Airfix

[kitnut617]

If the Airfix explanation ( "they didn't sell enough") for refusing to re-issue the airliner kits is valid, then maybe the fault lies with Airfix?  Maybe the reason "they don't sell enough" is simply because they have been peddling the same tired old models for so long that modellers simply aren't interested? I don't believe that airliners do not sell - just look at the variety of kits available.

Although not primarily an airliner fan, I will dabble occasionally. I think Airfix IS missing a trick here. My biggest personal objection to airliners generally is the silly , small scales (1/144, 1/200) that are most popular for these types. I would venture to suggest that most airliners ( at least up to 757 size) are perfectly feasible in 1/72. Anybody for a Comet 4 or BAC 1-11?
Allan

I get the Aviation Megastore Newsletter every week, and if the amount of "Collectors" diecast airliners listed each week is anything to go by, people do collect model airliners. I'm just not sure if there's many who would build a kit of them though.

On the subject of 1/72 scale airliners, I'm building an A310 turbo-prop a the moment, it's a vacuform but I'm using the wing from a Revell A400M.  If you're wondering, the A310 is slightly smaller in diameter but about 3 inches longer than an A400M, so it would be quite feasable to do a 1/72 airliner as big as an A310 or Boeing 767.  I've read somewhere, that a company is going to do an injection C-17, I think it was Meng Models, which is about twice the size of an A400M.

[albeback]

If the Airfix explanation ( "they didn't sell enough") for refusing to re-issue the airliner kits is valid, then maybe the fault lies with Airfix?  Maybe the reason "they don't sell enough" is simply because they have been peddling the same tired old models for so long that modellers simply aren't interested? I don't believe that airliners do not sell - just look at the variety of kits available.

Although not primarily an airliner fan, I will dabble occasionally. I think Airfix IS missing a trick here. My biggest personal objection to airliners generally is the silly , small scales (1/144, 1/200) that are most popular for these types. I would venture to suggest that most airliners ( at least up to 757 size) are perfectly feasible in 1/72. Anybody for a Comet 4 or BAC 1-11?
Allan

I get the Aviation Megastore Newsletter every week, and if the amount of "Collectors" diecast airliners listed each week is anything to go by, people do collect model airliners. I'm just not sure if there's many who would build a kit of them though.

On the subject of 1/72 scale airliners, I'm building an A310 turbo-prop a the moment, it's a vacuform but I'm using the wing from a Revell A400M.  If you're wondering, the A310 is slightly smaller in diameter but about 3 inches longer than an A400M, so it would be quite feasable to do a 1/72 airliner as big as an A310 or Boeing 767.  I've read somewhere, that a company is going to do an injection C-17, I think it was Meng Models, which is about twice the size of an A400M.

Round about 2004/2005, a company called Panda Models (I think?) announced a 1/72 C-17. It never happened of course. I'd certainly go for a 1/72 C-17!

Allan

[kitnut617]

I get the Aviation Megastore Newsletter every week, and if the amount of "Collectors" diecast airliners listed each week is anything to go by, people do collect model airliners. I'm just not sure if there's many who would build a kit of them though.

On the subject of 1/72 scale airliners, I'm building an A310 turbo-prop a the moment, it's a vacuform but I'm using the wing from a Revell A400M.  If you're wondering, the A310 is slightly smaller in diameter but about 3 inches longer than an A400M, so it would be quite feasable to do a 1/72 airliner as big as an A310 or Boeing 767.  I've read somewhere, that a company is going to do an injection C-17, I think it was Meng Models, which is about twice the size of an A400M.

Round about 2004/2005, a company called Panda Models (I think?) announced a 1/72 C-17. It never happened of course. I'd certainly go for a 1/72 C-17!

Allan

Got it wrong  (again   ) it's Kenetic Models that's announced a 1/72 C-17 in injection.  I heard about Panda Models too Allan --

[Hobbes]

An 1/72 C-17 would be huge, and costly if the Amodel 1/72 monster kits are any indication.

[kitnut617]

An 1/72 C-17 would be huge, and costly if the Amodel 1/72 monster kits are any indication.

Well Harro, the Amodel kits are expensive because the fuselage and other big parts are done on fibreglass and all hand laid too.  Means each one is slightly different to any other.

