Albeback52

Builds into a nice model. Fit of some of the parts wasn't marvellous!! - that perennial bug bear being the underfuselage insert!! However, nothing that a little patience and TLC won't fix. Buy it - you won't be disappointed.

Well, I'm not really a warship buff but, I have been known to dabble in the past and, have started dabbling again.!! Take up less space than aircraft for a start!! To my uninitiated eye, it looks pretty damn good. My only reservation would be that even in this scale, the anchor chains look a bit on the big side? That apart, I'd be happy to buy this & display it I've already got the HMS Dreadnought mentioned earlier and, I have 3 of ICM's 1/350 scale W W 1 German battleships. They are all reasonably priced and, are perfectly adequate for me. I think the W W 1 era capital ships have a certain character about them which, is why I think I find them attractive I have no doubt that a whole navy of "experts" is ready to heap scorn on this new kit ( and probably the others I've mentioned) but, I really don't care. These models are very reasonably priced and, I suggest are more than adequately detailed for the majority of their buyers. Personally, I don't really give a fig about how "accurate" or otherwise it may be - largely because I'm in blissful ignorance!! I work with what I have and, not being an accuracy freak or rivet counter am content to build out of the box. I'm tempted by the Trumpeter 1/350 HMS Repulse but, not so tempted by the price!! If Academy can produce decent large scale kits at this price, I won't complain. A pity our own manufacturers seem more reluctant to venture into this field although, Airfix at least seem to be "testing the water". I'm not however interested in modern warships - very dull & boring looking so I wont be buying their current kits. I guess we all have our own "would be nice" list in this scale Here's mine if, anyone is interested ; Royal Sovereign class battleship Renown class battle cruiser ( cheaper than Trumpeter please!!) County Class heavy cruiser Leander class light cruiser Dido/Arethusa class light cruiser Abdiel class minelayer Tribal class destroyer Black Swan class escort sloop Derfflinger class battlecruiser I don't ask much do I !! Allan

Well done Charley. I got on on evilbay recently for £26.55 I don't normally do 1/144 but, this is the only game in town for me ! (no, I can't afford the Anigrand kit!!) It was actually a reboxed example produced by Yodel. I have acquired 3 over the years - one an Otaki original & one the Revell boxing. I actually paid less than £25 each for the other two!! Both were from the UK. I simply refuse to pay the silly prices this kit fetches nowadays. I wonder if most will actually be built or, will gather dust on collector's shelves? Before anybody asks, they are NOT for sale!!

Nice job Simon. I'm lucky enough to have one of the original Airfix Kits ( complete with Bloodhound missile). I'll build it eventually but, like all my models, it will be straight out of the box. I don't do expensive accessories . I like to work with what I have. More fun that way! Probably have to replace the decals though. Age has not been kind to them. I always did prefer the Sand & Stone finish to that awful boring low-viz grey nonsense!

: Ah well!! There goes my VC-10 dream! I'd certainly buy the above mentioned kits if they were in 1/72 but, as they are 1/144, I'm afraid I'm not interested.

I'm not convinced of the logic (if any) of this type of argument and, the poster ( like a previous one) has provided no evidence (short of an opinion) to back up a statement that a C-130J would have wider appeal than an A400. The number of aircraft built/on order/in service is surely irrelevant and I fail to see why it should have any deciding effect on whether or not a kit is produced. Those using this kind of argument would surely then agree that the Boeing E3 AWACS ( total production 68) is even less worthy of a kit? And yet, to my knowledge, there have been 7 kits prodused to date. ( perhaps someone can confirm/correct me). Precisely how many TSR 2s entered service and, with how many airforces did it serve? Yet again, including the recent Airfix items, several kits have been produced over the years I agree that that the C130 is very familiar to many of us. To the extent perhaps that familiarity breeds contempt ( if I may use the phrase). To any but the knowledgable enthusiast, the C130J is really just another C130! A warmed over version of a design that is nearly 60 years old. A Herc with "go-faster" stripes! It's NOT NEW in other words. Also, with a total of about 220 built since 1999, it is hardly a world beater in sales terms.. The Airbus is brand new, in production AND, probably capable of more development than the C130. I'm personally delighted at the imminent release of the A400 kit. I'd buy at least 3!!. The Herc has been kitted many times over the years. Some good, some bad, some indifferent. I think,over time, I have built every 1/72 version. I have no issues with any of them largely because I do not go looking for faults. I work with what I have. I think the issue of accuracy is over stated and, is largely the province of a (very) vocal minority. I do not believe it is a major issue (if at all) for most modellers. I may of course be wrong. Now, getting back on track, I would personally build the Italeri C-130J as it is. I have one in my stash along with an original Airfix C130.The basic kit is quite adequately detailed (enough for my purposes) and, I do it for my pleasure & nobody else's. Anybody that comes into my flat & sees it will be none the wiser in regard to any faults so, why should I waste modelling time correcting things that won't be noticed? If others feel that they cannot put up with the kits faults (alleged or otherwise), then I respect that. They are probably far better modellers than I! ps - I wouldn't turn my nose up at a new Herc either but, I'd rather have a C17 or, a C-141 or, a C-133 or, a C-74 or, a C124 or, Handley Page Hastings or, Blackburn Beverly or, Avro York, or, Short Belfast or, Bristol Brittania or, A W Argosy or, an Andover or,...........................................!!!!!!. Sorry folks - that's fantasising now!!

