I drove Ferret in the late 70''s/early 80's. I have purchased two to allow for the inevitable mistakes I will make, as a wannabe modeler. Yes, it lacks an engine and detail in the cabin and the Union flag dates back to 1606 etc.,. I can assure you, we were less focused on the flag than it's tendency to spontaneously combust due to oil and fuel spillage and the ever present danger of 'cabin rash' 😮. Anyhoo, it looks good to me and I'll be going for the Clansman option.
Brilliant review.... :) I got the kit for Christmas and will start the build in a few days time, once my current project is completed. I will build the version on the box art, and also try and scratchbuild a section of the outer Berlin Wall, the one that faced West Berlin, as part of the vignette back drop. It should be an interesting challenge. I think Airfix did good, releasing this kit and like you I hope it will sell well and encourage Airfix to further the range with different options.. I wouldn't mind doing a Mk.1.. :)
I like that the driver's vision ports can be posed in the open position, as they usually were - at least from what ive seen. There are aftermarket decals already available (mostly for Desert Storm/Operation Granby), presumably for the Accurate Armor kits. There are also figures available from DJ Parkins/Firing Line that are made for their kit of the Ferret, but can obviously be used for the Airfix kit as well. Later versions of the Ferret had wire mesh stowage baskets fitted over the engine compartment; would have been a nice PE option, but I'm sure the aftermarket will provide one. This will look good with the Italeri Land Rover, Takom FV 432 or any of Accurate Armour's many Cold War British kits.
Greetings my friend, the Ferret certainly looks to be a excellent kit, I must say it has been a long time coming, I think I would replace those grab handles with bent wire of some type, as for me, when I can snezk one home and build it, I would do it in one of the green schemes, don't be too hard on the plastic, Tamiya still do green plastic, many thanks for this grest review, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia 👌👍👌👍
Yeah, there are definitely elements of the kit that a more experienced modeller can replace/enhance, but I think that is fine given it's price point. As for the green, it's not really an issue, just surprised me as I saw some pre-release ones sent for review were in grey, and I just find that easier to work with - purely personal preference! 😀
I’ll pick up this little gem but build it after the aftermarket companies release an engine and more details for the interior as well as exterior for it. Some resin stowage and figures would be nice too. It’s crying out to be in some kind of diorama.
Hey, I recently came across your RUclips channel and I really enjoy what you do and your very informative, relatively laid back approach to this wonderful hobby. So much so you earned a subscriber. However I do have one issue with this review and a general comment you made to Airfix. Its just a little niggle I want to point out to you and I mean you absolutely no disrespect, moreover I'd just like to politely ask you to give it some thought. You mentioned that you didn't think much of the colour of the plastic and requested to Airfix that they do everything in grey plastic, please. I have to disagree with this. I'm an old scouser who these days lives quite comfortably in Canada. I have a little workshop/office filled with every tool and paint that I could possibly need to pursue this delightful hobby that I took up again 2 or three years ago, after an absence of many years. And if I don't have what I need to complete a model, I simply go out and buy or order on line whatever I need. This is a far far cry from my youth in the late sixties/early seventies back in Liverpool. My upbringing was an extremely poor one. This young kid would look eagerly at all the Airfix options in the toyshop window. When he finally saved enough pocket money to go in and buy one, (along with a tube of glue), he couldn't have been happier. The one thing that was way out of reach financially was paint. I patiently glued the whole model together, I remember one model equaled one tube of glue :), and if I managed not to ruin them, the decals would be carefully applied too. I'd put the proudly completed model on the shelf or hang it from the ceiling and happily admire it. I remeber Airfix kits invariably came in different coloured plastics, and this definitely helped to recreate the realism of the models I built. If, as you suggest, Airfix only ever used grey plastic in their manufacturing process, I can't help but to think I would have probably become very bored very quickly with model building. All of my proudly displayed builds would have been exactly the same colour. Consequently I feel that Airfix got it right by casting the scout car in green plastic. That's the predominant colour of the whole build. I don't know if there are a plethora of young poor wannabe model builders out there. I think I'd be a fool to believe there aren't any. Even if there are only a few, manufactures would do well to consider casting models in predominant colours. These days you and I and the majority of model builders out there have at our hands the option and ability to paint any model we like any colour we like. Regardless of the sprue colour.I certainly didn't have that option 50+ years ago. Are there still any budding model builders today who, like me and many others back then, also don't have that option due to their financial situation?
Thanks for all of that and the perspective - it's certainly a valid point, though not one I particularly agree with for this kit in specifically. I think smaller kits are an ideal candidate for this, however, like the 1/72 Cromwell, Sherman, Willis jeep etc. Tamiya's older kits like the Pzkpfv II, Stuff IV etc are all more affordable and also cast in coloured plastic. I think cost is easy for more experienced/older/more established modellers to trivialise, forgetting where we started....it's one of the reasons it's the first metric I score on all kits. Anyway, thanks for the sub and the input!
