MPC/AIRFIX 1:72 F2H-2 BANSHEE

Reviewer: Derrick Winters  (rec.models.scale)

MPC reboxed Airfix kits in the early 80's and marketed them under their own label - one could say a licenced manufactured edition!  So while I am reviewing the MPC boxed Banshee, the same review would apply to the Airfix version, the only difference being the box cover and instructions.  MPC were only around for a few years before fading out of the modelling arena never to be seen again (yet).

The McDonnell F2H Banshee model became the US Navy's first truly viable jet aircraft to operate from a carrier. It proved itself as quite a reasonable ground attack aircraft in Korea as it was not a model that was really capable of air combat, the role for which it was built.  The F2H-2 version was the early Korean war example, and the main one in essence until it was later replaced by the improved F2H-3 and F2H-4 models.  These variants were also larger than the -2 model so be sure you don't try and replicate an example that was one of the 3rd or 4th generation versions. 

The kit is of 1980 Airfix moulding which provides reasonable quality injected mold containing raised panel lines and just basic detail.  Like a lot of kits of this era (especially with Matchbox) it is molded in the colour of the supposed finished product - overall navy blue plastic.  If you're a youngster or a beginner it might save you from having to paint it later :)

The cockpit is very basic which is nothing out of the ordinary so a bit of scratchbuilding was undertaken to spice this up a bit and get a reasonably nice looking interior.  Construction and assembly of the main parts of wings, fuselage and so forth was very straightforward with no problem areas arising.  A bit of sanding and filler was needed to get rid of some gaps and smooth the details out but nothing to be bogged down with.  The kit includes bombs or rockets for underwing ordnance and an optional nose.  The nose looks like it is supposed to fit a reconnaisance version but without the decals included in the box or other details it's of no use (unless you get some aftermarket stuff).  It's surprising how quick this kit will build because of only small areas that needed extra attention.

Like most Korean war types you simply have to splash on and smother the aircraft in an overall dark blue tone and paint the wheel wells and interior details aluminium and you're just about done.  Only one version is catered for with the decals in the box which aren't of particularly good quality and need a lot of care to fix properly.  Excess carrier film, ageing and brittleness will prevent the decals from making a really nice finished product so you might want to invest in some aftermarket decal sets instead.   Only Superscale produce one in this scale for the Banshee that I am aware of.   In any event you need to either fit the decals before attaching the underwing pylons (since they cover a decal) or cut them as appropriate to fit under each wing.

Overall this presents a very nice replication of the Banshee, and given that you will need to find Airfix's example you should find the same construction details as this MPC version.  I am not sure if Airfix supplies different decals but if they do then that's all the better.  Nice kit and would recommend to anyone wanting to build a reasonable 1/72 Banshee.

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