VMA131Marine Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Dave Fleming said: Interesting that the 'new Tool' description has been removed from both the Top Gun P51 and F18, suggesting these might just be the 'old' Airfix kits with specific markings (The parts count for the F-18 matches the legacy one, although the dimensions don't) https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/large-starter-set-mcdonnell-douglas-f-18-hornet.html https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2020/top-gun-f-18-hornet-maverick.html Hopefully someone at Airfix realises that an F-18E is a completely different aircraft from an F/A-18A. They should just rebox the newest Academy kit. I wouldn’t put it past them to try to get away with putting the old Airfix prototype F/A-18 in the box though. I’m guessing that’s why the specific variant isn’t mentioned on the box art. Edited January 8, 2020 by VMA131Marine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71chally Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Dave Fleming said: The irony being that the Revell kit is substantially less accurate than the Airfix (especially the mk 2) Actually that was proved wrong in the end, checked against the metal of the real thing and drawings. All started from misinterpretation of sprue shots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
593jones Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, trickydicky210 said: The Top Gun F14A - according to Airfix site has 110 parts, the same as the 05013 release (according to the instructions from scale mates) So looks like the old tool in a new box 😥 Mutton dressed as lamb, eh? Not particularly interested in Top Gun, so won't be buying any of those anyway. Others of the 2020 releases are very good, especially the Beaufort, will certainly be buying two of those, and pleased to see the Lancaster Bll re-released, I have one, but will happily buy another. Vulcan and RAF Buccaneer are both certain buys. The two 1/35 Cromwell's look interesting, too. I wonder how Airfix will handle the tracks, one piece, individual links or link and length? My preference is for link and length, but we'll see. Edited January 8, 2020 by 593jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kushan_Farsight Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 A new Hawk might be nice, ive been finding all sorts of cool schemes i would like to give a go of - particularly like this mix of high viz orange and camo employed by the korean airforce. Sure yesterday i saw a site that had the new Beauforts available to pre order, and only about £16 - when the brain-cells get their act together i will add in the link! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 35 minutes ago, Kushan_Farsight said: A new Hawk might be nice, ive been finding all sorts of cool schemes i would like to give a go of - particularly like this mix of high viz orange and camo employed by the korean airforce. Sure yesterday i saw a site that had the new Beauforts available to pre order, and only about £16 - when the brain-cells get their act together i will add in the link! The South Korean Hawks make for interesting subjects but can't be built from the reboxed Hawk 100. The Koreans flew the Mk.67, a unique variant that featured the Mk.100 lengthened front fuselage with the standard Mk.60 wing and tail. To build this kit you would have to start from a standard Hawk and transplant the nose of the 100 (and add the 3 small fences on the wing leading edge, that almost everybody forgets when building a Mk.60 Hawk...) 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 3 hours ago, IanC said: I suppose it's a question of how you define 'best'. Some manufacturers may offer finer details but that can add additional complexity and frustration - I'm afraid I've long since given up trying to add PE rudder pedals to a 1/72 cockpit! Others may be easier to put together but lack character. The Lancaster, B-17, Wellington, B-25, Whitley, Kate, Defiant, He 111, Dornier 17 and Stuka in 1/72 are all cracking kits, accurate (as far as I know) and with good detail. I would suggest they are comparable to those produced by any other manufacturer. The 1/48 Hurricane and Blenheim are also very good with an incredible amount of cockpit detail. These are just the ones I have had chance to build or inspect recently. Airfix don't always get it right as we know, and some earlier new tools were pretty dire. In fact I hated the relatively new 1/72 Blenheim as it fought me all the way. But I keep coming back. There's just something about Airfix's product. Hasegawa are great and fit really well but are somehow a bit soulless. Eduard are great with incredible detail but too fiddly. Tamiya are great and fall together but are overpriced. Revell are great and cheap but come in dodgy boxes... Weirdly I also love Airfix's soft plastic that you can shape almost by blowing on it. And the box art just keeps on getting better. Is it just nostalgia bleeding through? Am I a 'fanboy'? Maybe. Anyway, these are just my opinions. But I do think Airfix is now up there with the others. The