33 replies to this topic

[John]

There appears to be some question about which kit you can expect to find in the box if you pick up one of the many boxings of the Alpha Jet. This has had some discussion over on ARC which has prompted me to do some research. What I think I know is as follows:

There are 4 1/72 Alpha Moulds, Airfix, Matchbox, Heller and Fujimi. In addition there are boxings, but not original moulds, from Revell. There has been a certain amount of mould sharing and reboxing which has led to the current confusion. However the situation seems to be:


AIRFIX

If you buy an Airfix Alpha Jet, you will find Airfix plastic inside.





I think these are the only box styles the kit has been released in up to now.

MATCHBOX

If you buy a Matchbox Alpha Jet, you will find the Matchbox plastic inside.





HELLER

If you buy these boxings, or presumably the "black box" issue that falls between these, you will find the original Heller kit inside.





However, if you buy the current boxing you get the Airfix kit, and at £4.99 it's a couple of pounds cheaper that a Series 3 Airfix kit would be! Note that all Heller kits have the same catalogue number, regardless of the plastic inside.



FUJIMI

As far as I can tell any Fujimi boxing contains the Fujimi kit.

REVELL

There are at least 2 boxings of the Alpha Jet by Revell.

This one:



could be the Fujimi mould.

The later "blue box" issue seems to be a reboxing of the original Heller mould, and it is also possible that there has been a boxing of the Matchbox kit at some point!



So there you have the story so far - confusing or what?

John

Edited by John, 08 August 2007 - 04:47 PM.

[Jonathan Mock]

But on the plus side we get to see the Matxhbox Alpha Jet, one of the few kitts were the parts were moulded as per the paint scheme. Not a terrible accurate kit, but fun one!

Darn it John, you got me thinking Alpha Jets now!

[airjiml2]

Don't forget the Starfix kit...which I understand is a bad copy of the Matchbox kit.



Ok, maybe we should forget it...

Jim

[Jonathan Mock]

Don't forget the Starfix kit...

It was forgotten with good reason...

[Dave Fleming]

At the risk of getting all 'collectorish', I've got the missing 'black box' Heller and revised Matchbox ones somewhere.

That Revell one is definitely Fujimi, part of a deal which also saw the Sea King, Lynx and Sea Harrier in Revell boxes.

A quick search also found this box style of the Heller kit (mid 90s from the style I'd say)

Almost worth bidding on to find out what plastic it is!

Edited by Dave Fleming, 08 August 2007 - 10:24 PM.

[John]

Don't forget the Starfix kit...which I understand is a bad copy of the Matchbox kit.



Ok, maybe we should forget it...

Jim

Ah, didn't know about good old Starfix. I doesn't look that bad in the photo!

John

[John]

At the risk of getting all 'collectorish', I've got the missing 'black box' Heller and revised Matchbox ones somewhere.

That Revell one is definitely Fujimi, part of a deal which also saw the Sea King, Lynx and Sea Harrier in Revell boxes.

A quick search also found this box style of the Heller kit (mid 90s from the style I'd say)

Almost worth bidding on to find out what plastic it is!

That looks like reversed artwork from the current boxing!

John

[Jonathan Mock]

That looks like reversed artwork from the current boxing!

John

It is indeed!

Clearly that's how Heller indicate that its the different tooling - right way up, Heller kit, upside-down, Airfix kit!

I mean, its obvious now, isn't it?

[John]

It is indeed!

Clearly that's how Heller indicate that its the different tooling - right way up, Heller kit, upside-down, Airfix kit!

I mean, its obvious now, isn't it?

Dammit, I'm going to have to buy one now!

[airjiml2]

I'd always wanted to do a DERA Alpha Jet, but was never able to find the Airfix kit. When Top Aces bought the Alpha Jets and operated them on contract with the CAF an Alpha Jet became a must buy. So searching around I found the newer Heller boxing and a cheap old Heller boxing on e-bay. Went for the cheaper older kit, as you know, the molds will look better. Amazing all these years later I find the new Heller kit really is Airfix. My head is spinning. Either way, I'm just thankful CanMilAir has plans to do the Top Aces markings in the near future.

I found a right side up Heller boxing on US E-bay and threw in a bid. If I get it, I'll report back on the plastic.

