ian_rutland

The Liberator looks good. Also looking forward to the Bulldog and Chinook. I'll be getting some of those new starter kits, too. The kids will love them. I like some of the re-decalled kits, so they'll go into the stash, as will the new lifeboat. Lovely to see the Guards figures out again. Plenty to keep me going. You don't need to worry about the decal schemes, as Xtradecal will have half a dozen sheets available by the release date. Looking forward to some surprise issues through the year.

Airfix do a Centurian Tank and a Black Buck Vulcan, already. Pretty sure they did a Wasp, too. I thought they did the Chieften tank too, but I might be wrong.

I think you missed my point. The only tool likely to be still around is the one for The Mayflower. The Fergie and Spitfire will be long gone, so new tooling could incorporate a new feature to stop those folks who sell newer issues of old kits in original boxes. This could actually just be the plastic colour, or texture. These would be Airfix Heritage, rather than Classics. They could be enclosed in one of the current end opening cases, and even include paint, cement and a brush, rather like starter kits. “Take a trip back to the ‘50’s with our heritage models.” Beamish is opening the new ‘50’s street next year. This includes Romer Parrish Toy Shop. A very well known North East store. This will have to include some toys, games and models from the period, which could include the early Airfix kits. Being able to actually sell some of these items would certainly add to the visit to our past. Hornby had the link to NRM York with its Flying Scotsman in TT120, so why not a similar link with Airfix and Beamish Museum.

That looks superb. Lovely work.

Just a thought. How many of us would buy replicas of the little Ferguson Tractor, Spitfire BT K, and The Mayflower? Each replica a direct copy of the original kits, in plastic bags with glossy paper headers. There could be a small booklet issued with each, showing the original kits, short history etc. I’m sure Airfix could make small changes to the tool, so that you could distinguish them from originals. I think the tools are still around for the latter kit. I still reckon that the original 50’s Mayflower is a beautiful little model.

The Classic Kit issues are doing rather well. Still a few more to hit the market with, yet.

The Wallace and Grommet Austin Van did very well, and I see lots of these at shows, built up in numerous ways, so I reckon a larger scale Morris Minor Traveller would be a really popular addition to the range. They are still so popular, and actually quite common at car shows. In 1/24th they would be great for detailing. In 1/48th they would be excellent for little vignettes with some other Airfix kits, such as the Tiger Moth and Chipmunk.

This would be expensive to produce, though AIRFIX could reissue the Paras, a jeep, and a Horsa if they still have access to those tools. Plenty of German figures and vehicles, and the C-47 could get new decals. As for a bridge, this was, and still is, a very large structure. This could be provided as a simple download to use as a background picture, plus a basic vac-formed base. You would then add two packs of figures, and a couple of German tanks. All our armour was used further south. They never got to Arnhem during the battle.

My Dad made models with me in the 50's. None survive. Most of the models I have have been built by me, or are old classics that I have been collecting and rebuilding. In the garage, I have a number of kits from the collection of a friend that died. I have kept then in good order and neatly boxed. I suppose that these are the only Inherited kits. On another forum, the question was raised about what will happen to our models when we check out. It has been in my mind for some time, as I am knocking on a bit. I started writing about a similar situation and ended up writing a short children's book for my grandchildren. It's about a young boy who discovers a Little Airfix Tiger Moth in his Grandfather's attic. As he explores the dusty boxes, he finds a whole airfield and all the models that once populated it. His Grandfather has died a few years back, but the boy starts to know him from the models and books that he left. I'm just waiting for a friend to do some artwork for me and I'll get the book published. In this story, the models have a happy ending. For so many more modellers, their collections won't be so lucky. The Bin, a skip, the kids next door, maybe dumped in a dark corner. Maybe they'll end up on Ebay, at model shows, in charity shops, an auction, or even donated to museums. Who knows. It would be a nice thought to see a National Model Museum that would take these collections, but that will cost serious money. I can't see it happening.

