News From Airfix

[Panzer Vor!!!]

It says to me that sheep are easily led.

that remark is pointless

[Howard Moon]

Let's not forget that Airfix tried the 1/35th market twice before. In the late 70's they marketed some of the old Peerless/Max softskins such as the 15cwt Chevrolet and Bedford Portee. These were generally regarded as being accurate detailed kits and Italeri went on to market the same kits when Airfix withdrew. In 2004 they tried again with re-pops of Trumpeter's Challenger 2 and Italeri's Abrams and DUKW. I would say there is a good chance the combined experiences convinced them 1/35th armour was not an easy market to break into. On the other hand, Tamiya have released more armour and military vehicles in 1/48th in recent years than they have in 1/35th so somebody is obviously building them. Even Bronco who are a new entrant into the field have just released their Staghound in 1/48th. These manufacturers are also being supported by the aftermarket. Have a look here to get an idea of how the market is growing:

http://perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/48/48reviews.htm:

For all the reasons stated earlier, I would say this is a shrewd move by Airfix. Oh, and I build 1/35th armour but that may change

[pte1643]

that remark is pointless

I feel this thread is becoming pointless.

[Panzer Vor!!!]

I feel this thread is becoming pointless.

true back to modelling

[thx6667]

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 almost absolutely nothing, other than echoing the old Neil Peart lyric about "living in their pools they soon forget about the sea..."

If its not raining in Bristol, does that also mean its not raining in Tokyo?

[TheModeller]

It says to me that sheep are easily led.

How is it anymore pointless than your repeating over and over that that Airfix are stupid, out-of-touch or going to the wall because they don't make the specific, niche-market subject you desire?

The evidence is quite to the contrary, Airfix are coming on in leaps and bounds, improving thier quality and value all the time, making kits that are popular and well received by the vast majority of modellers using this forum, and now taking a risk on entering a new scale and subject type.

You see, you keep repeating how Airfix are out-of-touch, stuck-in-the-past, missing out on opportunites, not producing the specific products you want, yet they are clearly doing a decent job of making enough money to fund all these new-tool products...

Yes 1/35th is by far the most popular scale for armour modellers, I even have a couple of 1/35th kits in my stash, 30 years ago I and a few other small manufacturers used to produce a range of 1/35th armour accessories, resin, etch and figures. You don't need to tell me how popular 1/35th is. I suggest that Airfix know only too well how big and how popular 1/35th armour is, they know only too well how many companies are in the 1/35th market, each competing for a slice of the same pie, and they also know the amount of investment they'd need to put into it to even scratch enough out of the market to get thier money back!

1/48th is new(ish), fewer manufacturers, fewer subjects, the kits are generally substantially cheaper than thier 1/35th equivalents and therefore easier to sell to thier target market, and the subject area Airfix have chosen to tackle is, to date, a unique one as far as the scale is concerned.

Looks to me like they intend to lead in this scale, not follow.

So, who is out-of-touch exactly?

[grahamwalker]

My local toy shop the only shop to sell models in my town, has star wars kits in on sale, when ask they said they woulkd not be stocking anymore si-fi kits as they do not sell, that may be a pointer why Airfix will not be doing a y wing any time soon. I am afriad you will have to wait just like us RN ship modellers have waited for 30 years for new decent kits in 1/350 scale ,now we are getting them. And if you acnt get a good y wing, I take it you are a modelller then scartch build one.

[PhantomMajor]

It says to me that sheep are easily led.

