The Avro 504K was developed as a basic training aircraft for the RFC (later RAF). The main qualities of the aircraft were that it be easy to fly and easy to maintain. To help is keeping nose-over accidents to a minimum a sturdy wooden skid was placed under the nose. Though by no means fast, the Avro 504 was an aircraft with basically no vices. Thanks to the ingenuity of the designers, the aircraft was able to take a wide variety of radial engines. It was this aspect of the design that led to the 504 being used well beyond its more war-like companions. The 504 was used by literally dozens of nations, some even having airframes still in use at the beginning of WWII, surely a longevity that few other aircraft of the time enjoyed.

Blue Max is the basically the 1/48 arm of  Pegasus and as such, we modelers pretty well know what to expect. We know that we'll find the basic airframe is somewhat thick and somewhat soft plastic that is normal with low pressure injection molding. We'll find good surface detailing on these parts and a nice bag full of some of the best cast pewter parts in the business. In fact, all of the interior, save the seats, is in pewter as is the engine, landing gear struts, and the other myriad smaller bits that one finds on biplanes. Also included is a goodly length of various sizes of Contrail strut material for making the wing struts.

Yes, it is the nature of the beast that you will have to make the wing struts. However, this is good in that you'll not have to worry about the kit maker producing them too long or too short. The builder will have no one to blame for this situation but himself! Seriously though, it does make things much easier this way. Those who are at the stage of building kits like this will find it a standard part of the build. Those who have not yet had the experience, will find it quite easy as precise dimensions are provided in the kit instructions.

Since this is a rather simple aircraft, the assembly instructions are basically just an exploded diagram, though there are several photographs of the completed interior and engine installation that should come in handy. Extensive color information is provided with references in generic, FS 595, Methuen and Xtracolor codes. Markings are provided for two aircraft. One is the box art airplane from 4 FTS in 1921/22 in aluminum dope and polished metal. The other is PC 10 over clear dope aircraft as restored in the RAF Museum at Hendon. 

I can anticipate there to be several aftermarket sheets produced for this aircraft since it was so wide-spread in its use. For those who have done a few short run kits and want to get into the next step, this one would be a good one to tackle. The rigging is a bit more than on a Camel since the Avro is a two bay biplane, but it should be no real problem for those with some experience. The end result will be a super model of a very important British trainer.