Here is a list of some of the kits that are or were available in the last few years to help model aircraft of the Irish Air Corps in 1/72 scale. Most of these kits (the majority, in fact) don't have IAC decals included and for those you will have to get the various sheets from Maxdecals. Some of the required decal sheets are now no longer available but updated IAC decal sheets may be released by Joe Maxwell to coincide with his up-coming 'Modeller's Guide to the Irish Air Corps'. This list is by no means definitive and there are a few new kits that will be added to the list soon. The Matchbox HS125 is extremely rare and very hard to find (I spent three years tracking down one) while the Airfix Sea King is included only as a donor of parts for the Sikorsky S-61N conversion. Paul Walsh's Military Models shop in Dublin may have a resin nose conversion required for the Matchbox/Revell Dauphin and the Alouette II is included to represent F-BIRX which belonged to Heli-Union and was used to train the first of the IAC's helicopter pilots.

1/72 Irish Air Corps model kits and conversions.

Manufacturer/Kit serial number/Aircraft type.

Bristol F2B
Airfix 01080 Bristol F2B (Also Roden ROD043; Pegasus PEG4012)

Avro 504K
Airfix 01048 Avro 504K (Also A Model AMU72146; HR Model various marks)

Martinsyde F4 Buzzard
Pegasus 4016 Martinsyde F4 Buzzard (Also see Czechmaster CMR5026; Omega Models OM72307 and other OM-numbers)

SE5A
Roden 045 SE5A (Also ESCI #???(D); Revell RV4323)

De Havilland DH9
Conversion XXXXX De Havilland DH9 - Airfix DH4+BlueRider or Delta Conv.

DH 60 Cirrus Moth
Frog ????? DH 60 Cirrus Moth (D)(Frog/Novo)
Frog F169 DH60G Gipsy Moth (D)

Fairey IIIF
Sanger CON767 Fairey IIIF (D)(Vacform Conversion)
Aeroclub K041 Fairey IIIF (note on website states this will not be released for some time!)

Avro 621 Tutor
AZ Models AZM72023 Avro 621 Tutor (Inj. Kit) (See also AZ Models AZM72024)
(And RVHP 7230 Avro 621 Tutor resin kit)

Avro 626
AZ Models AZM72029 Avro 626 Prefect (Inj. see also AZM72050; AZM72030)
(And Omega Models OM72169, OM72170, OM72258 resin kits)

DH 84 Dragon
Rugrat Resins DH 84 Dragon II (resin)

Avro Anson 1
Airfix 02009 Avro Anson 1
Special Hobby SH72074 Avro Anson Mk1 (late version)

Gloster Gladiator
Matchbox PK-8 Gloster Gladiator (D)

Westland Lysander
Matchbox PK-7 Westland Lysander (D)(re-released recently as Revell 00001 Westland LYSANDER Ltd.Ed current)

Miles Magister I
Novo/Frog F153 Miles Magister I (D)(same plastic in current Eastern Express and other boxes)

Supermarine Walrus
Matchbox PK-105 Supermarine Walrus (D) (re-released as Revell 04391, current)

Hawker Hind
AZ Models AZM72042 Hawker Hind (Includes IAC decals)

Hawker Hector
Aeroclub ????? Hawker Hector (Inc. IAC Decals)(D)
Czechmaster ???? Hawker Hector (Resin)
A-Model 72194 Hawker Hector (Inj.)

Miles Master series
Novo(Frog) F340 Miles Master (D)
Pavla Models PAV72036 Miles Master Mk.I/Ia (Inj.)
Magna Models MAG7217 Miles Master Mk.II (Resin)

Hawker Hurricane series
Airfix AX02082 Hawker Hurricane Mk1 (Avoid the earlier AX02042 MkI/IIb kit, it's a rivet monster)
Airfix A02082A Hawker Hurricane Mk1 (2010 release of the same kit as above but with IAC markings for "105")

Heller ????? Hurricane MkIIc (also reboxed as Smer SR842, also appears in the Airfix Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight set)
Revell 04144 Hawker Hurricane MK IIc
Hobby Boss HB80215 Hawker Hurricane Mk.II "Easy Build" (Nice kits despite the tagline)
Academy AC2129 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC
You can also spend 10 times the price of the above kits on any one of dozens of resin kits.

Lockheed Hudson
Airfix AX05034 Lockheed Hudson
MPM MPM72518 Lockheed Hudson Mk.I/II.
Italeri IT1253 Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV/V

Fairey Battle
MPM MPM72097Fairey Battle TT Mk.X
Airfix ????? Fairey Battle Mk1 (D)(also reboxed as Bilek BK916)

Avro Anson C19
Aeroclub K028 Avro Anson C19 (Mixed-media kit) (D)

Miles Martinet TT.I
Pavla 27045 Miles Martinet TT.I (Inj.) (See also Magna Models Resin)

Supermarine Seafire III
HighPlanes 7276 Seafire III C (comes with IAC decals)- Note; this purports to build an IAC machine out of the box i.e no arrestor hook. Limited run Injection kit so some modelling skills may be necessary!

