Airfix 2025 - catalogue & programme - range launch on January 14th, 2025

[Homebee]

Tick-tock tick-tock...

Source: https://www.facebook.com/officialairfix/posts/pfbid0hU5kj8TUbrTh2X4C3Yv57DSHBYFSXAA157fQj3rVL3p4teDvL8wDS1XxsaYpggD2l

 

 

V.P.

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Homebee

[Greg B]

Ahh, yes the traditional Airfix release thread; swiftly followed by an Admin chucking a bucket of cold water on it.

 

By my count, this is the third topic so far this year on the 2025 releases. The others were closed because they became littered with wishlists and very little rumour or fact.  I've already culled one post here; keep it to rumour or fact and in line with the pinned post in this section please otherwise it will be culled. If you are like some of the regular members on this forum, your fantasies should be kept to that internal monologue as we are probably getting into the more niche areas of the hobby. Others will find these strange, disturbing or just downright perverted. If you are one of those who want a 1:24 Vulcan by Airfix, you probably also inhabit the darker areas of the interweb populated by Austrian businessmen wearing socks and sandals. Its wrong and you know it, just stop. 

 

Finally, when they are announced, the thread will be closed. No doubt there will be a rush to be first to post the new thread  However, check first to see if someone has beaten you to it, check to see if it doesn't fit in an existing Airfix release thread (different boxing etc.), and don't post them elsewhere in the forum areas etc. We will just delete the unneeded ones  As like the Christmas sprouts, repeat servings are never welcome.

 

[Botan]

Airfix asked on Twitter "Naval modellers… What vessels are you hoping to see in the 2025 range? Let us know in the comments👇" so maybe something new appear. or Trafalgar class submarine is back.

 

[Plastimic]

As I finish up the lovely Airfix Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb. I realized they have A) yet to release a clipped wing marking or build has not been re-issued in the new plastic along with the Mk.I. Not sure about the other Spits. So possibly we'll see some re-issues. Maybe a new tool Mk.IX in 1/48?

 

Same goes for the Hawker Hurricane Mk.I it has yet to be re-issued in the new plastic.

 

So if there's anything else, new tooled in the last few years that hasn't been re-issued in the new plastic. I'm sure we'll see that occur.

 

As for new releases. I have given up trying to even guess what it will be. I have been pleasantly surprised and pleased with the recent releases. I really enjoyed building the Bulldog. 

 

I didn't  see a Lysander coming, but it is and it was truly needed in 1/48.

 

To be honest, I kinda get that feeling I did as a kid about Christmas about the New year for Airfix releases. It's not always something I "wish" for but chances are it will end up on my desk. I will enjoy building it. I know the cartograph decals will be good. In time a plethora of aftermarket will be released. 

 

Maybe just knowing a new tool something will be released is good enough for me. Is it the 14th yet?

 

 

 

 

[modelldoc]

So what we know at the moment is a new club model, the Messerschmitt Me-410 A3 in 1:72 with german and british markings.

modelldc

[Giorgio N]

On their Facebook page they recently posted footage of various current USAF aircraft in formation flight with a couple of Mustangs, with the question what's your favourite line-up... and only a couple days earlier footage of F-5s...does it mean they'll issue a new "standard" F-35 after the starter set? Or a new F-5? 

Honestly I think they have just posted some cool videos and I wouldn't read much into those... if then they want to issue a 1/72 F-5E they'll make me very happy of course but I don't expect one.

Hopefully the Me.410A-3 will also appear in a standard edition, it's the variant I'm most interested in

 

[JamesP]

Btw The “This Month at Airfix” YouTube video mentioned the catalog release date last week.

[Adam Poultney]

I'll start the reasonable predictions with a 1/72 Bf109F. It would follow on from their starter kit, and replace the substandard G-6. I think it's a fairly safe bet for either this year or next. 

[VMA131Marine]

Airfix have done the B-17 and B-24 BEFORE the Handley Page Halifax. You have to think one is coming soon if not in 2025.

[Rabbit Leader]

Have Airfix mentioned a particular time for this event? 

I'm hoping it's a little earlier than last year's16:00 release, as that's quite late for us over this side of the world. 

Cheers.. Dave 

 

[Adam Poultney]

40 minutes ago, VMA131Marine said:

Airfix have done the B-17 and B-24 BEFORE the Handley Page Halifax. You have to think one is coming soon if not in 2025.

I would be surprised if we got another 4 engine heavy the year after the previous one. I'd expect a smaller flagship release this year. 

[Dennis_C]

I would just hope for anything for post-WWII RAF or Royal Navy era in 1/72. Could be equally happy with Sea Fury, Sea Hawk, Javelin or Jaguar. Any downscales would be very much welcome.

Another theme in 1/72 - any chances to see other versions of Mosquito? I'd personally love PR.34.

Lastly I think it's been a while we saw a 1/72 trainer aircraft. Should we get a new Tucano, Chipmunk, etc?

Edited December 29, 2024 by Dennis_C

[gengriz]

Given the recent and very popular re-release of the ancient P.1127 kit, plus the easy availability of a real example at Cosford to measure up and LIDAR scan, I am placing my bets on the Harrier "missing link"; a 1/72 and/or 1/48 Kestrel FGA.1 with optional parts for an early P.1127(RAF), with decals for Tri-partite Sqn, RAF, USAF, US Tri-service and NASA.