1/72 is all I need to know!!

Can you at least tell us what scale?

and your evidence to back this up is? I'm sorry Jennings but this type of "argument" smacks of a disapointed and spoilt child not getting his way.

Ya Beauty!!! I've been trying (without success!) to get hold of either the Monogram or Revell issues of the - 52D for ages! For a bit of modelling therapy, I decided to make a few small mods to the AMT B-52G. Attached a few photos ( photobucket permitting! ).Hope they may be of interest. Kind of one of my mad ideas but, it turned out fairly well!! Think I probably made a rod for my own back by using the AMT kit but, what the hell!! Hopefully, I'll get a B-52D to sit along side her one of these days!

I think most of us ( myself included) DO actually grasp that premise which, is why I think this proposal is a non starter! While well intentioned, it a bit like the "modelling world is crying out for" or, "topped the most wanted list for years" scenarios. Who is doing the "crying out for" and, "who is wanting the most". A very vocal (and small) minority I suspect. I believe that the "wider market" simply views airliners as DULL!! Mere buses with wings that do nothing but shuttle people from A to B all day !! I do not believe that perception (however unjustified) will change. Of course, sometimes in business, you HAVE to take a calculated risk. Neither of us knows for certain that ( using the hypothetical VC-10) as an example) that there ISN'T a huge number of people who would snap up this hypothetical kit in their thousands. You cannot say "no" merely on the basis of sites like this or, something as undefinable as the "wider market"

with which I agree. My original point also (some posts back!) was that I thought a new airliner kit would sell better if it offerred both the military AND civil versions. Looks like we both agree on that as well.. I would consider £23 - £28 for a relatively small & simple model like a 1/144 VC-10 to be excessive. However, that 's just me. Pays your money, you takes your choice. Of course, this is all moot. I really don't think anything will come of this idea - however well intentioned. I would of course be delighted to be proved wrong.

I don't think price is really the issue. There seems to be a market for Tamiya Spitfires at £135 a shot & Trumpeter Harriers at £90+ a shot ! The question "Is there a market" for a 1/72 VC-10 ?" is perhaps more of a pertinent point. I don't know the answer to that one. If it were marketed purely as a civil VC-10, I'd suggest not. Pure & simple, airliners do NOT sell as well as military aircraft subjects. If it were produced as a C1/K2, I reckon it might sell better but, as to volume of sales? Well, who knows. Certainly, I'd buy at least 3 but,that's largely because I have a really MAD idea for a "what if" involving 2 VC-10s!!. In 1/72 scale, it would be a MONSTER! Personally, while I don't like 1/144 scale, I hope this proposal succeeds but, I fear that the reality will be a polite "no thanks" from Airfix Of course, if I could overcome my prejudice against the tiddler scale & get a couple of VC-10s at a reasonable price...................!!!!

.....and the other problem is Trumpeter prices!! Yes , I know it's a matter of personal choice!

I'd stick my neck out & say two! The Vulcan and Victor!!

