Best Lancaster model kit 2025 — Airfix, HK Models & Revell compared
The Avro Lancaster is one of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War and a perennial favourite for scale modellers. Three manufacturers dominate the market — Airfix in 1:72, HK Models in 1:48, and Revell in 1:72. All three are viable but they are very different builds aimed at very different modellers. Here is an honest comparison to help you choose.
If you want the definitive Lancaster in any scale, HK Models 1:48 is the answer — it is the most detailed, most accurate and most ambitious Lancaster ever kitted. If you want something manageable, affordable and genuinely good for the scale, Airfix 1:72 (A08013) is the right choice. Revell's offering is a legacy kit that still builds reasonably well but has been surpassed by both alternatives.
Airfix's Lancaster is one of their best large-scale re-toolings of the last decade. The surface detail is crisp and accurate, the panel lines are recessed throughout, and fit is generally excellent with minimal filler required. The kit includes both the standard mid-upper turret and the H2S radar blister option. Cockpit detail is adequate for the scale — simplified but not embarrassing. The main area of criticism is the bomb bay, which is present but lacks real depth for an open display. Decals cover three marking options including both standard Bomber Command grey-green/black and the Dambuster variant. This is the first Lancaster to recommend to anyone building in 1:72.
Search "Airfix A08013" at Hannants, Amazon UK or your local model shop.
Revell's Lancaster has been in production for decades and shows it. Raised panel lines throughout, simplified interior detail and a tendency toward flash in some mould areas. However, the shape is accurate and it builds into a recognisable Lancaster without major problems. Its main strength is availability and very competitive pricing — it regularly appears under £20 and makes a reasonable project for a less experienced builder. If you can find the Airfix kit at comparable pricing, choose Airfix. If the Revell is significantly cheaper and you want a first Lancaster, it is still a worthwhile build.
Search "Revell 04300" at Hannants, Amazon UK or your local model shop.
HK Models released their Lancaster in 2017 and it immediately became the benchmark for all WW2 bomber kits. At 1:48 scale the aircraft is approximately 80cm in wingspan — this is a serious project requiring display space planning before you begin. The detail is extraordinary throughout: cockpit with full instrument panel and side console detail, accurate bomb bay with opening doors, full crew positions including the prone bomb aimer station, and exceptional surface panel detail. Fit is very good for a kit of this complexity, though a dry run of all major sub-assemblies before committing to glue is essential. The decal options include 617 Squadron Dambusters, standard No. 1 Group schemes and several named aircraft. Price is high (typically £80–120) but justified by the content. This is a kit that will occupy a serious modeller for months and produce a display-worthy result.
Search "HK Models Lancaster 01E011" at Hannants or your local model shop — availability varies.
The Lancaster's standard Bomber Command scheme from 1942 onwards was Dark Earth and Dark Green on upper surfaces with Special Night (SN) Black on all undersurfaces. Special Night Black is a dead, flat black with no sheen — do not use gloss or semi-gloss black. The upper surface colours use the same MAP scheme as the Hurricane and Spitfire.
Special Night (SN) Black: Humbrol No.33 Matt Black, Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black, Vallejo 70.950 Black
Dark Earth: Humbrol No.29, Tamiya XF-52, Vallejo 70.871 — see full paint code guide
Dark Green: Humbrol No.30, Tamiya XF-61, Vallejo 70.890
For the HK Models 1:48 kit, Eduard produces a Zoom set of photo-etch details (FE1100) that upgrades the cockpit instruments significantly. For the Airfix 1:72, Eduard's 73657 Zoom set is worth adding if you plan to display with the cockpit visible. Barracuda Studios produces excellent resin exhausts for both scales that are noticeably more accurate than the kit items.