A personal favourite in terms of both subject and kit. One of my earliest modelling memories was the Whirlwind model my father built for me from the original 1950's Airfix model. This reissue isn't that relic but the all-new Whirlwind that Airfix tooled up in 1978. At the time of it's release it was a simple kit, but beautifully moulded and with a good fit of parts and this still stands true today.

The cockpit is a basic and the wheel wells need detailing, but the overall outline is sound. I needed a touch of filler between the engine nacelles, but then that's to be expected on some modern day kits too. The fine raised panel detail is perfectly apt for areas like the reinforced fuel tanks where the strengthening ribs stood proud of the wing surface. Besides which, the Whirlwind was rather smooth in appearance, so a maze of rescribed surface detail in this scale isn't really appropriate.

A new decal sheet features markings for 137 and 263 Squadron, the former in the old box art grey/green finish with the latter in the more attractive scheme of dark green/earth with sky/black undersides. The decals in my sample were well printed and bedded down without any problems whatsoever. The finished model captures the delicate lines of the Whirlwind and one can only dream of what could have been if it had been given Merlins instead of the troublesome Peregrine.

By today's high standards, some modellers may dismiss kits like this as being unworthy, or are too elitist to see the wider picture. Airfix's Whirlwind remains the sole example of this aircraft in 1/72 and the fact that it's also a gem to boot makes its return even more welcome.