"QUOTE (SeaVenom @ Aug 13 2011, 09:13 PM) Ok, but we've heard people saying similar things about the Airfix 1/48 Lightning. Some people have said that it didn't sell very well and was a bit of a disaster for Airfix, but others have pointed out that it might have appeared that way because Airfix produced so many of them and a few were left sitting on the shelves. Well most of that has just been idle rumour and people putting 2 and 2 together and making marmalade. I think the story of the Lightning has been clarified before, but for those who missed it: No they were not a disaster. They were a considerable investment for sure, and they clawed back their costs within the allotted time frame. What did happened, as happens with a lot of kits, is that after the initial surge of interest, everything plateaus out. Sometimes this hold steady for a while longer, sometimes it starts to slow year on year. The overproduction was an entirely separate issue not related to the Lightning specifically - long story." "QUOTE Some of the same people also said that Airfix would never put it into production again.....even though it's supposed to be reissued soon. As ever its curious as to where these half-arsed rumours come from and whether people just make them up for a bit of attention. Oh and Dave F is right about the Stratocruiser kit. And some "much requested" military aircraft subjects are not immune from being talked up and then failing to find a market. " Well, unless it's another half arsed rumour, Hannants has the Airfix 1/48 Lightning F2A/F6 listed as a future release. I've always been a bit sceptical about the "much requested" military subjects and, kits that allegedly top the "most wanted" polls for years. Much requested & most wanted by whom exactly? Probably a minority of vocal enthusiasts. If I had a "much requested" & "most wanted "list myself, it would include the following ( all in 1/72 scale injection moulded)) Bristol Brittania A W Argosy H S Andover H P Hastings Blackburn Beverley Vulcan B1 Victor B1 Avro York Avro Tudor Avro Lincoln Avro Shackleton ( any/all versions!) Vickers Warwick Vickers Varsity Shorts Belfast That's just for starters!! I'd then add ; Boeing B-47 ( A new one please!!) Douglas DC-7 C-74 Globemaster 1 C-124 Globemaster II C-133 Cargomaster C-141 Starlifter A new house to store them all!! I realise I don't want much & I'm just dreaming! Now, out of these, how many would stand the remotest chance of even being considered for kits? Unfortunately, manufacturers will continue to bore us to death with endless F-16s, Spitfires, BF109s, P47s, F-18s etc etc & so forth!!. Because, unfortunately, these things sell by the bucketload !!That is the sad reality.

Thanks WIP.Appreciate the info. I have just had a response to my enquiry to Kits-World. They are unaware of anyone planning a new 1/48 scale Halifax

I'm happy to stand corrected on that ! I wasn't aware there was a preserved Halifax in Canada. I admit to not having checked where Michael is located!

An interesting question. I suspect however that the answer might be "no". Probably because of 2 key words - biplane and rigging! Regardless of the type's pedigree, I wonder if it really has the sort of mass appeal that will generate sales. Personally, I'd certainly have a bash at one!! I built and rigged the Matchbox kit many years ago. Actually quite enjoyed it! Anything for relief from the tedium of endless F-16s, Spitfires & Mustangs!!. The HP 42 class would certainly make impressive models in 1/72 scale but, again, I suspect that" biplanerigging-itis "would set in & put a lot of people off!

So do I Anyhow, I have also emailed Hannants and my local model shop to ask if they have any information. However, my money is now on us all getting excited over nothing! A previous post referred to representatives from a kit manufacturer inspecting a preserved Halifax - I'm assuming that's the one at Elvington? I suggest this was likely to be Revell. After all, we KNOW that a new 1/72 Halifax is due from them. I think this is going to run & run - rather like the oft rumoured Airfix 1/48 Vulcan! . A quick bout of "Googling" revealed no information on 1/48 Halifaxes except for the F M & Sanger kits.

Which would appear to suggest then that the decals have nothing to do with a new kit at all?

Try Nylon "invisible" thread. It's very strong & certainly gives a "scale" appearance.

: E mailed them yesterday to ask this very question. Awaiting reply. I really hope it isn't one of the Far Eastern manufacturers. I'd like to be able to afford this model & they've priced themselves out of my market!

Hannants have 2 x 1/48 scale Halifax decal sheets advertised as future releases by Kits-World. No information about what kit they are intended for on the advert. Anything from rumour control about the model? The only 1/48 Halifax kits I know of are the Fonderie Miniatures & Sanger kits. I have also e-mailed Kits-World but have had no reply as yet

He obviously HAS noticed!!