Octopus 72043 Seafire III (Short-run Inj. with resin details).
Czechmaster CMR1131 Supermarine Seafire III (Resin)
Note; this and the Octopus kit above represent Royal Navy Carrier-capable variants, so will need work to represent IAC machines, as they were partially de-navalised.

Airfix 02040 Spitfire Vc (base kit for conversion to Seafire- requires 4 bladed prop and modification to wing blisters).

Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9
Czechmaster CMR1176 Spitfire Tr.9 trainer version (Inc. IAC decals)- pricey kit!
Brigade Models BKC7206 Spitfire T9 Conversion (Italeri Spitfire kit required for this conversion.)
Final Touch ????? Spitfire T9 Conversion (For Matchbox kit) (D)

De Havilland Chipmunk T20
Airfix 01054 De Havilland Chipmunk (For re-release in 2011)

De Havilland Dove
Rareplanes ????? De Havilland Dove (D) (Vacform kit)
Magna Models 5072 De Havilland Dove (resin kit)

Percival Provost
Matchbox PK-30 Provost T/MK1 (D)

De Havilland Vampire T55
Czechmaster CMR1116 de Havilland Vampire T11 (resin kit very similar to IAC T55 version)
Aeroclub ????? de Havilland Vampire T11 (D)(Lim.Ed. Inj.)

Alouette II
Mach 2 MACH2572 SE.313 Alouette II (for modelling F-BIRX??)

Alouette III
Heller 80289 Alouette III
Alouette III detail set from Whirlybirds WBA72010 will provide all the parts needed for IAC SAR a/c.

Reims-Cessna 172 Rocket
ARII A702-300 Cessna 172

Fouga Magister
Heller 80220 Fouga Magister

SIAI Marchetti SF260M
Planet Models No.198 SIAI-Marchetti SF260M (resin kit)
Cunarmodel CM7202 SIAI Marchetti SF 260 (resin kit) (D)
Daco Resin ????? SIAI-Marchetti SF260 (resin kit) (Long Deleted)
Final Touch Products SIAI-Marchetti SF260 (resin kit) (Long Deleted- possibly a simplified copy of the Daco above?)
Challenge ????? SIAI-Marchetti SF260 (Vacform kit, long long deleted).
Vetromodelli ????? SIAI-Marchetti SF260 (Fibreglass kit -even longer deleted?)

Beechcraft Kingair 200
RVHP RVHP7166 Beechcraft Kingair 200 (resin kit)
Rareplanes ????? Beechcraft Kingair 200 (very nice vacform kit) (D)
Andy Pack Models N/A Beechcraft Super KingAir (Very poor quality vac-form, best to get the RVHP kit.)
(Run away! Run away!! it's moulded with butter and plasticene!) Roy.

Hawker Siddley HS125
Matchbox PK-117 Hawker Siddley HS125-600 (D)

Aerospatiale Gazelle SA342L
Airfix 01059 Aerospatiale Gazelle (A91059) (also released by Heller)

Aerospatiale SA330 (IAC 242)
Heller 60332 SA330 Puma (converted with Whirlybits radar, sponsons and floatation gear)
Airfix 03021 SA330 Puma (same plastic as above, needs same conversion) (D)

Aerospatiale SA365Fi
Matchbox PK-38 SA365N Dauphin (D) Re-released as Revell 04467 Eurocopter SA 365 Dauphin 2

Gulfstream series
Welsh Models WHE7201 Gulfstream IV Saudia (Vacform main parts, resin and w/m details. Lovely kit)
RVHP 7194 Gulfstream G.IV (Resin kit, listed as a future release.)
Broplan ???? Gulfstream G.IV (Vacform)

CASA CN235
Broplan MS-59 CASA CN235 (Vacform, some Inj. detail parts)

Eurocopter AS355
Miku Models 72-050 Eurocopter AS-355

Eurocopter EC135
Revell 04457 Eurocopter EC135

Pilatus PC-9M
L&M Models 72-22 PC-9M (CroAF) also see 72-24 PC-9M (SloAF) (Resin kit- fairly decent).
Aeroclub N/A PC-9 (D) (Limited-run kit - future re-release)