It says to me that there isnt a great interest in 1:48 scale armour kits.

as for talking about the Y-wing... i was using it as an example, how about this then, a freshly designed M48 patton tank in 1;35th scale... tamiya's 30+ year old kit could do with some competition.

oh and i didnt say that out club was a 20 strong star wars modelling club, i said two of us build sci-fi. one guy, derek builds nothing but F4 phantoms

as for not reading the correct modelling magazines...hmmm well i bought 4 this weekend at a cost of just over £20

at the end of the day i just feel that airfix should turn out some kits of military vehicles in the popular 1;35th standard scale for modellers.

in the mean time i have a Phased Plasma Rifle in the 40 Watt range to start sanding, i just wondering if this discussion was turned around and i said that Tamiya or Academy arent that good because they don't build kits in 1:76 or 1:32 scale would there be such a rush to defend them?

[johnnyboy]

A entertaining thread but to me the point is Airfix have decided to go with these in 1/48.. I cannot understand why those that think they would sell very well in 1/35 cannot see the problem, If they would be such a big hit in 1/35 why is that the Big boys have not produced them already? Me I would have like to seen that both the choppers in 1/72 but that's life get over it.

"You all laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at you because you're all the same."- John Davis

[thx6667]

It says to me that there isnt a great interest in 1:48 scale armour kits.

How? Look its very simple - if there was no great interest, they would not sell, and if they don't sell they'd not made and new kits are not produced. There's no ifs or buts, kits don't get made out of some kind of rigid ideology and forced onto a market ("you will buy this"), they are reflections of demand.

So because someone didn't see any 1/48 and/or 1/72-1/76 armour at Bovington ergo there is demand anywhere else?

as for talking about the Y-wing... i was using it as an example, how about this then, a freshly designed M48 patton tank in 1;35th scale... tamiya's 30+ year old kit could do with some competition.

Yeah, how about it... so why haven't Tamiya done it then?

oh and i didnt say that out club was a 20 strong star wars modelling club, i said two of us build sci-fi. one guy, derek builds nothing but F4 phantoms

So clearly if its not an F-4 Derek is going to be disappointed...

as for not reading the correct modelling magazines...hmmm well i bought 4 this weekend at a cost of just over £20

Good for you, if you want examples of these non-existent reviews then I'm sure one or two of us can furnish you with the details.

at the end of the day i just feel that airfix should turn out some kits of military vehicles in the popular 1;35th standard scale for modellers.

Sure, and as has been pointed out there are good reasons why they're maybe not going for 1/35.

in the mean time i have a Phased Plasma Rifle in the 40 Watt range to start sanding, i just wondering if this discussion was turned around and i said that Tamiya or Academy arent that good because they don't build kits in 1:76 or 1:32 scale would there be such a rush to defend them?

There's no rush to defend anybody dude, you stated several purely personal and subjective things like they were representative of a wider belief, coupled with a few factual flubs, and you got responses that disagreed with you. And I'm absolutely sure that if you did say "Tamiya or Academy arent that good because they don't build kits in 1:76 or 1:32 scale" you'd get some equally erudite and polite responses pointing out how that isn't not be the case, based on logic and reason.

Long story short, if there's nothing that appeals to you, that's your prerogative. Its doesn't mean it won't appeal to others.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Jonathan Mock

[davidelvy]

at the end of the day i just feel that airfix should turn out some kits of military vehicles in the popular 1;35th standard scale for modellers.

I think if that was all you said then there would not have been such a reaction. If Airfix went into 1/35 armour we might get some reasonably priced kits of British subjects and I for one would welcome that. What people have taken issue with is the suggestion that the fact Airfix do not offer kits in this scale shows that they are out of touch with the the Market and are risking another commercial failure. I like 1/48 aircraft and judging by the kits available this is a very popular category. However, I would not suggest that Polar Lights are committing commercial suicide by not investing in this area.

By the way, my earlier post was a feeble attempt at irony. I'm sorry if this was not clear.

[TheModeller]

A entertaining thread but to me the point is Airfix have decided to go with these in 1/48.. I cannot understand why those that think they would sell very well in 1/35 cannot see the problem, If they would be such a big hit in 1/35 why is that the Big boys have not produced them already?

