News From Airfix

[PhantomMajor]

ok so airfix are making figures but they aren't doing the additional accessories that alot of us purchase and i cant see legend or verlinden, yes they do produce a few items in smaller scales and its usually aimed at german or american vehicles.

as for missing out on what airfix has to offer now... sorry but the last time i looked in their catalogue it looked like the same old tired kits they knocked out 30 years ago, they certainly haven't produced anything that say "buy me" in my mind. i have never bought a hobbyboss kit until i recently saw the WIMK defender landrover.

if you guys are happy buying airfix then i'm happy for you but airfix is probably the last company i'd buy a kit from unless they knock out a 1:48th scal Y-Wing to the same standard or higher than fine molds do :-)

Edited October 23, 2011 by PhantomMajor

[davidelvy]

as for missing out on what airfix has to offer now... sorry but the last time i looked in their catalogue it looked like the same old tired kits they knocked out 30 years ago, they certainly haven't produced anything that say "buy me" in my mind. i have never bought a hobbyboss kit until i recently saw the WIMK defender landrover.

if you guys are happy buying airfix then i'm happy for you but airfix is probably the last company i'd buy a kit from...

Airfix have never produced a kit you want and seem to have no plans to do so. No loss there then.

As for being up there with the "Big Boys" they don't have to be. If they service their own market they'll be fine. Going headlong into 1/35 with enough new kits to amount to a range would be an unnecessary risk.

[Dave Fleming]

ok so airfix are making figures but they aren't doing the additional accessories that alot of us purchase and i cant see legend or verlinden, yes they do produce a few items in smaller scales and its usually aimed at german or american vehicles.

But what you are doing there is taking the way 'YOU' model and applying that to 'all' modellers. I'd say Airfix are appealing more to the general modeller than to the 'I must always buy aftermarket for a new kit regardless' enthusiast. Joe Bloggs who buys the Landrover or Jackal from Modelzone because it's cool, or their brother drives one, or because it's a step up from the HM Armed Forces one they played with a couple of years ago, has probably never heard of Verlinden or Legend. The fact that it fitys in scale with the Lynx Helicopter they bought last month is even better.

as for missing out on what airfix has to offer now... sorry but the last time i looked in their catalogue it looked like the same old tired kits they knocked out 30 years ago, they certainly haven't produced anything that say "buy me" in my mind. i have never bought a hobbyboss kit until i recently saw the WIMK defender landrover.

if you guys are happy buying airfix then i'm happy for you but airfix is probably the last company i'd buy a kit from unless they knock out a 1:48th scal Y-Wing to the same standard or higher than fine molds do :-)

Take two examples - Harrier GR9 and Curtiss P-40B - both new kits from Airfix this year, both immediately the best 1/72 representations of their subject, in a market that already has several kits of each. The new A6M2 has been favourably compared to the Hasegawa kit of the same subject, and their new Gnat and Swordfish look like taking the 'Best in Show' prize for those subjects as well.

Now you may say 'Those don't interest me' but then I refer you to my initial answer - you're applying YOUR likes to the whole market. All companies exploit their back catalogue to ensure revenue - I look at Tamiya, and I see some new kits form them, but I also see kits I built in the early 80s in their catalogue.

I will give you that their is a lack of modern British AFVs and support vehicles in 1/35 (beyond expensive resin kits) but perhaps that's because there is no market for them that can support an injection moudled kit. I imagine that Airfix think a reasonably priced 1/48th Landie will have an appeal to Aircraft modellers as well as armour ones.

[Niall]

As to the limited market for the Jackal; This vehicle was bought by the Australian SAS and US Ranger and Delta Force before the British Army placed an order.

[pte1643]

Joe Bloggs who buys the Landrover or Jackal from Modelzone because it's cool, or their brother drives one.....

.....The fact that it fits in scale with the Lynx Helicopter they bought last month is even better.

That's obviously the thought process behind the announced (or should that be rumoured?) future releases.

