Airfix

[The Wooksta!]

April has been said for some time now, but I'd be realistic and expect it in May.

[kitbasher]

And any news on the Canadair Sabre?

Building a DH88 at the moment, the second repop of an Airfix oldie I've tackled in recent months.  Quite a contrast to the new stuff - hope a lot of them are allowed to quietly drift away to the great warehouse in the sky before they damage Airfix's reputation.  I think the 50s and 60s stuff should mostly be thought of as mass-produced versions of mid-80s limited run kits: can be accurate but also crude (can be inaccurate and crude, too), often hard work.

[pyro-manic]

The Comet's not too bad IMO - and they're cheap. I'm finishing up an SB2C Helldiver at the moment as well, and again, it's a bit rough, but certainly buildable.

[kitbasher]

Sorry,  wasn't very clear in my earlier post.  Some of the old Airfix stuff is still rather good and can result in very nice models (great Helldicer from Howards of Effingham at Milton Keynes by the way).  What I was really trying to get to is the 'buyer beware' element.  I don't think Airfix deserve the slagging they have received in some modelling forumes - far from it - but there are some old moulds that really do deserve to pass away peacefully in their sleep (eg Me262).  I know it will take time and money for Airfix to replace their oldest kits, but at least they have made a start with some of them.  To be honest, I can't see them coming up with a new Widgeon (for example) - or even a Comet (but I think they would do an excellent job if they did), but a 262 and maybe a Skyraider perhaps.  As for the First World War stuff - a new RE8?  don't see it myself in the near term but perhaps 2014 and the tie-up with the Imperial War Museum will inspire new WW1 subjects.  Not my area of interest, by the way, but if Airfix continue their 'anniversay' themes then who knows?  Maybe some D-Day stuff too, perhaps (repops and new moulds).

[pyro-manic]

Fair point - seeing a Widgeon and the new Spitfires/Bf110s etc. in the same style boxes next to each other on a shelf could give someone a nasty shock if they were unaware and expecting the same standard. Perhaps a "Classic Airfix" line similar to what Revell have done recently?

[NARSES2]

As for the First World War stuff - a new RE8? 

Ughhhhhh- that kit still gives me the heebie-jeebies 

They do seem to be on a aniversary thing at the moment, whence the new tool Zero ? Pearl Harbour's 70th latter this year. Perhaps that's why they've gone for an early P-40 as well. Then Taranto also has it's 70th this this year and we have what looks like a very nice Swordfish due out - optional wing fold 

They seem to be replacing a lot of their older "popular" toolings with more modern ones, whereas the odder aircraft like the Comet will probably get re-released every now and again. Nothing wrong with that as long as it's clear on the boxing.

[kitbasher]

Perhaps a "Classic Airfix" line similar to what Revell have done recently?

Nothing wrong with that as long as it's clear on the boxing.

I agree and think Revell should be applauded for doing that sort of thing, even though the recent Matchbox repops (Lysander, Twin Otter, Heyford - any others?) didn't warrant such treatment IMHO, especially when the Fury, Gladiator, etc didn't get labelled that way.  The really ancient P-51 and Bf109E should have been badged 'classic' or some such.  And why the ex-Matchbox Tempest appears to have been overlooked in favour of their dreadful Tempest V is beyond me.

[NARSES2]

  The really ancient P-51 and Bf109E should have been badged 'classic' or some such. 

I really don't understand Revell's logic of re-issuing the really old P-51 when they have the really nice one from a few years ago around. Am I missing something ?

[Green Dragon]

Here's the P-40/Zero dogfight double. http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/gift-sets/a50127-dogfight-double-curtiss-p40b-warhawk-and-mitsubishi-zero-a50127/
I'll be sticking to buying them seperately as it's cheaper.

Paul Harrison

[Green Dragon]

And here's the Spitfire/Bf110 Dogfight Double. http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/gift-sets/a50128-dogfight-double-messerschmitt-bf110cd-and-supermarine-spitfire-mk1a-a50128/
Again cheaper if bought seperately.

Paul Harrison

[Kerrillc]

I purchased another Airfix Seahawk last Sunday and I saw one of the old Dogfight Double boxes. Anyone remember the Me110 and Spitfire combo?, so that took me back a few years.  My brother built them and he wasn't impressed. And I must confess to building the really old P-51D Mustang, (the really old bagged version), you know, the one with the huge canopy and cockpit, not forgetting the rather anorexic pilot. Then Airfix bought out the really excellent (to my mind anyway) P-51D Mustang.

Trips down memory lane, eh?

[The Wooksta!]

  The really ancient P-51 and Bf109E should have been badged 'classic' or some such. 

I really don't understand Revell's logic of re-issuing the really old P-51 when they have the really nice one from a few years ago around. Am I missing something ?

The nice Mustang was a B/C whereas the rerelease was the D.

[PR19_Kit]

Marking options are for RAFG bird, 112 Sqdn at Geilenkirchen, June 1955, and a Yugoslav Air Force F-86E(M).

112?

Yessss, sharkmouths rule OK! 

[Mossie]

Nice markings options, the Yugoslav are good for the decal stash too.

[ChernayaAkula]

Think it's absolutely brilliant that Airfix goes for options off the beaten path for secondary options!