JBOHMSS

Ha ha...ok tit for tat....touche and all that. I guess there are 1/72 camps and 1/48 camps...however the Xtrakit Sea Vixen was pretty good and didn't Airfix do the Javelin in 1/72? Perhaps a set of 1/48 RAF Vehicles would be nice next year...

The picture I painted was about the Typhoon and the other aircraft I had seen at Telford...didn't know about the RAF Vehicle set...I try to keep well informed...this one came out of left field. I suspect we'll see a few on the club stands soon. Just a shame it's not in 1/48

Well, I am glad that you have found Airfix on your model shop shelves...I promise you the model shops I frequent in the US do not hold Airfix kits...well they didn't in 2013 anyhow. And as I say it was not just Florida or Columbus but also some parts of Canada, Cleveland, California...and believe me I do seek out model shops. Glad to be proven wrong.

Yeah...the link is dead there too...but I'll take the address and plumb it into the sat nav and take a look.

Jackson's comes up a dead link for me too. But thank you all so far...any more?

F 35 looks nice, the Horten looks amazing, Airfix surprised us at Telford...I know the Dak will be well received but all those old D Day models - Landing Craft, Gun Emplacement et al...oh boy the archival molds have been re hauled over. Ho hum. Still the new figures from Mini Art look lovely as do the Master Box ones. And I spied a fastback Mustang which took my eye. The Israeli tanks look cool too!

Gentle folk on the Britmodeller Forums...I am traveling up to Carlisle on Tuesday 4th Feb and returning on the Thursday...I was hoping to take in a model shop or two...any recommendations and addresses/website link please...I am traveling from South West London. Thanks

So I just got the Airfix newsletter on email and the announcement of the RAF Vehicle set with a lovely motorcycle got me buzzing...then I was disappointed to find it in 1/72 scale. Oh well maybe a 1/48 set will make its self known.

I would like to see Airfix release 1/48 Vulcan something I am gagging for. I know it would be a seller just looking at the club tables at Telford. I'd like a Westland Whirlwind in 1/48 too and a Halifax, Blenheim, Gazelle. And I'll underline my 1/24 wants - Beaufighter, F4U Corsair, Me 262. A new Me 109 would be nice a G maybe. I think a 1/48 Sunderland would do well - not for me but so many have requested it. So much plastic - not enough time! Can't wait for my typhoon!

Well living in the US is fantastic - still the land of the free - but all the model shops I visited in Florida this year and Columbus (I have visited Columbus every year for the past 15) my brother lives in California, I have family and friends in Canada and the US and Airfix is not on the agenda of any of the hobby shops that I visit regularly. In fact talking to Brit expats at the Columbus hobby shop - Airfix is not a seller for them. So Wannabe Briton count yourself lucky to be able to purchase Airfix. And yes all the model shop owners I have spoken to, all have recommended Airfix start including PE. This is a lively discussion and it pleases me that debate is strong.

Well I am surprised because all the model shop owners and dealers who sell models have all advised Airfix to add PE to their kits. In fact a conversation I had with one of the most prominent model shop people reiterated a conversation they had with Airfix reps- And as for selling in Japan - I am talking about the model shops - which there are numerous. Airfix is not a manufacturer that is well stocked across the Japanese market and nor is it stocked in the US and that is truly where the consumer market is. Airfix sold well with their 1/24 Mossie in the US, if they did a Corsair in that scale then it would be a big seller. And yes I have had actual experience in witnessing these facts. Looking at a website doesn't mean that physically the stock is on the shelves. In the end I'd like to see Airfix become a world wide contender not just a European manufacturer, the only way that can happen is by competing not being also ran.

You said it Soft Spot....and that is my fear for Airfix who have historically over the years relied heavily on their back catalogue. BH (Before Hornby) Airfix were like any famous Brit name fluctuating in and out of the red until heavily in the red and becoming insolvent. To combat this Airfix need to be a step ahead and be competitive with the big boys - Airfix may have been an originator but lets face it the Japanese and Chinese manufacturers have surpassed anything Revell, Airfix Italeri et al in quality and engineering. Airfix have upped their ante AH(After Hornby) with a few misses but mainly hits. The few who still hanker to those nostalgic kits that are now very primitive will not keep Airfix afloat. I cannot stand the reboxing of Airfix kits calling them classic - they are primitive and disappointing to anyone who is starting out. Most of us oldsters know what we are letting ourselves in for. A newbie doesn't. Keep on with the new program Airfix but ditch the old primitive kits. And also start adding photo etch like your competitors.

