Denford

First, thanks to the Moderator(s) for the hard work in keeping the site running and much, much more. I had no idea there was another similar thread. I’ll try and stick to your guidelines! For Airfix I think it will be a bumper year of new subjects or no such announcement would have been made. - Based on previous release 'cycles' we are surely due another large 1/72 subject to alternate with 1/24. First in line a new Halifax, though a B-24 is possible. - Totally new, never previously tooled (I forget their exact words) can only be pure guesswork. A Sea Venom in the colours of FAA, RAN and French Navy would fit the Airfix ‘modus operandi’. - And why no Havoc\Boston? So many variants, users, colour schemes etc. In my opinion ‘pure Airfix’. - No Hampden till the Cosford restoration is complete, which I’m told has been delayed by stop\starts. - I’m told (unsubstantiated, though informed) that greatest sales are in North America where 1/48 reigns supreme. Surely a Harvard (so many users etc) and in that scale would allow removable side panels like the real thing. In my opinion something only Airfix would do and would put it way ahead of all others. - Logic here, but what about the Fighter Mosquito? The Bomber is no longer listed on Big H, and in my opinion Airfix wouldn’t want to make the gap between the two too great. - Wishlisting? I doubt I’d buy any except the Sea Venom and then only if 1/72 which I don’t think it would be.

My embolding and italics, but I'm told that Airfix (or rather their holding Company) expect them to recover the initial costs in the first year.

Having just had 'the Spitfire to end all Spitfires' I suspect we will have a break. Indeed their next Spitfires will surely be 'developments' of said lX, with Vc and Xlll being the favourites. Almost the first time ever, one actually knows what is coming from Airfix! I'll put the foregoing some 2 years off and it will be interesting how this 'influences' the release of other 'large kits': either in 1/24 or subjects that were themselves large. Meanwhile I wonder if Eduard will extend their Spitfire range. Like everyone else, for reasons I can't fathom, they've stayed clear of Griffon variants. Yet their approach to modelling of variants is well suited to this and I'm sure by this time next year I'll multiple sprues with unwanted parts for the for 109 variants they are set to produce. Maybe Griffon Spitfires will follow or perhaps more / long nosed Fw 190s.

I'd say unlikely. Airfix have seemingly decided to tool only the UK built Beauforts and ignore the Australian 'variant'. The above Gannet variants differ so much more from the Anti Submarine model that I feel the same thinking will apply. In any case there are many, many more subjects they have yet to tool/retool within their resources/budget

Do you thin it for spraying, and if so, with what?

The 'orange' colour is probably due to the presence of Iron Oxides ie rust. Pure Titanium Dioxide is pure white and used for everything from 'Snopake' (correcting fluid, though not much used now !) to industrial white paints. It has the advantage over previously used Lead of being non-toxic and not darkening in a polluted atmosphere.

Subjects that size would take some 2-3 years tool from go-ahead to release, so merely asking about a Catalina suggests that it won't be one of next year's releases. The Halifax is old, maybe worn out too and so a likely subject for replacement.

I 'have heard talk' of a Vc

Thank you for this ! Needless to say I can't find the earlier posting where he said they wouldn't be doing any more new 1/72. I'll also point this out to my 'well informed source' who said this too - presumably based on the same posting. One new 'kit release' surely means one new subject as it seems that almost every variety of 109 F, G and K is planned, each one a separate kit! Quite an undertaking, though they do have data from their 1/48 range to give them a start. It will also nicely fill in the gaps in the Fine Molds. And if you can find those already tooled, the postage I was quoted was more than the kit ! So we must just be patient for Griffon Spitfires, long nosed 190s and the like. Plenty else to keep us occupied till then.

Eduard have gone into print to say they won't be producing any more 1/72 kits

Possible, but I'd say unlikely. Without going too much 'off thread' my money would be on a 1/48 Harvard.

Can the Privateer really be brand new? My italics as, sadly, it will surely be the none-too-perfect 80's release.

The old ie 70's Frog Spitfire XlV also included a VI. Accuracy ? well if it's like Spitfire with it, then probably not very good.

Why not add Scimitar and make it a trio of unlikely subjects? Do I hear cries 'but I know they would sell' forgetting that Airfix's purpose is to make money, by selling kits worldwide, not just to a niche market.

It's always been my opinion that the Blue was RAF blue: the same as used for vehicles. It was, after all, readily available.

I learnt at Telford why, for the first time, a scale down (1/48 to 1/72) was made. Covid made it impossible to visit 'chosen' subjects, and Airfix had to rely on data already held. Presumably because it was a good seller and not too recent, the Meteor 8 was picked. This then begs the question, what other 'forced choices' were made because of Covid ? We might see some in the New Year announcements, after which the impact will begin to lessen. My wish, and it can be no more than that, would be a Sea Fury. Mustn't drift too much off thread.

It has been said, I forget where, that they won't release a Hampden until the Cosford restoration is complete.

More likely to scale down to 1/72

You 'pulled me up' on this last time, hence 'basic' engine! That said I can't believe that some parts aren't the same. Even so, there is still commonality of the other parts I mentioned. My belief if that if the Hellcat sold well, the Corsair is a 'natural' follow on

Corsair is not wishful thinking. Airfix already have a head start with the Hellcat. Same propeller, same wheels, same armaments, same basic engine. As for German, surely an Me262,

There was a kit issued by 'Attack Squadron' a few years ago. They were taken over by Brengun, though it's not currently listed on their website. A 'comprehensive' resin kit with photo etch, printed film and some 8 decal schemes, though only one RAF, post war. Not an easy build, but in skilled hands (alas not mine) a good result can be produced. This was all detailed 'somewhere' on this website, though I haven't looked.

Though I've only seen it on this site, it looks something of a disappointment, and not much of an 'advance' over the earlier Hasegawa G4M1 rendering. The more so since the much more detailed Hasegawa G4M2 (complete with Okha) is priced at £39.99, whereas the subject kit is £44.98. Yes, I know the £ is weak but ....

Perhaps if it sells well it will encourage Airfix to tool its, as yet un-tooled contemporary, Venom FB1.

Now that's an interesting thought. I'm told that Airfix can't 'rebox the SR53 as it won't fit their current Series 1 boxing. Perhaps Xtrakit could oblige .....

Good luck for those to whom such subjects appeal. For my part, and others who have so far posted reactions, I'd rather see 'better' toolings of Venom FB1, Sea Venom, Javelin, Sea Vixen, Attacker. Even Hornet if one can find accurate plans. It strikes me as rather odd that one has to look to Trumpeter for a Wyvern!