Oh and we all forgot the AMT boxing of the Matchbox kit too.

So which Revell is this?

Matchbox or Heller?

Jim

[John]

I'd always wanted to do a DERA Alpha Jet, but was never able to find the Airfix kit. When Top Aces bought the Alpha Jets and operated them on contract with the CAF an Alpha Jet became a must buy. So searching around I found the newer Heller boxing and a cheap old Heller boxing on e-bay. Went for the cheaper older kit, as you know, the molds will look better. Amazing all these years later I find the new Heller kit really is Airfix. My head is spinning. Either way, I'm just thankful CanMilAir has plans to do the Top Aces markings in the near future.

I found a right side up Heller boxing on US E-bay and threw in a bid. If I get it, I'll report back on the plastic.

Oh and we all forgot the AMT boxing of the Matchbox kit too.

So which Revell is this?

Matchbox or Heller?

Jim

Hi Jim. I "think" that Revell kit is the original Heller mould manufactured in Mexico.

I've been able to track down a few more reboxings, including the AMT one you mentioned:





And just for Jonathan:



John

[Dave Fleming]

It is indeed!

Clearly that's how Heller indicate that its the different tooling - right way up, Heller kit, upside-down, Airfix kit!

I mean, its obvious now, isn't it?

I think the one I posted is also the Airfix kit - the Ebay listing says 57 parts

[John]

I think the one I posted is also the Airfix kit - the Ebay listing says 57 parts

Just when you think you're getting somewhere.....!

[Jonathan Mock]

Nice AMT AJ John, I would guess thats from the late 1970s when Matchbox and AMT had a thing going.

The sole Matchbox AJ I have is so mint, the box looks like it was packed yesterday.

I've really got to find another to build as it just sums up what modelling was for me 30 years ago.

[Dave Fleming]

Last Matchbox Release



EBAY

[Jonathan Mock]

Nice one Dave.

Last but not least the 1/48 Heller kit is a repop of the ESCI AJ.

Perhaps we should start the "Alpha Jet FAQ"?

[Dave T]

Perhaps we should start the "Alpha Jet FAQ"?

Yes please.

Can somebody sum up all the addition's that people added to this thread ?

For example, is that Matchbox Alpha jet in a black box issued by Revell Dave posted, actually the Matchbox kit or Revell ?

Confusing or what ?


.

[John]

Yes please.

Can somebody sum up all the addition's that people added to this thread ?

For example, is that Matchbox Alpha jet in a black box issued by Revell Dave posted, actually the Matchbox kit or Revell ?

Confusing or what ?
.

Well there isn't actually a Revell kit, there are Revell boxings of either the Fujimi or original Heller moulds! I suspect the black box matchbox kit is the matchbox mould, but it may not be.

John

[Dave Fleming]

Summary:
there are 5 1/72 Alpha Jet kits. Airfx, Matchbox, Heller, Fujimi and Starfix. From now one I will discard the latter!

Of these, the Mtatchbox kt represents the engineering mock-up, and as such is inaccurate for a real Alpha Jet (Something MB did with other kits as well - notably the Lynx)

Airfix and Heller are of similar age (Something in my mind says the Heller one is an early version, but until I find the kit I can't comment) - both have raised panel lines. The Hellerr one has better interior detail, but the Airfix one is generally considered the 'most accurate'

Fujimi came along in about 1983 - engraved panel lines, but some question marks as to accuracy (and that thing about one wing being slightly further forward than the other).


Now, Boxes:

Airfix - always Airfix kit

Matchbox - Always Matchbox (AFAIK!)

AMT - Matchbox

Fujimi - always Fujimi

Revell - picture of model - Fujimi
- painting - probably Heller

Heller - Early style, black surround, Humbrol-Heller or Heller Orange style (photo of model) - Heller mould
- 'blue period' box (Painting) - looks like Airfix (as this style appeared in early 90s, could have been for a while!)

[Ian]

Got a Fujimi one in the - 'must get-around to finishing' pile, but been trying to get another for some time - for some serious Whiffing - seem to be quite hard to get a hold of even through eBay. Must say I've never noticed that one wing is further forward than the other.....

Ian

Edited by Ian, 12 August 2007 - 09:52 AM.