LeonF

In essence Airfix produced an inferior scale model, and AMW have omitted to point that out - Wether by accident or design is irrelevant. And many people will simply give it a pass because its Airfix. 'Fanboy' support is not an insult but an observable phenomenon and it's not limited to Airfix, although the older UK modellers are generally more vocal. For example Tamiya lovers often omit the reality they also have plenty of 40yr+ kits with errors, lacking details, and with accuracy issues alongside their über kits. However the difference is that if you criticise these you don't shouted down but the issues are discussed as to importance to the finished model itself. l keep my fingers crossed with every Airfix release but I wont sugarcoat things and buy blindly. At times it's hard to keep faith if you are more discerning than just the name on the box as avoidable problems crop up too regularly.

Last couple of buys involved spreading the love for some unusual and rarely kitted types... 1/72 Sword TBM-3W AEW 'Guppy' 1/72 Sword F-94B Starfire Now perhaps one of the big name manufacturers (I wonder who pops in your head?) could bring some of their cousins to mass market so I don't have to dig deep again for a basic TBM or P-80 & T-33.

There's no need to be an expert when some errors are obvious from simply looking at walkaround pics, (eg the missing fasteners, side fuselage vent variations), whilst half an hour of Internet time unveils true rivet counting reviews from various sources that reveal the more subtle differences - that's how I did it and ended up with a long list of issues that the magazine articles had barely touched on. So it was a flawed review of a flawed kit. I do wonder if sometimes the problem is the "Fanboy Factor' that surrounds the Airfix brand and the assumption that with today's LIDAR/CAD errors will not make it to production I wonder if AMW would have the guts to print a negative review? Maybe one day we'll get a third 'correcting the errors' as to go with the 'first look' and now 'throw in some etch/resin' ones printed so far.

I have to agree that whilst the Skyhawk is a great kit it is also unfortunately a mediocre scale model that really needs some added work. Imo it can be placed in the 'so near' category alongside the F-4, 1/72 Blenheim, F4F and others that have avoidable errors that can't be cured with a scrap of card or swipe of a file. I did buy one but converted it to a late YA4D-1 with a solid rudder and minus the probe. Whilst doing so I also did several other minor additions and alterations to bring it closer to the original (I even moved the vortex generators...never again!) What I didn't attempt was to add the rear fuselage fasteners (a very obvious feature that is a frankly shocking ommision and not a quick fix) or hack the nose to shape, although I did remove the errant access panel on the stb side. Whilst I fully support the idea that manufacturers can only go so far in making an accurate model before the profits take a nose dive I do find it a shame that this mould is more than just missing the finer details or subtle curves. I can overlook the original box USN A-4B being based on the museum bird rather than the 60s Vietnam flyer that had an earlier mod state with regards certain aerials and vents - that's just rivet counting compared to the nose. The big question is would I buy another?...the best I can say is maybe. At least I now have a revised build plan if I ever dip my toes in that pond again.

Back to the Fresco, I'm sad to see the CAD drawings have been thoroughly deconstructed on other forums revealing a number of errors and omissions - mostly minor but also including a major wing issue. I'm willing to save opinions for the showing of the first test plastic as opposed to mere graphics. 8 months to go to its penciled in release (and my purchase) date and I hope there's still time for changes.

And so are the MiG-29 (first flight 1977) and MiG-31 (first flight 1975). Don't forget there are other Soviet/Russian/Ukrainian design companies too - Ilyushin, Yakovlev, Antonov, Sukhoi (and smaller, often defunct names) - with types that have also been neglected over the years.

My sole aim at the weekend was to buy a Revell M48 to sit next to the Tamiya M60 on the shelf. But I sort of got distracted... 1/72 Airfix F-86F 'The Huff'...for the #2 Italian decal option 1/72 Airfix Tomahawk IIB 'Pennant' box And to compound matters on the way home I donated some pennies to a Charity for another 1/72 Airfix Tomahawk IIB, this time a 'Sharkmouth' starter box. So I still haven't completed that tank pairing. But I do now have 4x P-40B/Tomahawk/Hawk 81s in the stash to add to the P-40(sans suffix) trainer conversion I have on the shelf. Maybe next week....

