Airfix Spitfire FR Mk XIV Review

This is Part 1 of a review of the latest Airfix Spitfire FR MkXIV kit in 1/48 scale. This review is based on 4 kits that I purchased from both Airfix and Hannants Hobbies. scale-model-wo...
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Airfix UK
www.airfix.com...
Airfix US
www.airfix.com...
Hannants Hobbies
www.hannants.c...
Sprue Brothers Hobbies
spruebrothers.com/
Britmodeller
www.britmodelle...
Hyperscale
www.hyperscale....
Spitfire Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.o...
Spitfire Society
www.spitfiresoc...

[@richmodelmaker]

Paul, your work and unique perspective are much appreciated. Thanks for your contribution to our hobby and helping me get to the next level.....

[@gunplaf]

For a critical piece, its got great sense of humor! Thank you for the unbiased review. I look forward to part 2!

[@voodoonights1671]

yes, i love the style of this.

[@KHModelWorks]

Great review. I really liked the discussion of the anatomy of injection molding, the part about Sprue, tree, runner, gates, and lands.

[@Levin-ey1bu]

"Who needs the instructions? I am an American!" Brilliant stuff... Enjoying your channel a lot...thanks!

[@spikeevans1488]

A superb review. This is what a review should be. 20 minutes of showing trees, like the rest of the youtube presents, is only marginally useful. Keep up the great work.

[@glastobilly]

Airfix certainly need to up their game in a lot of departments. Great review, its always a pleasure and not a chore to watch your uploads

[@AugustusCaesar88]

glastobilly stop making their stuff in India would be a start. Return to Britain or Germany would be fantastic.

[@trinitymirror]

I do not buy AF anymore, to many warpped parts,sink marks and broken parts .

[@AugustusCaesar88]

Gary Murphy plush the flash is just ridiculous, it literally destroys the fun in modeling and half your pieces end up scarred or with a chunk taken out unless you spend hours and hours carefully cleaning each piece. I love Airfix and I think most westernised modellers have a soft spot for it. But it just isn’t acceptable in its standards anymore. It needs to go back to British manufacturing imo

[@trinitymirror]

The thing is, some of the recent recent stuff, especially the large stuff is great in detail and accuracy and engineering BUT BUT BUT BUT let down by poor manufacture and NO QC and allowing this to happen.

[@matthewfindlay2242]

@@trinitymirror all of what you said is true but there are things to consider when comparing airfix to tamiya.tamiya have always been more expensive because they are more refined and generally better engineered than most model kit manufacturers. They also spend a lot of time and thought on ease of construction, another plus when buying tamiya.developing a model is expensive so airfix have to make sure they get the most from the moulds,in recent years we have had from airfix new 1/48 spitfire mk 5,mk 19,mk22 etc so they have gone for this style of modular construction. I have this kit and I am more than happy with it,I think this guy is harsh with his criticism but that is his opinion. Airfix offer a range of spitfire mks at a competitive price,far more choice than what is in tamiyas range. I am a fan of both brands and I dont think airfix would consider themselves as an equal to tamiya on quality and certainly not on price,something not considered in this review.

[@1BCamden]

thanks, great review, the Tamiya comparison was an eye opener. Never did hold much faith in the instruction sheet either

[@bobdyer422]

The poor quality of Airfix just doesn't surprise me anymore. What does surprise me is modelers still purchase them. Tamiya just gets it, keep the modelers happy. Thanks for another needed review of reality!

[@agp11001]

For many, Airfix is a case of nostalgia. And I can respect that. But they aren't anywhere near the top manufacturers.

[@gerryparker1390]

The amount of flash on the small parts was disappointing to see. I have my own kit coming soon and will be curious to compare your video to what I get in my box. It sometimes appears Airfix is having problem doing consistent shots from kit to kit. At least that is how it seems to me. Great video!

[@scale-model-workshop]

For this review, I bought 4 kits ... two directly from Airfix UK and two from Hannants ... all the kits had the same issues. I don't like to make public observations based on just one kit.

[@gerryparker1390]

@@scale-model-workshop That is commitment to the art!!!!

[@gavinblackburn3105]

​@@scale-model-workshop Airfix quality control is non existent these days .

[@voodoonights1671]

@@gavinblackburn3105 This sadly appears to be true at times.

[@joyousmonkey6085]

My giddy aunt! Thank you for this exceptionally sceptic (in a good sense) review.

[@stevesauve6866]

Paul, thanks for the critical look and review. I picked up the kit today and will be using your observations as guides for when I get around to building mine. Thanks again for the great videos.

