Unlike many limited-run
ventures, Red Roo put a heck of a lot of effort into their instructions. This
latest set is not only beautifully designed, but also very informative. The
instructions are printed in colour, with a full key that lists all of the
colours in the relevant BS381c or FS595B shades. There are profiles and plan
views for all of the aircraft covered, plus a little history on the Gannet and
some in-service photos (including poor old XG796 about to be dropped off the
HMAS Melbourne to a watery grave!).
Three aircraft
are provided for, and the sheet contains a full set of decals (including
national markings, but no stencils) for each. The AS1 machines from the
Melbourne, XD898 and XG796, wore the standard extra dark sea grey over sky
scheme, with nice green and yellow spinners. The third aircraft is XA517, a T2
which was in overall aluminium lacquer broken up with yellow training bands on
the fuselage and wings. The decals themselves seem to be up to Red Roo’s usual
standards, which means sturdy construction and no opacity problems, although
I’ve yet to use them. You may want to trim the
carrier film away, but helpfully all areas of film have rounded edges which I
find helps avoid curling under.
All in all a very welcome addition given the emergence of several new Gannet kits and detail sets over the past few years. I bought mine direct off the Red Roo website, www.redroomodel.com.au . Highly recommended.
May 2007