Have Airfix FORGOTTEN those things called CARS?

[roy_fitzsimmonds]

Sorry - I find it incredibly irritating, and BORING when all I ever hear is about yet another 'wingy-thing' from Airfix.
I rarely bother to give the emails more than a cursory glance these days as I know it will be more of the same-old same-old.

When was the last NEW car from Airfix, compared to the UMPTEEN DULL aircraft kits?

OK... I'll be shot down in flames for daring to say such a thing, by a Spitfire, Hurricane or some other flying relic, but come on Airfix!

PLEASE.... A few NEW car kits!

[Braille Dave]

Actually I would rather see more ground support equipment in 1:72/76... I think one of the problems in the past for Airfix was trying to be all things to all men- and ending up with a lot of slow selling stock...

 

There are others out there doing cars- maybe Airfix have decided not to compete in that sector.

[Russ1707821018]

You only have to jump over to the Scalextric side of the website to see that there are quite a few nice new car subjects in 1/32. It's just that they're all slot cars, though very nicely finished and detailed. It's pretty obvious that the new 1/32 cars that Airfix has released: Aston Martin DBR9, Jaguar XKR GT3, Mini Cooper S, and Mini Countryman WRC have direct counterparts in the Scalextric range. However, 1/32 for static car models is kind of a dead scale in the same way that 1/600 is for ships. The smallest scale for new injection molded car models is 1/24, while there is still a market for resin/multimedia kits in 1/43. 1/24 gives the possibility of much more detail including engines and accurate suspension components that the slot-car derived airfix kits lack.

Airfix has released car kits in 1/24, and larger scales, before but, other than the 1/12 4 1/2 litre Bentley, they've all been reboxes of other manufacturers kits. It would require a major effort on Airfix's part to initiate and tool up a new range in 1/24. Perhaps they don't think that the investment would be worth it and that the current market for 1/32 subjects is oriented more to the slot car racers.

[vimal_indrasoma]

 That does seem like a correct evaluation of the current thinking in the Hornby group - and if I may add another example, Corgi seems to be drawing heavily on the Airfix stable to produce an ever-increasing line of 1:72 aircraft - seemingly at the expense of their traditional line of vehicle models in 1:43/1:50 scales. The new vehicles that do come out are more in the way of 'clothes-horses', wearing elaborate livery schemes - but I have yet to find one with details such as engines and interiors such as were the standard even for 'toys' back in the day. Strange, when Airfix is going from strength to strength in the interior detail department, some of which is concealed in the finished model!

[Jonathan Mock]

When was the last NEW car from Airfix, compared to the UMPTEEN DULL aircraft kits?

Umpteen dull aircraft kits that sell, make a profit. If cars are not doing the same, there's your answer.

[paul-muc]

Perhaps the low numbers of 1:32 scale model kits are the problem. Once there has been Airfix, Matchbox, Lindberg in 1:32 scale with a variety of model kits. I have 16 Airfix, 5 Matchbox, 1 Lindberg, 1 Tomy in my collection. Now there are only 2 or 3 kits in this scale available from Airfix and that are re-issues of old kits with low quality. So would you start to build and collect models in 1:32, if there is only this choice? No wonder they don't sell. This could be a niche for Airfix. There are so many manufacturers in 1:24, that it is not necessary that Airfix joins this market in the 'me too' manner. The Airfix Aston Martin DBR9 and Jaguar XKR GT3 in street version could be a start  to revitalize the 1:32 scale. And then there are all the British, Italian and German classics of the post-war era. So many possiblities!

[nmcabecadas]

The question is what can bring better return, figures, airplanes, tanks, cars, etc. What do we immediatly recall when we think about Airfix? Cars can be easily integrated with othe models already released? Airfix was never among the first companies when thinking about cars and 1/32 isn't also the most popular scale. Even the Matchbox approach, with sprues made in different colors, rubber tyres and metal plated parts was more pleasent and could bring more fans than the old Airfix car models, who are mostly good for nostalgic collectors.

[MG Writer]

Sorry - I find it incredibly irritating, and BORING when all I ever hear is about yet another 'wingy-thing' from Airfix.

I rarely bother to give the emails more than a cursory glance these days as I know it will be more of the same-old same-old.

When was the last NEW car from Airfix, compared to the UMPTEEN DULL aircraft kits?

