Airfix 1/72 Superfreighter Mk.32, previewed by Spiros Pendedekas

Airfix 1/72 Superfreighter Mk.32

KIT #:	05002
PRICE:	30 Euros
DECALS:	Two options
REVIEWER:	Spiros Pendedekas
NOTES:	1959 tooling

The Bristol Superfreighter was one of the most distinctive and fascinating British transport aircraft of the post-war era. Developed as an enlarged and improved version of the successful Bristol Freighter, it was designed to meet the growing demand for a more capable cargo aircraft, offering increased capacity while retaining the ruggedness, reliability and practicality of its predecessor. With its characteristic nose-opening cargo door, high-wing configuration and powerful Bristol Hercules engines, the Superfreighter was a unique combination of strength and versatility, perfectly suited to the demanding world of post-war air transport.

Entering service during a period of rapid change in aviation history, the Bristol Superfreighter represented the final generation of large piston-powered freighters before the arrival of the jet age. Although it never became a widespread commercial success, it found its place with several operators around the world, quietly performing its duties by carrying freight, vehicles and passengers across Europe and beyond. Today, it is remembered with affection by aviation enthusiasts as a symbol of a more adventurous era, when practical, characterful aircraft played an essential role in connecting people and places. The Superfreighter may not have achieved legendary status like some of its contemporaries, but its distinctive appearance and remarkable story have ensured that it remains a truly memorable chapter in aviation history.

THE KIT

It was in 1959 that Airfix introduced its brand-new Bristol Superfreighter kit, bringing one of Britain's most distinctive post-war transport aircraft to the workbenches of modelers around the world. At a time when most manufacturers concentrated on fighters and bombers, Airfix took the bold decision to produce an unusual civilian transport aircraft whose commercial success could never have been guaranteed. It was a courageous choice, and one that has since become part of Airfix history.

For its time, the tooling was first class. The engineering and mold quality were highly advanced for the late 1950s, demonstrating the ambition of Airfix during its golden years. The Bristol Superfreighter may never have been a glamorous aircraft, but it was undoubtedly an iconic one, and Airfix deserves great credit for bringing such a unique subject to the market. Those were truly different days in the modelling world.

The original mold proved remarkably durable, being reboxed another nine times over the decades with virtually no changes to the plastic parts. Only the decals and packaging varied between releases. The latest appearance came in 2024, when Airfix reissued the kit in its popular Vintage Classics range, complete with the original 1959 artwork, allowing a new generation of modelers to enjoy this historic tooling.

The example reviewed here is the 1996 reissue, released during the period when Airfix and Heller were closely associated. This particular kit joined my collection around 2005, having been purchased from one of my beloved hobby shops in Athens at what seemed, even then, to be a very fair price. Looking back today, it feels less like buying another kit and more like preserving a small piece of modelling history.

The kit comes in a medium-sized, side-opening cardboard box of typical Airfix/Heller quality for the period. A highlight is undoubtedly the beautiful artwork by aviation artist Gavin MacLeod, depicting the Compagnie Air Transport aircraft "Quatorze Juillet" gracefully flying along the coastline. It is one of those classic Airfix illustrations that immediately captures the imagination and invites the modeler to lift the lid.

Inside the box are approximately 80 light green styrene parts. The two fuselage halves are provided as separate major components, the four wing halves are joined in pairs, while the remaining parts are arranged in two sprues. Molding is unmistakably from the late 1950s, featuring extensive raised rivet detail, and, while such surface detail may seem dated by modern standards, many of us still appreciate its distinctive character. Personally, I find it full of charm, as it instantly recalls the golden age of plastic modelling. Yes, some flash is present, together with a few sink marks and ejector-pin marks, but none appear particularly difficult to tackle. Considering the age of the tooling, these imperfections are mostly expected, sort of being simply part of building a classic kit.

Cockpit is adequate for a model of this vintage. It contains two basic seats, control yokes, an instrument panel with a decal, and two pilot figures typical of the period. Although simple, the cockpit provides enough detail for what can actually be seen through the relatively small cockpit windows once the model is complete. The engines are nicely represented, capture the appearance of the Bristol Hercules originals convincingly and the same can be said for the props. Landing gear is also well done, being simplistic as it is in reality.

One of the Superfreighter's most distinctive features, the large forward cargo doors, may be displayed either open or closed. The cargo compartment itself is totally empty, reflecting the kit design philosophy of the late 1950s when interior detail was rarely a priority. Nevertheless, Airfix includes the characteristic loading ramps, allowing the modeler to create a much more dynamic display. Adding a suitable 1/72 scale vehicle together with a few figures inside would produce an attractive loading scene while naturally disguising the otherwise empty interior.

Transparencies are nicely molded and clear. Instructions follow the familiar Airfix/Heller style of the 1990s, consisting of an eight-page black-and-white A4 booklet, containing a brief history of the type, while the construction is spread in 20 clear and concise assembly steps with color callouts for the cockpit area.

Two attractive marking options are included:

- Sabena (1923–2001) – G-APAU, Oostende, 1960.

- Compagnie Air Transport (CAT, 1946–1970) – F-BKBG "Quatorze Juillet", Le Touquet, 1962.

The decals are a particularly pleasant surprise for an Airfix/Heller kit of the 1990s, being sharply printed, perfectly registered and appearing to have aged remarkably well. While decal quality was not always one of Airfix (and Heller) strongest points during earlier decades, this 1996 release features decals that should perform very well.

Instructions want you to first tackle the cockpit, after which the windows are installed from inside the fuselage halves before everything is enclosed. The wings, tail planes and fin follow, while separate control surfaces allow the ailerons, elevators and rudder to be positioned. Attention then turns to the large forward cargo doors, which can be displayed open or closed, followed by the loading ramps. The landing gear is next, simple but sturdy, followed by the engines and propellers, with construction concluding with the canopy and DF loop aerial. Overall, the engineering appears logical and uncomplicated, promising a seemingly straightforward and enjoyable build.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no doubt that this is an old-tool kit, and it should never be judged against today's highly sophisticated releases. It lacks the fine engraved detail and elaborate interiors that modern modelers have come to expect. Yet that is not the point of this kit.

What makes the Bristol Superfreighter so special is its subject. Airfix chose to produce an aircraft that few other manufacturers would even have considered, and that decision has allowed this fascinating transport to remain available to generations of enthusiasts. More than sixty years later, it is still one of the most distinctive civil transport aircraft ever to appear in an Airfix catalog.

The mold has stood the test of time remarkably well. The raised rivets possess undeniable nostalgic charm, molding remains respectable for its age, cockpit is perfectly adequate, clear parts are well done, engines and propellers are nicely represented, instructions are clear, and the decals are surprisingly well printed. Assembly promises to be relaxing rather than demanding, making the kit suitable for almost anyone with a little modelling experience.

Ultimately, this is a model to enjoy for what it is: a genuine classic from the golden age of Airfix. It may not possess the finesse of a modern tooling, but it offers something just as valuable - character, nostalgia and the opportunity to build one of Britain's most unusual post-war transport aircraft. Even today, it remains the only mainstream injection-molded Superfreighter in 1/72 scale, making it an essential addition not only for lovers of classic Airfix kits, but also for civil aviation enthusiasts and anyone wishing to take a rewarding walk down memory lane.