Airfix, Revell, Italeri and most European model's don't really sell in Japan...the Japanese stuff is better quality...certainly in the eyes of Japanese modellers!

Well, having spoken to a few managers of Model Zone, the orders of these kits we are talking about were lucky to sell a handful compared to Hasegawa, Tamiya, Dragon, Hobby Boss, Trumpeter et al.

Yes really when Tamiya can sell their products in Japan for the same price Airfix sell their kits for here...yes really. The Government has a huge amount to do with this...talk to the model shops that have to pay for the duties coming in...if kits are zero rated why do all the companies have to pay the duties coming in? And now that Model Zone have gone what intermediaries are there for Tamiya? Oh you mean Hannants and the others who sell to trade and the public. In fact import duties have been in place since the days of BMW model shop in Wimbledon who were the wholesalers back then of Tamiya and Hasegawa - way back in the day.

Well I beg to differ, that is what makes this thread lively we have our differences of opinion, while reviews might be enthusiastic sales are not - witness the model zone shelves before their demise. Based on history I think Airfix need to keep ahead of the game and not rely on their old back catalogue.

Their Mark 1 in 1/72 was a new kit and it was a replacement to their old 40-50 year old kit. Also the James May TV show helped a great deal. I have to say the Tamiya MK I is a better kit, and in Japan it is cheaper than Airfix. The bold move to release a 1/24 Mossie also brought good reaction - but a new tool Mustang in 1/72 did not bring such a reaction, nor did the P40 or the Typhoon - only to those who have the old kits and stick by the Airfix name...Hasegawa's kits are far superior of the same types. As I say I think Airfix should not worry about retooling or upgrading their old kits...they are nostalgic but lets face it they are behind the times...I feel Airfix should stay on their course of new subjects - The Javelin is lovely, the Sea Vixen superb, the Canberra's are great and the 1/24 Mossie is a plastic wooden wonder...I cannot wait for my Typhoon...but a retooled Defiant is not for me, I'd want a remade one as I'd want a remade MK I spit. The retooled version was OK but the Tamiya version so much better.

The manufacturer that went to the magazines was Hasegawa the kit that was requested the most was 1/72 Me 262 which they duly produced in both single and twin seat versions and other variants and it sold like hot cakes. As for Tamiya being more expensive than Airfix - blame the Government the high cost of import dues puts a premium on the out of country or out of EU kits. Tamiya kits in Japan are very cheap. The points I was trying to make is that I feel Airfix need to concentrate on new kits - their Spit Mk I in 1/72 is a prime example - this is the kit that saved Airfix - James May's TV programme didn't help just a little bit it was a huge success and is a huge success - it was a completely new kit. And it was very well received...as are many of the others that have been totally upgraded and replaced. It is when a kit is just overhauled that these old models are now very much dated and we are talking say 1/48 Lancaster I can see no point in Airfix making such a model when the Tamiya one fits the bill. Any manufacturer should surely look at bringing a new subject to the fore instead of trying to recreate the wheel. A Halifax would be more welcome than another Lanc. The generations who are building models now will rely on the Tamiya Lanc in 1/48. If anyone brought a new one out the market would not be good until many years down the line and only if that Lanc was extremely better than the Tamiya version. Loking at the Airfix back catalogue there is a huge amount they have yet to re tool, does the market really need that all re tooled? Wouldn't the money be nbetter spent on something new? There are a few people on here that would like a e tooled Defiant...I am not one of them...I do understand that requirement but overall would it be a best seller? I have my doubts. Where as re tooling that particular type may cost a bundle and yet say a new kit of a Westland Whirlwind - something that is quite popular at the moment - in 1/48 would be a hot seller as it is a very new subject to be done as a decent kit. I am not into biplanes at all - but I concede that a Swordfish in any scale would be popular the Tamiya 1/48 has proven that...I would wonder in 1/24 whereas a 1/24 Corsair would go down a bundle across the world. Looking at the model stands and clubs at Telford a 1/48 Vulcan would also go down well. Look at the reaction for the 1/24 Typhoon - Airfix have done some bold moves in recent years cerainly with their regeneration and reboot under the Hornby aegis - however I would question retooling all their back catalogue which is promised so I gather, a lot of those kits even re tooled are not popular and are still primitive. Better surely to look to the future and release the next generation kits. Not to rely on those old antiques that really now cshould be consigned to MIB collectors.