OK... I'll be shot down in flames for daring to say such a thing, by a Spitfire, Hurricane or some other flying relic, but come on Airfix!

PLEASE.... A few NEW car kits!

I know how you feel... I am not anti wingy-thing but it is really just cars which interest me. The fact is that Tamiya and Revell lead the way in 1:24 scale car kits and they even include a few British classics in their ranges. The US kit ranges major (unsurprisingly) on American and German cars, whilst Tamiya does some great Japanese car subjects. How nice it would be if dear beloved Airfix followed the lead of Scalextric, Corgi and others and made us some 1:24 car kits of similar quality to their rivals. 

[MG Writer]

The question is what can bring better return, figures, airplanes, tanks, cars, etc. What do we immediatly recall when we think about Airfix? Cars can be easily integrated with othe models already released? Airfix was never among the first companies when thinking about cars and 1/32 isn't also the most popular scale. Even the Matchbox approach, with sprues made in different colors, rubber tyres and metal plated parts was more pleasent and could bring more fans than the old Airfix car models, who are mostly good for nostalgic collectors.

It is very true that the 1:32 scale Matchbox car kits of the 1970/80s were great with their coloured and plated sprues... At the time, they rather shaded their mostly older Airfix counterparts. Something like the Matchbox kits but perhaps in 1:24 would be a great idea. Austin Healey 100/4,   MGA and MG RV8 please!!!

[roy_fitzsimmonds]

..... It's also quite interesting that nobody from 'admin' has commented here.......

[DavidJC]

To be fair, what would Admin be expected to say?

[Ratch]

 Maybe sales of the Aston & Jag haven't engendered confidence to tool up another car.

[DavidJC]

My guess is that market research has suggested that cars aren't really viable for Airfix, who knows.

 

I do think we have to consider that Airfix's primary concern is to make profits and a mould can cost thousands upon thousands to make (research, drawings, cutting steel) and unless they realise some sort of profit, or at least have it subsidised by other better-selling models, then it has to be a non-starter. Plucking random figures from the air (so please let's not split hairs) they might have to sell 50,000 Spitfires to recoup the cost of that, anything on top would be profit. To subsidise a car that isn't going to sell to recoup its cost, as many Spitfires again would have to sell to cover that.

 

I've read post after post on here where diverse and little-known subjects are desired. It's good to see, and I can fully understand why but, as great as it would be to have more 'off-beat' subjects, we do have to acknowledge it's not our money we're risking and that Airfix has to turn a profit otherwise they wouldn't be here at all.

[MG Writer]

In terms of research, factory drawings, getting subjects to study, I would hazard a guess that "old cars" must be no less hard to model if not even easier than aircraft. The thing is, Airfix is obviously best known for planes but that isn't necessarily the case for some other kit makers... Tamiya is strong in terms of cars and AFVs, Revell is strong in both cars and aircraft. Airfix has made some great car kits but they have always seemed to have been somewhere down the priority list and so seldom as good, to be blunt, as they could have been. That doesn't necessarily mean that they have to ignore the market now, though, surely? Classic cars are accelerating in value and with events like Goodwoof Festival if Speed and Revival, there may be a mature customer base with the kind of disposable income to spend on something like a quality kit of a classic E Type, Aston, Healey or MG.

[MG Writer]

In terms of research, factory drawings, getting subjects to study, I would hazard a guess that "old cars" must be no less hard to model if not even easier than aircraft. The thing is, Airfix is obviously best known for planes but that isn't necessarily the case for some other kit makers... Tamiya is strong in terms of cars and AFVs, Revell is strong in both cars and aircraft. Airfix has made some great car kits but they have always seemed to have been somewhere down the priority list and so seldom as good, to be blunt, as they could have been. That doesn't necessarily mean that they have to ignore the market now, though, surely? Classic cars are accelerating in value and with events like Goodwood Festival if Speed and Revival, there may be a mature customer base with the kind of disposable income to spend on something like a quality kit of a classic E Type, Aston, Healey or MG.

[MG Writer]

Surely one way to do this is to make two-way deals with the likes of Revell-Monogram, Heller, Tamiya, Itaeleri, Aoshima and even the likes of Run2...