Personally I'm not a massive fan of Airfix kits, but I think with the release of their Lynx, Merlin, Land Rover and not forgetting the Modern British Troops in the 2011 catalogue I think these proposed releases to accompany them is perfectly pitched.

I think they'll sell 'em by the shed load.

[pte1643]

Not forgetting (well nearly) there also a compatable scale to that of the Italeri Chinook.

[TheModeller]

ok so airfix are making figures but they aren't doing the additional accessories that alot of us purchase and i cant see legend or verlinden, yes they do produce a few items in smaller scales and its usually aimed at german or american vehicles.

Now thats just blinkered, exactly what accessories are they supposed to be producing that 'alot' of us purchase? They're doing new-tool modern British combat vehicles, supported by a selection of figures all combined with equally new-tool kits of both the Lynx and Merlin helicopters, what are they missing out on exactly? What are these mythical 'additional accessories' they should be producing? 'Cos to me it looks like thay have all the bases covered.

Of course if you mean the kind of aftermarket, specialist, enthusiasts products made by the likes of Legend or Verlinden then you're barking up completely the wrong tree, Airfix make the kits, the aftermarket follow up with resin and etch and decals and figures, take a look at the Gaso-Line range of resin kits and conversions, or the Hauler and RB Barrels lines of 1/48th detail sets, or the extensive resin upgrade sets made by Black Dog...

To date the reason so much 1/48th aftermarket is aimed at WWII German and US subjects is because thats what has mainly been available on hobby shop shelves in the way of kits, and thats because German and US stuff sells, that doesn't mean there aren't other kits out there and a huge amount of aftermarket to back them up...

I guess I don't get your point, Airfix don't appeal to you because they are to busy producing dated stuff no one wants, when in fact they've been knocking out some fine and popular kits for the last couple of years and now they're taking the lead in something genuinely new in the way of both scale and subject matter thats wrong for you too?

I dunno Marge, first you don't want me to get the pony, now I gotta take the pony back, make your mind up!

[thx6667]

ok so airfix are making figures but they aren't doing the additional accessories that alot of us purchase and i cant see legend or verlinden, yes they do produce a few items in smaller scales and its usually aimed at german or american vehicles.

Define "a lot of us", unless I missed the election for "spokesperson for all modellers".

as for missing out on what airfix has to offer now... sorry but the last time i looked in their catalogue it looked like the same old tired kits they knocked out 30 years ago, they certainly haven't produced anything that say "buy me" in my mind. i have never bought a hobbyboss kit until i recently saw the WIMK defender landrover.

I don't think anyone is disputing they're still "knocking out" kits from 30 (and more) years ago, but then so are Hasegawa (original Harrier, Tomcat, A-37 etc...), Revell (P-51D, Me 109E etc...), Tamiya (1/35 armour, 1/48 aircraft)... the list goes on. Sure, we've had endless debates here about the need to replace old kits - newsflash - thats happening, though obviously you can't replace everything overnight.

if you guys are happy buying airfix then i'm happy for you but airfix is probably the last company i'd buy a kit from unless they knock out a 1:48th scal Y-Wing to the same standard or higher than fine molds do :-)

To clarify, because they make nothing that appeals to you personally, its all gone a bit Pete Tong? And you're not really au fait with recent developments anyway?

What was that you were saying about keeping up with the times?

[thx6667]

Of course if you mean the kind of aftermarket, specialist, enthusiasts products made by the likes of Legend or Verlinden then you're barking up completely the wrong tree, Airfix make the kits, the aftermarket follow up with resin and etch and decals and figures, take a look at the Gaso-Line range of resin kits and conversions, or the Hauler and RB Barrels lines of 1/48th detail sets, or the extensive resin upgrade sets made by Black Dog...

Exactly. Kit companies have to serve a variety of markets, its up to the aftermarket to the service the needs of enthusiasts.

Once this range is launched I would suggest there will be a slew of accessories covering weapons, equipment, dioramas etc... as well as additional figures, decals, upgrades for the enthusiast sector.