[@Rdeboer]

Sad to see Airfix haven't improved their game much when it comes to fit and clean moulding. I understand the company has had a bit of a rocky road, but to put things in perspective there are Tamiya kits that are nearly half a century old that put this one to shame in every regard save for the volume of detail. I remember building their 1/700 HMS Prince of Wales and being astonished at the crisp edges and the precise fit of the parts.

[@RaduB.]

Hi! Airfix were and remained soft detailed. I was impressed with their latest kits though, because they tried to improve their accuracy. However, after building some of their latest kits, I came to the conclusion that you never know from the beginning what to expect. Sometimes their kits go together well, sometimes they are like limited series kits. You should not get overexcited when they announce a new kit, as I did with this one... Looking forward to seeing the part two! I'm still debating if I want to buy one or not. :-)

[@RaduB.]

After seeing more reviews on this kit it seems to me that they are trying to recycle older parts...

[@gavinblackburn3105]

This kit looks like a backwards step over their much earlier produced seafire mk.xvii, that kit is sharper and is better executed all round, looks like airfix are cutting corners to kick a product out the door - they wont be getting my money on this kit sadly as i would love to support them .

[@christopherpappas7474]

Oh my, Doc you had me shooting coffee out of my nose with the 'Guess, Glue & Hope' comment! Thanks for another honest opinion of a model kit:) ☮🙃

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Me too. ROFL! 🤣 😂 😅

[@DansModelBench]

An excellent review. That said, Airfix will NOT be sending you a Christmas card this year.

[@PlasticraicGaming]

Scale model workshop pops up in my sub feed = instant click.

[@jiminboo]

New video, what a treat... the amount of flash on some parts wow...

[@ytwos1]

Fantastic review! Thank you Paul.

[@chrisa4603]

Thanks so much for this Paul. I recently picke dup this kit and your video is really helping me.

[@voodoonights1671]

Thanks for this and all the work that has gone into it. These are the best types of kit review that show me what i will encounter - brilliant! I will build this and know what to expect. The direct comparison with Tamiya, really show where Airfix need to get on the ball. They ahve improved a lot but they need to look at the details of these things and make the adjustments to move up the "ladder" in this game now in 2019. Thanks again. Edit to add - that said ( certainly here) there is a large price difference between Tamiya and Airfix Spitfires and allowances should be made - but some of the areas for improvement seem basic to me.

[@vortexmodeling]

Unique kit review, constructive criticism.

[@cy2087]

I sincerely and wholeheartedly appreciate the approach you've taken in this review. I'm also hoping that representatives from the companies are watching so that they can see how to make improvements to these kits in particular and their lines in general. Airfix used to be a name that bespoke of some of the highest quality models on the market back in the 60's and 70's. Hasegawa had a comparable reputation. It's a shame to see the Airfix kit come out looking sub par to this extent. Hopefully it will stir their competitive juices and we'll see a new kit with redesigned and re-rendered mouldings that won't leave me feeling as though I would be risking my money in buying one of their kits. Thanks again for a GREAT review and I'm looking forward to part two.

[@steelscooter]

Comparing to Tamiya is a bit unfair considering the price difference.

[@mobiuspenguin]

I think i'll agree and disagree at the same time. Yes you pay for price, but this doesn't even look up to half the standard of some of the stuff airfix has been putting out recently. Although most of the recent winners have been 1/72, so maybe thats all their good at

[@steelscooter]

@@grimfist79 I dont know where you heard those voices, nobody is saying that. 😄

[@gavinblackburn3105]

Just look at the thread for this kit on britmodeller for this kit, they are claiming paul just got a bad kit and it is tamiya quality .

[@scale-model-workshop]

I would never base a review off one kit. I used 4 kits for this review, just as I did for the Eduard Tempest Review. All the kits exhibited the same issues.

[@reteip9]

Its price is about the same as an Eduard Spitfire in their Profipack range and having built that one myself it's not looking good for the Airfix. From what I've seen so far the new mk. XIV looks to be inferior to the Eduard which at approximately the same price point also includes pre cut canopy masks, pe and decals which I trust far more than than what is provided in an Airfix kit (admittedly I only had one experience with Airfix decals, those in their 1/72 B5N2 which were rather mediocre.)

[@anderson8361]

Once again, great video and review sir.