Italeri 1/35 M110A1 Howitzer. Been after one for a while but they rarely show up as they don't have the street cred of the Tiger, Sherman, Abrams etc and I believe only Italeri have dipped their toes in the family so far. Doubly happy that it's a short barrel version as the A1 only had one box release many moons ago. The wishlist never gets any shorter though as I'm also after a Vietnam era M110(sans suffix)...one day...

I've been waiting for a new D3A since the Pearl Harbor anniversary that bought the Zero, Kate and P-40B...so only a few years overdue (we didn't even get the old mould). How about a couple more Japanese types? Doesn't have to be rare or exotic just some of the more recognisable types such as the Ki-43, Ki-44, A6M5c, A6M2-N. Alongside a new Lysander you can also add its German equivalent Hs126, both Airfix oldies that are long overdue retools.

A proper 1/72 Me262B-1a & CS-92 Trainer as you can't make them from the current B-1a/u1 2 seater box. Pity Airfix got it wrong as the NF version looks very nice. Maybe next year? Maybe also tweak the single seater with marked cutting lines and alternative noses for reconnaissance, big gun, and 6 cannon versions...although I'm thinking the glass nosed versions might be a cut too far and need a while sprue.

Just for the sake of my old and tired eyes. And please, pretty please with a Flake and raspberry sauce, can we have a Korean War version rather than another Vietnam version? How about 1946 USN (service entry) and a 1985 Gabonese Armed Forces (final retirement) rather than the done to death Vietnam era A-1H/J...and start with 1/72

'Fanboy Grading' - where a company release gets praised due the makers name and not on the quality and accuracy of the kit itself. Airfix, Eduard, Tamiya and others have their diehard fans meanwhile other companies are often maligned however nice their newer moulds are. That's not opinion, just spent time on the various forums and FB groups and the same uninformed comments get repeated at regular intervals. I find this year's new kits no different to most others, generally uninspiring as I tend towards unusual, physically small subjects so 1/48 and large 1/72 kits rarely excite. However I do like the idea of the forthcoming MiG-17, and maybe the Tiger Moth, and just hope they don't have any of the avoidable issues that seem to befall some kits (of many manufacturers). Re: Vintage Concorde - You'll note I gave valid reasons as to why I find disappointing, as I would with any kit judged on merit. Your assumption that this somehow represents a negative attitude to Airfix in general is simply wrong. It is the 53 year old mould of the prototype (or rather unfinished design) and very unrepresentative of the familiar production aircraft which may, or may not also be rereleased with the confusion of the V numbers. Also that Anniversary should have been a big marketing bonus , and as such is a missed opportunity.

It's because I judge individual kits on merit, not on some artificial manufacturer Fanboy grading system - but yes this release does disappoint me. About 1/3 of my stash is Airfix, both old and Hornby era moulds. I buy them when I deem them to be good quality/price. Exactly the same with Tamiya, Revell, Academy and the other manufacturers. As I said its 50th Anniversary of the first flight, a big missed opportunity for a WOW! kit release

If if does prove to be a misprint and only the A5170V Prototype (SK700/05170) is bought out of retirement I feel it would be a backwards move, particularly when there is a later alternative available. I know that might be a very unpopular opinion in some circles but the modelling world lacks a truly modern Concorde in any scale and repoping a 1966 mould that was produced 3 years before the aircrafts first flight in my book is the wrong way to go. Let's not forget 2019 is the 50th anniversary of that first flight and it's a real pity there was no new mould planned a couple of years on advance.

The 2 coming Vintage releases are different kits with different histories: A05170V - Prototype. Repop of original SK700/05170 A05170V - Production. This was previously a Series 6 kit so moving it down means a new number online with current kits. Oddly the earlier releases were sold under 2 different numbers depending on box era : 06175 & 06181 With regards artwork, I suspect they will be altered to be more different closer to the release date which is still months away. I wouldn't be surprised if the prototype remains BOAC, but the production model has the final service schemes of BA and AF (or even Early/Late BA?)