[Kallisti]

Lol so much hate against Airfix... I mean they obviously aren't producing kits that anyone wants to build, I mean who wants to build a Vickers Valiant or a Harrier GR9, I mean geeze guys come on produce ANOTHER 109 or F-16 in 1/48 or even better a Tiger in 1/35 I mean there are so few options for these rare subjects out there!

[grahamwalker]

I think Airfix is on the up, I mean 1/350 scale RN ships is something I never expected from them, another out next year:) an improved swordfish yehaa, 1/48 lynx wow and merlin double wow. To me thats great news seeing I model RN Stuff. And I hope they do more like it. It makes sense for them to bring out new toolings (hope for a new Bucc). I wish they would bring out some old kits like thier old motor bike BSA Ariel,Honda BMW and jazz them up a bit with chrome wheels and such.

[PhantomMajor]

Define "a lot of us", unless I missed the election for "spokesperson for all modellers".

To clarify, because they make nothing that appeals to you personally, its all gone a bit Pete Tong? And you're not really au fait with recent developments anyway?

What was that you were saying about keeping up with the times?

well the the "us" would be the twenty members of the modelling club that i am a member of, none of which have built an airfix kit in some time. also, look at the numerous modelling magazines that are out there, how often do you see a review of an airfix kit

as for keeping up with the times, well "if" airfix knocked out a 1:48th Y-wing to the same standards or greater than fine molds, then i'm very sure that, that news would have been big headlines on other sites that i use that specialise in that area of model building.

Jonathan Mock, you seem to be taking my comments as some sort of personal attack, as far as i'm concerned along with some, if not all of my fellow club members is that airfix is the norwegian blue parrot from a popular comedy show.

airfix might not produce anything that interests, fair enough. my money will go to other suppliers, and if everyone felt that way, where would airfix be then? 1:35th scale is a proven establish market where as 1:48th scale military vehicles is an experiment, which in time might have a decent market share.

military-wise i build 1:35th scale, WW2 Cold war and even more recent times, hell i build most things, sci-fi, garage kits but i've never seen anything produced by airfix that says "must have" to me, which i feel is a side indictment of a company that is as old as the hills.

[davidelvy]

Neither Moebus nor Polar Lights produce any kits I like. I have never seen one of their kits at my local club and have never seen a review of their prducts in Model Airplane International. Frankly I am amazed they are able to survive without producing a 1/48 kit of Spitfire. They need to have a serious look at their business plan because they are clearly making kits nobody wants.

[PhantomMajor]

Neither Moebus nor Polar Lights produce any kits I like. I have never seen one of their kits at my local club and have never seen a review of their prducts in Model Airplane International. Frankly I am amazed they are able to survive without producing a 1/48 kit of Spitfire. They need to have a serious look at their business plan because they are clearly making kits nobody wants.

well i guess when i bought the colonial vipers, mk2 and the mk7 it pushed their profits through the roof, not to mention a mate of mine who bought the iron man figure and dramatically altered its basic pose.

there are two of us heretics who build non military kits at our club, i guess it's blasphemy to comment on the holy works of airfix these days

Edited October 24, 2011 by PhantomMajor

[TheModeller]

well the the "us" would be the twenty members of the modelling club that i am a member of, none of which have built an airfix kit in some time. also, look at the numerous modelling magazines that are out there, how often do you see a review of an airfix kit

Easy one to remember first of all... 20 doesn't constitute 'alot of us'... 20,000 would be 'alot', but 20... No, not by a long chalk...

The Spitfire XII and Seafire XVII were splashed across all the major magazines for about three months earlier in the year, I clearly remember SAM, SAMi, MAM and even FSM having reviews and 'build' articles covering both kits, colour schemes, potted service histories and conversions! Same for the Valiant and the Sea Vixen. Lots of coverage, lots of reviews, how come you missed them? Is it 'cos you weren't 'keeping up'?

as for keeping up with the times, well "if" airfix knocked out a 1:48th Y-wing to the same standards or greater than fine molds, then i'm very sure that, that news would have been big headlines on other sites that i use that specialise in that area of model building.

