Airfix dropping a lot of kits

[Long haired david]

Hannants state in their weekly e-mail:

 

Message; Airfix has recently sent us a list of kits that are now Finished. They are here. Get them while you still can.... 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.phpadv=1&product_category_id=108&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=7897&product_type_id=&code=&scale_id=&keyword_search=&setPerPage=25&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=

 

Included is the 1/12th Bentley.

David

[BIG X]

Yeh - I saw this too.  Whilst we are looking forward to what is coming for 2017 - we also have to look at what we are losing from the back catalogue.  I'm a newbie & I had my eye on the 1/24 Messerschmitt 109E & the Stuka.  I understand they have to keep moving forward but I guess I had better get my cash out fast or risk missing something I coveted as a small boy.  

[PLC1966]

That's a lot of kits,  Surprised at seeing the Spitfire I/II in 1/72 going, unless they plan to re-release with different decals. Might have to grab a couple for PR Variants.

[dreadeddrew]

Thanks for the heads up Dave,

Even though I'm sure it'll be a while before they're hard to come by,I couldn't resist getting the RAF rescue launch (from the big "A" though,cheaper & free postage). Made it when I was a kid & loved it,

Andrew

[Stephen]

Lightning and Javelin too.

[DAG058]

Do we think they will be putting other previous molds back into production? 

[Dads203]

I'm a bit surprised at some of them considering that they are relatively new tool kits  

[Mike]

Driven by sales figures, no doubt.  No point in carrying on making 'em if everyone's already got one.  Let the demand build a bit, and bring them back again in 3-5 years time.  It makes good business sense.  Are we sure this is Airfix then?  It's not something they've been showing a lot of late

[Black Knight]

These are all kits already removed from the 2016 catalogue list.

I think they are already on the 3 to 5 year rotation.

[LaurieS]

I suspect these are very old kits were the moulds are not good. Their new moulds are exceptional I suspect they will start to produce some old moulds in the new format. I hope.

 

Having built most of the Herrick range they are superb kits both in accuracy and the detailing on them. The plastic they now use for the new moulds I am sure is first grade, as it is so pliable,while the old ones are probably 2 or 3rd grade plastic ( or worse). This plastic is able to produce bits and pieces not possible on the old brittle plastic.If they can produce such stuff as the superb Merlin Helicopter that will be first class.

 

If you have not built a Merlin try it it is a darling of a kit. Double fuselage. All cargo doors and ramp open. Full 20 seats inside. Brilliant detail. A Superb kit in every way.

 

Laurie

[Long haired david]

Having owned a model shop I know that there are some topics that only the enthusiasts like. My daughter works at Hobbycraft and has a completely different view from me as to what sells. My guess is that some kits will sell forever whilst others, like the Javelin, are specialist interest and anyone who wanted one already has one.

[Tripod]

Several of them seem to be models where there are other variants that aren't on the list: the civil and starter set Tiger Moths, but not the military one; the Swordfish on floats but not wheels. So they retain the most popular option and drop the rest. Seems sensible.

[davecov]

Some of these kits will return time and time again. There is never enough of a demand to keep them in continuous production so they pull them and wait a few years before knocking out a few thousand again. Makes sense. Anyway, Some people who already have these kits sitting in their stash may well have made them by the next reissue and will then be wanting another one....

 

Dave