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DE HAVILLAND DH-110 SEA VIXEN
The de Havilland DH-110 Sea Vixen was a twin-engined, twin-boom carrier-based fighter that first flew in 1951.
The 2 seater Sea Vixen remained in service until 1972 but became infamous for a crash at Farnborough Air Show in September 1952 when test pilot John Derry, co-pilot Tony Richards and 29 spectators were killed during a supersonic fly-past attempt.
This kit is a laser-cut replica of the original KK model of a DH-110 Sea Vixen, designed to be powered by a Jetex motor. Construction of the model from this kit uses the traditional method of "stick and tissue", that consists of a built up balsa wood skeleton (framework), covered with a tissue skin. The balsa frameworks are built over a plan that is printed at the exact scale of the model, which is in essence a real engineering drawing.
The Jetex motor that would have been fitted to this model is no longer available. Rapier jet motors from the Czech Republic also fit the kit and may be available at model aircraft shows but their supply is unreliable. Some modellers have had success with electric ducted fans (EDF) but again supply can be tricky. Designed for free flight means just that - once the model is launched, it is on its own. It must follow a predetermined flight path established when the model is initially adjusted for flight or "trimmed".
This type of traditional building technique and flying requires a degree of patience and skill, but is extremely rewarding.
This is a kit suitable for experienced modellers only.
KIT CONTENTS
Full size printed plan with instructions
4 sheets of laser cut balsa wood parts
Balsa strip wood and block
Vacuum-formed canopy
20swg piano wire
Tissue to cover the model
Please note: A decals/markings sheet is no longer available and not included in this kit.
INCLUDED IN YOUR KIT
This is a basic list of kit contents that will be updated with a more detailed list soon.
- Plotted plan
- Laser cut parts
- Tissue covering
- PVA Glue
Only Suitable For Ages 14+
Choking Hazard - Contains small parts, keep out of reach of children.
UK SHIPPING
Most orders are shipped via Royal Mail’s Tracked 48 service.
For larger or heavier orders, we use UKMail/DHL to deliver your package on a Next Working Day service.
Shipping is free to UK Mainland addresses for orders over £30.00, otherwise we charge £6.00 for Royal Mail Tracked 48 parcels and £12.00 for UKMail/DHL Nest Working Day.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Smaller items
Items that fit within Royal Mail International Tracked Medium Parcel parameters (59cm x 17cm x 15cm weighing less than 2kg) can be sent to most countries outside the UK.
For example up to 3 of our smaller 18” wingspan kits can fit into one of these parcels.
A parcel like this currently costs around £14 to Europe and around £18 to send to the USA and will take up to 3 weeks to arrive. This is because Royal Mail hands over the parcel to the local Post Office service for your country who have to clear it through customs and then deliver it to you.
The Royal Mail tracking code also transfers over to the tracking for your country’s postal service.
Larger items
For items that do not fit within Royal Mail International Tracked Medium Parcel parameters, we use standard international couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS.
These companies use something called volumetric weights to calculate the cost of shipping.
For example, a Balsa Basics RC bundle kit that measures 102cm x 34cm x 16cm and weighs 2.5 kg is actually calculated at 14kg!
This makes these very expensive to send outside the UK - a large kit can cost nearly £40 to send to France.
I wouldn't recommend this for a beginner, as the fit of parts to each other and the plan isn't perfect. A lot of carving/shaping is needed too for the booms and nose cone. Covering isn't easy due to the complex shape and multiple different curves. Finally assembly needed quite a bit of 'fitting' (extra sanding and shaping) to get everything together the way it should be, but as with all VMC kits I very much enjoyed the build. I chose to finish mine with navy blue tissue on top and white underneath to be a little more like the real thing.