Well they're not going too; They're not likely to want to brown-nose up to Mr Lucas and hand over a license fee and even if they did how would they produce a Star Wars kit, in isolation, unrelated to any other line in thier catalog, thats not only up to the same standards as the Fine Molds kits but at a price you'd pay... Mmmmmm sounds to me like you should be buying a Fine Molds kit if thats the kit you want!

Jonathan Mock, you seem to be taking my comments as some sort of personal attack, as far as i'm concerned along with some, if not all of my fellow club members is that airfix is the norwegian blue parrot from a popular comedy show.

Jonathon is always quick to defend Airfix, thats his choice, he and I have differed over some Airfix choices in the past, amongst other things, but his defence of Airfix is seldom 'blind', similarly if I choose to take a pop at something Airfix have done it isn't usually from a position of ignorance...

You see it sounds to me like your peers don't like Airfix, so you don't like Airfix, fair enough, each to thier own, but if you're going to take a pop at least try to figure out some worth to what your saying, not just slag them off without knowing anything about what their making these days, just 'cos the boys in your club tell you too.

airfix might not produce anything that interests, fair enough. my money will go to other suppliers, and if everyone felt that way, where would airfix be then? 1:35th scale is a proven establish market where as 1:48th scale military vehicles is an experiment, which in time might have a decent market share.

And by taking the reins and producing something new in a new scale maybe that 'decent market share' might come sooner rather than later. In order for a particular niche of the hobby to develop there have to be products available to buy.

Edited October 24, 2011 by TheModeller

[PhantomMajor]

Easy one to remember first of all... 20 doesn't constitute 'alot of us'... 20,000 would be 'alot', but 20... No, not by a long chalk...

The Spitfire XII and Seafire XVII were splashed across all the major magazines for about three months earlier in the year, I clearly remember SAM, SAMi, MAM and even FSM having reviews and 'build' articles covering both kits, colour schemes, potted service histories and conversions! Same for the Valiant and the Sea Vixen. Lots of coverage, lots of reviews, how come you missed them? Is it 'cos you weren't 'keeping up'?

Well they're not going too; They're not likely to want to brown-nose up to Mr Lucas and hand over a license fee and even if they did how would they produce a Star Wars kit, in isolation, unrelated to any other line in thier catalog, thats not only up to the same standards as the Fine Molds kits but at a price you'd pay... Mmmmmm sounds to me like you should be buying a Fine Molds kit if thats the kit you want!

Jonathon is always quick to defend Airfix, thats his choice, he and I have differed over some Airfix choices in the past, amongst other things, but his defence of Airfix is seldom 'blind', similarly if I choose to take a pop at something Airfix have done it isn't usually from a position of ignorance...

You see it sounds to me like your peers don't like Airfix, so you don't like Airfix, fair enough, each to thier own, but if you're going to take a pop at least try to figure out some worth to what your saying, not just slag them off without knowing anything about what their making these days, just 'cos the boys in your club tell you too.

And by taking the reins and producing something new in a new scale maybe that 'decent market share' might come sooner rather than later. In order for a particular niche of the hobby to develop there have to be products available to buy.

i'm happy that airfix have done things with aircraft but since we are discussing armour, i'd like to stay on track, since we are in the armour section of this forum and building wingy thingies isn't an area i specialise in, hence the reason i probably haven't been looking through aircraft modelling magazines.

secondly i do buy fine molds kits, i have completed a tie fighter and tie interceptor in 1:72 scale as well as the 1:48th scale tie fighter ( which i won first place with in the scottish ipms show btw) not to mention my stash of other fine molds kits, the reason i mention the idea of a 1:48 scale y-wing is that it something alot of sci-fi model builders would love to see... so there is a market opening there to.

the guys at the club build kits and we talked about airfix and the subject went into "when was the last time you built airfix" i am not blindly following what other people in my local club are saying. i can assure that i'm not some teenage kid following the flow, my teenage years are well behind me, along with my bay city roller albums lol.

so you dont think a twenty strong membership of a local club isnt a high turn out? how many members are in your club, and how often do they build airfix kits? now maybe my local club is an anomaly and every other club is turning out finish airfix kits but i would lean on the side of caution here and say that probably isnt the case.