Exactly, its not as if there aren't enough manufacturers supporting 1/35th for someone have pinched these off already, instead there are a couple of pricey but beautiful multi-media kits from Accurate Armour...

Of course thats not to say we won't see mainstream 1/35th kits of them from HobbyBoss or Trumpeter or Dragon or Tamiya or Bronco or MiliArt or MasterBox or AFV Club or... Need I go on?

Its always the same, why is it the 1/35th boys always feel so threatened when a new kit or product comes along thats not in the 'one true scale'? Its always the same refrain, 'should have been in 1/35th...' as if there aren't enough subjects covered in 1/35th already, to the piont where the big makers are now popping out kits of paper-prototypes! Hell even the multi-turreted monstrosities of the late 30's are getting kitted by multiple manufacturers!

How about we just let Airfix produce what they think will sell, if they get it wrong then we'll see no more 1/48th vehicles, but of course if they get it right I can see a big potential market in cross-over subjects for them that the other manufacturers have so far failed to get a grip on.

[Panzer Vor!!!]

hmmmmm so its sour grapes on behalf of 35 scale so let me ask this and please sensiable answers

if airfix produce an aeroplane kit that a lot of people wanted but in an different scale lets say 1/50 nobody would complain ???/ everbody would be a happy bunny ?????

[thx6667]

hmmmmm so its sour grapes on behalf of 35 scale so let me ask this and please sensiable answers

if airfix produce an aeroplane kit that a lot of people wanted but in an different scale lets say 1/50 nobody would complain ???/ everbody would be a happy bunny ?????

No because 1/50 has demonstrably been left behind by the major kit companies in favour of 1/48.

Equally 1/48 is not some kind of strange new armour scale.

[Panzer Vor!!!]

No because 1/50 has demonstrably been left behind by the major kit companies in favour of 1/48.

Equally 1/48 is not some kind of strange new armour scale.

no any scale but not one thats established

[lufbramatt]

Maybe they just want to make models of all the vehicles in the Afghan campaign, 1/48 is the obvious choice for a coherent range which integrates vehicles and aircraft, you can do the smallest vehicle (say a quad bike) and the largest (a merlin or chinook helo) in the same scale without the extremes becoming rediculous. It has massive crossover appeal for dioramas- to both the aviation and armour modellers, generating the maximum sales from one range of kits.

[Mike]

I'm getting dizzy from the circular nature of this topic. Airfix have announced these kits in 1:48... it's a done deal. Moaning about it won't change anything, but as the research has been done for these kits, perhaps if they sell well, we might be treated to some scale-ups later? Even if Airfix don't, someone's bound to sooner or later, and then everyone will be happy... won't they? Probably not, because some people never are. I hope and I think that these will sell well, even if some people think they're in the wrong scale.

As a 1:35 armour builder, I think I will probably get some of these 1:48 kits and do a couple of British Army in the 'Stan dios with 'em and some choppers.

[Ghostbase]

Many many years ago I used to make 1/76th AFV models for WW2 wargaming, I made mostly British and some American armour while a friend did German, then we would spend hours arguing the merits of the different types, think it always came down to a throw of the dice in the end These days I still play the ancient Steel Panthers armour on my PC, almost the same thing, just don't need friends anymore lol!

The kits I made then were almost all Airfix and Esci, perhaps the odd Hasegawa as well. I came back to the hobby a few years ago, mainly military aircraft in 1/48th scale and I have absolutely no problem with the Airfix brand at all; recent releases such as the TSR.2, four different Canberras as well the Sea Vixen - good grief, what's not to like? And two Shaun the Sheep kits!!

I am interested in getting back into armour again and I have kept an eye open for 1/35th kits in the sales and purchased several however I have yet to start one, just too complex, too many parts and too much work for my two week max attention span to be honest. I do have a Tamiya 1/48th Cromwell Mk.4 in the stash and looked at it again today having read this interesting thread; four sprues plus a hull, yes I could definitely cope with that. So if Airfix decided to go into British armour in 1/48th scale I would definitely go for their products

Michael

[thx6667]

no any scale but not one thats established

I don't quite understand the point your trying to make - its not like 1/48 armour is a new concept in the hobby, and that's what we're dealing with, not some new oddball scale.

