Albeback52

I'm looking forward to my third 21st birthday in 2 years time!. Allan

They are in a slightly precarious state financially and, I would not like to see them go under. But, they are only one amongst many. I will happily buy Airfix provided they produce something I want at a reasonable price. If I can find a cheaper alternative to one of their products, then I will buy that instead. I won't buy a kit specifically because it is Airfix. As far as 2020 is concerned, I will be happy to see the lower end of the kit range expand. My modelling budget rarely extends beyond £ 25 - £30 in a good month!!. Allan

Not to me.Having built both, I'd definitely go for the Airfix kit every time. I can live with the panel lines and other trivial " issues ". Standard of general detail overall is, in my view anyway, better even if the kit engineering is complex. However, to each their own Allan

That's reasonable but, personally, I have no particular loyalty to Airfix or, any other brand.I've got F-4 kits from about five different companies at the moment! Airfix has a tendency to surprise us so, who knows! Allan

Absolutely no harm in that!. . I don't think it's likely but, I wouldn't turn it down! Prefer the long nosed E/F/G variants though Allan

What's a cassette? Allan ps - JUST kidding!

Does it? The Airfix Blenheim 1 kit gave a "hint" of a Ki-43 Oscar! Haven't seen the new Airfix kit yet though! I don't honestly think a (hypothetical) Airfix F-4B would offer anything significantly different or better than what is already available. And, let's face it, good F-4 kits are not exactly rare! Probably why they (thankfully) haven't added to the seemingly endless stream of F-14s,15s,16s,18s already out there too! Still, this IS a speculative thread........ Allan Ps, I'd much rather see Airfix issuing new 1/72 kits of the Jaguar GR1/T2 and, Tornado GR1/4/F3

Well, I think I must also enrol in the "Never heard of it before" club!. I am now 61 and been in the hobby for nearly 53 of these years. I rather like these obscure subjects and, this is certainly attractive but, considering the eye wateringly high prices for other kits from this company, I think I will pass on it Allan

Well, I am 61, been modelling and an enthusiast for most of my life and, I had never heard of it until I saw the announcement! As for your other comment about prices, well, you may be right but, it is price that determines my purchases regardless of interest. There are plenty kits that interest me but, that won't ever be bought because they are out of my price bracket. This is dictated by personal circumstances. In a good month, I may have £25 -£30 to spare for modelling. Kind of limits my options a bit so, most of my guys are second hand or, lower end of the market kits. Putting money aside to save for more expensive items is not an option right now. I'm not complaining though. I can find enough to keep me happy Allan

Or Or,perhaps they are only intending a low production run of a relatively unknown type which itself only had a very limited production run? This, in turn results in a very high unit cost? Not a type that interests me but, I guess it will up to individuals to decide if it was worth it Allan

Hi. Would you therefore be interested in buying the Fantastic Plastic resin Supermarine Type 559? Allan

Glad it all turned out well for you Steve! . I must admit, I prefer whipping old kits into shape. My budget does not extend to after market add ons but, I enjoy a bit of scratch building. It's amazing what you can do with plastic strip, rod, sheet and imagination! To me, that is the fun part! However, to each their own. I always did like the old Matchbox kits. Basic and simple they may be but, they are a good canvas! Allan

Whatever we choose, it looks good. I was thinking along the lines of the Suez scheme with black/yellow stripes. Plenty room for under wing goodies and, it might be feasible fit a bomb bay in the centre section? Allan

. Now that I am currently unemployed I might take you up on that! The new kit does look rather nice though! Joking apart, I have to be realistic Steve and just make the best I can out of what comes out of the box! For those that can stretch to this kit, I hope you enjoy it Allan

Now, THAT is a bit of an eye opener!! I can already hear the whinges and whines about producing this instead of, well, whatever subject modellers are supposed to be screaming out for! Well done Mikromir. I like this kind of subject and, I can see more than a few "what ifs" appearing over the course of time! Allan

I know the feeling. $118US is about £96. It's actually a lot less than I was expecting but, it is still about 3-4 months of my budget but, very reasonable by todays standard for such a kit. The Monogram and Revell B-17 kits are quite easily available here for the £25 - £30 Mark. If I were in the market for a 1/48 B-17, I'd do the same as you. I can live with them. My budget would not stretch to any after market frippery, apart from decals so, they would be out of box build anyway. Allan

Even I have my limits Steve!

The only problem with that is of course the near impossibility of ( a) finding a FROG Vulcan and, ( b) finding one at a remotely sensible price! . The Lindbergh kit is, as you rightly imply, a bit crude!! I am not over fussed about accuracy and, it certainly is, unmistakable as a Vulcan when complete. I could live with that! For years of course it was the only option unless one fancied tackling the Rareplanes or Formaplane vac forms. Allan

You may be right. If the current airfix Victor does sufficiently well, who knows! Of course, one reason for my preference for the Victor B1 is that it will be so much easier to produce a B1 prototype in that beautiful red, black and silver finish applied for the 1952 Farnborough show. It made the Victor look positively sinister!. If memory serves however that aircraft was sadly lost a few weeks later in a fatal crash following separation of the tail plane assembly from the fin?. I remember many years ago there was an article in Scale models magazine whereby the modeller converted the Lindberg Vulcan (which was of course the prototype) to a Vulcan B2. I was able to produce a B1 from that kit. I decided the wing mods for the B2 were a bit much to tackle! Allan

Don't worry about it. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't build one. It's your model. Build and paint it any way you like! Allan

Yes, I would agree with you there. They seem to have a marked tendency to avoid conforming to curved surfaces as well as general poor adhesion.They are like the old Eduard vinyl masks . I didn't like them either. Allan

Good points Adam There may be a demand but, how much of a demand? I don't think it's as high as some imagine. If it was, then I honestly believe that there would be a whole variety of new kits to meet this "demand". However, it's only speculation and, I do not claim to be right. Ultimately, it will be the company bean counters that will decide if "demand" is sufficient . Time will tell. I wouldn't personally consider 1/48 for any, V bomber or , come to that, any other heavy such as a Lancaster or B-17 (to name but two). size and likely price being the reasons. I won't be buying the 1/144 kits because I think they are too small. Again, personal choice and, my loss too as some will no doubt point out!. I would actually prefer to see a Vulcan B1/B1A and, Victor B1 in 1/72. I do have the relevant Flightpath conversion sets but, have not yet plucked up the courage!. I like the idea of an "in between" scale like 1/96. Not too big but, not too small either. Whether companies would like to add another scale to their inventory is another matter. Allan

But are they? My own feeling is that if they were so popular as you imply then surely manufacturing companies would be falling over themselves to churn out kits? Popular in the UK? Well, I think that is a reasonable assumption. Popular internationally? Not so sure about that. Does not mean you are wrong of course but, I am not the one that needs convincing. It's the company bean counters that need to be convinced and, I am pretty sure they can give lots of reasons why V Bombers might not be the best sellers many imagine them to be. 1/48? No disrespect intended but, no thanks!!. These are large aircraft and, I think 1/72 is the most practical scale, certainly with regard to model size. I think the smaller scale might be more likely to encourage multiple sales which, any manufacturers would be hoping for. Doubtless though the 1/48 mafia will disagree! Any smaller scale I would personally ignore. However, that's purely my choice. Allan

Which I think can possibly be translated as "effectively dead in the water"! Allan

Fair point! Allan