Special Hobby 72356 Boulton Paul Balliol "Civilian and Foreign Users" (1/72)

Special Hobby 72356 Boulton Paul Balliol "Civilian and Foreign Users" is a high-quality plastic model kit in 1:72 scale, depicting a rarely seen British trainer aircraft. The set is designed for experienced modelers and aviation enthusiasts interested in less common machines used both in civilian and foreign markings.

• Model scale: 1/72
• User countries: United Kingdom, Ceylon, Egypt, India, Burma, and several other countries
• Material: high-quality plastic (injection-moulded polystyrene)
• Included accessories: clear parts for canopy glazing, decals with a wide selection of foreign and civilian markings, detailed assembly instructions
• Product category: plastic model kit

Historical Overview of Boulton Paul Balliol

The Boulton Paul Balliol was a British trainer aircraft developed at the end of World War II for the needs of the Royal Air Force. Its first flight took place in 1947, and serial production began between 1948 and 1952, in the post-war period known as the Cold War. The Balliol was designed as an intermediate trainer for jet fighter pilots, featuring a modern design, tricycle landing gear, seats for instructor and student, and was powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin or Nene inline engine. The Balliol was used by the RAF for training and was also exported, e.g. to India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Egypt, as well as in civilian versions to various countries as a target tug or communication aircraft.

Set contents and advantages

The Special Hobby model is aimed at modelers seeking unique subjects. The kit features a high level of detail, such as clearly rendered panel lines, a well-replicated cockpit interior, and faithfully recreated engine and landing gear details. The set includes clear parts for a realistic canopy and a comprehensive decal sheet allowing you to recreate various versions used around the world.

Who is this kit for?

This model is recommended for intermediate and advanced modelers due to the number of details and the need for precise assembly and painting. It is an excellent choice for aviation history enthusiasts, collectors of trainer aircraft, and anyone looking to enrich their collection with a rare and unconventional model scarcely available on the market.

• Historical period: 1947–1956 (Cold War, post-war period)
• Difficulty level: 3/5
• Product advantages: unique subject, extensive decals, high level of detail