Airfix 03001V de Havilland Heron MkII - 1/72

Airfix 03001V de Havilland Heron MkII in 1/72 scale is a high-quality plastic model kit representing the British short-range passenger aircraft, mainly operated in the post-war years up until the early 1980s. This Airfix kit is a real treat for collectors of historic aviation designs as well as modelers who want to expand their collection with an excellent civil aircraft. The product does not include glue or paints, allowing freedom of choice when it comes to selecting the right products for your individual preferences.

Detailed model description

• Scale: 1/72 – the ideal size that allows for a high level of detail while maintaining compact model dimensions.
• Operator country: United Kingdom, but also used by airlines and civil aviation around the world.
• Kit material: High-quality plastic, providing precise fitting of parts and ease of processing for modelers.
• Service period: The de Havilland Heron MkII aircraft served from the late 1940s, through the post-war period and the Cold War era, into the early 1980s.
• Add-ons: The kit includes decals enabling you to create the model in one of the original paint schemes – either in the livery of civil airlines or smaller operators. There are no photo-etched or metal parts, nor any resin elements, which means assembly is based solely on plastic parts.
• Product category: Plastic civil aircraft model kit, intended especially for modelers interested in utilitarian aviation and passenger transport.

Short historical background

The de Havilland Heron MkII is a modernized version of the four-engine communication aircraft which entered service in the 1950s. Its design was based on the smaller de Havilland Dove, however, the extended fuselage and aerodynamic improvements allowed it to carry up to 17 passengers on regional routes – both in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Herons were operated by, among others, British European Airways, Australian airlines, and military forces in Africa and Oceania, where their reliability and low operational requirements proved invaluable in the harsh conditions of unpaved airstrips.

Modeler's opinion

The Airfix 03001V de Havilland Heron MkII model in 1/72 scale is recommended for both intermediate and advanced modelers who value unique historic aircraft designs, precisely reproduced details, and the ability to finish the model according to a preferred color scheme. The build difficulty I rate at 3/5 – the kit is user-friendly, features well-fitting components typical of modern Airfix kits, but requires care and precision, especially during the assembly of the fuselage and wings.

It is an excellent choice for fans of civil aviation and collectors of classic, less obvious aircraft types, as well as for modelers wanting to try their hand at a classic regional airliner.