OK, if Airfix (or whomever) announced a kit in 1/50 or something out of the established scales, yeah of course there might be complaints, but that's not happening here so its a redundant line of hypothising.

Do some 1/35 modellers wish this stuff was being made in their scale? Yeah, but Airfix have no pedigree or market presence in that scale, just like Tamiya have no history of 1/72 armour or Revell 1/24 aircraft. But just because its not being done in 1/35 does not mean it won't appeal to anyone else.

Except of course 20 blokes in a model club (19 discounting Derek who likes only Phantoms) and a few modellers at the Tank Museum.

[chadders]

At the end of the day if you want a 1:35th subject buy it from one of the manufacturers that specialise in them. Don't expect a company to change its marketing strategy, that has stood for many many years, just for you. Why not see why Tamiya/Trumpeter/Dragon etc haven't tooled these vehicles?

[Murdo]

I have built a few 1/32 aircraft kits such as the Revell Beaufighter and two of the superb Revell Hunters.

I have built around 50 1/35 armour kits and a number of 1/48 aircraft. I quite like 1/48 as whilst it is small it is large enough to give excellent and clear detail.

One of my bugbears though has been the sheer lack of 1/48 vehicles to go with the 1/48 aircraft so if Airfix bring out a whole bunch of 1/48 vehicle kits, Brit Aircraft and figures then I will certainly buy them. I also deeply hope that Airfix bring out 1/48 kits of their cracking wee 1/72 RAF "Emergency sets" like the ambulance, fire truck, crane and transporter.

Dear Airfix... Can we please have some 1/48 Challengers, Warriors, Land Rovers, Saladin, Saracen, Abbot, AS90, Bedford 4 tonnie, Scimitar, Ferret, FV432 (OH PLEASE!!!!!!) and figures to go with them. (I can but hope )

The lack of SLR / GPMG carrying British troops in all scales is also truly pathetic considering they and the SLR / GPMG (and of course, the "Charley G") were in some kind of action or "Peace Keeping", somewhere, every year since about 1950 for around 45 years. Borneo, Brunei, Belize, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Aden, Korea, Kenya, Ulster, Falklands, Cold War to name but a few.

Airfix is the only company that I know of that have produced Brit troops with SLRs and Gimpys in 1/35 - "Modern British Troops" from around the 1970's. It's just a terrible pity they are in that horrible, dreadful plastic that wont cut neatly, won't sand and is horrendous to get paint to stick to. Please Airfix, bring out new ones in good styrene in 1/35 and 1/48.

Ach, I know it's a long rambling wish list but...

Keep 'em coming Airfix!

[thx6667]

Airfix is the only company that I know of that have produced Brit troops with SLRs and Gimpys in 1/35 - "Modern British Troops" from around the 1970's. It's just a terrible pity they are in that horrible, dreadful plastic that wont cut neatly, won't sand and is horrendous to get paint to stick to. Please Airfix, bring out new ones in good styrene in 1/35 and 1/48.

They do, its called K-resin its like regular styrene, can be cut, sanded and glued.

[Enzo the Magnificent]

Dear Airfix... Can we please have some 1/48 Land Rovers... Bedford 4 tonnie

Ooh, yes please! Then I can do a Harrier GR3 hide diorama!

[Niall]

1/48th scale Landrovers and present day infantry already on the way from Airfix -

http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-...ops-148-a02750/

And -

http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-...win-set-a06301/

[Murdo]

They do, its called K-resin its like regular styrene, can be cut, sanded and glued.

Airfix make British troops with SLR and Gimpys in K-resin?

If they do then I'll definitely have to find some of these!