Airfix 2023 Releases - Let's See What's in Store....

[@MannsModelMoments]

What do you guys think of the Airfix 2023 lineup? Let me know in the comments below!

[@paulgrooveside2803]

Hurray for the reissue of the Rotodyne! I love this kit, I made one when I was a kid in the 1970s and I'll love to have another one.

[@MannsModelMoments]

I'd never really considered it before, but I am now - it's a very unusual thing!

[@Ronno4691]

Revell made a Fairey Rotodyne kit not so long ago.

[@mcsorens2680]

What I like about Airfix, they have something for most interest and price points for different budgets. Most of of the modern tooling kits are in my humble opinion pretty good.

[@MannsModelMoments]

I think that Airfix has really come into it's own since Hornby took the reigns back in 2006, and the quality of recent releases is second to none. The modern starter kits are excellent.

[@idiot-cd6pl]

The Auster when originally released came with three types of undercarriage, skis, floats and wheels. It was also the first Airfix kit with more than one clear part. Memory now a bit hazy but what I do remember it was quite a decent, if a bit fiddly model, and the cockpit could do with some improvement. I've often wondered what happened to this model and pleased to see it being re-released. JtP

[@MannsModelMoments]

I'm interested to see what the reverse-engineered transparencies are like and what is needed in the kit to make the best of them

[@r.a.monigold9789]

I'm FIRST in line for the Bond Bug kit. Always wanted a real one, but we folk in the Colonies were too irresponsible to own such things. So this will be my revenge build - BTW, I'll build it in the fridge, cause you know the best conditions for revenge. Thanks for the reviews. We'll see each other next time (if I remember to switch on my video cam).

[@MannsModelMoments]

Cheers!

[@mcsorens2680]

I'm an aircraft guy so I am looking forward to the F-35 and the Fairey Gannet. Over all I think Airfix did a pretty good job. A little bit of something for everyone.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Interestingly, the price point for the Airfix F-35B looks to be lower than any other of the currently available kits out there - £19.99 vs Italeri's 2019 tooling at £25.99.

[@stephengardiner9867]

Honestly, some of the homeliest aircraft are the most interesting to build. Everyone can bash out a Mustang, Thunderbolt, Spitfire, Hurricane, Bf 109, FW 190, Zero... yadda, yadda...but a Swordfish, Albacore, Hampden, Seagull, Anson ... those asymmetrical Blohm und Voss creatures... the pugnacious Wirraway and Kangaroo from Australia. Fairey was not nearly as bad as Blackburn in producing the "Quasimodos" of operational aircraft but the Gannet was certainly impressive in it's lack of aesthetic appeal. I am happy to see a 1/48 kit coming out. Still many that I would like to see in 1/48 plastic! A Vickers Warwick?... a B-32? ...A Martin Mauler?

[@MannsModelMoments]

You're right, sometimes these "interestingly" designed aircraft are the best for capturing attention - I personally love unusual aircraft!

[@A_barrel]

I need that Fairy Gannett!! I'm one of the few people that love that airplane

[@TheSkorzak]

Beleave it or not: The Great Western kit is what I am looking forward to.

[@ibidesign]

Gannets already on pre-order! Can't wait to kitbash that Rotodyne 4 or 5 times, too! Thanks for this.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Hope you enjoy it! It's a long wait though!

[@vaughanlockett658]

I would like to see the re- released of 50-70 s civil aircraft perhaps with more decal options.

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Wish they would make a 1/144 Sunderland.

[@iainmcclumpha]

Revell did a 1/77 scale Rotodyne with a clear fuselage half

[@MannsModelMoments]

It was actually 1/78th scale (for some reason!), but you're quite right - the mould goes back to 1960 and it was last issued in 2009

[@timgodin2114]

Yeah the Edsel of aircraft ,but it looks mean as a warbird should. Fighters are the beauties.

[@mh53j]

Already ordered the Ferret on pre-order; may not be as detailed as the resin alternatives, but for the price it looks pretty good. The Land Rover would be great in 1/35, but 1/43? Not really The 1/48 Hunter and Vampire, if they were in Rhodesian markings.

[@harrycullen6515]

They had me at Daimler ferret - love that thing

[@MannsModelMoments]

Be interesting to see it when it comes out

[@leokimvideo]

Seeing what's thrown up as models to keep the hobby alive, I have a full understanding why the hobby is sadly dying.