@@MannsModelMoments Thank you for reading and considering my comment. Remembering where we all started is and always will be important. Keep up the good work.
Producing a kit like this is always going to be a bit of a compromise, and I think Airfix went on the "easier to build" side rather than "for the expert modeller" side. I think those elements people may see as a little "chunky" or "soft" are easily replaced by an experienced modeller. If I had the choice of slightly finer tie-downs and fuel can handles for an extra £5 or £10 in kit price or the kit as it is for just over £20, I'll take the latter!
A couple of things which I found a tad disappointing. First, the Union Flags on the decal sheet lack the red St Patrick's Cross, so bizarrely you do end up with a Union Flag, but the version from 1606! I'm assuming this is an error. Secondly, I think the kit could do with a few simple photoetch parts. The cowling for the exhaust appears overly thick with the mesh part simply reproduced as a solid plastic part and would be ideal as simple PE option. I get that Airfix are keen to keep the price point low and make their kits accessible to younger and less capable modellers, but with a little more effort, and slightly higher price, they could have made a real jewel of a model. Ironically they do have simple PE in their 30-cwt GS truck kit. Like all of Airfix's 1/35, new tooled kits, its a close but no cigar unfortunately. They are tantalisingly close though and the choice here was inspired. There is a rich seam of Cold War era British vehicles to mine, which have only previously been in short run and expensive resin kits from the like of Accurate Armour and I think Airfix could really make a splash with say an Alvis Saracen or a Stalwart.
You're absolutely right - I missed that detail on the flags...not sure they were operating Ferrets under James I....lol As fir the photoetch etc - I think Airfix are aiming for a couple of markets rather than directly competing with Tamiya, Miniart etc. I think they're going for the "affordable" and "unusual" categories. No one else does a 1/35th Ferret except Accurate Armour, which is three times the price. You can buy an Airfix kit, detail items if you'd like and still come in well under that price if you're a more experienced modeller, or want to scratchbuild/kitbash one of the many and varied modifications to the Ferret. For the "affordable" section, this encompasses both those modellers and those who just want a nice armour build for the same price as a 1/72nd scale aircraft. I think that's the same sort of modeller who would enjoy old Tamiya kits (like the Panzer II etc), and this kit is certainly better than those.
Will you be buying the Ferret? If so, which scheme are you thinking of? Let me know in the comments below!
I drove Ferret in the late 70''s/early 80's. I have purchased two to allow for the inevitable mistakes I will make, as a wannabe modeler. Yes, it lacks an engine and detail in the cabin and the Union flag dates back to 1606 etc.,. I can assure you, we were less focused on the flag than it's tendency to spontaneously combust due to oil and fuel spillage and the ever present danger of 'cabin rash' 😮. Anyhoo, it looks good to me and I'll be going for the Clansman option.
Brilliant review.... :) I got the kit for Christmas and will start the build in a few days time, once my current project is completed. I will build the version on the box art, and also try and scratchbuild a section of the outer Berlin Wall, the one that faced West Berlin, as part of the vignette back drop. It should be an interesting challenge. I think Airfix did good, releasing this kit and like you I hope it will sell well and encourage Airfix to further the range with different options.. I wouldn't mind doing a Mk.1.. :)
I like that the driver's vision ports can be posed in the open position, as they usually were - at least from what ive seen.
There are aftermarket decals already available (mostly for Desert Storm/Operation Granby), presumably for the Accurate Armor kits.
There are also figures available from DJ Parkins/Firing Line that are made for their kit of the Ferret, but can obviously be used for the Airfix kit as well.
Later versions of the Ferret had wire mesh stowage baskets fitted over the engine compartment; would have been a nice PE option, but I'm sure the aftermarket will provide one.
This will look good with the Italeri Land Rover, Takom FV 432 or any of Accurate Armour's many Cold War British kits.
Looks like a great kit. I've never built military. If I did try, I would try this one first
It's a lovely kit, and there are literally hundreds of Ferrets in private ownership now, so no need to do a military one!
Greetings my friend, the Ferret certainly looks to be a excellent kit, I must say it has been a long time coming, I think I would replace those grab handles with bent wire of some type, as for me, when I can snezk one home and build it, I would do it in one of the green schemes, don't be too hard on the plastic, Tamiya still do green plastic, many thanks for this grest review, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia 👌👍👌👍
Yeah, there are definitely elements of the kit that a more experienced modeller can replace/enhance, but I think that is fine given it's price point.
As for the green, it's not really an issue, just surprised me as I saw some pre-release ones sent for review were in grey, and I just find that easier to work with - purely personal preference! 😀
Fuel can cap is actually the horn
IN the build I realised that!
I’ll pick up this little gem but build it after the aftermarket companies release an engine and more details for the interior as well as exterior for it. Some resin stowage and figures would be nice too. It’s crying out to be in some kind of diorama.
I think there's a ton of possibilities!
