Airfix 1/24 hawker Typhoon

[yeti]

Interesting,when Airfix announced the kit,most off the crowd went quiet and walked away!

my thoughts great looking kit,shame it's too big. I have a house not a mansion! When I asked Airfix crew thought's on the price.....the answer..expensive.

I hope the 2014 kit releases in December will be better received

come on Airfix more 1/48 and 1/72 aircraft off the 50's & 60's

[Jennings Heilig]

Seems to me that Airfix could do better by joining the current 1/32 craze rather than keeping on with these monstrosities.

[rob]

Yeti and Wolfpack I suggest you take up another hobby!

But the Mosquito was too big? utter rubbish, The Mossie kit has a wingspan of 27" and is about 21 inches in length.

the Typhoon will have a wingspan of just under 21" and be about 16" in length, so it's hardly a monster.

One production run? rubbish again! they did three and made 4500 kits! try buying one now, you'll not get much change out of £200!

As to a percentage of the crowd walking away, i'm sure it would be expected as not everyone specialises in Aircraft, and for those that don't

went to look at other things.

As usual it seems fashionable to "have a go at Airfix" once again they seem to have come up with a kit that looks like it betters anything from

the Far East!

Please don't worry about not buying the Typhoon Kit, as I honestly think they'll sell in big numbers.

Jennings, their scale has always been 1/24th as you know, and I hope it continues.

Edited November 9, 2013 by rob

[bzn20]

Its no wonder Kit manufacturers are twitchy to bring out new models, some are going mad over the thought of having one, some say they're buying but wont in the end, some like it but aren't buying, some are moaning about their choice of plane not being offered, some don't do that scale, some cant afford it or some don't have the room for a big kit. That's why they don't release all the apparent must have kits. You're not going to please anything approaching the majority, what that equates to in sales will be interesting. This isn't being critical of others its just an observation. I saw the list of kits people were wanting to be announced at the SMW. How is any one company going to satisfy the "wants list" and stay in the game? Any criticism is attacked for being anti Airfix. It looks like a great model BTW, I hope it sells well. I'm looking forward to June's WIPs.

[Jennings Heilig]

Jennings, their scale has always been 1/24th as you know, and I hope it continues.

I understand that, but the market for 1/24 can only be a tiny fraction of the market for a similar kit in 1/32. Development and tooling costs for such a monster have to be astronomical. Especially for something where you have a choice of exactly one basic color scheme and one user air force only, it seems like an awfully big risk to take on a 1/24 kit.

[AlCZ]

Mosquito in real is one nicest aircraft of all times. But when i saw first time a 1/24 kit - i must say - what it is ? For me is a "Fix Mossie" big disappointed... But this Tiffy looks much better ! (I read a Mosquito was a canceled and rebirth project from '80.) Tiffy looks as modern kit with all features... (Riveting, very detailed engine, canons and "pit".) I bet a Tiffy can be cheapest as Tamiyas 1/32 WW II birds... Only the scale.... i'm don't collect a 1/24... but this beast real look good! Maybe Airfix downscaled it to 1/32 ?

[rob]

Mosquito in real is one nicest aircraft of all times. But when i saw first time a 1/24 kit - i must say - what it is ? For me is a "Fix Mossie" big disappointed... But this Tiffy looks much better ! (I read a Mosquito was a canceled and rebirth project from '80.) Tiffy looks as modern kit with all features... (Riveting, very detailed engine, canons and "pit".) I bet a Tiffy can be cheapest as Tamiyas 1/32 WW II birds... Only the scale.... i'm don't collect a 1/24... but this beast real look good! Maybe Airfix downscaled it to 1/32 ?

Agreed but have a close look at a real Mossie close up if you can, and one thing will strike you, it's got a very smooth airframe, which is obvious in full size so when you scale it down it looks a little bland

so it takes a really "interesting" paint scheme to bring it to life.

Airfix did have a 24th scale version on the verge of being put into production in the mid '70s but for whatever reason it was canned, but the research gathered went into the 48th scale version that was

launched at that time, thw 24th scale kit that came out in 2009 bears absolutely link to the aborted kit from '70s

[Paul Bradley]

The Airfix Mossie IS a big model, no doubt, but I think it was worth the asking price, AND I've seen them going for large dollar amounts on EBay. I even found a space to display it....

I personally am looking forward to getting my hands on this new Typhoon. The level of detail appears to be terrific and the quilting of the panel lines is a great new wrinkle (pun intended) - I'm trying to think of another kit that has that feature that is all to noticeable on riveted aircraft....

[alpine_modeller]

I have to say I regret not having bought the Mosquito. Not willing to pay the silly prices on ebay though. Praying that they do another run one day.

I will probably get one of the Typhoons - if the 2014 line-up doesnt distract me.

[Rabbit Leader]

OK - can we finally put this matter to bed now?

If you want one - go out and buy it when it comes out

If you don't want one - then move on, there's nothing to see here

Go and pester the other manufacturers if you want your particular version or scale of this and that!!

I recently saw a 1/18 scale Dauntless in my LHS, which shocked the hell out of me, so why are we all complaining about 1/24.

I thought Facebook was the forum to crap-on about useless thoughts..

Dave.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Rabbit Leader

[perdu]

I have to join in with the I BLOODY WELL LOVE IT brigade

When they had the usual unveiling glitches on the balcony I was feeling just a bit "Oh dammit Airfix, get on with it"

And they did and I and most others went very very quiet....

It is absolutely brilliant and the attention to detail knocked me out.

I will have at least one and maybe convert to Car Door type too if the next iteration isnt announced soon.

