Leamy Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 I see Airfix has launched an Airfix Classic range of pre CAD kits. Included at the moment are some 1/76 soldiers, some armour and some ships. They will be out August/ September time. No planes yet, but looks like a good start, and not too expensive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 It's a nice idea and possibly long overdue. However, modern youngsters are no longer obsessed by WWI and WWII so I don't know how much it will help to bring young people and their pocket money into the customer base. I will be buying a few though! Regards, Adrian PS perhaps they could brand the classic range by bringing back the red stripe bag? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 be interesting to see if the 1/76 figures are being done in the original polythene, or in the styrene that the last issues of some of the 1/32nd figures were done in, as this made easy to clean up the seam lines and they take paint well. Wonder if they'll re-pop some of the old tool 1/48th kits they have new tool of as 'Classics' as well 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Long time requested and just goes to show that ‘perhaps’ some manufacturers do read and listen to forums like this. I’m glad that Airfix has chosen to use old style Roy Cross artwork and clearly label these kits as “Vintage Classics” - there’s no excuses now is there? Priced correctly, I hope these kits sell well and provide additional funds to allow more research and development for new tooled kits. Hopefully a few aircraft will make an appearance soon, however I think that these kits share a common theme of minimal or no decals, so perhaps they can hit the market a little quicker than other subjects that may need additional artwork time. Cheers... Dave 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Interesting. It does seem maybe they have listened. By using the original artwork you cant mistake these for new tool kits, and let be honest the original art work is excellent. There is nothing there for me, but I will be watching to see what else pops up. Julien 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimpion Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 This strikes me as a strange move. They announced that part of the Hornby turn-around strategy was to reduce the range drastically, and now they are going to release old stuff to bring the range back to the previous size. It may well be exactly what they need, but the way they've presented it might give the impression of rudderless leadership. From a modeller's perspective a wider range and a clear distnction between classic and new tool is of course welcome. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kallisti Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 37 minutes ago, Troy Smith said: be interesting to see if the 1/76 figures are being done in the original polythene, or in the styrene that the last issues of some of the 1/32nd figures were done in, as this made easy to clean up the seam lines and they take paint well. Wonder if they'll re-pop some of the old tool 1/48th kits they have new tool of as 'Classics' as well It would be good to get the figures in polystyrene instead of polythene, always loved the Royal Horse Artillery set as a kid but could never get it to stay assembled! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Yes. I certainly welcome this move. I have long questioned the justification for listing old tool kits at new tool prices. Now we know exactly what is in the box. There will of course doubtless be lots of whining and whinging about releasing "crap old kits" but, nobody is forced to buy them! I will most certainly snap up the AFV kits listed! I hope this venture succeeds and, gives Airfix a much needed cash boost at a time it needs it. Certainly look forward to seeing some aircraft kits featuring in the Classics range PSSST - Airfix - how about ; Sopwith Pup B N Islander Short Skyvan F2H-1 Banshee F4D-1 Skyray F-84G Thunderstreak F-80C Shooting Star F-86D Sabre Saturn 1B/Saturn V Vostok 1 HMS Iron Duke HMS Repulse HMS Prince of Wales Allan 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5054nz Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/airfix-vintage-classics.html Good stuff. I really like this idea. Of course I'll be rather annoyed if the Endeavour makes an appearance after the only version I could get my hands on was a first- or second-edition boxing for an amount I regretted almost immediately! Also, I hope the DH Comet racer is one of the first aircraft kits in the Vintage Classics range! Get rid of it from the mainstream line! Edited May 14, 2018 by k5054nz 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Great move by Airfix. From reading their announcement they clearly intend to make these older kits easily identifiable, like a distinct brand or range so as not to confuse buyers as to what they are getting. Looks like instructions will be updated at least for current colors so I suspect the decals, although basic would be of decent quality. Overall I think this is a smart move! I am waiting for the 1/48 aircraft to show up in this line. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Quote This strikes me as a strange move. They announced that part of the Hornby turn-around strategy was to reduce the range drastically, and now they are going to release old stuff to bring the range back to the previous size. It may well be exactly what they need, but the way they've presented it might give the impression of rudderless leadership. From a modeller's perspective a wider range and a clear distnction between classic and new tool is of course welcome No research or tooling costs just those of production and distribution yet selling at full retail, strikes me that the phrase "laughing all way to bank" would be appropriate. If they've done their market research correctly and produce kits that are really wanted by we addicts then all is good, just so long as they keep clear of any of the aircraft they produced before the mid 60's. I'd like to see the Beaver, Islander, Skyvan, Jetstream and A7 Corsair return if that's not too greedy. Perhaps the 'non appearance' of a particular classic kit could be taken as an indication that there's a new tool in development.......... