The Wellington was the result of a specification called for a twin-engined day bomber capable of delivering higher performance than any previous design. Other aircraft developed to the same specification include the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and the Handley Page Hampden. During the development process, performance requirements such as for the tare weight changed substantially, and the engine used was not the one originally intended.

Despite the original specification, the Wellington was used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, performing as one of the principal bombers used by Bomber Command. During 1943, it started to be superseded as a bomber by the larger four-engined "heavies" such as the Avro Lancaster. The Wellington continued to serve throughout the war in other duties, particularly as an anti-submarine aircraft with RAF Coastal Command.

The first main production variant was the Mark IC which added waist guns to the Mark IA. A total of 2,685 were produced. The Mark IC had a crew of six: a pilot, radio operator, navigator/bomb aimer, observer/nose gunner, tail gunner and waist gunner. A total of 2,685 were built at Weybridge, Broughton in Flintshire and Blackpool.

The B Mark II was identical to the Mark IC with the exception of the powerplant; using the 1,145 hp (855 kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin X engine instead. A total of 401 were produced at Weybridge.

The Wellington was one of Airfix' earliest kits from 1959 and sold well. When the most recent iteration of Airfix came into being, thanks to its purchase by Hornby, a schedule of new tools of old favorites began. In 2018, it was time for the Wellington I. A few years later, this boxing, which is the first time the Merlin powered aircraft was released.

One of the first things I noticed when going through the instructions is that Airfix provides an image and listing of interior parts that can be left out if the modeler so desires. The reason provided is that these bits will be nearly impossible to see once the kit is finished. While many will install these anyway, there are those who like to ensure their models have a ton of near-invisible detailing. A considerable number of steps deals with installing interior bits and pieces. One of the nice bits is a hefty wing spar stub.

The kit can be built with the bomb bay open or closed. Then one goes towards the gear wells. Again, if building the gear up, several steps can be skipped. Once those are dealt with, the wings can be assembled and the ailerons attached. Before attaching the engine assemblies, the main gear needs to be installed. While one might be able to install these later, it doesn't look like it so some test fitting would be wise.

The fin and horizontal stabs have separate elevators and rudder. If the open bomb bay option is chosen, then the bombs and bay interior need to be built up. Next is attaching the various clear pieces except the canopy. This means the fore and half gun turrets. Wheels are next followed by the props. There are two canopies, one with side windows open.

Instructions are very well done. Lots of small construction steps that show the previous step when adding it to the current one. As mentioned, I like that it indicates what parts can be left off and those are highlighted in green during the interior construction steps. As usual, only Humbrol numbers are provided and I've given up hope that Airfix will provide color names for all those shades so we can use non-Humbrol paints without having to look up each shade on the 'net. Markings are provided for two planes, both in dark earth/dark green over black. The two are from 1942 with the box art plane being from 305 Squadron. The other is from 214 Squadron and has a slightly larger red center to the roundel. Decals are nicely printed and since I doubt if there any aftermarket sheets for this variant, those will have to do.

While I have not seen one of these built, I have no doubt that it makes into a very nice kit. I do recommend some canopy masks for this one and I'm sure the usual suspects make them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Wellington

November 2025 

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