fightersweep

That was exactly my first thought. I pre-ordered the Buchon Scale Models Mk XVIe lowback set early last year. It was 70 Euros (It's now showing 145 Euros on the website). I'm still ok with that as at least the XVIe is sufficiently different. I did notice though that they are now advertising a lot of the components separately now such as the E Wing conversion, so it may still work out for them.

@Adam Poultney Agree with everything you said Well put! I started modelling in the late 70s. Through 79 to 86, 90% of my purchases had to be series 1 Airfix kits or purple range Matchbox kits. That's about all I could afford. Every so often, a bit of extra money meant something a bit bigger like a light bomber and once in a very rare while, something with four engines!! I used to drool over the Airfix Superkits, but they were well outside of my price range and the domain of serious modellers that did conversions with balsa and brick mortar. I never got one for Christmas or birthdays despite my nagging. Aged 16 in 1986, I bought the 1/24 Spitfire with my first full time wage. I got there eventually. I agree that these models, with the exception of those kids lucky enough to get one as a present, were aimed squarely at the serious hobbyist. They still are. Agree also on the many forms of entertainment that now grab the attention of the kids. I grew up as home computing and gaming started to kick in, and that certainly diverted a chunk of my attention. It may have diverted more if my Spectrum games hadn't kept crashing during loading from the cassette! One thing I would also add. Us 60s and 70s kids grew up on a diet of WW2 based entertainment. Films, TV, comics, books, magazines, toys, grandparents and parents that were there sharing their stories. It was so ingrained in our consciences, that the urge to build plastic kits of all our favourite planes, ships and tanks from WW2 was almost a given. I think my first major distraction from all of that was the release of some obscure little Sci Fi film that came out in 77. Steve

One or two of these will certainly be on the shopping list. Great choice by Hornby. Despite how much a Mk 1a replacement would have been nice, they absolutely made the right decision on the mark. Now, to make me really happy, I'll keep my fingers crossed the aftermarket bods come up with a Mk XIV conversion for this kit (although a conservation with Buchon Scale Models has hinted this will be coming)

May I suggest this: https://www.buchonscalemodels.com/products/1-24-supermarine-spitfire-mk-ixe-resin-conversion-kit3 Or the full range; https://www.buchonscalemodels.com/categories/124-scale

Well, that's just typical since I've paid and pre-ordered £70 for the Buchon Scale Models 1/24 conversion set! Mind you, I opted for the Mk XVIe set, so a silver lining there. Great choice by Hornby. Can't wait!

Crikey! Is that a leak by Hornby or an early April fools?

I'll be honest. I don't think Airfix would ever consider investing in any of those subjects (as cool as they would all be). The Hellcat was certainly unexpected, but not novel. After all, it's probably the most famous USN fighter of WW2. Any other 1/24 subject is going to have to be a banker for Airfix. I agree with other comments here that the current 1/24 Spitfire is long in the tooth now, and a replacement to their modern standards would be most welcome. I guess it would be either another Mk 1, Mk V or my money would be on a Mk IX (despite really wanting a 1/24 Mk XIV) I think the same applies to the Bf 109E, and I think a newer Emil would sell a lot of kits for Hornby. Aside from that, any other release would more than likely be a well known, major WW2 type and most likely either a British, US or German subject. A Corsair would have a lot of mileage, as would a P-40 and P-51B. A Me 262 could be possible, and would bridge the gap between the range being entirely WW2 based and providing their first jet in that scale. As for British types? I'm not sure to be honest. A Tempest and Sea Fury would be great, but maybe just too closely related to the Typhoon? Then again, it's documented that Airfix did seriously consider the Gloster Gladiator back in the 70s. That's a nice thought! Still, it's all supposition, and only Airfix know their plans. I'm sure whatever the subject is, I'll probably buy one!

I enjoy pre-empting what this years batch of Vintage Classics will be. I reckon we'll see another car, especially if the 1/32 Jaguar 420 has sold well. Morris Marina or Maxi would be fun. Aircraft wise, there seemed to be rumours of the Rotodyne. It would be nice if it's something that hasn't been available for a long time. Maybe the Beagle Basset or Cherokee Arrow would be welcome, but I suspect wingy things that go shooty-bang-bang will prevail. SRN-1 would be nice too.

