History of Airfix - scale modelling

A brief history of scale model manufacturers, episode 1 - Airfix
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[@glencochrane901]

In the 70's we kids loved Airfix soldiers. We recreated many WWII battles with them. Great memories.

[@richray1582]

Me too :)

[@johnerwin9024]

Oh, man, had maybe about a thousand of the Airfix HO scale soldiers in the 1970's I fooled with, painted some

[@Loulovesspeed]

Years ago I built the Airfix 4 Stroke Engine model. It had a cutaway portion and lift off cam cover to show the valves with springs opening and closing at the proper time. I did one of my better paint jobs on it and it still looks great today! Parts fit was excellent and injection molding very well done. I purchased another kit to hold onto and build again down the road. A fun to build kit that is my only Airfix kit in hundreds of models built so far in my life!

[@hunterglass1840]

When I was a kid I had a subscription to Airfix magazine. While other kids were reading comic books I was the strange kid reading a magazine about plastic model building and dioramas.

[@davidgreen5099]

The important thing is, are you still that weird kid? Hope so.

[@brianjones2118]

In the early '60s (I'm 65) the first kits I built included Spit IX, Yak9d, Golden Hind, Santa Maria, Cutty Sark, the ships were waterline models rather than the later versions on stands.I too read Airfix magazine and recently, obtained an extract of Oct 1966 edition which had a conversion using parts from the Tiger I and Panther to build A King Tiger. This was a copy which I'd had and as an 11 year old this was quite a demanding project, but I was happy with the result. What now to me is significant, is the magazine article was written by Hilary Doyle who is still one of the leading experts on WW2 German Armour, back in 1966 his name meant nothing to me.

[@kamfaimichaelman8129]

Ah! Ah! I can still remember in my early 70's, all these Airfix 1/72 soldiers take cover behind my old grandma's "Mahjong" block, truly "east meet west"!

[@KENSCCY823]

I'm from HKG, I started to play model kits when I was a kid in 70's. Besides the Japanese brand TAMIYA, I loved the Airfix models, who produced a lot of military kits, especially those Royal navy warships, fighter planes and vehicles in very precise appearance. By the time when other scale models companies focused on mostly WWII military stuffs. I still remember Airfix had produced some modern weapon kits like "Blood Hound" or "SAM 2" missleS and modern warship like S.S. Devonshire. They were all awesome and amazing.

[@wfpelletier4348]

I am dazzled with how much history you managed to fit into a 5 minute video. Well done!

[@michaelnaven213]

The new Airfix kits are very well done.

[@walkingandadventures6114]

Modern tooling makes the Airfix kits really detailed and good.

[@stephenfox966]

I grew up making Airfix kits and honed my skills with Humbrol paints,first with a brush and then with spray paint.If I ruined and parts in error then I wrote to Airfix with the part numbers and they would send me the replacement parts free of charge.I loved making the kit in a bag range of models in the early 1960's.The parts always fit well with Airfix and I spent many many hours making them including buildings for the family model Tri ang railway.Most kits I bought from Woolworths.

[@StarWarsJay]

Very interesting. I grew up making Airfix models, mostly WW2 planes (my favourite was the Wellington Bomber), but I knew nothing about the history of the company. Thank you.

[@hanzohattori2492]

excellent...please do a video on matchbox kits😁

[@macherbie]

Very well done, love to hear how Tamiya got started.

[@mbryson2899]

I bought so many Airfix kits in plastic bags hanging from rotating display trees. Good times for a young scale modeller.

[@briyeo]

I probably bought my first Airfix Kit way back in 1956/57 at the age of 7, bought from the local Woolworths store of course. I remember building the Golden Hind and the Spitfire among many others, no paint though at that time, my pocket money only allowed me to buy a kit every month or so. paint would have to come later. When I first bought a kit back in the 50's I had no idea about water slide decals, at first I thought I had to cut them out and stick them on. I didn't realise there was a connection between Airfix and Woolworths. I'm new to your Channel Dawid and really enjoying catching up with all your videos. Cheers.

[@briyeo]

Oh by the way back in the early days a competitor for Airfix in the UK was a brand called FROG, I would be interested to hear more about them.

[@Franky46Boy]

Loved it! Airfix and this history of the brand...

[@peterfmodel]

I grew up with Airfix and will always have fond memories of their models.

[@rpm1796]

Great cover 182. The Golden Hind was my very first kit...back in the day.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

My childhood in a box 😊

[@ian_b]

Mmm, and the smells of plastic cement and Humbrol!

[@johnjephcote7636]

Yes. I patronised Woolworths from the mid 1950s to the late 60s for Airfix and Humbrol. Many kits were only two shillings-pocket money. I was amazed when into the seventies I saw the prices. I learned much from this short video!