[@marknelson5929]

Thanks for this initial review, very awakening! It shows once again how the UK is being usurped by other countries, even now with model kits. I grew up on Airfix kits like so many of my generation which got me into this lovely hobby and at the same time my parents were suddenly finding that Japanese cars were streets ahead of many UK cars re value and even basic specifications. This has trickled down in many facets over the years and now ... even with the humble plastic kit, it has happened with Airfix. Sadly there was no need for this to happen at all...

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

'Guess, glue & hope'! Lol...yep there is a lot of that still happening, not just from Airfix, but Eduard and Revell too! Compared to Tamiya precision, -it's game over. Constructive and fair comments all round. Great review. 👍🏻 Edit: I should add that the new Airfix Hunter F6 is much better though. 👍🏻

[@jamesmorris7581]

Great looking video. Think you did a great deal of your very own video coding.

[@muf]

My god, man, I would be intimidated(and constantly on edge) to be your dental assistant.

[@voodoonights1671]

LOL HA

[@Georgeolddrones]

Excellent job Paul thanks 🙏👍

[@ryansta]

Excellently done. Was rough as Rats in comparison, would need a lot of work to be satisfied with. Thanks

[@josephmontez2943]

Great review!! I hope airfix listens and learns from you .

[@joecherrett1114]

If you're making a product in India, you're doing it because it's cheap... not because of quality or standards, if that were the case, Airfix would produce their goods in the U.K./Europe. Airfix really need to address this.

[@michaelchriss3302]

I have little interest and will never buy this kit, but I enjoy watching these videos, and usually learn something.

[@barkon]

Great fair review. Disappointing. I have built and loved quite a few of the new-ool Airfix kits (1/72 Zero/Gnat/Vampire T.11/Provost and 1/48 Walrus and Meteor F.8). The molding in these kits was top notch and looking at this kit, they have gone backwards. Fair reviews like this can go a long way to keeping manufacturers striving for higher quality.

[@Habu12]

It's a good thing they did this one in India. The British plastic has proven to be isht. Anyway, The parts of the sprue, I enjoyed. I'm with you on the gates. I had to cut into the gates a lot and leave them out, only to cut with a flat blade later.

[@starwars9191]

I’m shocked you are wasting your time on this kit Paul ! The flash immediately puts me off , very disappointed with it , however i have not done a Tamiya Spitfire and compared it is by far a more attractive option , so thankyou for that alone .

[@johnjosephbarnes1953]

Hello. Totally agree with you about airfix. I dread getting a new kit. Personally I think your paying fir the name and not the kit. The new me 262 is one example.

[@YuanBo63]

Enjoy your video as always

[@Desertduleler_88]

Interesting review, obviously not a kit for a beginner after seeing the potential build flaws in construction.

[@darson100]

Ahhh Airfix, agricultural detail and it fits where it touches

[@nikkireborn5923]

Nice video...thank you.

[@davidbutterfield2949]

Airfix really are hit & miss, some are very good, some are terrible. Cheers 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@steelscooter]

To be fair all the recent mold stuff is very good, I would only describe some of the vintage kits they still sell in new boxes as 'terrible'.

[@stuco81]

I think because they are farming out production (the actual molding the plastic business) to various 'sub contractors'. So some kits are made in the UK, some in India and some in China (and possibly other locations). So quality is all over the shop. On the upside their big scale Typhoon and Hellcat are top drawer.

[@kevinjhonson5925]

good god that flash is beyond belief, Airfix has never and will never get my money

[@MrCalman65]

Airfix have historically always been a bit rough. The old esci, tamiya, and hasegawa kits were streets ahead. Haven't built a kit for years, is Revell still around? they weren't that great either.

[@polygonalmasonary]

I had to cut the pilots feet off to make him sit in the cockpit, no idea where I went wrong??

[@mike.47]

Airfix has never been my go to manufacturer, always preferring Tamiya, Academy, Trumpeter or maybe Revell at a push. There’s a reason why Airfix is normally cheaper than its rivals.

[@jcwoodman5285]

Good vid 🤗

[@billchristo7894]

Did you redo your entire channel?? Looks good as always.

[@scale-model-workshop]

Yes ... about a year ago I moved everything over to this new channel.

[@patrickroos739]

Airfix nowadays is a weird company...they dont seem to have a consistent plan and strategy The kits they produce are so incredibly shifting in effort and quality. One release is well designed and ok quality moulding and details, the next is crap like this one. Its not that they cant, they just seem to not want. Just look at the new 1/24 Hellcat...goes to show what they really can do. Its like we should accept that some kits are special and the rest is crap, but buy them anyway. Tamiya is the opposite, clear consistent strategy of super high quality through and through the whole spectrum of kits. Comparing Airfix to Tamiya could seem ridicilous, BUT they cost the same so only fair to compare 1:1 Why accept crap for the same cost as high quality right? Good stuff!