Considering the Revell A400M is approximately C$80.00 here in Canada (just bought another one), I would imagine an injection plastic C-17 would be about twice that perhaps.

Here's a comparison between an Airfix C-130J, Revell A400M and an Anigrand C-17, nose to just behind the wing trailing edge anyway.

[albeback]

An 1/72 C-17 would be huge, and costly if the Amodel 1/72 monster kits are any indication.

Certainly it would be big! At 73cm long with a 71 cm wing span. However, it's still smaller than a B-36 & roughly the same size as a B-52 in 1/72 (I have BOTH of these!!) I reckon I could handle a C-17 (an IL-76 would be nice as well!!)

Allan

[Steel Penguin]

those measurements make it smaller than a 1:48 B-1B  and I know there's at least one firm doing that in injection, and for a ( fairly) reasonable price. ( I got mine a few years ago but didn't baulk at the price then)

[Thorvic]

http://www.airfix.com/advent-calendar/present/156/

I do hope they are not thinking of yet another re-issue of this rather tired kit rather than a new tool that people were wishing for.....

[albeback]

those measurements make it smaller than a 1:48 B-1B  and I know there's at least one firm doing that in injection, and for a ( fairly) reasonable price. ( I got mine a few years ago but didn't baulk at the price then)

  I'd love a 1/48 B-1B. I'd have to put a special shelf up for it though!! . I know the Revell one keeps popping up from time to time. By today's standards it's a little basic so I think it would be wonderful if they could give it a complete makeover (new bomb bays, loads of conventional whizz bangs & a full set of poseable flaps/slats etc). Having seen them in the flesh ( so to speak!) numerous times, I think it looks absolutely evil just sitting there with its wings spread!

Allan

[albeback]

http://www.airfix.com/advent-calendar/present/156/

I do hope they are not thinking of yet another re-issue of this rather tired kit rather than a new tool that people were wishing for.....

Agreed!!  The Halifax is almost as old as me!! (I'm 55!)

Allan

[kitnut617]

An 1/72 C-17 would be huge, and costly if the Amodel 1/72 monster kits are any indication.

Certainly it would be big! At 73cm long with a 71 cm wing span. However, it's still smaller than a B-36 & roughly the same size as a B-52 in 1/72 (I have BOTH of these!!) I reckon I could handle a C-17 (an IL-76 would be nice as well!!)

Allan

He! He!  only one of each Allan, I've got four B-36's and eight B-52's (in 1/72 that is)     Mind you, the C-17 is only half the size of a C-5 or 747, and I've got two of each of those in 1/72

[kitnut617]

Just been looking at the new tool Gladiator and Mustang I got from Thorvic,  what great looking kits they are.  The quality is so much different to what it used to be, the detail of the engine bay on the Gladiator is amazing ----

[Librarian]

those measurements make it smaller than a 1:48 B-1B  and I know there's at least one firm doing that in injection, and for a ( fairly) reasonable price. ( I got mine a few years ago but didn't baulk at the price then)

  I'd love a 1/48 B-1B. I'd have to put a special shelf up for it though!! . I know the Revell one keeps popping up from time to time. By today's standards it's a little basic so I think it would be wonderful if they could give it a complete makeover (new bomb bays, loads of conventional whizz bangs & a full set of poseable flaps/slats etc). Having seen them in the flesh ( so to speak!) numerous times, I think it looks absolutely evil just sitting there with its wings spread!

It can make up into a superb model but is very intensive. Best to do an early camo version. It's the intakes that take the real effort. Huge troughic seams to fill and sand and then those double anti-radar vanes to put in. This is as far as I got before I shelved the idea....get back to it one day:



Also, replace the u/c with those beautiful metal sets from SAM.

[Captain Canada]

Is the GR.3 actually out now ? My LHS says he can't see anything about them anywhere ?

[Thorvic]

Is the GR.3 actually out now ? My LHS says he can't see anything about them anywhere ?

Yes

http://www.airfix.com/shop/aircraft/172-scale-military-aircraft/a04055-hawker-siddeley-harrier-gr3-172/

Got a couple in the stash already, the FW-190 F8 is due out tomorrow and the F-2A Lightning is any day now as well