Airfix

[Rheged]

I've got a Severn class Lifeboat in the deep stash (the shelves at the back of the garage) and I'm pleased to see a Shannon class to add to it.  I really must build both this year!!

[The Wooksta!]

I would have been over the moon about a new tool mk IX Spitfire a while back, but having at least 30 or more of the old 2009 tool, innumerable (ie I never counted them*) AZ and CMR and about 100 Eduard** taking up a great deal of the stash, I really can't get excited.

TBH there's nothing in the list that ticks any boxes, except maybe the P.1127. I did get a Club Meatbox off eBay and even with postage it was less than what this release will cost (but this is the boxing to have just for all the underwing rockets, as there are enough for two aircraft), so really "Meh".

I have a shopping list set for this year, some of the items are tres expensive, I am not adding anything else to it.  I mean, yes, new Spitfire markings are nice, but I do not need the kit when I have enough.  The Swift coming back will crap on the ebay scalpers' cornflakes though.


* I know I have two of each boxing, 9 triple packs plus four of the Czech markings triple packs. I do not know how many CMR ones there are.

** Guesstimate based on 11 Royal boxings, 3 Czech triple packs plus a lot of the single boxings.  I do not need a starter set when I have the Gold standard here. Even for decal hangers, and I can use the older Airfix ones for those.

[kitbasher]

Considered objectively, it's not a bad programme, and yes as has been mentioned there may be some unannounced surprises during the next 12 months.

That said, of the new tools the B-24 is a surprise given all the noise from Airfix about tooling stuff they've not done before.  I'll resist temptation until the inevitable RAF boxing appears.  The Bulldog should be a goody but it's not my scale.

The lifeboat is strangely tempting, ditto the Typhoon starter kit.

Of the other 1/72 aircraft subjects I've either got one built, or got one in the stash. And helicopters being the devil's aircraft means I won't be tempted by them!

[PR19_Kit]

Didn't they already do a Chinook HC1?

And how much do you bet it'll be 'Bravo November'?

[kitbasher]

Airfix boxed the (I think) Italeri Chinook years ago.  Airfixman chooses his words carefully in the YouTube clip when describing the kit.

And yes, 'BN' is one of the decal options (the other is a Gulf War 1 cab).

[kerick]

The lifeboat looks interesting. Definitely out of my comfort zone and that's good.

Hmmmm
How about a converted PT boat for coastal rescue and patrol after the war? Paint it white and orange or yellow or something else really difficult. Where to put the radar mast?

[Weaver]

Bit of a non event really. Definitely a MEH from me.
None of the new items are of any interest but, I admit the B-24 looks tasty!   Out of the reissues, I already have the ones  I want in their earlier guises so, I don't need any more. Nice to see the Whitley and Swift again though. Biggest disappointment was the very thin selection of Vintage Classic offerings. On the face of it, there is nothing in the range as announced that I will be buying. However, I'm hoping Airfix may slip in a few surprises like they did last year!  

Bear in mind that that's not the full range, just the new additions. There are more Vintage Classics on the regular page on the website.

[Weaver]

Airfix boxed the (I think) Italeri Chinook years ago.  Airfixman chooses his words carefully in the YouTube clip when describing the kit.

And yes, 'BN' is one of the decal options (the other is a Gulf War 1 cab).

Yes, he says it's the first time Airfix have tooled up a Chinook of their own making. So it's a new tool.

[Weaver]

The lifeboat looks interesting. Definitely out of my comfort zone and that's good.

Hmmmm
How about a converted PT boat for coastal rescue and patrol after the war? Paint it white and orange or yellow or something else really difficult. Where to put the radar mast?

I'm immediately thinking KGB Border Guard vessel, just to make it as obnoxiously not-a-nice-lifeboat as possible. Mind you, I've been thinking that about the Severn in my stash for over ten years and never done anything about it.

An alternative would be Swedish Coast Guard, with an array of those little SAAB ELMA anti-submarine grenade launchers on the bow.

OR, if you wanted to be REALLY controversial, make it an ex-Yemeni Coast Guard lifeboat captured and repurposed into an armed raiding craft by the Houthis...    

[Mossie]

I've hoped for, but not expected, that Airfix would do another lifeboat.  Looking forward to seeing the Shannon class starter set and how it compares to the Severn class.

[Nick]

I'm most interested by the RNLI Shannon lifeboat. The Gloster Gladiator would be good as one of my first ever builds was a Gladiator back in the 80s.

Hannants have the Shannon listed at £17.99 with a release date of May 2024. Shame as I'd like to do one for my clubs naval competition in April.

[PR19_Kit]

Nice to see the Shannon lifeboat, I hope it's a bit easier to build (and Whiff....) than the previous Severn.

I went aboard a Shannon at Bembridge in the summer and it's an IMPRESSIVE piece of kit, they carry a smaller D Class inflatable boat thwartships under the stern deck, very cleverly hidden so you can't see it normally. Not quite sure why they go to all that trouble, but thoughts of a 'Q Lifeboat' immediately spring to mind. 

[Leading Observer]

Just been emailed to advise that the
 Bloodhound I put on pre-order is being prepared for dispatch - I had completely forgotten I'd ordered it!

[The Rat]

I really should pick up a Belevdere, the one I have is fully eqipped with 2 starboard canopy/nose pieces, so I could maybe heat and smash a port one from the new kit and have two airframes for whiffing. Alternatively, now that Airfix will have pieces again, maybe they could supply the missing part.

[Gondor]

I think I have a Belvedere along with a Maintrack HC.1 conversion set, so not complaining about the kit being re released as the after market guys might come up with something better than the Maintrack set for it.

Gondor