Airfix releases for 2012

I think the main point here is that Airfix are ‘cleaning up’ the back catalogue, replacing some of the more horrendous old-tool kits with something far more acceptable. The Gnat is a very good example of this as I recently binned the old kit before I even got half way through. Fuselage halves didn’t match, wings didn’t mate well with the fuselage, flash everywhere etc. It would have needed major surgery to produce anything worthwhile from it. Likewise, the old 1:72 P51D was awful with similar fit problems (the two fuselage halves weren’t the same size!!), not to mention that the basic overall shape of the kit was wrong.

Yes, there are other labels producing the same aircraft in the same scales, but you’d pay twice or even three times as much for them. Those of us on the slightly less serious end of the hobby with shallower pockets have needed these improved, cheaper kits for a long while. If these forthcoming releases are anything like the recently released new-tool Zero, then they will be very welcome.

My problem is when these older kits are reissued alongside new tool offerings, as I mentioned in another thread.
So someone can see a review of the fantastic recent Revell Gannet, walk into a model shop and end up buying the Revell boxing of the old and frankly awful Frog kit.
I must admit Airfix seem to make it a little bit clearer that you’re looking at a newer kit, but I can see people buying say the new Lynx, then seeing the Harrier and assuming it could be of the same quality.
The older kits have their place, don’t get me wrong, but buyers need to be aware of what they are buying and building.
Buying something as simple as a decent 1:72nd Spitfire is frought with difficulties unless you are prepared to spend time reading the reviews.

Very basic Chris, I built both the Airfix and Matchbox examples some years back, seem to remember the Matchbox version being the better of the two.

I obliterated any detail on mine with a large pot of humbrol yellow and finger prints on the canopy. Some of the old Airfix stuff is shocking, I got the JU88/Hurri set for Christmas and it really should be marketed at the very high end modellers, the wings needed to be steamed before they would even consider joining, the fuselage is going to be 60% filler I expect and that’s just the 88!

Very basic Chris, I built both the Airfix and Matchbox examples some years back, seem to remember the Matchbox version being the better of the two.

I will second that. I had mine sat next to a Hawk & Percival Provost from the same company.

I guess it shows that you just can’t please everybody.

Much of what is planned for release is not my cup of tea, however I can fully understand how it will appeal to others. I also think its great to see new kits coming from Airfix once more of subjects that are desired by modellers of British subjects. Well done Airfix

The Gnat is reviewed in the January Airfix Model World, can’t remember what the old one was like, although I did have one but hear the new release is rather nice.

Very basic Chris, I built both the Airfix and Matchbox examples some years back, seem to remember the Matchbox version being the better of the two.

How can you define such a broad line-up as nothing very exciting?!:confused:

I for one am pretty grateful (indeed as excited as I can be about models) to see brand new tooling releases of the Gnat, Spitfire 22, Swordfish, A-4 Skyhawk in 1:72nd, and the Lynxs’ and Merlin in 1:48th, the latter must be quite a fair chunk of a kit.
Vehicles aren’t my thing particularly but the Land Rover and Supacat 1:48th releases very nice.
The only slight disapointment for me is seeing the 25 year old 48th Harriers reissued, they are basic and ‘old tech’ and the type really deserves to be covered by new tooling kits.

The Gnat is reviewed in the January Airfix Model World, can’t remember what the old one was like, although I did have one but hear the new release is rather nice. Also interesting is the fact that Airfix are producing the extras for their Valiant.

Nothing very exciting there at all as far as I’m concerned. 🙁
I was rather hoping for an expansion of the Spitfire range in 1/48.
The re-issue of the HP 0/400 is welcome though.