box itself in my view is very exciting with the original 1960's artwork depicting the the qe2 gaining momentum.
The model is based on qe2 when she was first completely designed and was updated to 1968. It is about 49cm long so quite big.
This runs at a disadvantage as well because any amendments made to the ship after 1968 before completion have not been factured into the model.
Also you must remember that the molds are hand made from 1968 so errors are apparent, no updating here. The model kit has a round 123 parts, flash is very apparent and sink holes present so have your filler and craft knife to hand.
The hull is in two section and this is where you encounter your first problem. The hull pieces do not align at the stern correctly and the joins at two deck are not a consistant size so out with the above named.
The prow on front of the flagstaff also bows up at the join and that also gets a chop. The two deck on the bow right up to sun deck wall is in one piece but contains adequite detail as normal with airfix but is ripe for customisation as the model is a good size. It does lack the two small cranes and anchor chanes but i will be addin my own anyhow.
The pool decks are also in good detail and are seperate pieces but need some convincing to fit. Customisation on two deck required for accuracy as the lido deck does not extend the correct length and the two staiways are open to the elements which is wrong.
The boat deck has good detail as does the sports deck. The front wall of the sun deck under the bridge is missing so requires more scratch build and filler. The windows on the enclosed superstructure on the boat deck are missing so have to be created both starboard and port, as are two windows either side of quarter deck.
The mast has this huge arial on top of it which also gets the chop as it did not exist on the ship.
The funnel is done very well but the cap which is the exausts also need a chop as the are too high.
The sun deck walls do not connect to the bridge very well so need convincing and filler to line up correctly.
95% of the windows on the model are indented or raised and have to be filled in with black pen depending on your color prference in true airfix fassion which can be dissapointing depending on your point of view but when complete are convincing to say the least, well i was happy with them.
With the paint work, i went traditional and hand painted.
The colors you do need to do our research so here are two resources and here they are.
http://www.worldshipny.com/qe2mv09.shtmlthis link gives great pictures of the ship in new your after the maiden voyage including the foredeck and boat deck which have consistant colors and the davits which thought to black are in fact brown.
http://rmsqueen.blogspot.ie/2008_12_01_archive.htmlthis link if you scoll down two thirds of the page shows an arial picture of the ship front and back on a 1970 brochure.
Both are adequite enough to complete the model.
the following pictures are of the progress of the model and the box with kit.
Will keep posted on progress.