[LN-KEH]

What about Airfix starting a line of 1:350 ships with the class 26 frigate chosen by the RN, RAN, RCN and a candidate for the next Norwegian frigates?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_26_frigate#Development

Edited December 30, 2024 by LN-KEH

[VMA131Marine]

1 hour ago, LN-KEH said:

What about Airfix starting a line of 1:350 ships with the class 26 frigate chosen by the RN, RAN, RCN and a candidate for the next Norwegian frigates?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_26_frigate#Development

If Airfix is going to do new ship kit, there is more chance for new tools of the Hood and Bismarck, IMHO. These obviously sell since they are rarely out of the catalogue. I’d guess a new kit of HMS Belfast would probably do well too. As to the scale, I think 1/350 would be too expensive and I doubt they would revisit 1/600 so 1/700 seems most likely. Maybe not though and instead they would take the same approach Meng did and mold the parts in appropriate colours to allow for a reasonable finished appearance without painting. These wouldn’t exactly appeal to the detail enthusiast though.

[Adam Poultney]

2 hours ago, gengriz said:

Given the recent and very popular re-release of the ancient P.1127 kit, plus the easy availability of a real example at Cosford to measure up and LIDAR scan, I am placing my bets on the Harrier "missing link"; a 1/72 and/or 1/48 Kestrel FGA.1 with optional parts for an early P.1127(RAF), with decals for Tri-partite Sqn, RAF, USAF, US Tri-service and NASA.

I think this is best left to short-run manufacturers. I can't see a new tool version, presumably selling for around £20, selling all that well. 

[Rabbit Leader]

This 'What Ship do you want to see' is an interesting question, likewise are all the usual 'Click Bait' Facebook posts they put out asking 'What models do you want Airfix to do in the year 20XX?

Honestly, they must have 'a million' possible suggestions by now and we all know they are likely to produce 'a million-minus 5' new tool subjects next year... so why keep asking? 

Just go back to your previous posts and tally up what people are asking for?  

[Julien]

Having removed a number of wish listing postings despite Greg asking for them not to be listed if we get anymore this thread will be closed.

 

 

[brewerjerry]

Hi

    not wishlisting as i have both hasegawa B-24 coastal command issues

  it would not suprise me if airfix did an RAF version of the new B-24

   the only B-24 H in coastal ? 

   or in 100 Group colours ? 

   cheers

      jerry 

Edited December 30, 2024 by brewerjerry

[TheKinksFan]

6 hours ago, LN-KEH said:

What about Airfix starting a line of 1:350 ships with the class 26 frigate chosen by the RN, RAN, RCN and a candidate for the next Norwegian frigates?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_26_frigate#Development

Here's a good video from Modelkit Stuff:

https://youtu.be/DRM9BhX3MPE?si=5aR81XlCWdMWbE0w

 

Disappointing for ship builders, but new tool ships are probably the last thing Airfix would release. 

[SeventySecond]

8 hours ago, Dennis_C said:

I would just hope for anything for post-WWII RAF or Royal Navy era in 1/72. Could be equally happy with Sea Fury, Sea Hawk, Javelin or Jaguar. Any downscales would be very much welcome.

Another theme in 1/72 - any chances to see other versions of Mosquito? I'd personally love PR.34.

Lastly I think it's been a while we saw a 1/72 trainer aircraft. Should we get a new Tucano, Chipmunk, etc?

 

My thoughts exactly, Dennis, everything you have listed would be very welcome (and I would add the Lysander too) although other than the Meteor (which one of the guys from Airfix told me they only downsized because of covid restrictions and they had the data) they don't ever seem to downsize any of their 1/48 kits, so I am not very hopeful.

 

I completely understand that Airfix is a business and if 1/48 gives them a better return then I can see why that is their focus, but given the number of times their 1/72 trainer kits (JP3/4, Vampire T11, Gnat) have been re-released in different markings, it feels there must still be a worthwhile market for them in 1/72. Hopefully this is true and we see at least a new 1/72 Chipmunk.

 

What I don't know is whether the number of modellers out there that are like me, in that they only build 1/72 and therefore won't buy any of there 1/48 kits , however good they are, is enough of a market for them?

[Dave Fleming]

Might be too soon after the initial release , but there is obviously design in the Chinook and B-24 kits for different versions (Late HC1 and B-24J respectively ). Similarly, a reboxing of the Ferret might be on the cards. 

 

We still haven’t seen the Starter set Eurofughter, but I wonder if we might see a ‘full’ version of that, or the F-35B.

 

 

[Denford]

Spoiler

But perhaps time for another 1/72 Mosquito variant.  As was pointed out here when it was first released there's a letter missing in the sequence of sprues.

 

 

 

[Dennis_C]

Would be nice if someone with good knowledge of Airfix sprues and box contents compiles a list of possible modification of already existing 1/72 kits. So that we could have a fact-based list of potential releases of new versions in 2025. Looks like B-24, Chinook, and Mosquito all have some provisions for release of modified kits. What else?

[Dave Fleming]

32 minutes ago, Dennis_C said:

Would be nice if someone with good knowledge of Airfix sprues and box contents compiles a list of possible modification of already existing 1/72 kits. So that we could have a fact-based list of potential releases of new versions in 2025. Looks like B-24, Chinook, and Mosquito all have some provisions for release of modified kits. What else?

Not sure there are too many others - most of the ‘new’ 1/72 range has seen second or third versions released that were obviously designed in. I can’t think on one that’s not been mentioned where there are  indications of another unreleased version. (The Me410 was one, but the A-3 has been announced).

 

Plenty of scope of rereleases with new marking options though.

 

Edit: Not an aircraft, but the 1/72 Jeep has several parts that aren’t used. Maybe no extra plastic needed, but options there.

Edited December 30, 2024 by Dave Fleming