[@Shipnerd194]

It's not dying....? It's actually making a comeback mate, keep up to date!

[@woodchild2093]

The hobby is more alive than ever. So many kit makers now and the aftermarket is huge. We are living in a golden age of models 3d printing is just getting really good. Got my 1st 3d printed decals not long ago talk about blow your mind

[@Martian_Productions]

The hobby is doing better than ever. New kits and aftermarket details are being released constantly; just in the last six or seven months Tamiya had released two brand new kits. When it comes to modeling products, the variety we have today is incredible. The internet has made modeling way more accessible too; Modeling videos get millions of views on KZbin and the modeling community on Reddit alone has more than 250,000 members. The hobby has changed over the decades, but it’s definitely not dying.

[@paulwood5803]

Excited for the Gannet and I wonder if down the road they will produce an AEW version as well?

[@MannsModelMoments]

I would expect so, it's a general strategy with manufacturers to get as much revenue from a set of (very expensive) steel moulds by producing different versions.

[@emmabird9745]

I hope the Rotodyne doesn't have an authentic sound! I never saw it myself but I worked with a chap who saw it at Farnborough. He told me the noise was terible with the tip mounted ram jets. That's probably why it never went into service. Back in the day I had the Brisfit/dr1. I thought they were pretty good but then our expectations were perhaps not so much then. It is tempting for nostalgia. Maybe F1/103 this time (Werner Voss' blue one). Is there anywhere you can get decent pilot figures?

[@MannsModelMoments]

PJ productions do a pair of WWI pilots (www.pj-production.be/en/figures-1-72/21-wwi-pilots-seated-in-ac.html), and Dark Dream Studio do a set (www.drumandflag.co.uk/products/pilots-of-the-first-world-war-dds-72003-1-72-scale-unpainted-plastic-figures) and WarTime Minis do some white metal ones. There are also STl files to 3d print them if you can!

[@emmabird9745]

@@MannsModelMoments Hi, thanks. I remeber the old airfix ones as very basic.

[@ericadams3428]

I think you may have your Great Westerns muddled up, the one being re-released is £34.99 and is not a small kit by any means and is not the one from the same range as the Cutty Sark starter kit.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Sorry for the confusion, but I wasn't saying the Great Western was the same line as the Cutty Sark, but that these old mouldings with their vacform sails are of similar quality - the GW mould dates from 1966, and these old tools are pretty rough. Again, unless you've a special interest in this ship then I couldn't recommend buying it.

[@arrrgee]

The thing that frustrates me with Airfix car models is that they continue to choose 1:43 over 1:24, I think they would do better if they produced kits in the larger scale like Revell, Italeri, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Aoshima etc.

[@MannsModelMoments]

I have to say that for me personally, I agree. 1/43 cars don't seem like you're getting much for your money, and don't go with anything else. Having said that, I can understand the appeal for younger modellers who these are perhaps aimed at?

[@arrrgee]

@@MannsModelMoments Yeah I would agree, I think they are pretty much aimed at the younger modeller with the ease of build part count etc, it's just a shame they don't do larger as they have some nice cars.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Agreed - I think they could give Revell a run for their money, especially in the lucrative US market

[@borderlands6606]

Vintage Classics are worth buying for the box art, the kits are pretty grim. I built about half a dozen last year for nostalgia sake, certainly not pleasure. The ships could make the basis of an interesting, fully rigged kit if you were a fantastic modeller and had access to a microscope.

[@MannsModelMoments]

Personally I have never really understood the purchase of models for the box art - if I wanted a picture of the aircraft, I'd get one without the kit maker, title and such plastered all over it...still, "yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice" as they say, so if you feel it's worth it then I certainly wouldn't begrudge your pleasure! There are some great box art pictures from both older and newer kits, but the only reason I'd buy any of the vintage releases is for novelty (not available elsewhere at a sensible price point) or nostalgia (I made it as a kid and wanted to relive that experience). I think the latter is a far stronger motivation than others for these reissues.

