Airfix

[jcf]

Yeah, they should've done a 1/24th scale RFC R.A.F. B.E.2c.

And why not?

The whinging, wailing, gnashing of teeth and plaintive laments to the heavens would probably have been even
greater.


"Why a biplane?"," I hate rigging", "I don't build WWI", "I don't build propjobs", "Why didn't they do a B.E.12
instead?", "the market for big biplanes is too limited", "nobody outside of the UK market cares", "will it be as
good as a Wingnut Wings kit?", "it's not as good as a Wingnut Wings kit" etc. etc.


Thoughts of core market etc. are nice and all but the cost of developing a new 1/24th scale kit with the
market expectations of today means that the business case has to be strong. The Hellcat was used by several
different Navies, so there'd be a broader appeal. French use was probably considered as a being an argument
in favour of the F6F for the EU market. It's also only the second American aircraft since the range began and
only the fourth non-UK subject.

All understandable, but, I think if they insisted on a non-UK type, the Vought F4U-1 in its various forms would
have been a better choice, its connection to the RN is far more well known than the F6F, along with its RNZAF,
USN and USMC use. The differences between the -1 subtypes are minor so they could get more than one boxing 
if so desired. 

The big question with doing a solely British and RAF type is what to do, a Griffon Spitfire would seem to have
been the obvious choice, which of course would result in the predictable "another Spitfire?" moans. The new
1/24th Mk.IX has of course made the argument somewhat moot. An interwar silver wings aircraft would probably
have met with predictable dismay, although a big Hawker Fury or Hart would have been nice. Perhaps a Turret
Demon to really put the cat amongst the pigeons.


If they had done another jet, which would be the first since the ancient Harrier, then a Meatbox or a Hunter would
seem to be likely choices as neither is particularly large, unlike a Lightning or Buccaneer. Either also has a decent
possible selection of non-UK users, depending on variant chosen. Cost could possibly have been kept in the same
range as the Mosquito.

[The Wooksta!]

Gladiator and Defiant were long mooted for 24th, going right back to the  1970s.

[zenrat]

Hornet?

[scooter]

Tornado?

What about a Vulcan?

[kitbasher]

Gladiator and Defiant were long mooted for 24th, going right back to the  1970s.

Hmm, not thought about a 1/24 Defiant before, not convinced.

However a Gladiator I'd have thought would be a very strong contender for that scale.

As for the Hellcat - it looks a lovely kit and there's an international dimension to it, but I agree with the earlier comment that an F4U-1/FG-1 Corsair would seem to have bags more market potential.

[PR19_Kit]

What about a Vulcan?

Is there enough styrene in the world for that?

[scooter]

What about a Vulcan?

Is there enough styrene in the world for that?

Yes, as long as Revellogram doesn't cut a mold for a 1/24 B-52     

[PR19_Kit]

Or a B-36.................   

[Wardukw]

Or a B-36.................   

Oh mama 🫥😳😳🥺

[McColm]

Sanger does the 1/48 B-52 , why not release a retooled BAe Nimrod MR.2P or scale up their 1/144 range?

[kerick]

It must be vac u formed. I hope!
Get some aluminum tubes for the wing spars!

[Beermonster58]

Their core market is the UK and undoubtedly the aftermarket people will do decals.

Mind, it's to their undying shame that they didn't honour their core market in 2018 and do an RAF biggie in 24th, to celebrate the RAF centenary.  What did the core market get? A Hellcat.  Non British and not RAF. 

And, a very loud MEH! from me!.
I'm now whiffing my own iteration of the Avro Manchester, secure in the knowledge that, as soon as I finish it, Airfix will announce a kit for the 2024 release programme! 🙄🤪

We appreciate your efforts and willingness to 'take one for the team'...   

Always a pleasure! 😉😂👍

[Old Wombat]

Or a B-36.................   

Styrene overcast!    

[zenrat]

Or a B-36.................   

Styrene overcast!    

In 1/24 that would have a 9'7" span and be 6'9" long.

[PR19_Kit]

In 1/24 that would have a 9'7" span and be 6'9" long.

        

Now that's what I CALL a model kit!