problem is that the "soul" or lack of of a kit is a totally subjective thing while things like detail, mould finesse, mould quality or accuracy are not. Not that choosing a product or the other based on pure personal "love" is anything wrong, we all do it to a certain extent and all brands know it and try to exploit this as much as possible in their marketing campaigns. However the same manufacturers know that basing the success of a brand on sentimental attraction alone is a risky business, as at some point even their most affectionate customers will realize that there may be something better out there. Or they should know, as History has several examples of companies that seem to have forgotten this. Fortunately Airfix seem to understand that they have to keep improving their product and they generally do. Personally though I feel that they still have work to do before being up there with the best. Not that this is a problem per se, any company decide where they want to sit in terms of quality, price and market coverage. Afterall not everybody wants an Aston Martin, many are happy enough to drive a Dacia as this better fits their needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kushan_Farsight Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 https://www.tigerhobbies.co.uk/AIRFIX-A04021-1:72-Bristol-Beaufort-Mk-1-PRE-ORDER £15.95 for a New Tool Beaufort? Yes Please 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 57 minutes ago, 71chally said: Actually that was proved wrong in the end, checked against the metal of the real thing and drawings. All started from misinterpretation of sprue shots. I have examined both in the plastic, the nose shape and fuselage cross sections on the Revell kit are off. The nose side view is too steep on the upper and shallow on the lower, reulting in the lower nose panel being too steep as well, and giving the nose a 'chunky' look. The fuselage sides are at too steep an angle, resulting in too narrow a 'flat' upper fuselage. I'll build both, but not display them too close together!! BUt that's for another discussion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 hour ago, 71chally said: Actually that was proved wrong in the end, checked against the metal of the real thing and drawings. All started from misinterpretation of sprue shots. Well as long as it's close enough yknow.... Looks the part don't it? Still looks good when finished 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXANTOMCAT Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Must admit to being a bit perplexed by the 1/72 US Tractor and roller....erm, ok - do wargamers need one? It'll be tiny in 1/72 and at £5+..... Also the Scammells - lovely though they look - the arty tractor needs something to pull and there is no trailer for a tank transporter version - perhaps again wargamers have been crying out for these but I can't help but think that a Leyland Refueller would have been a bigger seller to go with all those cold war jets Airfix keep producing. Mind you they've repopped the QLD set so perhaps they are good sellers! TT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) Oh no, the U.S. tractor would be nice for aerodromedioramas and the Scammell salvage truck from Oxford is also on the market in a BOAC version. I hope all three will come soon. modelldoc Edited January 9, 2020 by modelldoc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 The Scammell Pioneer can be.used for hauling all the 5.5in guns left over from Matador conversions. Or it could if it was 1/76, for which a number of suitable guns are available, including better 5.5s. Less so in 1/72. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEXANTOMCAT Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Yep I appreciate stuff is out there, but seems odd not to have it with the prime mover - like the Matador! TT "Oh no, the US tractor would be nice for airfield dioramas and the Scammell salvage truck from Oxford is also available in a BOAC version". I agree its quite a nice little thing but we have the USAAF Resupply set already and as you point out, the Oxford range has a wide variety of pre-finished tractors for a fiver a pop - and they can easily be weathered and repainted (I have done so in many of my dios) jolly nice some of them are too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 17 hours ago, hairystick said: . Speaking of topical, they are ahead of the game with the new TOPGUN2 movie, which is a smart move. As for using old tat moulds... Revell are doing the same thing with re-releases based on the movie so not that far ahead of the game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Hugo Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Well I have the latest (February edition) of AMW to hand. There is a second page of additional listings. The Moon Landing will make a re-appearance as well as the DH Heron to be re-released, as well as the MotorHead He111 that sold out. Personally I would love the Cessna O-2 to be re-released some day 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 8 hours ago, 71chally said: Actually that was proved wrong in the end, checked against the metal of the real thing and drawings. All started from misinterpretation of sprue shots. The Revell (AEW 2) kit also has the two advantages of being substantially cheaper and, a substantially easier build. The Airfix MR2 was a complete pig of a kit which I had to be beat into submission Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Albeback52 said: The Revell (AEW 2) kit also has the two advantages of being substantially cheaper and, a substantially easier build. The Airfix MR2 was a complete pig of a kit which I had to be beat into submission Allan Having build both the Revell aew2 (unsuccessfully) and airfix AEW (ongoing) I have found the reverse to be true Edited January 8, 2020 by PhantomBigStu 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre B Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Mmm... New decals for their P-51D Mustang... ...albeit with an Me 262... https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2020/messerschmitt-me262-p-51d-mustang-dogfight-double.html Cheers / André Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 I quite like the Airfix box art and let's face it, it's gonna sit in the stash for a while so that's got to be worth something right? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 14 hours ago, modelldoc said: Oh nein, der US-Traktor wäre schön für Flugplatz-Dioramen und der Scammell-Bergungslastwagen aus Oxford ist auch in einer BOAC-Version auf dem Markt. Ich hoffe alle drei kommen bald. modelldoc What he said; Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 10 hours ago, Albeback52 said: The Revell (AEW 2) kit also has the two advantages of being substantially cheaper and, a substantially easier build. The Airfix MR2 was a complete pig of a kit which I had to be beat into submission Allan Not really substantially cheaper' anymore - the Revell one has taken a huge hike in RRP (although you can find it for under £30) https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AX11005?result-token=NvdcI https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/RV4920?result-token=pCzCK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre B Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 Hmm... The Graf Spee and HMS Belfast available again. Probably the best 1/600 ships made toghether with Prinz Eugen. Why was the 1/600 scale killed? I usually feel the 1/700 to small and the 1/350 and 1/400 to big... Cheers / André 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klr Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Andre B said: Hmm... The Graf Spee and HMS Belfast available again. Probably the best 1/600 ships made toghether with Prinz Eugen. Why was the 1/600 scale killed? I usually feel the 1/700 to small and the 1/350 and 1/400 to big... Cheers / André ... and King George V and Repulse, which were the last ever 1/600 ship kit ever produced by Airfix, IIRC. I always had a soft spot for the "Narvik"-class destroyer as well. I have unbuilt kits of 5 of these 6, the exception being the Prinz Eugen. I did build it back in the day (1980s), but I would certainly like to build it again. EDIT: ... and of course I forgot about Iron Duke. D'oh! I don't think there will ever be a 1/600 renaissance from Airfix. Like it or not, 1/700 is the de facto standard, both for waterline and full-hull. Many 1/700 kits (particularly from Trumpeter) are much more finely detailed than most of the Airfix 1/600 range. I have a Trumpeter Hood (1941 configuration) with 400+ parts. The level of detail is eye-watering, surpassing the Airfix Belfast. I also have the Trumpeter North Carolina and Lexington, a Tamiya Bogue (escort carrier, waterline), and a Revell Tirpitz. They are all amazingly detailed as well. Edited January 9, 2020 by klr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Andre B said: Hmm... The Graf Spee and HMS Belfast available again. Probably the best 1/600 ships made toghether with Prinz Eugen. Why was the 1/600 scale killed? I usually feel the 1/700 to small and the 1/350 and 1/400 to big... Cheers / André Sales. The market wasn't there as it was outside what became the main ship scales (and remember with the exception of the 2004 Heller tooling of the QM2, it's 40 years since Airfix last did a new kit in this scale). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andre B Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 10 minutes ago, Dave Fleming said: Sales. The market wasn't there as it was outside what became the main ship scales (and remember with the exception of the 2004 Heller tooling of the QM2, it's 40 years since Airfix last did a new kit in this scale). Yes, Airfix probably killed their own 1/600 scale by not making any new ship kits. And the Scharnhorst/Bismark kits was to bad if not awfull compared to the upcoming new shipkits. I've built several 1/700 scale kits. The latest one was the Trumpeter Tirpitz. But in size I still prefere the 1/600 scale kits... Cheers / André Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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