old thumper Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 (edited) I am currently in the process of moving my model collection into a modified summer house and will be taking the opportunity of photographing my collection of old Airfix kits that I began building around ten years ago when I returned to the hobby. If anyone would like to add pictures of their own builds to this thread then please do. Should anyone be interested in building classic Airfix kits of any type including aircraft, armour, ships, cars etc, then Airfix the Golden Years is waiting for you in the 2018 group build poll which is currently open until the end of this November. The old Airfix B-24J Liberator kit. My build is from a late boxing, unfortunately the Dragon and his Tail decal option has been removed from this kit. The late 50's Mosquito kit, very inaccurate but full of retro character. This kit has some very dodgy painting instructions that include duck egg green for the undersides. Some may remember it from the Me-262 dogfight double. The Original Airfix Wildcat kit. This may have been the first Airfix kit I ever built so an old favorite of mine. The Airfix Hellcat, for some reason I just like the look of this model. The original Airfix Mustang from about 1956, Fools Paradise. The original Airfix Hurricane, again from the 1950's The original Airfix Defiant, not sure how old but old, maybe 1960. Edited November 22, 2017 by old thumper 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Ahh. This has brought back some happy memories. I think I've built all of these bar the Liberator over the years. Some very nice renditions here. I especially like the Hellcat. I think it and the Wildcat are still pretty nice models considering their age. I remember building the Mosquito as a boy and even at the time thinking it looked all wrong. Most obvious was the positioning of the machine guns. A really basic error by Airfix. I also remember the Defiant having a very emaciated engine cowling that you could probably just about fit a scale Gypsy Major into! Not that that really mattered when I was using the turret to shoot down dozens of '109s! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telboy3510 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I've also built most of those in my youth and brought back some happy memories. Am I right in thinking that some of the kits contained a little capsule of glue that you snipped the end off and it went every where or am I thinking of something else? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flemming Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 On 20/11/2017 at 21:35, old thumper said: I am currently in the process of moving my model collection into a modified summer house and will be taking the opportunity of photographing my collection of old Airfix kits that I began building around ten years ago when I returned to the hobby. If anyone would like to add pictures of their own builds to this thread then please do. Should anyone be interested in building classic Airfix kits of any type including aircraft, armour, ships, cars etc, then Airfix the Golden Years is waiting for you in the 2018 group build poll which is currently open until the end of this November. The late 50's Mosquito kit, very inaccurate but full of retro character. This kit has some very dodgy painting instructions that include duck egg green for the undersides. Some may remember it from the Me-262 dogfight double. Hi Nice thread. I like these old fun builds. But my god this Mosquito looks badly inaccurate! ;-) A case where the boxart is more accurate by a garden mile! Flemming 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I'll have to join in but will need to find the pics of my old builds some where for posting here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Some beautiful example's on show love the Hellcat in particular,Well my contribution won't take long,Im sadly lacking in older Airfix offering's The Banshee built last year. And three 1/48 Hurricane's built a couple of year's ago. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polo1112 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Very interesting post which brings back a lot of nostalgia, because I built all these Airfix kits when I was a child. Now I only build 1/48 scale models, my eyes are tired and the 1/72 has become too small for them. Can't wait to see what is coming. Great work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventora3300 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 You got me again - my heart strings are twanging wildly as these kits are all old friends to me - long gone now as given away when modelling went out and football and girls came in. Car customisation/maintenance also came in at some point...does any kit maker do a Vauxhall Viva HB, or even a Ventora 3300? Excellent build quality and something for me to aspire to this time around, - looking forward to the 'Airfix - the Golden Years' GB whilst struggling along on the Matchbox equivalent. In the meantime, the more recent Airfix 'Lizzie', which was 'a beezer'. All the best, Mike. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Airfix did the early Viva Mike but they are as rare as hen's teeth and costas much as the original car,they did a Victor estate the late sixties early seventies mosel but I've never seen one in the flesh. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old thumper Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 2 hours ago, Flemming said: Hi Nice thread. I like these old fun builds. But my god this Mosquito looks badly inaccurate! ;-) A case where the boxart is more accurate by a garden mile! Flemming It is probably the most inaccurate kit I have built, but it does have an oddly beautiful shape. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventora3300 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 24 minutes ago, stevej60 said: Airfix did the early Viva Mike but they are as rare as hen's teeth and costas much as the original car,they did a Victor estate the late sixties early seventies mosel but I've never seen one in the flesh. Yes, you are right and the Victor also seems to be priced right out the window when making an appearance on ebay. The FE Victor could act as a base for my old Ventora but I would really have to excel myself to do the 'conversion' via scratchbuilding. I think I may have more of a chance of buying a full-sized version! What would SWMBO say about that? - probably be harder on me than my Dad was when I pushed my original one up the driveway minus the gearbox! Happy days! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I really wish I hadn't given most of my classic Airfix builds to my son as playthings. They've all long since gone to that Airfix hangar in the sky. I feel like picking up some of my favourites on ebay and having another go. It may be more fun than wrestling with some of the new tool jobs. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ventora3300 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 (edited) Also, I was ill one day and started off on the Airfix Fw190D - I really enjoyed that one but still hadn't mastered the silvering transfers at that stage. Edited November 20, 2017 by Ventora3300 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicarage Vee Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 OT I do like the way you build models, skill with the priceless addition of bringing genuine smiles to faces. With respect to the car kits I have the Lotus Cortina which one day I shall build, but I am acutely aware that it is one of the most valuable I own. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 5 hours ago, IanC said: I really wish I hadn't given most of my classic Airfix builds to my son as playthings. They've all long since gone to that Airfix hangar in the sky. I feel like picking up some of my favourites on ebay and having another go. It may be more fun than wrestling with some of the new tool jobs. Go on Ian,check out King Kit and Kits for Cash too some golden oldies going cheap! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I think I'm going to be a frequent poster in this thread... For starters, one Black Widow. A classic T3 boxing. And a very early T1 display. I built the stand for the header bags and all the kits on top of it except the Camel, far left. And some Airfix rarities. The Spitfires are restorations of old builds. The blue one is bare polished plastic with very carefully saved original transfers. The sand and spinach version is a repaint with the original transfers also preserved. And to finish, the classic F4 Phantom alongside the same plane on the cover of Airfix Magazine back in the sixties. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Airfix HO/00 Guards Band (S1) 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackfordhibby Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 (edited) Tony W Ooh! the VF-74 Phorrestal Phantom, the first Phantom that I ever built. Bought from the bicycle shop in Commercial Street, Kirkcaldy. Must have been in the mid or second half of the sixties ? Painted with a hairy stick, probably glued with Airfix glue or maybe Britfix. Thanks for the wee trip down memory lane. Peter Edited November 20, 2017 by Blackfordhibby Cannae spell 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 7 hours ago, stevej60 said: Airfix did the early Viva Mike but they are as rare as hen's teeth and costas much as the original car,they did a Victor estate the late sixties early seventies mosel but I've never seen one in the flesh. The Viva was re-issued not too long ago as a triple boxing with the Escort and Herald. At least until recently (haven't looked on e-bay for a while) the set was available for quite reasonable prices - at least compared to the original releases!! Great thread, some lovely nostalgia builds here! Keith 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 The Airfix 1:1 Wildlife Series 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasto Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 (edited) Here is the old 1/48 Bf-109f Edited November 21, 2017 by Plasto 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossiant Oliver Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 On 21/11/2017 at 10:12, Ratch said: The Airfix 1:1 Wildlife Series "Airfix made some girly stuff, like this ghastly model of Anne Boleyn, and these pointless Robins." -James May 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old thumper Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 On 20/11/2017 at 22:46, Meatbox8 said: Ahh. This has brought back some happy memories. I think I've built all of these