A successful weekend. First I found a Revell 1/72 Tornado GR1 in a charity shop. After pondering for a few seconds I decided to donate £3.99 to BHF as a thank you - everyone wins! Then down to the market where I liberated a couple of pre-owned kits - Airfix 1/72 Roland C.II & Albatros DV. I simply couldn't resist the simple but very attractive late 80's 'Aces' boxart. The plastic may not be state of the art but they are still very buildable subjects (if I ever get around to them!). Didn't even make it to the Hobby Shop. Might have to exchange peenies for paint later in the week to keep everyone happy.

Would buyers support a Helo revival? There's evidence the 1/48 Army Lynx and Merlin didn't do as well as expected, possibly because they were self limiting in variants and colour schemes, as well as the inherent problem of shelving those non-folding rotors. Certainly the reduced prices on local Merlins didn't help shift them any quicker. But in 1/72 I see fewer problems, particularly size wise, assuming thought is put in to the correct types. Army Lynx - probably not as as they were almost 100% British and maybe not right for the current financial position. Be nice to have a AH-1 and AH-9 pair on the shelves but might be a few years off yet... Gazelle - Small, multiple similar variants, many operators. A shoe in for remoulded? I fancy one of the French HOT or SA11 armed ones. SA330 Puma - the baseline for the RAF HC1/2 and another Airfix oldie. World wide service but sorely lacking in modelling circles. Unfortunately the Super Puma is a very different beast and would essentially be a new mould again, and with limited UK and US presence unlikely to fit the bill. Westland Seaking - We have the HAR3 and HC4 but I can't be the only one who prefers the HAS types, especially the ones with the dustbin radome. Sikorsky Seaking - Missed the chance for a new mould SH-3D for the Apollo 11 anniversary. Could I hold out for the CH-3A predecessor of the well known Jolly Green line before they added the rear ramp? Certainly possible of a SH-3A were on the books. Bristol Belvedere - Perhaps too much of a Wish? Personally I would like a new Type 192 replacing the obsolete rivet machine. However I suspect most would rather have the operational HC1. Whilst I'm waiting I would take a Vintage Classic Type 192 if they remoulded the clear cockpit. Most other types have already been bagged by the the likes of Italeri, or are real outsiders (Saro Skeeter anyone?). But as the types above demonstrate, given a little thought to what might sell longterm there's still some wiggle room.

I recall something about not reboxing other manufacturer's kits too. Maybe that policy was the previous CEOs. I also recall back in 2016 (?) that all old moulds - meaning approx pre-1995, and especially the ancient 60s & 70s ones - were to be shelved permanently. How times, and management, change...!

I think a new 1/72 Vulcan is odds on judging by reports of various surviving airframes being measured over the last couple of years, especially ones part stripped allowing access to early features hidden or removed by lster mods. It needs doing before another firm cashes in. Sadly I think a Boomerang (and Wirraway) are too exotic during these lean financial times, and however much I would also like new O-1 and O-2s I can't see it happening. Also revised 1/72 Blenheims with new upper wings correcting the biggest error...unlikely but can hope. So what about other plausible ideas? 1/72 Spitfire 24 and Seafire 47. Oddly missing as they represent the last of the direct lineage. The Spit could be modified from the 22 mould with a new lower wing, but the 47 would be all new. 1/72 Single seat Vampire, or even a NF variant. Special Hobby have the field almost to themselves atm and a new mainstream kit is needed. So many variations and colour schemes to choose from could mean many reboxes over many years. 1/72 Meteor. Surprisingly rare in the scale with most being old, hard to find, or not widely available. Special Hobby NF variants are still fairly new so I would expect either a F8 or T7 for maximum early sales. 1/72 P/F-80. Surely a no brainer especially for the US market. Throw in a T-33 at some point too and you have oodles of operators and colours. Sadly I feel the ancient mould may get a Vintage Classic release instead which would be a real lost opportunity. 1/72 Hampden. The missing early war twin. With an example being restored I doubt the designers haven't had their measuring sticks out on more than one occasion. My Crystal Ball insists on seeing a Russian Torpedo Bomber... 1/72 T-6 Texan. Another widely known, widely flown type. Could Airfix get rights to the Academy tool? Or would they go on their own? A carefully designed new mould would open up more variants than the T-6G that dominates...a proper Commonwealth Harvard perhaps? Whatever they go for I hope for some more smaller subjects as there's been mere pickings for the shelf space limited modeller in recent years, a potty as the first half of the Hornby era garnered a fair few little uns. I'm sure I could think of more, and I haven't even touch other scales or non-aviation subjects yet. Maybe later...

