New Tooled Airfix B-25

Bossman

Hi Tulip,

I am just finishing up the 1/72 scale Italeri B-25H/J kit.  I purchased it from a vendor at a local show.  It has raised panel lines and a (kindof) low parts count compared to what you would likely get with a new Airfix offering, but I was very pleased with the fit and the surface detail is good.  (A little heavy in spots)  Cockpit detail is OK, but there is little/no detail in the gear bays and gunner areas.  No option to open the bomb bay unless you want to do some styrene surgery. Lots of room for scratchbuilding !

The decals were old, but I used them and they went on well.  I Had to buy some white decal sheet to make the fuselage stripes.  I guess Italeri figures that you'd paint them on. 

The only problem is that the kit was missing 2 key parts - the clear part of the top turret and the ring that it sits on.  Arghh !  Gotta check w/ some of my club pals to see if they have anything rattling around in a spare parts box.

Regarding Airfix - I'm really enjoying all these new kits they are putting out - very high quality - and subjects that are really interesting.  They're pumping out new kits at a rate that is A LOT faster than I can build !   I guess thats a good thing.  Been buying mostly Airfix lately.

Chris

 

I ended up buying 2 of the Italieri kits as my son wanted one too.

I was really surprised to find so few choices out there as this seems to be quite a popular bomber.

I too have been buying a lot of AIRFIX lately and am really enjoying them. My son builds the 1/72 fighters and some of the twin engined ones and we are looking forward to the B-17, Gloster Meteor, and 1/48 Defiant.

Hi Tulip,

I am just finishing up the 1/72 scale Italeri B-25H/J kit.  I purchased it from a vendor at a local show.  It has raised panel lines and a (kindof) low parts count compared to what you would likely get with a new Airfix offering, but I was very pleased with the fit and the surface detail is good.  (A little heavy in spots)  Cockpit detail is OK, but there is little/no detail in the gear bays and gunner areas.  No option to open the bomb bay unless you want to do some styrene surgery. Lots of room for scratchbuilding !

The decals were old, but I used them and they went on well.  I Had to buy some white decal sheet to make the fuselage stripes.  I guess Italeri figures that you'd paint them on. 

The only problem is that the kit was missing 2 key parts - the clear part of the top turret and the ring that it sits on.  Arghh !  Gotta check w/ some of my club pals to see if they have anything rattling around in a spare parts box.

Regarding Airfix - I'm really enjoying all these new kits they are putting out - very high quality - and subjects that are really interesting.  They're pumping out new kits at a rate that is A LOT faster than I can build !   I guess thats a good thing.  Been buying mostly Airfix lately.

Chris

Yikes!!! I wasn't aware of the issues facing Hornby.

I just came back from Barnes and Noble where my son and I picked up the latest catalog of AIRFIX products for 2016. It looks very exciting to say the least.

It's also sad that the Humbrol paint line which has been a sore spot for so many years would possibly be the poison to bring down Airfix and all it is trying to do.

If the paint line is such an anchor around their proverbial neck and not profitable they should consider selling it off or retiring it for the time being until they can fix the quality control.

There are so many other paints "out there" that are really wonderful why stick with something that can cause the whole company to suffer?

I've used Humbrol since I was a young modeler but recently have discovered Vallejo and other paints that are really awesome.

Anyway please keep us posted. Thanks everyone

I haven't seen any articles that were terribly specific as what was to blame, as Hornby sells lots of other toy and hobby items besides Airfix. But obviously, even if things were okay at Airfix, this would have an effect on them regardless.

I know a lot of overseas modelers have been upset by the troubles in the Humbrol paint area. Poor quality, shifting production sites, colors going out of production....not a good scene.

While the next death of Airfix may not be imminent, things are certainly not good at Hornby right now. 

I was just reading about this.  I saw that Large Scale Planes posted it on Facebook

Keep an eye on Airfix's parent Hornby. They had a very poor 2015, and face supply and banking issues in 2016. I would certainly expect Airfix to be affected some by this. It was also said Hornby heavily overbought London 2012 Olympic items, which did not sell well, and they are now stuck with, and little practical way to get rid of them.

The CEO stepped down today, and the stock price recovered some, but it and the company are still all but worthless in overall $$$s, considering their debt level.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35576892

The ONLY thing I don't like about Airfixs new kits is the plastic; it is too soft for me. But I still GREATLY enjoy each build 

I have not seen anything on a new-tooled 25 on a 17.  Where did you see it?