Airfix

[kitnut617]

Funilly enough my plan was to do one of the Martin Baker test beds.

That was on the list too ----      I've got Tony Buttler's Aerofax book on the Meteor, and the test bed chapter has all sorts of interesting aircraft.

Like this one:



Or this one:



And this one:

[NARSES2]

That top one almost looks like a kid's cartoon character ? What is it mate ?

[kitnut617]

It was rigged up for some AI trials with the Meteor, which was a Mk.III. It doesn't look that hard to do either, maybe use something from a P-38 Pathfinder or something for the clear nose . The underside of the modification sort of looks Spitfire, but could be Hurricane (I'm trying to think of something built by Hawker Siddeley at the time) -- but the top of it looks like they just bent some aluminum over it.

[jcf]

Shacklady's The Gloster Meteor, McDonald Aircraft Monographs 1962, has drawings of
production versions with the reheated Derwent 5 installation, the nacelles are much cleaner.

[PR19_Kit]

I've just had an email link to Airfix's 'Workshop' pages that's announcing their first 2019 release. It's a Sptfire FRXIV low back in 1/48 scale.

Looks pretty sharp and even has a camera behind the cockpit, but the wrong scale for me of course.

https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/first-2019-new-tooling-announcement?utm_campaign=2196063_Airfix%20-%20Workbench%20Supermarine%20Spitfire%20FR%20Mk.XIV%20Announcement%20-%20Week%2026%202018&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hornby%20PLC&_%24ja=tsid%3A71284&dm_i=2DJZ,1B2HR,22Y11P,48DCZ,1

[Nick]

Airfix have just announced their latest release will be a Spitfire FR Mk.XIV in 1/48 scale. That's the clipped wing, 5 bladed prop, big Griffon engined version.

https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/first-2019-new-tooling-announcement?utm_campaign=2196063_Airfix%20-%20Workbench%20Supermarine%20Spitfire%20FR%20Mk.XIV%20Announcement%20-%20Week%2026%202018&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hornby%20PLC&_%24ja=tsid%3A71284&dm_i=2DJZ,1B2HR,48AF1O,48DCZ,1

[zenrat]

Meh.  Wrong scale.

[Thorvic]

Yeah funny that, same here nice subject, wrong scale not interested, same goes for the new Wingnut 1/32nd Lancaster & Dambuster, bound to be superb models, but not interested in something that will take up coffee table when finished 

[Lord_Voyager]

I agree. Wrong scale but not for the reasons of marketability or choice... We have this kit in 1/48 by other manufacturers and availability of said kits are plentiful.

What we needed was either something grander or something more petite... A 1/32 or 1/24 would have been incredible and more in tune with the curve of buyers... A 1/72 or even more coveted 1/144 would also have been welcome. Manufacturers like sweet or F-toys are raking in cash hand over fist for previously unkitted 1/144 kits and should companies like Airfix decide to do so, it would be a huge cornering of the market for a smaller investment.

And the larger scales! With flawed and horrible kits coming from China, kits like the Mosquito and the like are treasures that all too quickly sell out here in Canada... We need a company like Airfix to build the kits of their indigenous aircraft designs as opposed to over seas companies doing a 'close enough' effort.

[PR19_Kit]

....... same goes for the new Wingnut 1/32nd Lancaster & Dambuster, bound to be superb models, but not interested in something that will take up coffee table when finished 

And will  likely need a World Bank loan to purchase too! 

[andrewj]

I agree. Wrong scale but not for the reasons of marketability or choice... We have this kit in 1/48 by other manufacturers and availability of said kits are plentiful.

What we needed was either something grander or something more petite... A 1/32 or 1/24 would have been incredible and more in tune with the curve of buyers... A 1/72 or even more coveted 1/144 would also have been welcome. Manufacturers like sweet or F-toys are raking in cash hand over fist for previously unkitted 1/144 kits and should companies like Airfix decide to do so, it would be a huge cornering of the market for a smaller investment.

And the larger scales! With flawed and horrible kits coming from China, kits like the Mosquito and the like are treasures that all too quickly sell out here in Canada... We need a company like Airfix to build the kits of their indigenous aircraft designs as opposed to over seas companies doing a 'close enough' effort.

No we don't , the only other Spitfire FRXIV in 1/48 scale is by Academy and it's horrible, well not quite horrible , but not very nice . So the new Airfix Mk XIV will be very welcome indeed.

[The Wooksta!]

Wrong scale for me, but I'm still happy because it pisses on the chips of all those who whinge about "Not another Spitfire!"  Tough.  Deal with it.  I didn't whinge when the Airfix Phantom came out, despite hating the aircraft with a passion you can't even dream of.

Yes, it's available in 48th from "other manufacturers" - actually, just Academy and pretty horribly too - but these kits don't make any money for Airfix either.

Sorry, but Airfix are in this to make money and they need a fair bit to get the parasites - sorry, the banks, off their case.  Spitfires sell, and this one is based on one on the airshow circuit, so two bites of the cherry for Hornby.

[zenrat]

And that's the attitude to take - wrong scale, not interested in the subject but I hope it sells heaps so they can make something I will buy.

[NARSES2]

And that's the attitude to take - wrong scale, not interested in the subject but I hope it sells heaps so they can make something I will buy.

Agreed 

I may well buy this as it happens. The XIV is one of my favourite marks of Spitfire and I'm currently enjoying the 1/48th Airfix Walrus. So maybe 1 or 2 1/48th's a year ?

[kitbasher]

It's the test shot of the new 1/72 Lysander III I'm looking forward to the most at Telford this year.