Airfix

[jcf]

The CAD for a 1/72 version would be completely different from that for a 1/48 kit, and there would be little difference in
tool cost.

[Thorvic]

FACT: Hornby  - and by extension, Airfix - are in a financial hole.  40% of the range has gone OOP and any new tools have to make money - ie pay for themselves and turn a profit fairly quickly.

So, basically, viable options are -
repops of their old tools (if they haven't sold the moulds for scrap already)
repops of someone else's old tools (eg. Heller is in even deeper financial hole)
downscaling existing new 1:48 releases (measuring, CAD work, etc. has been done, just the upfront cost of the mould remains after CNC machine is programmed to produce a 67% size mould)

Nope the old tools are consigned to deep storage now in most cases, the more unusual lines like the 24th aircraft, 76th vehicles, ships etc may get repopped. 72nd and 48th aircraft will be either new tools or re-issues of recent kits.
They have also stopped re-boxing other peoples kits, now that was mostly to either fill special gaps in the product line, or cover old tools that are not fit for the current market such as the old wellington being relaced by special hobby kit and now to have its own new tool in 2018.
Airfix prefer to invest in new tools or re-issue recent kits with new options than waste their money on older stuff or other peoples.

Jon's just correct, yes a kit cannot be pantographed down or up a scale they have to be redesigned and retooled or the kits won't be that great, but you are also correct in that the research and 3D modelling of the aircraft means that the some of the design legwork has been done and the CAD designers have a head start with something to do the CAD for kit production. That's why the likes of the Defiant and the Stuka appear in both scales but are quite different kits.

[NARSES2]

The Hornby/Airfix financial situation is looking far better than it was 18 months or so ago, which is why one of the current investors has made an offer for the rest of the shares. They are not out of the woods by any means yet but the situation does look better and providing they are sensible over the next couple of years should be o.k. Touching all the wood possible.

The current Hornby board have recommended the shareholders turn down the current offer for their shares, but reading between the lines there is an element of self preservation in that recommendation.

If you want more on the financial situation then it's all out there in the public domain and isn't hard to find. As I've said before a couple of the UK Daily's business editors have a real interest in the situation for some reason (The I's is one) so you get an update of the situation.

[Gondor]

I noticed that the AEW Shackleton release date has moved from July To September this year

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

I noticed that the AEW Shackleton release date has moved from July To September this year

Just in time for Telford, now there's a surprise......... 

[The Wooksta!]

Much as I love the Shackleton, with one Airfix kit done and another five in the stash, plus the Revell AEW2 (and quite a few of the old Frog kit), I may just give the new Airfix one a miss.  Space issues are starting to curtail spending on BIG items.

[Nick]

If Airfix have done all the major British aircraft that will turn a profit, maybe it's time for them to look at US or Russian aircraft. Is there a gap in the market for a new F-14, 15 or 16 kit?
How about new Foxbats, Flankers and Fulcrums?

[Hobbes]

VC-10?

Roden beat them to that one.

[Thorvic]

If Airfix have done all the major British aircraft that will turn a profit, maybe it's time for them to look at US or Russian aircraft. Is there a gap in the market for a new F-14, 15 or 16 kit?
How about new Foxbats, Flankers and Fulcrums?

I don't think they have done all the British Aircraft yet, they will continue to do Russian and WW2 Axis types but I don't think they will get round to Russian types for a while.

[zenrat]

Shame, as we could do with a decent modern Mig 3 (although the Hobby Boss easy kit, while simplified doesn't look too bad).
I wouldn't be surprised if a new Ju88 turns up before too long seeing as they've done an He111 and a Do17.  The last Ju88 they produced dates from 1964.

[NARSES2]

I wouldn't be surprised if a new Ju88 turns up before too long seeing as they've done an He111 and a Do17.  The last Ju88 they produced dates from 1964.

Can see the attraction for that. Lots of versions plus there's one at Hendon to measure up.

[king of men]

VC-10?

Roden beat them to that one.

Well, not in 1:72.

[Thorvic]

I wouldn't be surprised if a new Ju88 turns up before too long seeing as they've done an He111 and a Do17.  The last Ju88 they produced dates from 1964.

Can see the attraction for that. Lots of versions plus there's one at Hendon to measure up.

I can see them thinking about the A1 for the Battle of Britain aspect as the others have done A-4 onwards which are too early for the BoB. It may restrict later options or some very clever tooling but I do think they want to nail the Battle of Britain main types eventually with new tools.

[The Wooksta!]

An 88A-1 is easy enough to do with some clever design.  All the differences between it and the more prevalent A-4 are different wingtips, tailfin and engines, plus different armament options on the rear canopy.  If they are going to do one and their designers are smart, they'd have a look at the way Hasegawa, Revell and Zvezda broke theirs down.  Given the modular design of the 88, Airfix could get quite a few out of one set of tools.

The aircraft at Hendon is an R, based on the A-4 airframe with the armament of the C-6 and BMW801 engines.

[Martin H]

The aircraft at Hendon is an R, based on the A-4 airframe with the armament of the C-6 and BMW801 engines.

She's not at Hendon any more. She and the Me 262 are both up at Cosford now. I suspect she has already been treated to a Lidar scanning session from Airfix.