Revell 04300 Lancaster Mk.I/III 1:72 Scale Unbuilt/Unpainted Plastic Model Kit

Cheap is a word I love to hear, but it is sadly becoming the fashion not to attach it to new model kits, that is why I am really quite chuffed with this Revell 1:72 Lancaster. I have the older BIII Airfix and the new Airfix BII so here is my verdict on this one. This is way better than the old work horse Airfix BIII but I think the new Airfix BII beats it in quality. This Revell kit is nearly £4 - £8 cheaper than the new Airfix BII and I have seen the older BIII sell second hand for between £9 - £13 so a little more gets you a great kit and a little less gets you a kit nearly as good, so this Revell offering is great middle of the road buy.Just received it today and couldn't wait to get it out of the box and have a look. Disappointed I was not as the surface detail is excellent and the parts all look to be well turned out. You get some interior detail on the cockpit and rear of the cockpit but not anything massively special like you would find inside a Trumpeter, Tamiya or Eduard kit so the Photo etched colour interior set mentioned already will be a must for this one, and I have just found and bought one as I type this. I have the idea of leaving the canopy unglued so as to reveal the inner detail.If there are any after market white metal landing gear sets out there, or any made for other Lancaster's, they would not go amiss as from seeing the mouldings they look very flimsy and I can believe they would bend under the weight of the kit. The decals sheet provides two sets of markings and all the other sub markings for her, and I love the two huge roundels. The instructions do look odd, in that there are multiple ways of doing constructing parts called out, but no reference as to which marque the choices reflect? There is one place I saw a marque difference called out and that was in the choices for the canopies sliding window sections.There is a lovely bomb bay set up and ordnance is provided in the form of whole cast bombs, no "moulded in two halves and glue together to leave a seam line" routine that seems to be so time consuming with filing and sanding that I usually avoid dealing with them, cast in one piece is so much better. The clear parts are nicely done if the frame work of the canopy seems a little thin so that will be a challenge to get right. A small amount of flash was present also on a few of the clear parts but this will be cleaned up in due course and is not a huge problem. The box is the usual side opener that is still not as good as the flip front or the top opener, and is a little flimsy so no stacking this one.Overall, I'm happy with this grand old lady of the skies, good detail, good looking aircraft. I will build the old Airfix 1:72 BIII firs I think for practice, then move onto this one.

Brilliant model very sturdy when done lots of fine parts that are easy to break

I recently purchased the Revell 04300 Lancaster Mk.I/III 1:72 Scale Unbuilt/Unpainted Plastic Model Kit to expand my collection of military aircraft models. Having prior experience with model kits, I was excited to assemble and paint this iconic World War II bomber, the Avro Lancaster. This review will detail my experience with the kit, including the assembly process and the final result.The model arrived well-packaged with all parts intact. The box itself is robust, and I was immediately impressed by the detailed illustrations and the promise of a high-quality model. The instructions were clear and well-organized, making it easy to get started. The size of the model is substantial, with a wingspan of 42.8 cm, which would be impressive once completed.This model kit is rated as Skill Level 5, meaning it is best suited for experienced model builders. It includes 257 pieces, which, while challenging, offered a rewarding building experience. The parts are well-moulded, and I encountered minimal flash or imperfections. The assembly requires glue and paint (not included), which adds a layer of customization to the project.The Avro Lancaster is represented authentically with a wealth of detail. The recessed panel lines, detailed cockpit with an instrument panel, and realistic bomb bay are standout features. The rotating machine gun turrets and 12 bombs, along with one large "Cookie" bomb, add depth to the model. Additionally, the model includes the detailed Merlin engine, which is a nice touch for aviation enthusiasts.The kit comes with decals representing three RAF versions of the Lancaster Mk. I and Mk.III, allowing for customization. The decals were easy to apply and adhered well to the model. I found that the decal options helped personalize the finished product.Just a note: no glue or paint included is included.Overall, the Revell 04300 Lancaster Mk.I/III 1:72 Scale Model Kit is an exceptional model for advanced builders who are looking for a challenge. The level of detail is impressive, and the instructions are clear. Assembling the plane and adding personal touches with paint and decals was incredibly satisfying. The final model looks amazing on display, especially considering its scale and intricate design.

This is a really good kit, particularly given the relatively low price. The level of detailing is superb, particularly the interior. As you can see, I made this as a cutaway model in order to display the detail in full. Excuse the rough edges, it was my first attempt at a cutaway!The decals included are fantastic, with stenciling and walkways as well as roundels, squadron markings etc.If I have one criticism it is the guns - they are lacking in detail and are very flimsy and easy to break off. Overall though, I am very pleased with this model, especially as it's the first time in about 25 years that I have built something of this complexity.

Difficult enough to keep my grandson busy.

Missing pieces

grandson will love this

beautifully crafted model of a lancaster bomber. this is a level 5 large model so attention detail is very high and not for the beginner model maker.the kit contains decals which is a nice touch, but does not come with any paints or glue.not an issue for me as already have an acrylic paint set but these can be purchased separately quite cheaply.fantastic value for money.