Sikorsky S-61N
WhirlyBits WBA72050 Sikorsky S-61N. (AS SEEN AT SMW 2008!)
This is the resin kit Alouette mentioned earlier below. It's not a complete kit, rather a conversion, but a pretty comprehensive conversion at that. It requires the Revell Westland Sea King as a donor, which is good as this has superior detailed donor parts than the Airfix one. As far as I'm aware, the rotor hub, cockpit, wheels and maybe tail rotor are needed from the Revell, all else is supplied in resin (including complete fuselage and rotor blades), white metal and photo etch. A boxtop pic can be found here; linky
Inbox review can be seen at the end of this thread HERE

Airfix 03043 Sea King (conv)
Transport Wings also have/had a conversion set for the Sikorsky S-61N. It required the aforementioned Airfix Sea King kit for most of the parts but had a rudimentary fuselage that would require a lot of work.
(It might be as easy - or as difficult, depending on your point of view - to kitbash 2 standard Sea Kings, be they Revell, Fujimi or Airfix, into one S-61. There seems to be as much work in the Transport wings conversion. Roy)


Aftermarket items relevant to IAC helicopter models in 1/72

Manufacturer Serial No. Aircraft Type Description Notes

Whirlybird Decals WBA72010 Alouette III Etched brass, resin and white metal. Includes pop-out floats and winch.

Whirlybird Decals (WhirlyBits Accessories) WBA 72032 Puma Resin and white metal. Sponsons, nose radar and floatation gear. All you need for IAC 242.

Airwaves SC72094 Puma Etched brass and white metal. Etched brass only useful for IAC Puma.

Extratech EX72096 Gazelle Etched brass. Suitable for IAC Gazelle.

Extratech EX72142 Alouette III Etched brass Suitable for IAC Alouette.

N/A N/A Dauphin II Resin Extended radar nose.




Useful Irish Air Corps references.

"Irish Air Corps, A View from the Tower." by Comdt Peter Tormey and Capt (now Lt Col) Kevin Byrne. (Published in 1991.)

"Irish Air Corps - Celebrating 30 years of Helicopter Operations, 1963 - 1993" (Published by the Helicopter Wing, IAC, in 1993)

"Wings Over Ireland - The story of the Irish Air Corps" by Donal MacCarron (ISBN 1 85780 057 5, published in 1996.)

"The Irish Air Corps 1922-1997, An Official Souvenir" (Published by the IAC in 1997.)

"The Irish Air Corps celebrates 100 years of flight." published by the IAC in 2003 (ISBN 0-9546669-0-9.).

"The Irish Air Corps, An Illustrated Guide" by Joe Maxwell and P.J. Cummins (by Max Decals Publications, May 2009, ISBN 978-0-9562624-0-0)



Scale Aircraft Modelling magazine (useful issues)

July 1981, "The Irish Air Corps, its history and markings" by A.P. Kearns. This issue contains a very comprehensive 22 page article on the history of the IAC. Includes plenty of black and white photos and side-views. (This issue also came with a free decal sheet of IAC markings!)

Decmber 1996, Camoflague and Markings article on the IAC by Lt Col Kevin Byrne.

April 2005, AIRCRAFT IN PROFILE, Irish Air Corps in the 21st Century, by Lt Col Kevin Byrne (Photos and colour side-views of current fleet).

July 2001, 1/72 build of IAC Anson Mk19 by Peter Shaw.

September 2001, Letters page, 2 letters on the IAC Anson including three photos.

October 2004, 1/48 build of IAC Seafire by Tony O'Toole.

November 2004, 1/48 build of IAC Spitfire T. Mk9 by Tony O'Toole.

May 1999, Inside Story, IAC Alouette III photo article by Patrick J. Cummins.

August 2003, Inside Story, IAC SA365F Dauphin photo article by Patrick J. Cummins.

February 2007, Inside Story, IAC EC135 photo article by Liam Aherne.

October 1998, AIRCRAFT IN DETAIL, de Havilland Dove and Devon (includes IAC Dove colour side-view).

January 1999, Review of 1/72 CASA CN-235 (Broplan) by Lt Col Kevin Byrne.

October 1997, AIRCRAFT IN DETAIL, The Miles Military Trainers, (Includes colour side-views of IAC Miles Magister, Master II and Martinet).

July 2000, Occasional Colours, de Havilland DH.9 (Includes colour side-view of IAC DH.9).

August 2005, Letters page, various colour photos of GASU fleet.

The following issues have scale plans of various aircraft flown by the IAC;
March 1997, Miles Magister I and II, 1/72.
March 1998, Hawker Hind, 1/72.
April 2000, Fairey Battle, 1/48.
December 2004, Bristol F.2B Fighter, 1/48.
March 2005, SE.5, 1/48.

Scale Aviation Modeller International, May 2009, IAC Seafire build in 1/32 scale by Radu Brinzan.

Air Corps Wings Newsletter, Issue 8, September 2007, Alouette III special issue.



