Reissued in 1996 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Dh Chipmunk, this kit features the return of the Canadian 'blown' canopy, Roy Cross' classic box art and a new, three choice decal sheet.

First released in the late 60's/early 70's, this is a simple kit with heavy rivet detail. I sanded all surfaces smooth and rescribed a few panel lines before construction started. The cockpit consists of just a pair of seats and a couple of legless 'pilots', leaving scope for scratch built instrument panels, sidewall detail and control columns if you want.

The lower wing is moulded full span and the whole assembly fits well, though I needed a smudge of filler where to blend everything in. The clear parts are a little on thick side, but there are replacements for both the RAF and Canadian canopies in the Aeroclub range. The exhaust pipe is basic and could be replaced with a new one built from plastic rod and sprue. You also need to add stall strips on the inboard wing leading edges.

The kit is essentially accurate and if built straight from the box the kit represents an early T.10, which is fine for the 1959 era Cambridge UAS machine, but the other options will need some extra work. The landing gear on Canadian T.30s didn't feature the streamlined fairing, so you'll have to search your spares box or scan the Aeroclub catalogue for a pair of suitably uncovered undercarriage legs. RCAF Chipmunks also carried an extra airscoop on the port underside of the cowling which needs to be added. Modern day RAF T.10s feature anti-spin strakes forward of the tail planes as well as a varying blade antenna fit. Chipmunk modellers should seek out Mike Keeps drawings in the May 1991 edition of Scale Aircraft Modelling, which offers over 100 alternative finishes.

The comprehensive decal sheet - the biggest ever in a series one Airfix kit!

The revised artwork for the 1988 reissue.

The new decal sheet is excellent, probably the largest and most comprehensive ever issued in a series one Airfix kit. The original University of Cambridge option (featured on the box art) is back, with two new alternatives for a modern day Royal Air Force T.10 from No.7 AEF based at RAF Newton in the current red/white grey scheme, and a Canadian T.30 of the Central Flying School finished in gloss yellow with high-visibility areas of bright red. Both the maple leafs and centre red spots of the roundels are sensibly printed as separate items, which seems to be the norm in Airfix nowadays, a welcome move. I chose to finish my Chipmunk as a RCAF machine as this was the most colourful, though I may yet go back and model the the other two options in the kit.

I do like the Airfix 'Chippie', it may not be state of the art, but the kit has character and, with a little effort, makes into a nice model.