New Airfix : He 111, Defiant & Sea King

[tempestfan]

However, I think the reasons mentioned by their manager above are quite sensible. In the end all Airfix want to do is to sell kits, and the 111 will sell, even if there is a (in my eyes) superior alternative on the market already. In all the speculation it's easy to lose sight of the fact that for a major company, a kit needs to sell well all over the world. That rules out slightly more exotic types, even if they are British.

The Defiant is an excellent choice, I think most are very happy with this.

As for the scanning thing, well, over the past fifty years there have been many very accurate kits out, so it's not a prerequisite apparently.

Obviously it's a question of whether (and to which extent) the targeted markets overlap - given the price of the Hasegawa 111 (as far as I'm aware of it), a new mould Airfix will probably be eminently competitive even on the "dedicated modellers" market. And given that the Hase kit has relatively trenchy detail at least on the fuselage, that's one more point in favour of Airfix (hopefully...). Airfix may be at a slight disadventage when going head to head with the Revell boxing, but that will largely depend on in which Series Airfix will put the kit. It will be a surefire seller especially on the airshow circuit where, as I understand, Airfix has a strong presence.

Your statement about the Defiant is somewhat contradictory - I'd class the Defiant as a fairly exotic and quite unsuccessful design But it looks cool, which was probably Airfix's main reason for kitting it so early, and obviously has sold well during all those years.

Fully agree with your statement about the way a kit is designed - if they use that new method on a restoration that has taken a lot of artistic licence (which may be the case especially for older ones - wasn't there something with the nacelle/undercarriage bays of the St Athans/Hendon 110G, faithfully reproduced by Revellogram ?), the result will be no better than the master they base their work on. But this has been mentioned by a number of posters now (***I felt obliged to reply when halfway through the thread***).

Edited November 10, 2014 by tempestfan

[sroubos]

My take on the BoB era releases is that not only does it leave a decent Ju 87 and Ju 88 wanting in the Airfix range, it also leaves a decent metal wing Hurricane I.

If there is one kit we really don't need another one of then it's a Ju-88. Yes, as with the He-111 it will probably sell well but from a modeller's perspective it would be a completely useless release. Both Revell and Zvezda have excellent kits at bargain prices available with even Hasegawa kits dropping in price now as well and becoming available at Airfix series 3 prices.

Never mind that it wasn't really a big player in the BoB, or was it?

Now that Hurricane, this is where you are 100% correct. I had expected that to follow closely on the heels of the fabric wing and I would be extremely surprised if it's not included in the 2015 release slate.

Your statement about the Defiant is somewhat contradictory - I'd class the Defiant as a fairly exotic and quite unsuccessful design But it looks cool, which was probably Airfix's main reason for kitting it so early, and obviously has sold well during all those years.

Yeah, and that's why I'm so happy with it - it does represent a little bit of a gamble. I suppose the full release slate for 2015 will be 80% updates of old kits and 20% gambles and I feel the Defiant fits the latter category.

Edited November 10, 2014 by sroubos

[Work In Progress]

I think of lidar as to CAD design what photography is to an oil painter. It will not provide the finished CAD file. According the the Airfix video, the scans are done by a contractor, and they supply an OBJ file. I don't think surface detail from the scan will be used, and mouldmaking to that level of detailnis too expensive. It is basically a quick way of describing the dimensions, and also great for complex curves that can't be simply described by normal measuring. I don't think it will quicken the CAD process, if anything it would make it slower, but gaining accuracy, assuming the subject is original.

At Telford they quoted a rough 25% improvement in overall design time, but yes, there is still a LOT of work to do after the scan.

[Troy Smith]

Yeah, and that's why I'm so happy with it - it does represent a little bit of a gamble. I suppose the full release slate for 2015 will be 80% updates of old kits and 20% gambles and I feel the Defiant fits the latter category.

I don't think the Defiant is a gamble.

The old Defiant has been a steady seller for Airfix since it came out, while in it's intended role it was a failure, it did have long service record, and it won't be long before a AM company does a TT conversion I bet. Even the standard Mk I can be done as a nightfighter.

Plus the Brits like 'heroic failures' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Heroic_Failures

Though a child the Defiant looked great... I mean, what 8 year old would want this !

I have dim memories of being 6 and painting one silver as it looks silvery in the pic above....

cheers

T

PS though quite why a NF Defiant would be encountering a Bf109E is another point entirely, but I know that Airfix box paiting were certainly the 'carrot' back then as far as I as concerned...

[Nick Millman]

Your statement about the Defiant is somewhat contradictory - I'd class the Defiant as a fairly exotic and quite unsuccessful design

In hindsight yes, but it is an important design in the context of the development of fighter aircraft and air warfare. The turret was almost revolutionary at the time the Defiant was being designed, it followed a lineage from the Bristol Fighter to the Hawker Demon and the concept was pursued without insight that it would lead up a blind alley because other parallel developments would make it obsolete.