Yes. I had one back then. I still have one, but can't remember where I put it. I was just painting it and tucked it away. Now, it's vanished. I take it that they still have the tooling? The Cutty Sark and HMS Victory keep popping up, and they are not really accurate, or in a usual ship scale, so why not HMS Shannon, Trincomalee, Surprise and Unicorn? In a case like this, it doesn't really matter so much about the scale etc, as long as people can have a little reminder of their visit. For the rest of us Classic British Kit fans, it would be lovely to have one for the collection.

I had two of the original BT K Spitfires built. Unfortunately, I gave them away. Only the wing of a third survives. Since then I have had multiple buys of all the Spitfire releases from Airfix.

I wonder what happened to Airfix's lovely little model of HMS Shannon? Did you know that she was one of the initial Leda Class Frigates? Two others in the first batch were HMS Trincomalee and HMS Surprise. HMS Unicorn was from the modified Leda Class. Unicorn still exists, as does Trincomalee. Have Airfix missed a trick here? Surely, reboxed kits of HMS Shannon as HMS Trincomalee, could be sold to visitors at the Historic Dockyard at Hartlepool. Here is a list of the 1st Batch. Leda Pomone Shannon Leonidas Briton Tenedos Lacedemonian Lively Surprise Cydnus Eurotas Niger Meander Pactolus Tiber Araxes Tanais Diamond Amphitrite Trincomalee Thetis Arethusa Blanche Fisgard This Surprise didn't have such an adventurous career as the one in the Master and Commander Books. The second Batch. Venus Melampus Minerva Latona Diana H*be Nereus Hamadryad Amazon A*olus Thisbe Cerberus Circe Clyde Thames Unicorn Daedalus Proserpine Mermaid Mercury Penelope Thalia (Two names had to be modified, as they are Banned Words. The E has been removed.) Maybe we'll see HMS Shannon also released in the original Box Art version. I would certainly buy a few of these. What about it, Airfix?

Great idea. I have picked up loads of old Lilliput Lane buildings from charity shops for pennies. You just need to consider the weight when adding to a layout. They will certainly add a lot of charm, though you will need to incorporate this style throughout the whole layout. Thanks for giving me the idea.

Scalescenes are downloadable models. They are available in various scales, so you could easily re-format them for use in TT120, as well as the older TT3 range.

A bit of brainstorming here . . . . Bear with me. I've been at this kit lark since my first Airfix kit, HMS Victory, in 1956. I have bought the recently released simplified kits of the Hawk and Spitfire V. They are actually decent little kits, so I may be looking at getting the Sherman and Tiger, too. Now we have the F-35B and Spitfire set, so that's going on the list. I have three grandchildren that are enjoying building with LEGO Tecnix and Airfix Snap Together kits. As they get older, they seem to be getting interested in making things, so these kits will just hit the spot. What I would like to suggest to Airfix, is an ongoing range of these simplified models for kids to cut their teeth on. Some of the starter kits available now are not really suitable. If we are to see a new generation of modelers, then we need to see some kits that are simple to build, without looking naff, popular subjects, and a low price. Keeping the prices under £9.99 is a MUST. The current Airfix Red Boxes are super. They stand out on shelves. Give them good box art and a new name for the range, and away you go. Including a cardboard base in the box and a small cut out back scene would also add to the appeal. It all adds value. Don't fill starter kit boxes with tricky builds. Keep it simple, keep the cost down, and use the box art to draw the eye. Add ons' would be great, allowing the new modeler to build a scene. This could be a download from the Airfix Web Site. They just print them off and build them up. Another addition could be a handbook / Comic that includes info on building your models and bases, some photos, sketches and details about what they are making, and maybe an illustrated story featuring the model. Remember those Combat Picture Library books that we all bought in the 60's? There could also be On-Line pages where they could submit photos of their models sitting on their bases. Extrapolating out on the comic theme, how about selling them as a sort of Part work in supermarkets, art shops and craft stores. Every month you buy the Magazine, which comes with a blister packed kit. Those blister packs were iconic packaging when my kids were growing up. You could see the kit inside with it's decals. The magazine would carry the features mentioned above, Tips and Tricks, Paint guides, Potted Histories, a nice sketch page, and the Graphic Novel / Comic. The magazine would also have a card insert with a base and building printed onto it. This would serve to stiffen the package. The box art would be the Magazine cover. The rear would have the paint guide. Keep this down to £9.99 and you could have the equivalent of the old Two Bob Kits in Woolies. A range of extras could be included to order direct. Just a flight of fancy by an old modeler. Hope you find it of interest. Feel free to contact me.