@@MannsModelMoments 👍🏻🙂
Hey, I recently came across your RUclips channel and I really enjoy what you do and your very informative, relatively laid back approach to this wonderful hobby. So much so you earned a subscriber. However I do have one issue with this review and a general comment you made to Airfix. Its just a little niggle I want to point out to you and I mean you absolutely no disrespect, moreover I'd just like to politely ask you to give it some thought.
You mentioned that you didn't think much of the colour of the plastic and requested to Airfix that they do everything in grey plastic, please. I have to disagree with this. I'm an old scouser who these days lives quite comfortably in Canada. I have a little workshop/office filled with every tool and paint that I could possibly need to pursue this delightful hobby that I took up again 2 or three years ago, after an absence of many years. And if I don't have what I need to complete a model, I simply go out and buy or order on line whatever I need. This is a far far cry from my youth in the late sixties/early seventies back in Liverpool. My upbringing was an extremely poor one. This young kid would look eagerly at all the Airfix options in the toyshop window. When he finally saved enough pocket money to go in and buy one, (along with a tube of glue), he couldn't have been happier. The one thing that was way out of reach financially was paint. I patiently glued the whole model together, I remember one model equaled one tube of glue :), and if I managed not to ruin them, the decals would be carefully applied too. I'd put the proudly completed model on the shelf or hang it from the ceiling and happily admire it. I remeber Airfix kits invariably came in different coloured plastics, and this definitely helped to recreate the realism of the models I built. If, as you suggest, Airfix only ever used grey plastic in their manufacturing process, I can't help but to think I would have probably become very bored very quickly with model building. All of my proudly displayed builds would have been exactly the same colour.
Consequently I feel that Airfix got it right by casting the scout car in green plastic. That's the predominant colour of the whole build. I don't know if there are a plethora of young poor wannabe model builders out there. I think I'd be a fool to believe there aren't any. Even if there are only a few, manufactures would do well to consider casting models in predominant colours. These days you and I and the majority of model builders out there have at our hands the option and ability to paint any model we like any colour we like. Regardless of the sprue colour.I certainly didn't have that option 50+ years ago. Are there still any budding model builders today who, like me and many others back then, also don't have that option due to their financial situation?
Thanks for all of that and the perspective - it's certainly a valid point, though not one I particularly agree with for this kit in specifically.
I think smaller kits are an ideal candidate for this, however, like the 1/72 Cromwell, Sherman, Willis jeep etc. Tamiya's older kits like the Pzkpfv II, Stuff IV etc are all more affordable and also cast in coloured plastic.
I think cost is easy for more experienced/older/more established modellers to trivialise, forgetting where we started....it's one of the reasons it's the first metric I score on all kits.
Anyway, thanks for the sub and the input!
@@MannsModelMoments Thank you for reading and considering my comment. Remembering where we all started is and always will be important. Keep up the good work.
That one is on my wish list, but seen your in boxing, some of the parts seems a little rough moulded...like the handles for the fuel cans etc...
Producing a kit like this is always going to be a bit of a compromise, and I think Airfix went on the "easier to build" side rather than "for the expert modeller" side. I think those elements people may see as a little "chunky" or "soft" are easily replaced by an experienced modeller. If I had the choice of slightly finer tie-downs and fuel can handles for an extra £5 or £10 in kit price or the kit as it is for just over £20, I'll take the latter!
A couple of things which I found a tad disappointing. First, the Union Flags on the decal sheet lack the red St Patrick's Cross, so bizarrely you do end up with a Union Flag, but the version from 1606! I'm assuming this is an error. Secondly, I think the kit could do with a few simple photoetch parts. The cowling for the exhaust appears overly thick with the mesh part simply reproduced as a solid plastic part and would be ideal as simple PE option. I get that Airfix are keen to keep the price point low and make their kits accessible to younger and less capable modellers, but with a little more effort, and slightly higher price, they could have made a real jewel of a model. Ironically they do have simple PE in their 30-cwt GS truck kit. Like all of Airfix's 1/35, new tooled kits, its a close but no cigar unfortunately. They are tantalisingly close though and the choice here was inspired. There is a rich seam of Cold War era British vehicles to mine, which have only previously been in short run and expensive resin kits from the like of Accurate Armour and I think Airfix could really make a splash with say an Alvis Saracen or a Stalwart.
You're absolutely right - I missed that detail on the flags...not sure they were operating Ferrets under James I....lol
As fir the photoetch etc - I think Airfix are aiming for a couple of markets rather than directly competing with Tamiya, Miniart etc. I think they're going for the "affordable" and "unusual" categories. No one else does a 1/35th Ferret except Accurate Armour, which is three times the price. You can buy an Airfix kit, detail items if you'd like and still come in well under that price if you're a more experienced modeller, or want to scratchbuild/kitbash one of the many and varied modifications to the Ferret.
For the "affordable" section, this encompasses both those modellers and those who just want a nice armour build for the same price as a 1/72nd scale aircraft. I think that's the same sort of modeller who would enjoy old Tamiya kits (like the Panzer II etc), and this kit is certainly better than those.
Looks like a good kit!
For just over £20, it is!