Airfix

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Airfix 2013 program released today http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-for-2013/

Robert

[The Wooksta!]

Pretty much confirms what we suspected.

No 72nd Spitfire Vc though...

[Mr.Creak]

Yep, just saw it.
And a new tool Lightning - F2A!  

The Bomber Re-supply set looks nice too.

[The Wooksta!]

Except that the F2A is dull.  Only two squadrons used them and only two schemes.  An F1a or F3 would have been far better and would have sold more given all the decals sheets people have salted away, and because having the small tank means the aftermarket people can issue two seat conversions for RAF trainers and Airfix would sell even more.  They've followed the Matchbox route.

Admittedly, it'd be easier to convert to an F6 but for me it's the dullest and least interesting of all the Lightnings.

Having said all of that, it really depends on the kit breakdown.  If they're clever, they'll have done the leading edge and the belly tank as separate bits so the small tank and straight leading edges can be added in a later release. 

Or they're thinking that as Trumpeter have released the F1/F3/F6 there's a gap in the lineup, conveniently forgetting that the Trumpeter kit is an absolute abortion.  Nicely moulded but a car crash accuracy wise.

[kitbasher]

Aah come on give them a break! The F.2A is a good choice to me: F.6 could follow next year and maybe we can hope for the family to widen to include the 'little' Lightnings and two seaters.
I do hope the Typhoon is a new mould. Harriers no surpise, so thsy means Airfix have all the single seaters sorted.
I wonder whether the Galdiators will be new (I guess so) as borh options can be built from the excellent Heller kit.
And YES! The Vampire T.11 is 1/72!! My plan for my stashed Merlin T.11 can now be executed.

[Mossie]

I'm with you on the Vampire.  I've been hoping for a modern tooling for donkeys ages.  If they plan a single seater for the future, mores the better.

[rickshaw]

I'm surprised no one has remarked on just how many new tools there.  Thats a big investment by Airfix.

I'm interested in the 1/48 Javelin.  Some potential there, methinks.

I'm also interested in the Bomber Command support set.  Nice thing is, they haven't destroyed the market for Belcher Bits bomb trolleys, etc., but complimented it.

In 1/72, the aforementioned Vampire will be nice.   Potential there for a fighter version perhaps in the future, if they do the fuselage pod separate.

I see they are reissuing the various small boats in 1/72.  MTB, Rescue Launch, S Boat.   Great potential there.

Overall, I'm impressed with the spread and the quality.  

[Thorvic]

Yeap a nice selection pretty much matching the rumours, again some stalwart series 1 kits are replaced by much nicer and newer moulds although some do appear to have increased in series and price !.

The bomber support set is a nice idea, add the Bedford QL troop carrier to go with the Tilly and little bedford and you can do a rather tasty bomber dispersal set. The new tool Lancasters sound interesting, with the B.II with its radial engines and bulged bombbay complete with venteral turret and the Dambuster with the option of displaying the Upkeep on a seperate bomb trolly, now as they say full interior detail will we see the option for the access doors to be open to show some of that detail and to tie in with the support set ?.
I suspect we'll see a B1/III in 2014 to replace their mainstream Lancaster kit and perhaps this time they will do a common Tallboy/Grandslam boxing, hopefully they might consider a latewar/post war version with the later turrets to keep Lee happy ( ), and might have designed the tooling to lead onto the Lincoln and possibly Shackleton that people have been asking for.

The Lightning is a nice touch, i think they went with the F2A as its not a mark they have released before and i think one of the preservation trust aircraft is an F2A. Now the hope is that they have created the tool to allow for different versions possibly including a two seater ?.

Still no Canberra Bomber variants and whilst revamping tools they should really consider renewing both their Tornado & Typhoon kits as both are rather dated and are poor examples of the current RAF hardware

[The Wooksta!]

I think it's more likely that any of the more specialised Lancasters may be as upgrade packs rather than complete kits.  Given the mountain of Lancasters and conversion parts I already possess, I can't see me buying more than one B.II, especially in light of recent events.

Lincoln.  There may be some cross tooling, but unlikely to be the cut and shut extensions.  Don't forget that Airfix aim their market somewhat larger than the enthusiast and not everyone has the same skill level.  If we do get it, more likely to be a complete kit. 

Lancaster has little or no crossover tooling potential with Shackleton.  Wheels perhaps, possibly u/c but that's it.

Both Lincoln and Shackleton are huge gambles.  Didn't everyone want a Valiant or a Nimrod?  Or multiples?  And where has that vociferous market gone, considering the rock bottom deals shops are offering for Nimrods?

[Supertom]

Too bad (for us 1/72 builders, anyway) that the Javelin is in 1/48.  Maybe they'll scale it down, but I'm also still waiting for their Sea Vixen to show up in 1/72.

[NARSES2]

I do hope the Typhoon is a new mould. Harriers no surpise, so thsy means Airfix have all the single seaters sorted.
I wonder whether the Galdiators will be new (I guess so)

Yup, new tools, says so on the descriptions 

There's some nice stuff in there that will keep me happy. Good to see the Fw 190 late A's and the early Hurricane 

I got quite excited looking at the new stuff. Bit like being a kid again when you got the catalogue at the start of the year and planned all your future purchases and ticked them off as they came out. Well done Airfix I say 

[JayBee]

Yep indeedy,

looks a good year ahead from AIRFIX. 

[kitbasher]

Magpie moment. So distracted by the shiny pictures I didn't read the text!

[Hobbes]

I see Humbrol also has some new stuff, including a bunch of RLM colors and British Racing Green in their enamels range...

[lenny100]

lots of goodies their a few ATV will make there way into my stash i think
and i think my nephew will love its Lego type kits