I would buy one in 1/700, should Airfix have a dabble in that scale, but 1/350th would be too big and too expensive. If Trumpeter have one in the pipeline, it may not be great sense to bring another onto the market. I'm guessing prices would be similar.

I see that Simon Kohler is to retire at the end of May. I'll be sorry to see him go, but he has done a good job for the company in increasingly difficult times. We have a lot to thank him for. I'm pretty sure that he will be a part of the company for a little while, during the handover. His replacement is going to need all the support he / she can get. Best of luck, Simon. Have a long and happy retirement.

Consolidated B-24H Liberator with Ford nose. There is no B-24 kit in any scale with the Ford nose available. Moreover, the old Airfix kit is a dated toy - not for a serious modeller.Vought F4U Corsair with folding wings. The old Airfix kit is dated, and the only wing fold option, Heller, is nasty to work with.Junkers Ju 88 A-4. The only still missing major Battle of Britain participant on either side of the conflict. Can we also have conversion parts for a nightfighter?Lockheed P-38F Lightning. The Airfix P-38J is horribly dated and inaccurate, and the P-38F kit has some serious issues. Moreover, there are no quality kits of the early P-38 models available.Bell P-39 Airacobra. The old Airfix kit is dated, and the Academy kit is horribly inaccurate.Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. Preferably with both Razorback and Bubbletop options - just like the old Jo-Han kit!Westland Lysander. No kits available in 1/72 scale. The old Airfix kit is sadly dated.Handley Page Hampden. Old Airfix kit is sadly dated, and the AZ models kit is unavailable.Fairey Albacore. No kits available in 1/72 scale. A logical companion for Swordfish.Douglas SBD Dauntless. The old Airfix kit is sadly dated. With perforated flaps, please! Conversion parts for Lancaster into Grand Slam bomber and/or Avro ManchesterConversion parts for 1/72 Hawker Typhoon for "car door" variantConversion parts for 1/72 Hawker Hurricane for Sea Hurricane and metal wing Mk.I Some good ideas. Yes, a new Liberator at a sensible price would be good. The old kit has still some life in it and can be made into a nice model. This would be a fine partner for the lovely Airfix Wildcat.I had to buy the Revell one to finish my B of B Collection.Just a bit dated, but still useable with a few bits of scratchbuilding. Plenty of others available.I agree. A new version would be nice.I think that this would need two tools, rather than a single. Plenty of good ones oyt there, already.Again, a little TLC will make this into a nice model.There are other recent releases, but I would like to see a new Airfix kit. The old one needs TLC, but is still a good option.I have a newish Albacore in the stash. It's injection moulded. Octopus? I think.Another nice companion to the Wildcat. Some super schemes. I'd buy a few. There is already an Airfix Grand Slam available The Manchester is way overdue. Both versions could be included. Bren Gun do the car door version. I have suggested the metal wing for the super new Hurricane, and the fabric wing for the 1/48th kit.

The new TT120 system does not match the old 3mm TT3 system. The track gauge remains the same, but the locos and stock are 1/120th scale. The heritage Triang / Hornby systems are 00/H0 ( 4mm ) approx 1/76th. This uses 00 scale stock on H0 track. ( 1/87th ) A correct 00 system should have a track width of 18.83 mm, not the continental 1/87th scale. Realistically, the only accurate Tri-ang Locos were the American items, so that it was an H0 system. Most were based on British Pattern chassis already available. Tri-ang TT3 ( 3 mm Scale ) also carried on using 3 mm gauge locos on 12 mm track. Both systems showed stock which was actually narrower wheel span than the matching scale. The new TT120 uses correct width rails for the new locos. This gives them a more accurate look. It also moves them nearer N Gauge at 1.148th scale, where the old system was bang in the centre, betweem 1/76th and 1/148th. The track width remains the same at c12mm. The TT3 fraternity seem less than enthusiastic about the new releases, as their stock is going to look considerably larger. To me TT3 will always be a Classic System. The new system is not a repeat. Hornby never made a TT Gauge, until now. I think it looks good, and I hope it does well. It has been well thought out. Not sure about the existing distributors not getting a Look In, but, for the time being, Hornby want full control. I understand how long term distributors, shops, mail order businesses etc feel. Sales to Hornby direct will mean No Sales for them. I feel that this is a bit unfair. We shall have to wait and see how that goes.. I think that Airfix are actually having a lean year, but we still have plenty to work on, so we can hold off for a while. I continue to suggest ideas to Airfix that would be a sensible use of their limited resources. Hornby are showing no sign of cutting back on their 00/H0 lines ( Pun intended.) and have a packed 2023 release page, though many are just repaints.