[@konradgehtniemandwasan9658]

Very good, thank you - remerbers to my first plastic kit modelling. One of the models was the 1:24 Spitfire and the huge Bentley blower. In the time of Apollo moon flights I built the huge Saturn V and I the Moonlanding Vehicle - I think Revell? Arround 1970 (14 years old) I began with Tamiya 1:35 German WW II tanks and so I would like to see the Tamiya histoty. After this I built the 1:10 Italerei BMW Sidecar and the VW Kübelwagen. Than I stopped plastic modeling...

[@botinface53]

Nice series, indeed. Tamiya next?

[@brucesharpe1079]

I have been building airfix models since the mid sixties my first model was a Sherman tank it was a good model it came in a plastic bag with instructions they were relatively cheap then they are getting more and more expensive now this year they are realising the old model again through out the year I am working on the Saturn v rocket at the moment I have had this model for a long time so I thought I would start it airfix are using the old mould’s still just new box art I hope the younger generation will take the hobby up and keep it going it’s a good hobby just need a bit of time and patience and a bit of skill as well (good video)

[@JoeUrbanYYC]

Great video, would love to hear the history of Monogram, Revell, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Italeri, etc

[@PhilORourke]

Excellent series .

[@SmallSoldier]

Oh you got yourself a new subscriber. I really like what your doing. Keep up the great work!

[@janferino158]

I hated airfix models in the 80's. They lacked details an precision in joints. But it seems that now the quality improved a lot. I've seen a video of a very good quality airfix plane model in yt. That's why I was so courious to watch this video. Thank you

[@dynaflow666]

Until the early 90 ´s those kits, alongside with Matchbox, were literally available in every store.

[@TheMasterNo6]

Thank you. Very nice upload. Please do a history of Matchbox and Scalecraft models please.

[@brendanmcnally9145]

Very nicely done.

[@cbgadget4740]

Very nice video. I think videos on the history of any model manufacturer should be interesting to present day modelers. Thanks for sharing 👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@ianmacfarlane877]

fascinating, i remember Airfix in the 1960's, hope to see more Tamiya would be an interesting one btw

[@kentcourtney5535]

I have put together numerous Airfix kits. I have a Golden Hind that I modified and didn’t realize that it was such a collectors model. It would be interesting to see the history of the Revell model railroad line, especially their fine scale buildings. I am sharing your video to the Gilbert‘s Hobby Shop Facebook page. They sell a lot of currently available and out of production models.

[@maxsmodels]

I am doing videos on Monogram, Revell and Aurora. I already did one on the history of the hobby in general.

[@sleepingrabbit4011]

Actually just saw your videos on KZbin and was heartbroken to find out that monogram revell interstates closed shop. But that was one heck of a video

[@davidgreen5099]

Hey Max!

[@ArmourEmpire]

Enjoyed the video very much. I'd like to see more like this please

[@rafailpanagiotidis6567]

I was always curious about the story of airfix nice video! Next one on italeri

[@jyvesguillemot]

excellent and interesting video ! cant wait to see more videos about the others companies ! well done mate ! jy ;-))

[@Rampant_Colt]

Revell-Monogram would be an interesting video. Thanks for sharing!

[@SmallSoldier]

Wow I had no idea that was the history behind Airfix. Great research! I knew about a couple takeovers because of the hobby store I owned but not all the great backstory. Do Tamiya... I think that everyone would like to hear about them... yes?

[@ScaleHangar182]

Yes :)

[@35thkilo]

yes thank you very informational.

[@Mivozlibre]

Hello I really like this history video of this emblematic brand, continue with this video series is interesting

[@CharlesFlahertyB]

Great vid, thanks!

[@maartenkruizenga83]

Great stuff...............short & sweet!!!

[@ScaleHangar182]

Thank you

[@madazza72]

Great video really interesting keep them coming please

[@tmmt7895]

Very interesting video!

[@tangosettb]

Very nice and informative video. Make more. I hope they are popular..

[@mikeupton5406]

Been waiting for this! WELL DONE! I see several requests for Matchbox history which would be great. I respectfully request to hear about Eastern European model manufacturers because we don't know about them here in North America.

[@strikeeaglemodels1588]

Very interesting topic! 🍻👍

[@martinidry6300]

Great stuff. I knew a little, but his has been very informative and interesting. Please do the same for:- Revell Verlinden Italeri Jaguar Kirin, Dragon, Shanghai Dragon Trumpeter, Hobbyboss Andrea Miniatures, ARA Miniatures AK Interactive Humbrol Heller Jager Academy, MRC AFV Club Peddinghaus, Ulrich Puchala, Hecker and Goros Osprey Publishing Blandford Press Historex Mitches Military Models

[@burningb2439]

"Great wee vid mate "..built Airfix for years .have the 1/24 Mozz an Typoon..but their for my old age..really interesting.would like to see more on the from real to scale via Airfix footage..