In addition to holding a unique and by no means shabby role in the air warfare of 1940 the Defiant went on to serve as the first pioneer of AI radar and the forerunner of highly specialised two-seat night fighters.

IMHO the Defiant more than justifies inclusion in a general RAF WW2 collection as well as in themed collections - BoB, two-seat fighters, night fighters. The only kits have been the ancient Airfix and the more recent but complex Special Hobby. And to modellers of a certain age who have wrestled with the first generation Defiant over the years it exudes Airfix nostalgia.

[Paul J]

I don't think the Defiant is a gamble.

The old Defiant has been a steady seller for Airfix since it came out, while in it's intended role it was a failure, it did have long service record, and it won't be long before a AM company does a TT conversion I bet. Even the standard Mk I can be done as a nightfighter.

Plus the Brits like 'heroic failures' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_Heroic_Failures

Though a child the Defiant looked great... I mean, what 8 yera old would want this !

I have dim memories of being 6 and painting one silver as it looks silvery in the pic above....

cheers

So you don't read instructions Troy!

[Paul J]

IMHO the Defiant more than justifies inclusion in a general RAF WW2 collection as well as in themed collections - BoB, two-seat fighters, night fighters. The only kits have been the ancient Airfix and the more recent but complex Special Hobby. And to modellers of a certain age who have wrestled with the first generation Defiant over the years it exudes Airfix nostalgia.

There was also a 1/72nd one from Pavla. Resin and etch in the parts that looked like scaled down CA parts(?)

[Troy Smith]

So you don't read instructions Troy!

Nah, I was so hot as a modeller back then I did it as the prototype

[Black Knight]

You've cited the Defiant in its well known roles but it was also used for Air-Sea rescue work, and the USAAF used some. So a few more options for Airfix to put their kit in, or for the AM producers.

[DominikS]

If designer has mentioned BoB so metal wing Hurricane is obvious choice for next year. Unfortunately we have to wait and keep our fingers crossed.

[oz rb fan]

So Airfix seem to be working their way through the WWII subjects. What's left in their back catalogue aircraft wise (I'll leave other categories to those who know)? Battle (likely), Stirling (not sure), Halifax (will probably be a radial engines type) and that's about it for British types.

P-38 (that would be nice), Hellcat, Wildcat and Corsair (one of those for 2015). B-17 or B-24? Not sure about those. Marauder or Invader? Again unlikely I think as those would be better in 1/48. For a US medium bomber, either the A-20 or B-25 would I think be more of a banker.

As for Japanese stuff, Airfix never did have a large selection - the Val maybe?

Russian types? Pick any Yak or MiG and we would snap them up. Would they redo the Pe-2 or Il-2, probably not.

Then there's the Great War and Cold War to cover!

Trevor

i would love the Val to be redone........but even more so....the KI46 Dinah..........and DH 88.

[JBOHMSS]

I just wish Airfix would get into the 21st century and stop the 1/72 fest - it's a tiny scale - get more into 1/48th and bigger - most serious modellers leave 1/72 behind!

Tongue in cheek!

[davecov]

most serious modellers leave 1/72 behind!

*wince*

Dave

[JBOHMSS]

Mwah ha ha!

Actually on a serious note - 1/48 and bigger is more lucrative to us modellers past 40 as it's easier to see and capture the details - can't be doing with those tiny little cockpits!

[DominikS]

Methinks each scale has pros and cons. Everything depends on our eyes. And when I see someone claiming that serious modellers work only with 48th scale I only think it's nonsense. I've seen lots of models in 72nd with such a detail that I couldn't believe my eyes.

IMHO everything depends on one's attitude towards modeling. If someone likes detailing buys bigger models. The other reason is poor eyesight. My colleague gave up 72nd because he couldn't work with small details.

In perfect world each kit would be released in every scale simultaneously. But, unfortunately, we live in brutal world where we can't get everything we want.

Stay positive lads!

Greetings from unbelievably sunny Walbrzych

Dominik

[occa]

I just wish Airfix would get into the 21st century and stop the 1/72 fest - it's a tiny scale - get more into 1/48th and bigger - most serious modellers leave 1/72 behind!

Tongue in cheek!

Who are you campaigning for lol?

Anyways, women like 1/72 better and who does not love to see the ladies being happy?

I like the points that are brought up here:

http://z15.invisionfree.com/72nd_Aircraft/index.php?showtopic=5967

[Graham Boak]

The smallest part on any model is limited by the production method not the scale. The smallest part to be handled/seen on a 1/48 model will be much the same size as the smallest part on a 1/72 model, but the 1/48 model will be more detailed than a 1/72 because the scale can handle parts that are smaller in the original. So unless you are happy with 1/48 kits that have the same number of parts as 1/72, and appear cruder than other 1/48 kits, you'll not benefit from changing scales.

