Another Airfix relic revived and the first thing to strike the eye is the packaging - Roy Cross's dramatic box art looks better than ever thanks to modern printing technology. Time has not been so kind to contents which are over 36 years old now. An empty cockpit and crude engine/cowling don't inspire on initial inspection, but the outline is fairly sound and the surface detail easily refined.

The kit fits together quite well considering its age, I need some filler to even up the undersides, but the wing to fuselage join was surprisingly good. The canopy is rather thick and warrants replacement. The bombs release crutch would be better off being scratch built from plastic rod, with some better bombs swiped from the spared box.

Updated decals for the box top aircraft are included along with a new option for Takashige Egusa's aircraft from the 21st Section, 1st Squadron based on the carrier Soryu , finished in dark green on top with light grey undersides.

The finished model has the menacing air of the 'Val', albeit somewhat spoilt by the clumsy canopy. This was one of the old Airfix kits that I always wanted to build when I was a youngster, and having finally done so I found it to be a rewarding experience, though admittedly there are far better kits of the Val - but this has the best box art!