Both the A-4P and A-4Q were short nose B variants and can be made from the Airfix kit, at least in the early service years that most will be modelled as (ie Falklands War era). Unfortunately you can't say the same about the Singapore A-4S which were also modified B's but with an extended nose. The way Airfix moulded the kit pretty with the fixed nose and rudder means new fuselage halves are need for anything else. Perhaps some lobbying would bring at least an E variant.

I am happy that Airfix have once again paired up with Academy even though I doubt I shall be buying any - well not quite true as I like my oddballs & rarities and the almost forgotten Panzer 35(t) fits the bill perfectly. Hopefully it will be successful and we'll get some of their later period kits too. I could certainly manage another HMMWV or M113, or the very nice 1/72 Vehicles including the Dragon Wagon! Even more happy if they also takeover their aircraft from Revell as the prices really seem to have jumped on the recent reboxes - although the prospects of having the Y1B-17 or B-17B in an Airfix box might perhaps be a wish too far.

Sure, but it can only build as A-4B, C, P or Q; There's no chance of getting, say, an A-4E/F from it (different forward fuselage and intakes). You can't make a C as it would require a reprofiled nose for the AN/APG-53A. Thus you are stuck with B, P & Q only. It's a pity the radome wasn't a seperate piece as it could have given a reasonable result and opened up more colour schemes. It also takes a huge amount of work to backdate to an A should anyone be mad enough to try, sadly rather more than the 'simple' job of filling in the rudder and removing the refuelling probe (I have one on my bench slowing undertaking that horrid journey!). Even an accurate B needs work - notably the odd panels on the side of the nose that don't exist in real life. Would love to see more 1/72 Skyhawk variants as the Fujimi kits are rather rare in many quarters nowadays, but I doubt it will ever happen especially since the type is all but retired and out of the public eye nowadays

Nice to see Space return to Airfix's range for 2019, albeit in the Vintage Classic line only and nothing new tooled. Might be tempted by the Astronauts especially with the Lunar Rovers and the other rather more obscure pieces. Sadly the Saturn V is not really my cup of tea mostly because its a heck of a lot of gloss white even in 144. I do question the Moon Landing set though. The Lunar Module is not on seperate release so it's the only way to get one but at quite a price hike for the sole advantage of including a larger base, and the disadvantage of using very little of the included Astronaut set. Being that it's the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 I feel its a missed opportunity. Of course new moulds would have been even better but not to sell the Lunar Module on its own is puzzling as there's no direct competition. Athough it's based on a mockup rather than a flight rated article it is a decentbbase for the experienced modeller, as well as having an impressively different look for those who are happy to build OOB.

I've been Autocorrupted... 🤔 Maybe I should give the post a good Jug on the head!

Airfix 1/72 F-51D Academy 1/72 P-47D 'Eileen' edition. Not usually my first choices as they are very much part of the 'usual suspects' lineup. However both boxes are buck the trend in having camouflaged options of what are generally modelled as NMF subjects - the Dominican Mustang with its Brown 'clouds' on Green, and the US Thud in Medium Green over Neutral Grey. Ironic as my latest project is going the other way...USN Grey over White backdated to NMF!