Plus 1/48 has such a limited range of subjects in comparison with 1/72.

[marty_hopkirk]

I just wish Airfix would get into the 21st century and stop the 1/72 fest - it's a tiny scale - get more into 1/48th and bigger - most serious modellers leave 1/72 behind!

Tongue in cheek!

Seconded!

After all, 1/48 is a true engineering scale, whilst 1/72 is a concocted scale.

Marty...

[Graham Boak]

One inch to 6 feet is no more concocted, nor less an engineering scale, than one inch to 4 feet. Now if you wanted to talk 1/76, 1/35, or 1/700, I'd agree with you completely.

[dfqweofekwpeweiop4]

i would love the Val to be redone........but even more so....the KI46 Dinah..........and DH 88.

Actually there's 2 Japanese aircraft Airfix could do and that is indeed the Ki-46 and also the Ki-100. Both (unless they've moved since last year) are residing at Cosford, so it would be pretty easy for Airfix to zap them with their laser gadget thingy and make nice new models from them. Not sure how well both would sell over here, the Ki-100 would have to be pretty damn good for me to relinquish by Fine Molds one!

thanks

Mike

[marty_hopkirk]

One inch to 6 feet is no more concocted, nor less an engineering scale, than one inch to 4 feet. Now if you wanted to talk 1/76, 1/35, or 1/700, I'd agree with you completely.

Respectfully as an engineer in the days of the drawing board I was taught to draw in 1/96, 1/48, 1/35, 1/24. Site plans have been routinely drawn in in 1/100 and 1/200 for centuries and still are by C&S engineers.

Plant rooms are drawn routinely drawn and designed in 1/48 with scrap (expanded) views in 1/35 and 1/24.

Airfix invented 1/72 by doubling the 1/144 a scale used routinely in the building of Dolls Houses.

In my 30 plus years as an engineer I have never seen a true engineering drawing in 1/72.

Marty...

Edited November 11, 2014 by marty_hopkirk

[2wheels]

Personally I prefer 1/48 scale, but after checking through the stash recently actually found I'd more 1/72 kits. Largely as two of the themes I've collected would be totally impossible to complete in 1/48 unless I was a genius at scratchbuilding and had lots of space.

The only 1/72 kits I could really see myself buying, if Airfix was to release them would be the likes of a Shackleton or early Liberator (LB-30), or highly unlikely, a Hastings. I could also dream of a Short Singapore or Westland Wallace, but that's not going to happen no matter how many letters I send to Santa.

[Troy Smith]

Respectfully as an engineer in the days of the drawing board I was taught to draw in 1/96, 1/48, 1/35, 1/24. Site plans have been routinely drawn in in 1/100 and 1/200 for centuries and still are by C&S engineers.

Plant rooms are drawn routinely drawn and designed in 1/48 with scrap (expanded) views in 1/35 and 1/24.

Airfix invented 1/72 by doubling the 1/144 a scale used routinely in the building of Dolls Houses.

In my 30 plus years as an engineer I have never seen a true engineering drawing in 1/72.

Marty...

AFAIK 1/72 dates back to the 1930's and Skybirds wooden kits, being half of 1/36th scale, which was considered too big

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skybirds

These kits were designed by James Hay Stevens and comprised shaped wooden blanks with cast metal detail parts. These were the first model aircraft kits in the world made to a constant scale of 1:72. This scale was later adopted by many other model manufacturers, such as Frog and Airfix.

I was under the impression that 1/35th originated with Tamiya, as a 'fit round the motor' scale that unfortunately became standard for armour [or fortunately for me as one thing I like about 1/48th is you get both aircraft and armour to a constant scale]

as does wiki....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1:35_scale

"The roots of 1:35 as a military modelling scale lie in early motorized plastic tank kits. To accommodate electric motors and gearboxes, these models needed to be made in a larger scale. There were many companies making such tanks, but it was Tamiya's example that made 1:35 a de facto standard."

Company chairman Shunsaku Tamiya explains the origins of the scale in his book Master Modeler:[1]

After the success of the Panther, I thought it would be a good idea for us to produce other tanks from different countries in the same scale. I measured the Panther and it turned out to be about 1/35 of the size of the original. This size had been chosen simply because it would accommodate a couple of B-type batteries. Tamiya's 1/35 series tanks eventually got to be known around the world, but this is the slightly haphazard origin of their rather awkward scale.

[davecov]

It seems that 1/48 kits have almost passed me by completely. Counting my stash of 1/48 and 1/72 aircraft kits, I have 190 1/72 kits and only FOUR 1/48 kits (and one of those was a gift)! As an aside, I also have seven 1/24 aircraft kits and the number of 1/32 is NIL.

Dave

[Botan]

Look like Airfix like BoB planes.

So can we get something from Corpo Aereo Italiano? G.50 would be nice