Flying In Ireland magazine (useful issues).

June 2004, Photo article on IAC.
December 2005, Arrival of IAC EC135.
February 2006, Update article on IAC helicopters.
May 2006, Alouette III - Forty three years with the Irish Air Corps (Photos and colour side-views).
June 2006, Maritime Operations, article on IAC CASA operations (Photos and colour side-views).
July 2006, Policing Ireland from the air. GASU article.
December 2006, Article on replacing IAC Cessnas.
January 2007, Arrival of new AW139 (Plus article on EC135 Air Ambulane Operations).
February 2007, 104 Squadron, IAC, Cessna Operations.
April 2007, PC-9M (Lengthy article on IAC PC-9M Operations).
November 2007, Alouette III IAC Retirement Special.
January 2008, Gloster Gladiator in IAC service (Includes colour side-views).
April 2008, Irish Air Corps No.3 Operations Wing (Current IAC helicopter operations).
July 2008, IAC Beechcraft King Air.
August 2008, small IAC King Air update.


Keep an eye on this post as it will be updated every now and then as I get more information. I hope this is of use. Thanks.

Alouette.

I've got one of these for Sale.

Andy Pack Models N/A Beechcraft Super KingAir

Regards

George

George, if you give me that Vulcan kit, 50 notes and a slab of beer I might agree to take the Andy Capp KingAir off you.


Ignore him folks...

Troublemaker!

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If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you'll be amazed at the results. George S. Patton

This space is for rent.
(Sshhh! Don't tell the Revenue Commissioners, the IMF or the Dept of Finance, or they'll tax my stash!)

Updated list on 23/09/2008. I also took the liberty to put it in a sort of chronological order! Thanks Alouette!

Those marked (D) means they are deleted from the Manufacturers catalog (or in some cases, the manufacturer is deleted!). Some are readily available though, especially the Matchbox Gladiator, Walrus and Lysander, Arii Cessna and some of the Frog/Novo kits, which can be had from kit dealers in the UK. The Cessna and HS 125 appear on ebay from time to time, as do the other Matchbox kits, especially from Hong Kong and Chinese traders.

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If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you'll be amazed at the results. George S. Patton

This space is for rent.
(Sshhh! Don't tell the Revenue Commissioners, the IMF or the Dept of Finance, or they'll tax my stash!)

Some kits were listed as a 'NEW' in 2008 Special Hobby catalogue:

Fairey Battle Mk.I
Special Hobby

Seafire Mk.II
Special Hobby

They could be released under some other brand like MPM, though

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Filip

Updated again, 27 November 2008 with S-61 details, thanks to all for the info so far!

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If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you'll be amazed at the results. George S. Patton

This space is for rent.
(Sshhh! Don't tell the Revenue Commissioners, the IMF or the Dept of Finance, or they'll tax my stash!)

There is some info on it, unfortunately, the most important info is missing. Where can I get one of these?

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Filip

There were sample issues of the IAC book at the IMMS show last weekend. Looks great. Cost is 35 euros, which seems good value ot me, given the wealth of stuff in it. Got a chance to talk to the author (Maxwell) and he says they will be in Easons, at the very least, after the bank holiday weekend, and hopefully in other shops soon. I pre-ordered a copy, as did a number of others there at the show. Looks like an essential reference to me. He also says that he intends to re-issue the decals in the autumn.

Well worth buying, in my view.

Philip

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"To boldly go.....wherever"

Hi Lads,

Got my copy on Tuesday and what a book it is, You need a second person to lift it!!

Packed with great photos and text with loads of information. Definately one to purchase and read at your leisure.

Well done to Joe for all the effort he put into it, It certainly paid off.

cheers

George.

Hi All

I've just got back, well it was Thursday, from the launch of Joe Maxwell and Patrick Cummins book "The Irish Air Corps an illustrated guide" ISBN 978-0-9562624-0-0 and I can say with out a doubt it's a Fantastic book! very well researched and illustrated with interior shots and a lot of new photo's not seen before, very good for modeling with new colour illlustrations it's quite expensive, but I'd say well worth it. It was my first trip to Baldonnel, and what a day! it was not just the book launch, but also the handing over to the Ulster Aviation Museum of Alouette 202, very nicely restored it was too. I've never seen so many high ranking officers in one place plus the Minister of Defense! And the Museum, WOW! some really nice stuff, and if that wasn't enough, the ramp outside the hanger was really busy, apart from the IAC stuff there was the Garda EC.135 and Defender, plus a visiting King Air from Martin Baker with a work party to carry out mod's on the PC.9 ejector seats. All in all, a fantastic day.

John













PS. I forgot to say, I have some nice walk around shots of the Dauphin with one of the rear of the cabin, and the over head panel, if you want them I'll e-mail them.