[@konradalexander7561]

Honestly, I understand they produce the kit in their commonwealth, but I prefer, as an european citizen, to buy revell or eduard, produced in the EU where i know that the quality is on par with every kit I buy

[@gavinblackburn3105]

You cant possibly use that argument with revell, a box may contain a new tool kit or a kit from 1964, you just never know and they dont look after the toolings , they are covered in flash and mis mouldings .

[@reteip9]

@@gavinblackburn3105 exactly, Revell also tends to be riddles with flash and soft detail, same for shitaleri.

[@konradalexander7561]

@@gavinblackburn3105 that's where scalemates come into play, i look up every kit before buying, plus revell has retooled many old kits and are good bang for the bag compared to airfix..., but sure i've come along 1 or 2 old and reboxed kits

[@chrisalner194]

You should get a patreon account or something similar, I'd happily donate!

[@melvinjohnson2074]

The aft cowl shown on the Airfix site is a perfect fit. Yours fits as poorly as everyone else's at 7:50. Airfix tried to get cute and failed. The casting flash is horrible. Airfix is inferior to Tamiya or Eduard offerings. Thanks for the great video exposing this sorry excuse for a Spitfire.

[@gavinblackburn3105]

Airfix quality is slipping and the price of kits is rising, the fact that airfix are struggling financially is starting to effect the quality of the product and the plastic they use has always been poor quality , shame but they wont last long on this course .

[@ClonesDream]

For a brand new tooling kit, it looks like the moulds are 65 years old - flash, disgustingly low detail, no sharp details etc.

[@zolatanaffa87]

when I was young there was Airfix Revell and Monogram ... Frog and Tamiya started to come out ... But apparently there is a reason why Airfix (the real Airfix) has disappeared: they look like the models designed 40 years ago!

[@steelscooter]

What do you mean the real Airfix? The current company even resides in the same building. The recent kits are also night and day compared to the vintage stuff. The cockpit part is the worst part in the kit to be fair.

[@zolatanaffa87]

@@steelscooter I think there have been so many changes in company form and after the crisis of the 70s something has changed: at the time the production was all English and now it looks more like a buy and sell with my name. I am not happy with what I think as a great ignorant, it seems to me that this is the situation

[@steelscooter]

@@zolatanaffa87 The Airfix kits from the 70s seem terrible now. I dont know what you want from today's Airfix but they are hugely better in every way.

[@zolatanaffa87]

@@steelscooter I fully agree on the improvement, but apparently (see the comparison with the mold tamiya) it can be improved and not a little. Then if you talk to me about reasonable or astronomical prices between one brand and another then I stop and I don't put a word but I would say by far that there are more accurate models. If the small detail can escape in 1/72, in 1/48 the difference is noticed much more. this, as questionable as you want, is my opinion.

[@greybeardmodels]

@@steelscooter My knowledge of Airfix points to the original company having its factory and design etc in SW London, UK. That 'original' company folded long ago. It is now part of the Hornby stable based in the South of England, but whose main manufacturing is outsourced to Asia. In a recent change the Hornby company showed us their warehouse that hold moulds from various products across their ranges from years gone by. Its clear that the quality of these original moulds was based on manufacturing standards of the time, they have deteriorated over time. Mould manufacturing and engineering have improved over time, but Airfix will have to carefully finance any new tooling to survive in this competitive market. As a child of the 50's and a kit builder since the 60's (first kit was an Airfix 1/72 Stuka), and an Englishman, I wish them well as a company. They have a mountain to climb to reach the high standards we now expect.

[@bobthebomb1596]

As a Brit, it pains me that our companies constantly produce cheap, garbage products. Have they learned nothing from the demise of our car industry?

[@steelscooter]

One slightly iffy kit and everyone is losing their minds. Airfix have made some great kits in recent years that sold well.

[@bobthebomb1596]

@@steelscooter They have made some good kits, but they still aim for a lower quality market position and use inferior plastic and moulding technology. A kit like that should never have passed quality control.

[@DNModels]

Another junk kit from Airfix.

[@kinghulk4142]

2 minutes later of watching, I will not support Airfix.

[@AtlisWerks]

Typical Airfix garbage. Thanks Paul.

[@stuco81]

like their 1/24 Typhoon and Hellcat?

[@AtlisWerks]

@@stuco81 yes

[@stuco81]

@@AtlisWerks OK 😄