Matchbox 1:72 Vickers Wellesley Mk.I Kit PK-123

Matchbox Vintage 1:72 Vickers Wellesley Mk.I Kit PK-123 (Sealed kit)

 Vickers Wellesley, designed by (later Sir) Barnes Wallis using a novel form of geodetic construction, the Wellesley broke a lot of new ground. It's light frame was an innovation. In addition, the aircraft had a very slim fuselage and long wings, designed to give excellent range. To help speed and range, the landing gear was retractable, the single engine was tightly cowled, and the two crew cabins were enclosed. 

Compared to other bombers of the day, the Wellesley looked very futuristic, and offered a new dimension in aerial warfare.

To demonstrate the range potential of their new bomber, the RAF flew a flight of them from Ismalia in Egypt to Darwin, Australia non-stop. This was more than 7000 miles, and took 48 hours. At the time, this was unbelievable. Never mind that the entire aircraft was basically a flying gas tank and that an armed and combat-ready Wellesley would never be able to achieve this; the whole point was to show that the RAF was in the vanguard of aerial bombing, and that no place was outside of its reach. Unfortunately, the Wellesley was a transitional airframe, and by the time the Second World War broke out, it was severely outclassed and outdated.

The Wellesley is one of those quintessentially British aircraft that one would only expect an English company to kit. In this case, that company was Matchbox. Back in the 80’s, Matchbox issued a kit of the Wellesley Mk. 1. However, when Revell Germany acquired the Matchbox moulds after the latter’s demise, the kit was still issued. 

Additional items are required to complete model as illustrated