bar the Liberator over the years. Some very nice renditions here. I especially like the Hellcat. I think it and the Wildcat are still pretty nice models considering their age. I remember building the Mosquito as a boy and even at the time thinking it looked all wrong. Most obvious was the positioning of the machine guns. A really basic error by Airfix. I also remember the Defiant having a very emaciated engine cowling that you could probably just about fit a scale Gypsy Major into! Not that that really mattered when I was using the turret to shoot down dozens of '109s! The guns on the Mosquito look very much like carpenters panel pins. The Hellcat is a strong favorite of my own. On 20/11/2017 at 23:45, Telboy3510 said: I've also built most of those in my youth and brought back some happy memories. Am I right in thinking that some of the kits contained a little capsule of glue that you snipped the end off and it went every where or am I thinking of something else? I think some kits in the 60's had the glue capsule, later on different manufacturers such as Matchbox included small tubes of glue at times. On 21/11/2017 at 01:03, polo1112 said: Very interesting post which brings back a lot of nostalgia, because I built all these Airfix kits when I was a child. Now I only build 1/48 scale models, my eyes are tired and the 1/72 has become too small for them. Can't wait to see what is coming. Great work! My eyesight is going the same way, I must build my 1/72 stash before it is to late. On 21/11/2017 at 01:25, Ventora3300 said: In the meantime, the more recent Airfix 'Lizzie', which was 'a beezer'. All the best, Mike. Nice Lysander, I have one tucked away in my stash. On 21/11/2017 at 07:31, Vicarage Vee said: OT I do like the way you build models, skill with the priceless addition of bringing genuine smiles to faces. With respect to the car kits I have the Lotus Cortina which one day I shall build, but I am acutely aware that it is one of the most valuable I own. Thanks, I would like to build the old British motorbike kits again but they cost a fortune now also. On 21/11/2017 at 08:15, TonyW said: I think I'm going to be a frequent poster in this thread... For starters, one Black Widow. A classic T3 boxing. Nice to see the Black widow once again, this is one of the kits I am looking out for at shows. Thanks all for your posts, especially those with pictures. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 53 minutes ago, Crossiant Oliver said: "Airfix made some girly stuff, like this ghastly model of Anne Boleyn, and these pointless Robins." -James May I'd suggest James May is rather more pointless than the robins... I've been enjoying the fact the Airfix 1/32nd soldier range are now moulded in styrene rather than polythene, while it's possible to prime the polythene with Halfords grey primer, which gives a pretty good coverage, the mould lines are hard to clean up. the styrene ones scrapeable. so clean up is a quite easy, I found painted some thinned mr surfacer on the lines before clean up made then easier to see and remove. One of my favourite sets was the US Paratroopers, I still have the box (with "new" on it) and the figures, but I got a set of new plastic ones as they are really well sculpted. I still have nearly all the WWII sets from my childhood, in the boxes, painted to varying standards, along with a lot of the 1/76th sets. Painted with mostly Vallejo acrylics, main uniform is Humbrol 93 though. the box art is wrong colour, the painted figure on box is correct, they recommend H93 BTW. Uniform is the M1942 jump suit, it was a but fragile, so the parachute riggers used to reinforce the elbows, knees and pockets with canvas, as seen below. the bases were quickly knocked up and they came out much better than I expected! I've not got around to doing some photos, so I nabbed the ones from IPMS Mid Sussex meeting, this is one of the Australian figures I did last year, I need to practice faces! more pics and some information on the paints used here http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235002739-australian-infantry-airfix-132nd/ I did some Commandos, but no decent pics, and am planning on some British paras, they are really well sculpted, and quite fancy the challenge of the camo smocks. some of the better end of Airfix nostalgia, as they had some really top class figure sculptors doing the masters. Some of the early sets are more basic, the only ones that I thought poorly sculpted was the British Infantry Support Group set. the other oddity was it took until the early 80's to do a set of plain British Infantry, while the Paras, Commando, 8th Army and Infantry Support had been available for years... there is an excellent site here with all the sets and different boxes here for the full nostalgia fest http://www.airfixtoysoldiers.com/ cheers T 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasto Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Nice Paratroopers Troy good to see you posting up a build. I dug this image out of my Seafire build based on the much maligned 1/48 Seafire III / Spitfire Vc kit which in turn is based on the Vb kit which is a classic. Its OOB with nothing tweaked I think I did rescribe the fuselage Panel lines.. cheers Plasto 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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