I have a fair collection of original Hornby Dublo Tinplate rolling stock, including some very nice carriages in different colours. They are very neatly printed in accurate regional colours, and are all gloss finish. OK, so there is no depth to the detail, but to be honest, as they trundle past, it's hard to see that anyway. What you do get is the gleam of lights from the gloss surface. Same with the locomotives. The real engines, when in good condition, were shiny as a new penny. The locos measured by Hornby for their new models are very nicely finished and the polished surfaces reflect like mirrors. Why are all models finished in an eggshell, or semi-matt finish, looking as good as the old tinplate kits? These finishes show in paintings, photos and videos. Can they not be emulated in plastic? The carriages that I like are the 2nd generation, with clear celluloid windows, which also look very nice, compared to some more modern ones with window inserts more akin to Bull's Eye types, as seen in old cottages. Just a thought. Using the best of both old and new technology to get a better result. Here's a link where you can find some of my collection, plus show photos.

I have quite a lot of the old TT3 system. It is the same scale, and quite neat for its age. I also have a very nice CORGI A4 in the same scale, so I have an appreciation of just what a good step this is for Hornby. The detail is beautiful. I hope it does well after such massive investment. No doubt other manufacturers are looking closely at this range. Scalescenes downloadable card kits are already available, and can be easily adapted for this scale, so you can get cracking on with a layout as soon as you get your track and stock. A very innovative and brave move from Hornby. Producing some simple card downloads for Club Members shouldn't be too hard to do to enhance the available items. Low Relief backing, backscenes, cottages, houses etc. These will populate the layout until more items become available.

I remember seeing the Pullmans, probably at Waterloo in the late 50's when I lived in London. Seeing them in the station, even in subdued daylight, with those tables set out and all the lights lit made them look cosy and luxurious. I would like to see that replicated in miniature. Maybe figures will be made available in the future. The superb detail of the new TT120 range is superb. I am looking forward to seeing some layouts at the shows next year. I have a lot of the old Triang TT3 range. The detail on those early models is lovely. Not sure if I can go TT120 yet, but I am a big fan already. Top marks to Hornby for the most amazing development in RTR systems for decades. I hope it pays off for them. It certainly deserves to.

With the release of three new kits from Ark Royal's air wing, Phantom, Bucc and Sea King, and another possibly making an appearance in the new catalogue, it would be nice to think of Airfix bringing out the 1976 Ark, as a 1/350th kit. Airfix only have 3 models in this scale, so the Ark would be a very popular release. A possible future super kit. There are a lot of ships available in this scale, of RN Subjects. Most of these are resin kits by Atlantic Models. If a kit was released, the etched set would not be long behind it, as Peter Hall has already built one from scratch.

Sunk! That's a shame. They'll be getting even rarer than ever.

On the larger kits, I often spray the assemblies with the old rattle can. This worked very well on my Airfix Hurricane framework. Pictures here . . . . . Need to spend a bit more time on the instrument panel. I may have to do this on the Anson. Mine should be along on my birthday, but I'm going to have to get another. I'd really love a new tool in 1/72nd, just so that I could build up a collection of all the superb schemes. The current classic build was let down by the transparencies and the upper decking. Just a new set of transparencies would do. The rest is still OK, with just the upper fuselage to build up. Actually, a complete 'Drop In' Transparency would cure the problem. It would replace all the poorly moulded pieces in one go, while allowing us to add some really nice scaled down pieces copied from the new kit. That's got me thinking, now. I may try and vac form some! Enjoying your review build.