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

Thanks for posting mate. Btw i scored a 1/48th scale monogram b-17 from my local hobby lobby. Not an easy kit to find on the shelf. You need to try a big kit soon...a 1/48th scale B-1 would look great in your collection 😀

[@user-bv2yi5pm4l]

Thanks for sharing such a good information about airfix! Like their airplanes! How about TAMIYA next time! Thank you!

[@J.A.Hansen]

Thanks for the video and information.Thats a interesting history.I remember in the seventies where i grew up,Airfix,Revell,and Heller where on Top together with Tamija. The last Airfix Modell i buildet was the 1:400 Scale Titanic which was proably done by the Acardemy for Airfix. I wish i still had all of the Modells from Airfix that i buildet in the seventies.However.I really like to know more about Trumpeter and Revell.Anyway.Thanks for the info. Ps》Why don't write a book about the history of plastic modells and the companys.I think this would a nice book.Anyway Greetings from Germany 😎👍

[@michaleeuwe]

Great video, make a video about Revell, Italeri, Eduard or Hobbyboss.

[@Jelios]

interesting!

[@billsixx]

How about a video detailing the copyright licensing requirements of the various model designs from the OEM's such as Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, NASA, Avro....etc.

[@ukaszrugaa104]

Dobry pomysł. Kontynuuj z takim materiałem.

[@astircalix4126]

Like your video.

[@patrickrobinson-mh5jw]

LOVELY

[@nguyentron9208]

Please look at the history of Matchbox, if you can. Thank you.

[@John52fly]

Great job, looking for other companies

[@jacovanlith5082]

I built: The Santa Maria The Spitfire The Austin Seven The City of Turo A Shunter An Aircraft Carrier A Green Railbus

[@MODELMAN-zq7po]

Do a video on Tamiya

[@M1ke1t]

Interestin video now I would say tell us the history of Italeri.

[@christianscaveniusandersen8972]

Still a nice video though

[@johnpinckney4979]

Lesney/Matchbox history...

[@emidiomattos3704]

And a part 2????

[@shannonchurchill4556]

As someone who started building scale models in 1974 when I was 7 (Star Trek ships, then later military aircraft at about age 9) I find the history of these companies (which I didn’t previously know) to be very interesting. I have the Dick Mann Honda 750 model shown in the video in my current stash. I started to do pretty production on it, but when I tried to remove the chrome plating from engine, exhaust and suspension parts with Easy-Off oven cleaner, it hardly put a dent in it. It’s the gnarliest plating I’ve ever seen on a model, so I shelved it and went on to other projects.

[@MODELMAN-zq7po]

Or Matchbox

[@MrOrmesby]

Well detailed and concise history of an iconic brand. As an Englishman I have a lot of nostalgic memories of Airfix kits of the 1970's onwards. Airfix are currently owned by Hornby and i'm afraid are under financial pressure once again. I hope the brand does survive the forthcoming Brexit storm. Any future videos of any of the leading Manufacturers will be very welcome.

[@owencheng523]

Tamiya

[@seanmulholland9719]

Tamiya please

[@AreeyaKKC]

If you do FROG i think you will confuse yourself...its history is interesting but alot of gaps in info.

[@luciaramirez4401]

where are you from? i like your accent

[@ScaleHangar182]

Thank you. Im from Poland. I live in UK

[@morsmagne]

I don't believe that Airfix moved to India because of "rising oil prices" - I think they couldn't compete with computer games. I was a child in the late 70's and 80's - we stopped buying soldiers and started buying games for our PCs.

[@PiperStart]

One can’t fail to think that the business administration of these companies has been poor. You look at Hasegawa and Tamiya, and you see successful businesses. You look at Lindberg, Airfix, Heller and Revell, and you see a catalogue of poor business decisions.

[@ScaleHangar182]

Still, Airfix and Revell are quite successful for some reason.

[@antoninusl]

Somebody remembers the most awful, terrrible, nightmarish Aurora kits ? You must be pretty old like me to remember. I did -- or tried to do-- a Me109 once. The quality of plastic was horrrible, there was a ton of flash and the parts would not fit whatever you did. The cherry on the cake : it was mazde of red vaguely translucent materiel. Red. No kidding..

[@J.A.Hansen]

Thanks for the video and information.Thats a interesting history.I remember in the seventies where i grew up,Airfix,Revell,and Heller where on Top together with Tamija. The last Airfix Modell i buildet was the 1:400 Scale Titanic which was proably done by the Acardemy for Airfix. I wish i still had all of the Modells from Airfix that i buildet in the seventies.However.I really like to know more about Trumpeter and Revell.Anyway.Thanks for the info. Ps》Why don't write a book about the history of plastic modells and the companys.I think this would be a nice book.Anyway Greetings from Germany 😎👍

[@ScaleHangar182]

Thank you !

[@pauliec17]

Tamiya