Personally I think if there is already a kit on the market that is good and doesn't need replacing - Tamiya Lanc for example (OK you may argue that it needs sunken panel lines but it still stands up), then any kit manufacturer doesn't need to add their version - the Bronco Jep has to be the best on the market now, no point in trying to compete. My point is that Airfix should not look to make a kit that is already covered by others, if you want a 1/48 Phantom then Hasegawa has it sewn up, if your want a 1/32 Spitfire Tamiya has it sewn up. Airfix should be concentrating on new kits to add to their catalogue. Re tooling their back catalogue is not necessarily the right way to go...an awful lot of those old kits are now very much out of date and no amount of retooling will make up for them. The release of the Sea Vixen and Javelin et al is a fantastic bold new path that Airfix are following, for me I hope they continue to carry on and by pass those old nostalgic models that remain in history.

Yes - The Hunters - good film.

I disagree with the thoughts of the Vulcan, I saw so many at Telford made up - obviously the vac formed version (and it was similar size to a 1/48 Hercules) - if that is the case then there would be enough to want a cheaper plastic molded version. There is no need for 1/48 Lanc, Tamiya have that sewn up, the Halifax would be extremely welcome though as would a Sunderland. I agree with the figure idea and I would add I think they could do with bringing out 1/24 figures standing crew etc for their big planes. Airfix will not do 1/35 but it is a shame as the need for decent helicopters in that scale is worth while.

Hey - Top Gun is a great movie - archetypical of the 1980's but we really will not get any more F14's on screen not like that anyway.

Now.....A 1/24 Swordfish? Actually I think there would be quite a market for this but I have to say it would not be one for me. I would plump for a 1/24 Corsair above all else in that scale.

This thread gets lively once in a while but for me if I were on the R&D side of Airfix I'd be looking at 1/48 Vulcan -it's not much different to having a Hercules on your shelf, 1/48 Halifax - This is a travesty of not filling that gap, Tamiya's Lanc is still a viable kit and the Trumpeter Wellington was much needed, the Halifax is a definite want for many, 1/48 Sunderland - this is not for me but I know that a ton of modellers would go ape for this type in this scale. 1/48 Gazelle - a beautiful helicopter and much used by the Brit forces. 1/24 Beaufighter - after the Mossie and the Typhoon surely this is a no brainer, 1/24 F4U Corsair - OK this is a selfish desire but I think that after the 1/24 releases that Airfix have it's about time they looked to another American plane which was of course used by the Brits and France and saw long service during and after the war - it would remain to Airfix to pick the Mark of course. 1/24 Zero - an obvious choice to compliment the major fighters of WW2 from the various participants, 1/24 Me 262 - possibly the most advance leap in aircraft technology for WW2, 1/24 Mk IX Spitfire - OK the MK I is the revolutionary mark and the MKV was a huge leap forward in development but the MK IX is the most produced Mark and is the seminal Spit of the lot (Tamiya's kit is a beaut in 1/32 but 1/24 would be most impressive). 1/35 Lynx - 1/35 is much "The" scale for armour - the Lynx would certainly benefit in this scale for those into armour dio's - the 1/48 armour is a very niche market. 1/35 Gazelle - great to go with 1/35 armour. As for the Great War centenary - I am not sure it is in Airfix's bailiwick to produce WW1 planes - Wingnut has this covered but of course I am open to persuasion. I am not a great fan of biplanes but I do recognise the fact that there is a large part of the modelling fraternity that does require the flying kites. I am not a great Naval fan either I find those tiny scales do not give me great satisfaction - however I would agree about WW1 subjects and I would add Falklands subjects as well. In the end there is still a plethora of subjects that we require as modellers - it comes down to what will be popular = one person's want is not enough - if it were me I would be going for the Vulcan in 1/48 - looking at the various shows there are plenty of modellers who would snap it up.

Is there a book about Cruickshank, I just searched amazon etc. couldn't find a book.