[richyt]

 Just to add my thoughts, it's probably true that in the UK (and possibly elsewhere) Airfix sells more military airplane kits than anything else, and they are in business to make money. One only has to see the number of magazines that cover model aircraft (including Airfix Magazine) to see that those of us that choose cars are in a minority. There is scope to include further subjects from the Scalextric range to convert ino kits, but the problem is they're all in 1/32 scale, which is not the scale for most car modellers. Perhaps the way forward is for Airfix to do a re-boxing deal with other manufacturers. I can remember back when I was a kid back in the late sixties, Airfix did re-box some items in 1/25 scale from MPC, with whom they had a tie-up. I seem to remember this continued into the seventies and early eighties too. This brand is now part of the Round 2 empire, so might not be an option. This approach seems to work for Revell Europe for some of their kits, both cars and other subjects, but again, costs might be prohibitive. Does anyone have any futher thoughts?

[MG Writer]

I think you're on the right wavelengt. Recently there has been a Revell Mini Cooper S in 1:24 scale; I haven't checked but imagine this might be the Tamiya tooling. If it isn't then you have to wonder if it wasn't wasteful for two rival makers to invest in their own tooling. Unless of course one is an awful lot better than the other! If Airfix had a deal with Revell, Tamiya, Run 2, Aoshima, Heller, Italaeri and others to issue runs of kits in return for offering these partner the chance to use the new Airfix tooling, might that not be a way to build a range at lower up front cost? Maybe Airfix could tool your Ford Lotus Cortina Mk I and my Austin Healey 100/4 and MG RV8 and share them with the others? There could be high tech versions with photo etched parts as Gunze Sangyo once did.

[DavidJC]

I think another aspect to all the above is that it's only really been over a few short years that Airfix has re-invented itself. There's no doubt it's made massive strides and finally started to produce kits they can be really proud of that are now standing up to Japanese kits.

 

Clearly it was  aeroplane kits that got Airfix going again, but now with a failry healthy background it could be that they will start looking at cars, and at 1/24 at that. And, as fondly-remembered as they are, their 1/32 efforts really weren't that brilliant and it might take some work to get rid of those negative thoughts.

 

But again, Airfix have to be sure that any money invested will be returned, unless the model concerned can be subsidised by the rest of the range.

 

[MG Writer]

Heller of France (who at one stage were joined at the hip with Airfix) have recently introduced a stunning Renault 4 kit. So a French kit maker proudly makes a lovely model of a classic French everyday car. Wouldn't it be great if Airfix did this with a Morris Minor Traveller?

[nmcabecadas]

Maybe not the Traveller, but the Minor deserves a good kit. Still a good engineered model can share most sprues between the car and the van. Renault build in several plants around the world 8 millions R4 and the prodution last for more than 30 years, thus becoming a almost universal model and for sure a best seller. People like to buy cars they own in the past, including from direct relatives, so cars who sold by millions and for many years can have a good sales perspective. I buy lots of Escort GT Mk 1 just for this reason :)

[MG Writer]

Maybe not the Traveller, but the Minor deserves a good kit. Still a good engineered model can share most sprues between the car and the van. Renault build in several plants around the world 8 millions R4 and the prodution last for more than 30 years, thus becoming a almost universal model and for sure a best seller. People like to buy cars they own in the past, including from direct relatives, so cars who sold by millions and for many years can have a good sales perspective. I buy lots of Escort GT Mk 1 just for this reason :)

Morris Minor variants possible with some clever work = Saloon two door (including "Million" version); Traveller ("Woodie"); Van (imagine all the liveries!); Pick-up; Police Panda Car; Convertible. The "chassis", drivetrain, front end (wings, bonnet, doors) would be common to all these. 

[MG Writer]

On similar lines, the ADO16 1100/1300 range offers some potential if the grilles, trim details etc could be accommodated.... Austin, Morris, MG, Wolseley, Riley (Kestrel), Vanden Plas Princess, Austin/Morris 1300GT...

[nmcabecadas]

A key to success is to plan ahead and how the item is engineered to share as many parts as possible. If several cars share the same engine, why not having all parts in a single sprue. This can also be done with military vehicles, even some airplane parts, as external load and pilots for planes who share them, etc. I remember a small charger for DSLR batteries made in modules. The main module was always the same and a small snap on module was the interface with the correct connectors and setting the right voltage to each battery. It seems something very basic, but cut costs as the main components are shared.

[Allan Gill]

I would like to see more cars. 1:32 for slot conversion & 1:24 for static.

They may sell better if it was just the kit and not a starter set.