[Darius at Home]

Entertaining thread this. From what I can gather Airfix has made a fatal mistake in not catering to the needs of the 20 strong Star Wars modelling club and as a consequence will be out of business anytime soon. Perhaps Mr phantom could provide some advice to the Eurozone leaders as they could clearly benefit from his economic wisdom. I suspect, alas, that they already have...

Darius

[TheModeller]

i'm happy that airfix have done things with aircraft but since we are discussing armour, i'd like to stay on track, since we are in the armour section of this forum and building wingy thingies isn't an area i specialise in, hence the reason i probably haven't been looking through aircraft modelling magazines.

But you're the one banging on about them producing a Star Wars subject! Hardly armour related either, and to be honest you have to be living in some kind of vacuum not to have picked up on the general buzz surrounding the more recent Airfix products regardless of genre!

so you dont think a twenty strong membership of a local club isnt a high turn out? how many members are in your club, and how often do they build airfix kits? now maybe my local club is an anomaly and every other club is turning out finish airfix kits but i would lean on the side of caution here and say that probably isnt the case.

I didn't say anything about your clubs membership, I pointed out that 20 modellers, anti-Airfix or otherwise, doesn't constitute 'alot' by any stretch of the imagination and at the least its presumptious of you to claim you're speaking for 'alot' of modellers, you're not, you're speaking for 20 modellers...

[Richard M]

Members of internet forums and model clubs, lets call them "serious modellers" account for around 15% of Airfix sales in total. I^d say 1/48 scale British troops, helicopters, and vehicle models of subjects from the latest British conflicts would sell well to the 85% of Airfix^s major market, it will be a bonus if they appeal to the serious end too. 1/48 is a nice sized scale in that it will produce a reasonable size model but not be too expensive.

The iHobby show report on Cybermodeller mentioned resin ruined buildings in 1/48 scale, I presume these would be to go with the helicopter and vehicle kits and would represent buildings from Afghanistan/Iraq. I^m hoping there has been no mix up with the 1/76 building range, because I think a range of buildings to go with the new 1/48 kits would be a garuanteed winner.

Airfix have shown a serious commitment to producing detailed, well fitting, and affordable kits, the P-40 kit demonstrated that.

[thx6667]

well the the "us" would be the twenty members of the modelling club that i am a member of, none of which have built an airfix kit in some time. also, look at the numerous modelling magazines that are out there, how often do you see a review of an airfix kit

I would suggest that A 20 guys in modelling club is not representative of the entire modelling market and B you try reading a few more model mags as there are reviews almost every month.

as for keeping up with the times, well "if" airfix knocked out a 1:48th Y-wing to the same standards or greater than fine molds, then i'm very sure that, that news would have been big headlines on other sites that i use that specialise in that area of model building.

So the sticking point is that its until they do produce a Y-wing (for a niche market) then nothing else really counts?

Jonathan Mock, you seem to be taking my comments as some sort of personal attack, as far as i'm concerned along with some, if not all of my fellow club members is that airfix is the norwegian blue parrot from a popular comedy show.

Dude I'm not taking it personally at all, I'm just trying to figure out what angle you're trying to work here because you appear less than informed about why Airfix needed to be rescued, blissfully unaware of the kits they've produced in recent times, and presenting your personal tastes as being representative of the the entire modelling community at large.

I think like a few others in this thread I'm trying to figure out just what the point is you're trying to make.

airfix might not produce anything that interests, fair enough. my money will go to other suppliers, and if everyone felt that way, where would airfix be then?

I think they'd have to stop making aircraft, tanks, ships, figures and cars before that happens!

1:35th scale is a proven establish market where as 1:48th scale military vehicles is an experiment, which in time might have a decent market share.

