MG Writer Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 In terms of cars, the two most obvious scales are 1:32 and 1:24 (Americans also go for 1:25). 1:43 has long been the 'O' gauge scale for die cast cars and although there have been some lovely kits (e.g. Heller) in this scale, it isn't that great for model plastic kits in my opinion. There have been 1:16, 1:12 (e.g. Airfix Blower Bentley) and even 1:8 (Monogram, Pocher) but whilst they can make superb kits they are inevitably bulky and expensive (like some 1:24 aircraft!). military models are often 1:48 or 1:76. For my money, Airfix should stick to 1:32 and 1:24. The thing is, Tamiya, Revell, Run 2, Heller and others do good enough business in the 1:24 scale ranges, so why not Airfix too? Heller have dine some lovely French car subjects (old as well as modern) and both Tamiya and Revell have made some superb 1:24 kits if British car subjects. How nice it would be if our friends at Hornby could join the fray and tool up some British classics like the Jaguar XJ13, MGA, MGB GT, Aston DB5, Ford Lotus Cortina, Jaguar S Type, Jensen FF, Lotus Élan Sprint, MG RV8 and so on? What do other car model fans think? Maybe some newer subjects like the Jaguar F Type, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Bentley Continental or McLaren? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 In terms of subject matter, it would seem a good idea to avoid simply duplicating moulds and subjects already done by others, or if there has to be a "popular" subject, choose a variant that is slightly different - say a 1973 MGB rather than a 1962 one, or a Jaguar V12 E Type instead of a 1961 flat-four 3.8. A 1970 Mini 1275GT rather than the ubiquitous Cooper S perhaps, or a four door Cortina 1600E instead of the contemporary two door Lotus (mind you, a Cortina Lotus Mark II would be nice too!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy_fitzsimmonds Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 ...... or a Jaguar V12 E Type instead of a 1961 flat-four 3.8. .....Jaguar have never made a flat four E Type.......It was the classic XK straight 6.One of the best engines ever created. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 ...... or a Jaguar V12 E Type instead of a 1961 flat-four 3.8. .....Jaguar have never made a flat four E Type.......It was the classic XK straight 6.One of the best engines ever created.Sorry - that's auto flaming correct for you! I meant flat floor E Type, not flat four! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richyt Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 I'd love it if some of the subjects mentioned were turned into kits. I suspect though that licensing rights might prove to be too expensive, and once again, it comes down to whether Airfix would sell enough of any of these to make it worthwhile. It was said some years ago that Ford would ask a lot for licenses for models of their products, but that may be just a rumour. I know that Esci had a go at a Mk 2 Escort, which was re-boxed by Revell about ten years ago. Bel-Kits have a Mk 1 Escort in final planning, which is due out soon, so it must be viable. Back in the late 90's, Tamiya did two versions of the Mk 2 Jaguar and it was rumoured at that time they would also do a Lotus Cortina, but it never happened. I'd like to see Airfix do the V12 E Type Jaguar in 1/24, and also maybe a Mk1 and Mk2 Cortina. Ahh, I can but dream..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 Yes, we can dream! How nice it would be to see some new tooling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 Bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Some years ago, Monogram of the USA produced a number of their car kits with diecast bodyshells, but all the detail, such as running gear, chrome trim, wheels and interior, in conventional plastic. One advantage was the ability to use automotive paint on the shells (and even to scrape back fiddly badge scripts and trim lines to represent chrome or stainless steel trim). I built some up at the time (early 1980s) and they included a Ford Thunderbird (1956) and a Jaguar XK120. They were discontinued eventually, perhaps on cost or production grounds, but they were very good models. Later, low volume kit makers came onto the market with resin kits (sometimes so-called "transkits" offering alternative bodies for mainstream plastic kits) which are often "cottage industry" and so also quite pricy. Is there perhaps a middle ground for a big player like Hornby to combine these lower volume solutions with cheaper production, even if the outcome is in the form of "limited editions"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Do you actually build any cars? We never see them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Do you actually build any cars? We never see them!Less often these days. I was more active from around 1970 to 1990. When I do, they are seldom current Airfix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Writer Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Do you actually build any cars? We never see them!Of course, like most people, I come here mainly for the warm welcome and the friendly banter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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