Why was it so good? 1984 Matchbox 1/72 P-51D Mustang unboxing, review, comparison

[@poon06]

These are great memories of model kit building, back in the day.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

Yes, those modelling days were some of the happiest times I had, and I still smile to think about it all.

[@Blitz9H]

I loved the Matchbox aircraft kits. Solid and nice to assemble. I built the Grumman F6F and the Bf-110.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@Blitz9H that describes them perfectly, they go together really well and they're not flimsy. I built several Hellcats but never had a Bf 110. I might have to make up for that now.

[@Blitz9H]

@ I would like to build another 110 now that I’m older and more experienced

[@BrianSanders-tn7pi]

Hi. I built this kit when I was a kid. I live in the UK and yes they were the kits that were within my budget too. This model also goes down as the fastest model that I ever made. I built and painted it in one day. Matchbox kits were very good kits and they still hold their own today which is why people from our generation like them so much. I am 6 years older than you so I saw all of the Matchbox kits of that era , and I built most of them. If I couldn't get the Airfix one then I got the Matchbox one instead , or visa versa. My favourite matchbox aircraft was the Lancaster. I can still even now remember making it and then painting it and then flying it around my room. I loved that model. I might just buy it again. I have three other Lancasters. The Airfix 'G for George and the 'Special' with the Grand Slam bomb and I have the Revell 'Dambuster' too. Its not the best kit but then Revell kits of that time weren't great. Your Revell 'Mustang' is a prime example of that. I think that it is the 'Hawk' kit that has been reboxed by Revell , their good at that. Its a poor kit. The Hasegawa kit is a lovely kit. Great moulding and good fit also. The new Airfix tooling I have not seen close up yet but if their other new stuff is anything to go by then it will be a good kit. I reall enjoyed your video. Thanks

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@BrianSanders-tn7pi thanks for the kind words and memories, Brian. The history of plastic models fascinates me, and it's interesting to see where kits came from. The Lanc will be featured soon.

[@calvingifford9442]

Thanks very much for sharing! Growing up in south suburban Chicagoland in the early '70's MPC, Revell and Monogram were my usual go-to's. But every once in a while I would see a Matchbox kit at a Five & Dime or Drug Store and grab it. At first, the bright plastic put me off because it was difficult to cover up. But I meet a man named Don Klein - who I later found out worked at ILM for a bit and contributed to the model book 'Famous Spacecraft of Fact & Fantasy, at a hobby shop and he told me to paint it silver after washing it and assembling the major pieces. Got a couple of these Mustangs in the stash now. A boxing from 1975 and one from 1992.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@calvingifford9442 brilliant bit of advice from Don Klein, thanks so much. I'll keep it in mind for the future. One day I'd love to get to Illinois and see the great museums there.

[@windsorspitfire]

Excellent video and I am pleased to be among the first of your many subscribers to come. You have more thoughtful insights than many more established channels. This also was one of my first 2 or 3 kits back in the 70s, and I agree with your analysis of the pros and cons. The relatively accurate shapes, restrained surface detail, multiple version/marking options, and reliable quality of both plastic and decals were why I kept coming back to these. Revell had a few gems then; their F4U-1 was nice. Frog was almost as good as Matchbox until it died, but you tended to get only one decal option. Airfix was having quality issues at that time and the few kits I bought were often warped or short-shot. Looking forward to more of your collection. I have about 25 Matchboxes still in the stash myself.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

Thank you for your kind words, I try to emphasise the positives and be respectful about the negatives. There's a lot to be glad about and I hope to share quite a bit of the stash and hopefully spark a few more memories for anyone watching.

[@jamesmair2512]

Hi Matt, very good information, I like how you compare the matchbox kit to the alternatives. Like you, I was a firm fan of matchbox, better value and nicer build than Airfix back in the 70s. I particularly loved the diorama bases that came with the armour kits, being Scottish I appreciate value and they were so much more interesting than an afv just sitting on the shelf! Hope to see more of this type of content. Many thanks, James.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@jamesmair2512 cheers James! Yes, the diorama bases were a brilliant idea, they seemed so much more interesting that way. And I agree that Airfix had some catching up to do in the 70s.

[@LoveWilliam-v6l]

I’m a great fan of Matchbox model kits. Thirty years ago I built the Avro Lancaster and I’ve just recently acquired the same kit.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

Oh yes, the Matchbox Lanc was one of my favourites, not least because, as an Aussie, I could build the natural metal finished RAAF example! I have a couple of them now and will feature one soon.

[@daneshivers2921]

A) I could afford it B) easy build C) accurate as far as I could see ( have 10 years on you and they are still a fave) Dane

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@daneshivers2921 good to see I'm not alone! Thanks for the summary, it's three good selling points. Cheers!

[@TREVORALLMAN]

I also liked the Matchbox kits as a kid. I also thought some of their 1/72nd scale model soldiers were better than Airfix.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@@TREVORALLMAN I didn't get right into the soldiers, but what I saw of them impressed me. Never too late to try them now, I guess!

[@MichaelCampin]

What's a toy shop these days? We havent got any left in Sunderland UK and no train set shops. Only shop we have is The Entertainer but no model kits or railway models at all

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@MichaelCampin yes, we're the same in Australia. Model or even toy shops have almost vanished.

[@Blitz9H]

Hobby shops are rare as hen’s teeth in the USA now too.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@@Blitz9H a real shame.

[@Blitz9H]

@@MattsModellingMemories Yes Sir.

[@markfranks1329]

Airfix and Hasegawa released new tools in 1974 of the P-51D a year or so after this one from Matchbox. Whilst this kit is nice, it is decidedly inferior with simplified details and features. The offerings from Airfix and Hasegawa have much greater detail and offer a much better base for a P-51D to be made from this time period.

[@MattsModellingMemories]

@markfranks1329 yes, while I didn’t see the Airfix kit locally, the Hasegawa kit was very much a favourite when I could afford it. Problem was, at the time, I was more interested in having a Matchbox kit now than a Hasegawa kit later. So, it was Matchbox for the best 'bang for buck' pocket money affordability and Hasegawa for the best kit.

[@markfranks1329]

@MattsModellingMemories Very reasoned and valied points. Perhaps I've been a little unfair as I see my comment was from an adult perspective. Indeed, as a minor, my outlook would have mirrored yours in wanting, as you put it, the best value for money. Please, do continue your theme of older kits as they certainly do revive a nostalgia of more carefree times. 👍

[@MattsModellingMemories]

​@markfranks1329 thank you for your thoughts, I'll be sure to be clear about where I'm coming from. Looking at it now, the Matchbox kits were aimed at the younger or quicker modellers, and I feel lucky that we had the choice. I'm keem to share more kit umboxings too.