Airfix 1/72 Jet Provost T.3, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The BAC Jet Provost was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft that was in use with the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1955 to 1993, when it was replaced by the Tucano. It was originally developed by Hunting Percival from the earlier piston engine-powered Percival Provost basic trainer, and later produced by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). In addition to the multiple orders that were placed for the RAF, the Jet Provost also attained several export deals with overseas operators, resulting in the type serving in many air forces worldwide. The design was also further developed into a more heavily-armed variant for ground attack mission, which was marketed as the BAC Strikemaster.

The Jet Provost T.1 was a pre-production aircraft and ten were built for trials. Experience from these trials resulted in the T.2, of which less than a handful were built, again being used for trials. The first real production aircraft was the T.3. In June 1957, an production order was placed for the first 40 of the developed Jet Provost T3, featuring a more powerful Armstrong Siddeley Viper jet engine, ejector seats, a redesign of the airframe, and a shortened and strengthened version of the retractable tricycle undercarriage. Percival built a single example, which was used purely for structural tests throughout the development stages, giving the designers valuable research into what could be achieved with the basic design. On 22 June 1958, the first Jet Provost T.3 conducted its first flight. In total, 201 T3s were delivered between 1958 and 1962.

THE KIT

Continuing with their 'replacement' policy, Airfix has brought out a new tool kit of their Jet Provost T.3. Now I know that this is pretty much a 'ho-hum' to many, but the British market will scarf this one up and probably has already.

Molding is what we have come to expect from a modern Airfix kit and sure beats the original in every way. The cockpit contains the usual control sticks with a center console. Each of the seats is made up of four parts (three if you are installing the crew figures), and has molded on seat harness. There is a decal for the instrument panel.

When trapping this in the fuselage halves, be sure to add nose weight. Much of the nose gear well is molded to the bottom of the cockpit section. Wings are a single lower piece with upper halves. Tip tanks are molded onto the halves so modeling this one without them will require some work. Tailplanes are a single piece that slot into the rear fuselage followed by the jet pipe and rudder.

Intakes are nicely done with a section that slides into the housing part way followed by the outer piece. You can build this kit gear up if you so wish and separate gear doors are provided for this. Because the main gear would be a bit wobbly, they are molded in with the gear doors. Airfix provides two canopy pieces. One is for the closed position and the other for the open. I like that Airfix and others provide this feature.

Instructions are 3D style and as usual only provide Humbrol paint numbers during construction. When doing the external schemes, names are also provided. Two schemes are given. One is with 2FTS in 1967. This is silver with lots of da-glo and though you cannot tell from the sheet scan, the da-glo is superbly done. The other is in a scheme some surviving aircraft wore before replacement in red, white, and light aircraft grey. This scheme being with 1FTS in 1984. The black nose areas will need to be painted regardless of the scheme you choose. There are aftermarket sheets out there if you so wish to go that route.

CONCLUSIONS

Another very nicely done new tool of an old favorite for many. While the prices keep creeping up, it is still good value for the money and work looking into.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

KIT #:	A02103
PRICE:	$10.00 for both
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2016 new tool