Cyber-hobby 1/200 scale Avro Vulcan B.2

The Avro Vulcan may be a favorite of British Cold War “V-Bomber” fans, but that hasn’t translated into many kits for modelers. However, Cyber-hobby has released a new Vulcan in the slightly odd scale of 1/200. Die-cast design roots are betrayed by heavily molded pin-and-post attachment points, and the fit of major components leaves large — but consistent — seams for easy preassembly. But this little Vulcan does have detail: nicely molded recessed panels; a tiny boarding ladder; a cockpit and crew; and decent landing gear.

Options are limited to an early B.2 without the ECM gear molded on the tail. Instructions point out optional gear-up parts, and there appears to be a hole in the rear fuselage for a stand, but there’s no stand. I filled the hole with bits of sprue.

Markings are for a green/gray version or the classic anti-flash white with pale markings. Also included is a Blue Steel missile for the underbelly. Rails and pylons for Shrike missiles point to a future “Black Buck” release, but there are no missiles in the box.

Assembly is quick except for filling the large gaps between major parts. I needed styrene shims in the corners of the bomb bay to bring it flush with the underside. Before placing the intakes, I plugged the engine sides with tape and flooded the intakes with white latex paint to fill a length-wise seam inside each intake.
(Bonus: This was the right color, too.)

The instructions add inner and outer wheels during nose-gear assembly, but the inner wheels are already molded in place. Oddly, the instructions say to add a Blue Steel missile fin — but that’s already molded in place, too. Be sure to add nose weight or your delta will likely dip.

I used styrene strips to fill the big gaps, trimmed, then applied a swipe of Mr. Sur-facer 500. That was quick, but painting and decals were even quicker — it’s all one color, after all. The decals went on fine but did need persuading to settle into recesses. Numerous missile markings are shown on the box top, but only the tiny RAF roundels are included. I repurposed some of the kit’s red speed-brake warning markings and used them to embellish the Blue Steel.

Cyber-hobby’s kit scales out well and looks the part. I can’t really argue the lack of toe-out in the engine nozzles. (I’m betting only a true Vulcan nut would be bothered, anyway.) After a whopping 10 hours on this kit, I only wish it had been released in the more-common 1/144 scale for my tiny air force. Still, I may have to add the Black Buck version when it appears anyway.