And 40 years ago the thinking was that 1/32 was the established military and model soldier scale, and that 1/35 was another quirky scale like 1/50, 1/100. and 1/125. I'm not saying 1/48 will supplant 1/35, but there is clearly a big market interest in it as evidenced by the growth in new kits.

military-wise i build 1:35th scale, WW2 Cold war and even more recent times, hell i build most things, sci-fi, garage kits but i've never seen anything produced by airfix that says "must have" to me, which i feel is a side indictment of a company that is as old as the hills.

I don't see aircraft listed there, nor ships nor small scale armour - all of which makes up the bulk of their sales and range, so is it any wonder you're having trouble finding something to fit your personal tastes?

Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Jonathan Mock

[lufbramatt]

every new release airfix have come out with over the last couple of years has gone straight to the top of the Hannants "top 10 best sellers" chart on their home page, then sold out completely within days. Clearly the subject matter chosen by Airfix is way off what the public want. . .

Ps my local model club sees about 30 members turn up to each meeting, and the "show and tell" table always has a good smattering of Airfix kits, current favourites are Sea Vixens, seafires and valiants. So not only do the kits get bought, they get built, rather than end up as loft insulation as so many other kits do. the fact that you see so many of the build threads on here showing new-release airfix kits being built as soon as they are picked up from the shop, says a lot about subject choice, very much harking back to the golden days of airfix where kids would rush out and spend their pocket money on a new airfix kit on the saturday morning, and have it ready for mock dogfights and bombing raids by saturday night

[Seahawk]

I discover that of the 30 aircraft models I have bought this year 18 were Airfix. And this is someone for whom Airfix had disappeared off the radar as a source of worthwhile models and who was seriously disappointed with the early Hornby releases (Sea Harriers, Canberras, MiG-15, Bf 110, Spitfire XIX, Hurricane II). Now I am not Everymodeller but I submit that they may be doing something right. When I read a report of a recent club visit to Airfix Central in Margate, I didn't form the impression the Grey Suits were unhappy with the balance sheet.

[Panzer Vor!!!]

when airfix released the sea vixen valiant vulcan i was impressed good for the plane guys but im not happy to see airfix start a 48 scale range of military vehicles . i would love to model a modern army vehicle in 35 scale but im not paying for aa prices as i cant justify that on a kit . my choice . i would love to see airfix release 35 scale i like to see 35 in the mag yes their have being articles on 35 scale from aa . i wont pay what a fiver for one article . just becasue as a 35 scale armour guy im not happy dosent mean i anti airfix . i dont buy dragon kits. when i posted i said i thought airfix had missed a oppurtnuity to grab a slice of 35 scale with kits that at the moment noone is producing in 35 scale plastic. i think 48 scale will allways be 35 scale poor cousin for 35 scale modellers. some of the posts agree the majority do not . fair enough we are entiled to our thoughts on a subject. i volunteer at the tank museum doing modelling displays NOONE this year has turned up with a 48 scale model or 72/76 whats that say bout armour modelling today ???? .

I discover that of the 30 aircraft models I have bought this year 18 were Airfix. And this is someone for whom Airfix had disappeared off the radar as a source of worthwhile models and who was seriously disappointed with the early Hornby releases (Sea Harriers, Canberras, MiG-15, Bf 110, Spitfire XIX, Hurricane II). Now I am not Everymodeller but I submit that they may be doing something right. When I read a report of a recent club visit to Airfix Central in Margate, I didn't form the impression the Grey Suits were unhappy with the balance sheet.

yes thats aircraft this was about armour people keep harking on bout planes we were discssing armour and the chioce of scale

[Enzo the Magnificent]

I discover that of the 30 aircraft models I have bought this year 18 were Airfix.

Of the 14 which I will complete this year, 7 will have been Airfix. Believe me, no one is more astonished about that than I.

[TheModeller]

i volunteer at the tank museum doing modelling displays NOONE this year has turned up with a 48 scale model or 72/76 whats that say bout armour modelling today ???? .

It says to me that sheep are easily led.