Alvis FV622 Stalwart Mk.2

Alvis Stalwart by Airfix (2025 release): First Impressions & Build Notes

Announced by Airfix at the start of 2025, I’m sure many British modellers of a certain age saw the Stalwart and instantly thought Thunderbirds, UFO, and “I need that.” It was easily the release I was most excited about this year.

Fast-forward seven months, and what arrives is the QC disaster that is the Alvis Stalwart. But, how bad is it really?

The Issues

Yes, there are problems:
- Hold the frames to the light and you’ll spot numerous small sink marks.
- One part has a short shot
- I believe the canvas cover eyelets are finished on only one side, I’d confirm that, but my kit is missing the relevant sprue entirely.

The Good Bits

Plenty, actually.
- It’s still a pleasant kit to build.
- Part fit is excellent, I used very little filler.
- Just a touch around the headlamps, due to a join that doesn’t appear on the real vehicle.
- A few spots of plastic putty here and there, wiped smooth with a damp cotton bud.

I left most of the sink marks alone, aside from a few over the rear lights, they weren’t prominent enough to warrant attention. There are some poorly placed ejector pin marks, which is unusual for Airfix, they’re typically good at keeping those tucked away.

Leave the cabin doors open...it’s worth it.

Although I opted to close mine for a driving pose, countless reference photos show the Stalwart in action with doors wide open. Not only does it feel just as authentic but it would also flood the cabin with light, right now, mine’s very dark inside.

There are a couple of awkward ejector pin marks on the interior side of the doors. Given the payoff in realism and visibility, it's well worth fixing them.

Build Modifications

I mostly followed the instructions, except:
- Cabin walls: I built them separately from the fuselage to make window masking easier. I really don't enjoy masking.
- Part B7 (step 37): Handle with care. It practically needs a shim to keep the corner pieces properly vertical. If you go for a flush fit, one corner will definitely lean.
- It is relatively easy to cut out the solid centre of the headlight covers, C41 and C43, and make a grill from strips of a suitable material, scrap photo etch pieces in my case.
- If you don't intend to use the support pole (G1) then you don't need to drill the lower hole at step 27.