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BristolBlue Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 I agree that its odd. A key issue was (they claimed) reducing the NUMBER of products on sale now they have reversed that!! Maybe the inventory system that seemed to cause so many problems is now working or will they be on-line only?? I like the classic ships coming back! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawk Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) Think the Jet Provost T.5/Strikemaster and Kaman Seasprite could easily be added to the list as well. Hmm. Have now looked at the link. Choice of subjects seems dictated by perceived subject recognition than the quality of the moulds. They range from the actually quite decent if a little dated (HMS Belfast, Bofors gun) through the average but now superseded (Panzer IV) through to the utterly horrible which should never see the light of day again (Panther, Bismarck). Hope this is not an exercise in plausible deniability ie Hornby still get the dosh from sales but attempt to avoid tainting the Airfix brand by saying "of course this is all old pre-Hornby stuff". Edited May 14, 2018 by Seahawk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniperUK Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 The new CEO has been in the business for decades, starting in Corgi, he knows the hobby market so obviously thinks this is a good idea, if handled properly this should do well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thud4444 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Please bring back the Shooting Star and Banshee. Please. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 doubt they do it with aircraft, not least with suckers red box addicts like me paying £19 for the likes of the b26 reissue 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomohawk Kid Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) It'll be interesting to see how this range does. Previously the clamour for some the older moulds in these retro series (for which ever company) hasn't matched sales. Is this another range that will quietly disappear in 12 months time without a murmour? Thomo. Edited May 14, 2018 by The Tomohawk Kid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) There will be plenty who will build the likes of the Panther for nostalgia or just because they want to, regardless of accuracy etc. The SDKfz7 is on my wants list just because I always wanted one as a kid, but never got round to getting one. Similarly, the 6 and 26 pounders were ones I never got and fit into my artillery collection. (same for the Matador, although I did build that one years ago - the lorry in that kit will be welcome by converters). I bought the Bofors on it's last release, and it's still a very nice kit, as it the Opel and PAK40. The ships seem well chosen as 'names' as well. Interesting they give you the date of the mould on the website Edited May 14, 2018 by Dave Fleming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 As part of the chorus banging on about doing just this for a long time I'm quite glad to see them again. I intend to get at least a couple to see how much I can do to them compared to OOB. If you want to do a small scale knocked out Panther then Airfix give you that straight out of the box. Hard plastic for the figures would be excellent, then they can be cut up and reassembled easily. Don't forget the Astronauts!!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 I think it's a great move. I would love to build again those I built as a kid but knowing what I know now and applying my current (if basic) skills... I'm in for an Ark Royal... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 I hope they get the plastic right for the AFV tracks. These were always the weak link (pun intended..) They need to be pliable and glueable - maybe like Dragon DS tracks. I might have a go at the Churchill for old times sake - that defeated me a few times. I remember it had a million roadwheels and suspension springs! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
March Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) I think as a rule, anyone contemplating building one of these can only do so with a tube of humbrol poly cement, no liquid poly. If you are going to relive yesteryear, then bring the pain in full! 😜😨 For what it’s worth, I’m really looking forward to these. Now, where did I put that tube of poly cement?! Edited May 21, 2018 by March 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Sounds daft, but if they brought the Skyvan back out, I would buy 4-5... even though I'm not a fan of owning more than 2 of one kit, the Skyvan is one I would actually build 2-3 of and maybe keep a couple. It's one aircraft I want in 1/72nd scale that's easy to get hold of from the Airfix range, that and the Islander. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewerjerry Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Hi Would be nice if they did a re-release of the 1:600 S.S.Canberra cheers jerry 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMA131Marine Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 11 hours ago, BristolBlue said: I agree that its odd. A key issue was (they claimed) reducing the NUMBER of products on sale now they have reversed that!! Maybe the inventory system that seemed to cause so many problems is now working or will they be on-line only?? I like the classic ships coming back! I think the reason for shrinking the product lines had more to with a finding that less than half of the products were responsible for 90% of Hornby's profits. The reduction was to eliminate the unprofitable or marginally profitable items. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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