1/144 CMR Avro Shackleton MR3

by Angus McDonald

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Here are some not too professional photos of CMR’s newest creation.  As you look at these photos, please bear in mind that this one of the first test samples of the kit, which I was fortunate enough to be in a position to build.  Some changes and improvements were made before the production version was sent to retail outlets.

Those who have come across CMR kits before will not be surprised to learn that it is a beautiful piece of resin moulding. The surface is glassy smooth, with virtually no bubbles.  Transparencies are vacu-formed, with framing to put major manufacturers to shame.  Superbly cast metal parts include the undercarriage, the largest of the aerials on top of the fuselage, and the exhaust stacks. 

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Fit of parts ranged from good to excellent.  Scratch built items include all the aerials, and various vents and chutes.  The undercarriage and doors are exquisite.  This accolade cannot be said of the propellers.  They needed a lot of work, and frequently broke.  CMR worked on my feedback, and have a new process for moulding them, so the next batch should be far superior.  I chose this South African bird from the choice of five from the wonderful decal sheet.

Paints, bar the white, were all acrylics. The Dark sea grey is from Humbrol.  The white is Halfords white plastic primer.  Red, black and yellow came from Citadel’s range of paint, as was the PRU blue.  However this was a concoction of Shadow grey, Regal Blue and Enchanted blue.

I built this kit in a tremendous hurry, less than a month including building another kit.  But it’s the only way when you have three children, a full time job, and a stack of DIY to do, and a need to amass a collection.  I was also fairly exhausted while building it, as I recklessly went ahead to re-build the awful patio builders and the previous owners had built.  I dug out 8 tonnes of soil for the foundations, mixed four tons of concrete, laid three tons of sharp sand, and then 225 paving slabs.  I really should have spent double the amount of time on this model than I did.

Lovers of the Avro Shackleton will be pleased to know that an MR2/AEW2 and MR1 will follow.  In fact, as I submit this article I am halfway through building a test sample of the MR2 ( I will build the AEW2 later), and the MR1 will follow in about three weeks.

Angus

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Photos and text © by Angus K L McDonald