Airfix

[Captain Canada]

Thanks for the update, Geoff. I've been socking money away at my LHS to make sure I have cash for when she comes out.

[kitbasher]

Thread on Britmodeller (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43015) covering the new Airfix Hurricane IIc/Sea Hurricane IIc.  Sadly something of a Curate's Egg, it seems - nice bits and 'orrid bits.  I think I'll stick with the Heller IIc - despite only one leading edge light! 

[Mossie]

Heck, what a load of hot air for elevator lines that are slightly wrong & slightly overstated panel lines.  Looks good to me.  The completed model (I'm not attacking it, looks very nice) has a dark wash that seems to highlight the heavy panel lines.

I think whatever problems it has seem very minor.  I've yet to see a perfect model from any manufacturer.

[Aircav]

The Hurricane looks like a plastic die-cast, I'll stay with the Revell version.

[thedarkmaster]

What you have to remember is Airfix and Corgi are the same company and both have released a new hurricane.........it's going to be the same master, economics says so, thats why it has slightly deep panel lines, in the end it looks like a Hurricane therefor it works for me     

[NARSES2]

Well I find that the "New Arfix" kits panel lines become quite acceptable by the time I've painted them  And most importantly I've really enjoyed the ones I've built so far 

[nev]

I think in Camo they're not as bad, but silver/NMF finishes they're horrific (Canberra )

[beowulf]

looks fine to me........seen helluva lot worse!

had to laugh at these comments in the thread...........one reason why i cant be bothered to post at Britmodeller any more 


qoute:If you look at the tailplanes on the sprue shots above, shouldn't the leading edge of the horn balance be parallel to the elevator hinge line? Doesn't bother me as it looks easy to rescribe, but once you notice it, it does make the tailplanes look a bit funny :unqoute

qoute:It should bother you, Martin. It bothers me - quite a bit!

We are talking about The Hurricane. This is an ICON of British aviation, second only perhaps to the immortal Spitfire.

It is a DISGRACE that they have produced a 'new' kit if this great aircraft - long awaited and much anticipated - and can't even get such basic detail as the line of the elevators correct!! :unqoute

ffs!...it isnt THAT important!......get a life....its a fivers worth of styrene not a 100 grand ferrari!

[kitbasher]

ffs!...it isnt THAT important!......get a life....its a fivers worth of styrene not a 100 grand ferrari!

You're right, the elevator matter is very minor.  It's still a little disappointing to see these things happen, especially when Airfix has older Hurris in their range that don't have this error (they do have other shortcomings, though!).  For example, their Mk I is I think the best 1/72 Hurri in outline accuracy terms, and it's a nice simple kit but...people will whinge about lack of interior detail, etc.  That can be sorted as has been said in earlier posts.
But really the key point is as Beowulf says, take the cost into consideration and really the kit shouldn't be dissed just because a bit of work is need (if you can be bothered, that is) - because the Hasegawa Hurris have their faults too, and at more than twice the price!
I think the only direct comparison can only be made with the Revell 1/72 Hurris (the Academy IIc has more flaws than the new Airfix IIc, I seem to recall), and perhaps a meaningful comparison between the Revell, Airfix and Heller IIc kits will put the new Airfix offer into a proper perspective.

Or maybe because Airfix has got back on its feet some people feel it's time to bash it?

Perhaps on reflection I'll give it a go when I see one in the shops.  

[NARSES2]

Bought my new Hurricane and it looks all right to me

[Thorvic]

Bought my new Hurricane and it looks all right to me

As will thousands of others so Airfix will be happy.

To be honest as long as the basic shape id right and the detail decent most kits should sell well. The on-line fraternity on nay-sayers who delight in not-picking models has little or no relevance to the mainstream pocket money kits as these will always be snapped up especially with the Airfix brand name. The producers only tend to pay attention whens is the small run, large scale expensive kits which are aimed at the serious modeller, a general negative reaction to those will seriously dent the profitability of said kit.

The Hurricane looked OK to me when i saw the example Rob M had at our club night, and it looks as if the canopy is suitably thin enougth to allow it to be fitted opened.

G

[monkeyhanger]

One of the things I like about this site is the complete lack of people getting up their own backsides about this hobby. I don't think I am a good modeller but I enjoy what I do. I totally agree with the sentiments in the last couple of emails. My daughters enjoy modelling and basic Airfix kits are a suitable and affordable way to start. They have several builds now (I will put in some pictures of the Dalmatian dog Beaufighter and Tiger scheme Bristol Blenheim). The pile I have for them to move on to is

Spitfire IX
Mig 15
Mig 21
Anson
Lightning

Nice simple kits to build confidence. I don't expect any of them to end up displaying models at national exhibitions but I do expect them to learn from the experiences. Also, pick up some history as well as safe use of tools and hazardous chemicals (glue) and ideas about structure. I think Airfix produce good stuff for the price they charge. I am pleased that some of the old products are fading away, but there is merit in simplicity.

We all spent a happy sunday a couple of weeks ago building Dapol houses for the road layout the girls designed and built last Easter. Even the Blond Witch was painting drainpipes and window frames! anyone can enjoy this hobby, so I'm glad "we" aren't elitist

Robert

p.s. Really liked the new Airfix Spitifre XIX and am looking forward to getting a Hurricane. Does anyone know the origins of the Hurricanes and Spitfires in the Battle of Britain Fighter collection boxed set? Or should this be another thread?

[kitbasher]

p.s. Really liked the new Airfix Spitifre XIX and am looking forward to getting a Hurricane. Does anyone know the origins of the Hurricanes and Spitfires in the Battle of Britain Fighter collection boxed set? Or should this be another thread?

Haven't bought the set but judging by the photos on the back of the box the Huricane looks like the Heller IIc and the Spit IXe the Kopro IX.  Whether the contents match or not I don't know.  I'd have assumed the other Spits were Airfix.

So when sets like these - and more importantly the Dogfight Doubles - that either have 'polybags' (the term used in 'The Boys Book of Airfix' for kits produced by other manufacturers) or old kits for which replacements have recently been released or are in the pipeline, will re-releases of the sets have the new kits in them?  The Mossie/Me262 Dogfight Double has had the Mossie replaced (even though the replacement is 35+ years old!), what of the Spit IX/Bf110 in due course, the Beaufighter/Bf109 and the Ju88/Hurricane?

[Aircav]

Or maybe because Airfix has got back on its feet some people feel it's time to bash it?

Or may be we are expecting more from a new kit with the improvements in CNC machined mould technology.

[Mossie]

It's a very simple job to reduce the panel lines on kits the size of the Spit, Hurri & MiG-15, even the Harrier, using correction fluid & a bit of IPA. Canberra would take a bit longer, but still, not really a hardship.

I've got the Revell kit & it looks like a beauty although checking online it's not perfect itself.  It's strange, because it's held up as paragon of virtue in the Brtimodeller thread & it's got a similar amount of minor aspects wrong as they're saying the Airfix kit has.  I'm currentley building the HobbyBoss kit.  It's nice, it's only real problem is that the rear fuse is slightly short & the rest of the proportions & angles are knocked out accordingly.  Still, the only way I could tell was by offering it up to the Revell kit & checking online reviews.  As far as I'm concerned you can't tell it's out without a myriad of refferences & I can't be @rsed!