[@borderlands6606]

@@MannsModelMoments Box art like all art, is in the eye of the beholder. The work of Roy Cross epitomised the dramatic-romantic relationship boys (it was mostly young males) had with their toys, including kits. The excitement and moral certainties box art represented wouldn't suit a modern adult modeller, nor should it. Old box art was a mix of clever branding and hyper-realism that could never be reflected in the often meagre contents of the box.

[@MannsModelMoments]

True, and emotion (especially as a child/young adult) is a powerful thing!

[@theblytonian3906]

A long run IJ contemporary tool Gannet in 1/48 is long overdue from someone. The price might scare me away though. Airfix think they're Eduard but they're not.

[@MannsModelMoments]

I think that says more to what Eduard have been doing with their pricing strategy in recent years than Airfix being expensive. Eduard kits were always at a higher price point, and it's not really until their excellent Weekend line came out that I would consider them have come into the remit of the "general" modeller (if such exists!). Let's hope Airfix balance the pricing and everyone is happy!

[@theblytonian3906]

@@MannsModelMoments Airfix prices might be reasonable in the UK, but here in AU, they are way overpriced AFAIC. That's from a 'kid' who grew up on the brand in the 1960s. Their prices here are Eduard Profipack prices, and some are Special/Limited Edition prices e.g. Adlertag Bf110 prices! o.O I haven't bought Airfix for a decade. Even then, it was a 1/48 Spitfire Vb Trop and Bf 109E-7 Dogfight Double on super promo from Hattons UK.

[@MannsModelMoments]

That's a shame...it does seem Airfix have retreated a little to their "home market", rather than driving international sales, which seems a little limiting from a business pov...

[@theblytonian3906]

@@MannsModelMoments Back in the 1960s, Airfix pretty much had the game to themselves here in AU. International markets were restricted to British imports as their Commonwealth 'sons of Empires' ties legally prohibited US and Asian imports, what little there was of the latter. Brands like Tamiya and Hasegawa didn't penetrate our market until the 1970s once we'd been abandoned by Britain in favour of their entry into the European Common Market. Since, as we've witnessed, the International marketplace has become highly competitive, not only with European brands like Italeri and Revell AG, but the myriad of Chinese brands which really only started to have a presence just 30 years ago. Dragon Tristar et al. Now there's Meng, Border, Takom, HobbyBoss & Trumpeter, ICM, a most prominent Eduard and a Zvezda which has really lifted its game, but its prices not so much just to name a few. Airfix may be focusing on their principle domestic market across three demographics, nostalgia, kids, and British subject interest adults. From an international standpoint, not paying for a red Mcbox. Comparatively Airfix 1/48 aircraft kits are far too dear for what they are, and their armour kits are just reboxed mainly mediocre Academy kits at inflated prices. Grew up on the brand, and started back there driven by the lure of nostalga. That wore off quickly. If the price is Eduard or Dragon pricing, I want it ALL in the box par excellence. Contemporary slide moulded toolings, 5-10 decal/scheme options inc aircraft stencils, transparency and wheel masks, PE, and with Limited and Special Editions, resin. Airfix are just dumb if they think they can sell to adult consumers at Eduard and Dragon prices because of their red box and sanitised CG 'artist' artwork I really don't care much for in comparison to the magnificence of Roy Cross' world in flames. That said, their Gannet really appeals to me. Interesting and successful aircraft in its career heyday in service with both the R.N and R.A.N, Last Gannet I built was circa 1968 produced in British Hong Kong (as was) by Kadar and sold internationally in Woolworths variety stores (as was) under the Lincoln International brand. Oddly enough, although Lincoln's scales were all over the place, the Gannet was in 1/72. www.scalemates.com/kits/lincoln-international-112-fairey-gannet--159351

[@MannsModelMoments]

Yeah - Airfix has learned a lot in the past 10 years or so and has brought itself up to (or even surpassing) some of its peers in the modelling side, but as a business person myself, I do see their business approach as a little less mature. "Commonwealth" markets like Canada and Australia would be ideal "soft" international markets because of the culture, and also military history of the nations, so it's a shame that the approach isn't more of a global mindset. I get that international shipping is pretty horrific right now, but a large bulk importer should sort that one out. Let's hope this changes an you guys can expect to get the kits at decent prices soon.

[@JoeGillespie-rf1zr]

Boring!

[@MannsModelMoments]

What is?