Whilst I agree as an old Southend lad well acquainted with the unique Historic Aircraft Museum Lincoln G-APRJ, I can understand why the Paul Allen collection restored it as a Lancaster nose section. After all it's origin was as a Lancaster nose section from TW911 I suppose, and I guess more museum visitors are going to identify with a wartime Lanc nose than as it was in it's "Lancoln" Napier configuration. It really needed to be bolted on to the rest of G-APJR to retain the uniqueness that was G-APRJ. Steve

Well, I decided to gather the preliminary GB build selection, and so my bench now has these beauties awaiting my touch of modelling death. Looking forward to tackling this selection, especially the Dornier 18; Hope to get some WIPs set up and ready to go soon, but I've had four kids isolating with Covid since the 17th, and as they've been dropping one by one and so we're now on a rolling 10 day self isolation as a household. Somehow, me and Mrs Fightersweep have avoided the virus so far. Christmas was a bit quiet with the kids stuck in their rooms, but its meant that we've been running meals to all the rooms each day and now we know what running hotel room service feels like. As a result, modelling has taken a bit of a back burner but hopefully things will settle down soon. Not sure how I intend to tackle these kits yet, but I think I'm leaning towards largely OOB as I want to re-visit the simple modelling joys of my youth for this GB. I may have to rig the bi-planes though and I might decide to go to town on a least one kit. Either way, I'm pretty excited for this GB. Steve

I'll second that. It's one fine looking aeroplane.

Thanks! I'll keep my fingers crossed for 2022. I'm after a Battle of Britain era variant ideally. I could use an A-5, but I'm holding out for an A-1.

Are we still going to get an A-1 from ICM? It's the version I've been waiting for.

Magic! Thanks! Let's see if Mr Technophobe here can make it work.....

That's more than likely the reason. Don't think I was an average younger modeller back then, being an anorak from an early age. Some of the Matchbox plastic made me wince even as a kid, and I was always happier when the plastic colour had some semblance of the prototype. Mind you, a lot of the garish colours seemed more common in the 1970s, which might explain why orange was often a popular choice at Matchbox.

Wow! The work you've done on that Siskin so far looks amazing. I've got a lurid orange and blue boxing myself, but I think the more standard green and silver version is in my build pile. For a kit that was intended to be built "unpainted" if desired, I'm not sure how Matchbox arrived at blue and orange for the Siskin initially.

Ditto! The tech useless me would like to add the signature too....if only I knew how!

Received some more Matchbox goodies through the post today, one winging it's way from Austria. I'll post some photos later. .....But crikey! Why have I only just noticed that the GB runs for six months! That's a game changer!

Remembering back to my build, I think I would remove that rear roof panel and re-spray the whole section and re-fit. One benefit of it being built up with screws. I seem to recall that the shade of red didn't match on my roof panels as supplied by Hachette anyway!

I think I was put off by the stray pube on the rear window

Fantastic news! I've been after an AOP 9 for years. Too much of a coward to try the Hallam vac kit.

Thanks! I'll make sure I keep my eyes open for that one then.

I've got my name next to the Walrus in the list on page one, but another Walrus from Pat would be more than welcome. Can't have too many Walruses....or is it Walri? Regarding the CR 42. Yep! I think it's the Revell plastic too. Would that still count as long as it's in Matchbox packaging? Only ask as I have a Matchbox boxing of the Revell Ford Escort XR3 and I wasn't sure if it qualified. It's this kit: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/matchbox-40381-ford-escort-xr-3--161107 Clearly released with the Matchbox brand under Revell's ownership, and the plastic is Revell too, so I must admit even I'm not sure just how Matchboxy this kit can be considered despite the logo. Steve

I know! Lucky me! I got it for £16 which doesn't seem bad when some folk are asking £32 for the Lysander.

Well, as it happens, I've just picked up a second totally unstarted B-26 Marauder on eBay....so please sign me up for the Marauder in the GB. I'll still add a photo of the kit I already have just in case it's within the 25% and then I'll have the option of adding a second B-26 to the GB! Looking forward to being busy. I enjoyed the Heller GB immensely, and the this one is going to be equally fantastic! Steve