After reading a number of very positive reviews about Airfix’s new tool 1/48 and 1/72 kits I decided to order a bunch to build. Particularly with the 1/72 kits (e.g. their Kate, Hurricane Mk. I, Stuka, and Me 262) I was a bit surprised at how mediocre some of the molding and fit quality is, especially given the glowing reviews these kits have received since their release. For instance, bad fit due to parts that should have a sharp edge having what I can only describe as a soft/rounded edges (like for multi-part gear well construction) – perhaps short-shot? – or where it looks like the two halves of the mold didn’t line up properly, so there is a big step on seam lines, or loose fits, warped wings/fuselage halves, etc.
Anyway, just curious if this is something to expect with Airfix and if anyone else has had similar experiences. The kits themselves overall are lovely, it’s just that I’ve found myself frustrated with how much cleanup and fiddling is required to build some of them.
While I haven’t done the ones you mentioned, I have done quite a few of their other offerings. I’d say, the issues you mention are “par for the course”…little annoyances. When you factor in the price tag though, you really do get a good model. I don’t have any real complaints and these new Airfix kits have become a staple in my stash!
I have bought several, but they are in the queue, and haven’t made it to the bench yet. So I do not know about the fit. However, the detail is marvelous. Who needs resin when styrene die casting can create this kind of detail. My latest purchase is the 1:48 P-51. The cockpit detail is really nice- as good as any resin cockpits I have seen.
I have been building up a collection of their new tooled kits but have not got to building one yet. I have not heardanything about fit issues, and i know a few people of here are building them. I’ll be keen to try one out for myself and see.
And I have to tell that it practically builds itself :-)) Fit and part engineering is really nice, and all that for a top price. So I heartly recomment them!
Good luck building your Airfix kits and have a nice day
I still can’t tell the differance between the new tool Airfix kits and the old (on the shelf or online at Ebay ) unless it actually says it’s a new tool kit which is rare. I wanna buy some new tool kits but the last 2 I bought were the old crummy ones that I hate. [:@]
This is about my only gripe with Airfix. A little bit of research gives the answer…but you gotta do it ahead of time (obviously), which elliminates the “impulse buy”, when you see the kit on the shelf.
Oh yeah, this is especially tricky in case of the Sea King - at one point in time youhad to buy a model set (with paints and brush) because it was your only chance at getting the new tooled Seak King (with floats - the Commando version could be had as new tool without the paints). Scalemates is a must in this case.
I have a few in my stash. But I have only built one, a submarine. I think that they are certainly a great case of more bang for your buck.
As far as telling the new from the old, nowadays we have the answer right at our fingertips with a smartphone and Scalemates. A minute or two will tell you all you need to know.
One good thing about Hannants is that they indicate if its a new tol. Of course this only applies to the kit they have listed. I fine this a problem with other companies as well, like Revell. Be nice if they were all like Dragon and tamiya.
I have built two of the “old” tooling and had some fit issues, but for the price I cannot complain. I have recently purchased 4 of the “new” tooling and look forward to building them. I have not been doing this as long as most of you…but I maybe wrong, is there such a thing as a perfect kit?
I’ve prefered Airfix’s “old tooled” for decades though the handful of their new tooled kits I’ve built are nice. Far as I know their 1/72 Short Stirling remains the only offering in this scale, really does need an update alternatively their 1961 vintage Halifax B.III remains a strong favorite, wouldn’t mind building yet another.
Airfix’s 1960 vintage 1/72 Me-262 was out five years before Revell’s, later is an easier build but before building any more 262s will research on which firm’s offering I’d have the most “fun” doing so, i.e. not cussing over bad fits & open seams that have to be dwelt with.
I’ve built the Meteor F.8 and the C-47 in the new tool range and found that for the most part they were excellent, but in both cases there were a few small annoyances. The most important thing to me is shape accuracy, and the two I built are very good indeed in that respect.
Italeri released 2 Stirling kits a couple of years back, a Mk I and Mk IV. But i have heard people calling for Airfix to re toll their Mk III but i think the Vulcan is the one most people want to see re done.
Revell have a couple of Halifax kits out, including the Mk III, going to get one of those myself next year.
I’ve had very good experience with the new Airfix toolings. I usually build aircraft in 1/72 and find the fit and detail to be very good. My only complaint is the occasional thick sprue attachment. Sometimes it’s a challenge to remove delicate items like a control stick or pitot tube. My experience with their customer support has been very good.
I have a Cromwell tank in the lineup, my first attempt at armor. From what I can see, everything looks great and the reviews are favorable.
The only Airfix kit I’ve had problems with is the Sabre, lots of fit issues. The kit is currently out of production so hopefully it’s up for a re-tooling.