When I made my Frog Tiffie I did the usual online research and from looking at this amazing model the 'pit is ready to fly

And the engine needs only proper spark plugs to start up.

luvvit

[Gary C]

Jennings, their scale has always been 1/24th as you know, and I hope it continues.

Thats the trouble though. It is Airfix's scale and that's about it. Trumpeter have done a few and VFS did a couple but no one else has bothered. Hannants currently show a grand total of 34 1/24 aircraft kits and that includes numerous variations of Spitfire, P-51 and 109. Add to that the fact that other than the Mossie all the other 1/24 Airfix stuff is rather old, tired and nowhere near todays standards and you have to wonder why they decided to revive the line.

In the meantime the market decided that 1/32 is the scale for big kits. The Tamiya Mustang and Spitfire will sell for years and years and years, as will a Tamiya Mozzie...if you want to work in 1/32 only, not a problem, you'll never run out of subjects. According to Hannant's there's 403 1/32 aircraft kits currently listed. And it's growing rapidly with a ton of aftermarket support. Tamiya, Trumpeter, Hasegawa, Revell....pretty much everyone bar Airfix.

I hope I'm wrong but it just reminds me of Betamax and VHS, and we all know how that turned out.

[Tibs]

I have to say I regret not having bought the Mosquito. Not willing to pay the silly prices on ebay though. Praying that they do another run one day.

I will probably get one of the Typhoons - if the 2014 line-up doesnt distract me.

I was talking to one of the Airfix guys about the 1/24 Mossy and he reckons they will do another run prob in 2015

[Col.]

Yet that old, tired, outdated Airfix 24th scale kits keep selling. There's a few threads on here with them being built. Model shops, what few there is left, keep taking them in to stock. So why wouldn't Airfix keep producing kits in 'their' scale?

I have to say I regret not having bought the Mosquito. Not willing to pay the silly prices on ebay though. Praying that they do another run one day.

I will probably get one of the Typhoons - if the 2014 line-up doesnt distract me.

I'm near certain my local model shop has one in stock at normal retail price. You want me to check for you?

[ben_m]

[hwallen1410]

WOW. Love it........

[Rabbit Leader]

Excellent post Ben.

Might have to just purchase this kit for "research purposes" when building my 1/72 kit.

Cheers.. Dave

[marty_hopkirk]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Airfix are deliberately shooting themselves in the foot?

The farce with the Mosquito shows 1/24 is just to darn big. 1/32 and they'd sell shiploads, here and in the States. One production run and then into the remaindered bins for the rest.

Either way, zero interest co-efficient here. Just can't understand their logic.

W

Airfix, have little previous in 1/32 and pioneered 1/24, and virtually have that scale to themselves. 1/24 is for them is an unique selling point, which is manufacturing nirvana that many strive for bur few achieve and the do appear to appear to be rotating the key note kits around the scales nicely . The subject matter is not for me but the photos do look wonderful.

Marty...

[Séan Pádraig]

Yeti and Wolfpack I suggest you take up another hobby!

Blood cheek... as far as know this is a modelling forum to discuss modelling related topics not a I love Airfix love-in...

All modellers will have an opinion on any given subject, not all will be the same... some will even differ from yours... but they are much entitled to voice their opinion... like it or not.

If modellers voicing their own views upsets you may I suggest you take up another hobby.

[ekonbor]

thank you ben_m, most definately getting this, looks like they've raised the bar

[ben_m]

I've remembered what they said scheme D was going to be: Pulveriser IV, a RCAF bombphoon.

[bentwaters81tfw]

I can see a few people will be visiting Duxford for the fine detail on the engine and pit. That is something else. Those Sabres were pained in either grey or that strange blue/green.

[rob]

All I will say is WOW! roll on June 2014!

[JohnT]

Hmmm....

I think Airfix can be left to consider the economics of their business. If the 1/24 Mosquito was a financial disaster then they are reinforcing failure. Clearly their bean counters think otherwise.

I appreciate 1/24 as a scale is not to every modellers taste nor will a WW2 aircraft be, but to suggest that no 1/24 models should be produced or can be so profitably seems to fly in the face of apparent business success for both Airfix and Trumpeter.

Guys, I do appreciate that the 1/24 Typhoon is not what everyone wanted but nothing on the planet would have been. Someone out there was hoping for a 1/144 scale rubber duck. It's not quite cricket to knock what looks like a very creditable effort by Airfix because it won't fit on "my shelf" or fit in with "my scale".

For my part I can admire big and small scale warships and AFV's though I'd never build one and can rejoice in the good fortune that puts such modelling bounty another fellow modellers way, or should I say stash?

This comes from the guy who started the do we really want a 1/32 Lancaster thread but I never suggested it was a bad choice for HK Models to do, just questioned if another subject and scale might (emphasis might) be preferable.

Personally the more diversity we get from manufacturers the more I like it.

If this Typhoon had hit the market in the eighties doldrums we would all have peed our pants without exception so let's be grateful for what has already arrived and what is coming in 1/32 and 1/24

[rob]

Blood cheek... as far as know this is a modelling forum to discuss modelling related topics not a I love Airfix love-in...

All modellers will have an opinion on any given subject, not all will be the same... some will even differ from yours... but they are much entitled to voice their opinion... like it or not.

If modellers voicing their own views upsets you may I suggest you take up another hobby.

I was upset because of the inaccuracies posted, and i'm not an Airfix fan, i'm a modelling fan! my stash has kits from all manufacturers, if it's a good kit i'll buy it...