Gift Set letadlo A50191 - Dambusters 80th Anniversary (1:72)

The A50191 "Dambusters 80th Anniversary" (1:72) Airplane Gift Set is a model kit from Airfix. Starter/Gift Sets usually include the model kit and basic assembly tools, typically paints, a brush, and glue, depending on the specific package.

Airplane model kit. Scale: 1:72; 29.4 cm. Package includes: 267+42 parts to assemble, glue, a brush, and paints.

Manufacturer’s Information

Glue-together model airplanes. Scale: 1:72; 29.4 and 21.5 cm. Package includes: 267+42 parts to glue together, glue, a brush, and paints.

Model Information:
Following the incredible operation known as the “Dambuster Raid,” No. 617 Squadron became one of the most famous units in the RAF. Its incredible legacy lives on today; in fact, the unit was reestablished in April 2018 in honor of its 100th anniversary and flies the first Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning aircraft in active service.

When the first of 20 modified Avro Lancasters arrived at RAF Scampton on April 8, 1943, they generated considerable interest among the specially assembled volunteer crews of the specialized “Squadron X” (later designated No. 617) drawn from the ranks of the 5th Operational Group of the Bomber Command. The new aircraft were B.III (Special) models, designated at the Avro factory in Woodford as the Lancaster Type 464 Provisioning, and each had been modified to carry the Vickers Type 464 “Upkeep” mine. Although these mines had not yet been delivered to Scampton at that time, conversation among the crews inevitably turned to their intended target, with most assuming they would be sent to attack the massive German battleship Tirpitz.
When more Lancasters arrived, the commander of this new squadron, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, chose Lancaster ED932/AJ-G as his aircraft because the codes in the bomber’s designation matched the initials of his father, Alexander James Gibson. Gibson and the crew of ED932 were among the first to train with their new aircraft and their unusual bombs, and beginning on May 12, 1943—just five days before the entire squadron set out on its historic raid— they dropped mines at a test site in Reculver on the northern coast of Kent. Following this intensive training, the day before the raid, Gibson was finally informed of the intended targets—“Operation Chastise” was to strike at the industrial heart of Germany: the large dams in the Ruhr region.
On May 16, 1943, at 9:39 p.m., Gibson took off in Lancaster ED932 from RAF Scampton, leading the first wave of nine Lancasters heading for the Möhne Dam, flying over Suffolk, then across the North Sea, crossing the Dutch coast near Zeeland, and then heading inland, where he sought to avoid areas known to be defended by the Luftwaffe. While Gibson and his crew carried out their attack on the Möhne Dam, the other Lancasters in the first wave circled over the target area, monitoring the effectiveness of Gibson’s attack and waiting for the signal to launch their own attack. After Gibson and his crew dropped their bomb, they flew alongside the other aircraft during the subsequent attacks, attempting to draw enemy fire away from them to give them the best possible chance of breaching the dam. The fifth mine dropped hit its target precisely and exploded in just the right spot to breach the already weakened dam—the attack was a success.
In the years that followed, this incredible operation came to be known as the “Dambusters Raid,” and No. 617 Squadron became one of the most famous units in the RAF. Operation “Chastise” was hailed as a spectacular success for Bomber Command, but it came at the cost of heavy losses, as eight Lancasters and 53 airmen did not return.
No. 617 Squadron continues to uphold the proud legacy of the Dambusters to this day. In April 2018, the month in which the Royal Air Force commemorated the 100th anniversary of its founding, the squadron was symbolically and officially re-formed, becoming the first operational RAF unit equipped with Lockheed Martin® F-35® Lightning aircraft.

Package Contents:
Avro Lancaster B.III (Special) and F-35B models. Assembly and painting instructions, decals, paint, glue, and a brush.

Model details:
Scale: 1:72
Number of parts: 267 + 42
Length: 29.4 and 21.5 mm
Difficulty: 3
Flying Hours Points: 4

Recommended for children ages 8 and up.

Warning! Not suitable for children under 8 years of age. Children may use this product only under adult supervision.

Humbrol Acrylic Paint for Modelers
Instructions for Use: Water-mixable acrylic paint. Stir the paint well before use. Apply with a brush directly from the can. When using an airbrush, thin with a suitable thinner, such as water. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. The usual mixing ratio is 2:1 in favor of the paint. Non-flammable base, dries quickly; 1–2 hours to dry completely, slightly longer for gloss and metallic finishes. Dilute with water if necessary. Using an unsuitable thinner may ruin the paint! Rinse brushes and tools with water immediately after use. Close the container tightly after use. Use as soon as possible after opening; the paint dries when exposed to air. Protect from freezing. Contains preservatives: 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (3:1), and 2-phenoxyethanol.
Warning: Keep out of reach of children. Caution! Not suitable for children under 8 years of age. Children may use this product only under adult supervision.

Poly Cement ( 5 ml)
A solvent-based adhesive suitable exclusively for bonding models.
Instructions for Use: Use on common plastics used in model making, including polystyrene and ABS. Press the surfaces together with gentle pressure until they hold. The joint dries in 10–20 minutes and cures completely in 1 hour. Read and keep this label.
Warning! Flammable liquid and vapors. May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid inhaling vapors. IF INHALED: Move the person to fresh air and keep them in a position that facilitates breathing. Store in a well-ventilated area. Keep container tightly closed.
Warning! Not suitable for children under 8 years of age. Children may use this product only under adult supervision.

Construction Recommendations

• Use a suitable model glue to glue the parts together.
• We recommend model paints and fine brushes to finish the model.
• Model-making tools are useful for precise finishing of the parts.