Trev1707822174 Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 I just came back from Hobbycraft wherethe paint shelves were almost empty and there was a notice up saying that through no fault of their own they would no longer be stocking Airfix/Humbrol products. When I asked why they were not going to stock these leading brands I was told they were no longer leading brands. Hobbycraft is going to loose a lot of modeler's business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Triggers Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Alternative brands are also available... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrin Bransgrove Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I would hazard a guess that the person you spoke to probably didn't have a clue. I frequently visit my local Hobbycraft and my impression is Airfix sell more than Tamiya and Revell (perhaps equal to Revell). It may be more down to business decisions like profit margins and how much bulk discounts they can screw out of each company. Certainly I've purchased more Airfix than any other brand there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padefc Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Tbh airfix IMO have the best 1/72 aircraft and at least as good as 1/48 as anyone out there I’ve not done a 1/24 but have done a couple of revell at 1/32 witch are superb kits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Triggers Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 I beg to differ about 1/72 and 1/48 being the best, but they certainly are the best fun for the price without having 100000000000000000000000000000000 photoetch parts and not getting 12 different forms of throat cancer from resin sanding, but anything is better than a revell stuka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael-707000 Posted June 6, 2021 Share Posted June 6, 2021 Nice to see Hobbycraft supporting UK companies!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebeep Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 Nice to see Hobbycraft supporting UK companies!! There's no onus on them to support UK companies, as a business they're only really interested in profit and loss. Airfix T's & C's were recently changed, if they didn't suit then Hobbycraft were perfectly at liberty to say 'thanks but no thanks'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev1707822174 Posted November 29, 2021 Author Share Posted November 29, 2021 I would hazard a guess that the person you spoke to probably didn't have a clue. I frequently visit my local Hobbycraft and my impression is Airfix sell more than Tamiya and Revell (perhaps equal to Revell). It may be more down to business decisions like profit margins and how much bulk discounts they can screw out of each company. Certainly I've purchased more Airfix than any other brand there.I have just returned from a visit to Hobbycraft and the only Airfix/ Humbrol products on display were two model kits which were being cleared and a few Humbrol enamel paints I spoke to the Manageress who probably does "have a clue" and she told me the problem was more that Airfix seem to becoming more interested in their online business. I therefore am of the opinion from many years experience that Airfix have changed and tightened up their pricing strategy and conditions to multiples and Hobbycraft and perhaps some others I don't know about have refused to accept them. You may very well see in the future as happens regularly, when business starts to become effected either one party gives in or more likely they come to a compromise. If what I have been told is true I can see Airfix being the loser as I like many other make spontaneous buys or want to actually handle a box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted November 29, 2021 Share Posted November 29, 2021 My Hobbycraft used to have a large, healthy model area with Hornby trains as well as kit from Tamiya, Revell and Airfix along with Woodland Scenics and other brand accessories. It is now almost devoid of kits. That says to me that Hobbycraft are concentrating on ladies craft type merchandise, which dominates my local store. I sometimes pop in for acrylic paints (for my dioramas), but there is little else to attract my custom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peebeep Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Mrs B took up card crafting a couple of years ago and spends a lot of time watching a dedicated TV channel. That suggests to me that it is a pretty huge and lucrative sector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Yes, my wife has been Crafting for years and attends a Club every Thursday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PC1707822284 Posted December 4, 2021 Share Posted December 4, 2021 I have just retired and I am looking forward to reviving a long forgotten hobby and so I am very disappointed to see that Hobbycraft are not stocking Airfix and Humbrol products any longer. "Distribution issues' was the excuse given at the checkout. If this is the case then it seems its easier to import Revell kits from China than Airfix kits from India (I believe Humbrol paints are made by Rustins in the UK).Although I have been impressed by the Airfix mail order experience, it would be a shame not to be able to handle the boxes before buying. It was always a thrill to walk into a model shop and wonder which of Roy Cross's illustrations would induce me to make my next purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie entwhistle Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 hobbycraft hhmm what can i say more like the not so hobbycraft !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Kullas Posted January 19, 2022 Share Posted January 19, 2022 Hobbycraft in Newtownabbey and Belfast keep certain acrylic paints which come in a blue 'box'. They are the only places in Northern Ireland I can get those paintsI get my Humbrol paints in the model shop in Belfast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topcat_Ern Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 Hobbycraft in Newtownabbey and Belfast keep certain acrylic paints which come in a blue 'box'. They are the only places in Northern Ireland I can get those paintsI get my Humbrol paints in the model shop in Belfast Just flew back from Belfast and had a few hours to kill before catching the bus to the airport and I couldn't find a model shop. Have to return soon so any pointers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul71 Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 just been looking at hobby craft web site and they now have airfix back in stock only listing 27 items but its a start, looks like they have sorted there differences out, nothing for humbrol yet hopefully they will start to stock these again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John-365583 Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 Well spotted Paul. thumbsup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony-371890 Posted November 6, 2023 Share Posted November 6, 2023 I was in Hobbycraft at Tamworth staffs on Friday 3 November and Airfix kits were back in stock. so that is great news for modelers they have a good selection of kits from other makers as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Kennedy1707820104 Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 visited Harlow store and seen 1 Shelf with Airfix hopefully they will increase the stock to choose from but good to browse again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Andrews-Faulkner Posted November 23, 2023 Share Posted November 23, 2023 The Brighton store has a small selection, somehow a 1/72 Cromwell leapt off the shelf and came home with me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleD Posted November 24, 2023 Share Posted November 24, 2023 grinning - it's strange how that always seems to happen to me when I go to any Model Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter -1332756 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Am just getting back into modelling after about 40 years away. The lack of independent retailers means I am limited to hobbycraft. Glad to see they do stock airfix but no humbrol paints? There are tamiya and revell paints so why no humbrol for airfix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Hi Peter, you are allowed to use other brands of paint. I like Vallejo acrylics myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-346856 Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Just a heads up, Hobbycraft currently have 25% off Airfix kits as well as a £5 off a £15 spend. Free click and collect too if there is a store near you! You could get the Austin K2/Y for a shade over £20. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic Thomas Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 A valuable heads-up, thank you. Unfortunately, my nearest would involve an 80 mile round trip ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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