Airfix new tool kits

Two for two so far on that Defiant. I've got the 1/72 and I hope it measures up lol.

I agree with Fermis- any little issues are indeed par for the course. I just finished the new tooling of the Defiant Mk. I and I've gotta say it was wonderful. only a few issues here and there, nothing I'd write Airfix about! And like Bish, I've got a few of the newer kits in my stash and one on pre-order (the new Blenheim Mk. IV with Free French markings). You really can't beat the price! 

Inconsistent? I must be getting lucky.

I'm still building that same P-40, Roald. There was a little putty needed around the MG blisters and indeed the gear knuckles. But in comparison to the old Monogram offering it was a dream. Not much putty needed, but it did still need some.

So far the 1/72 kits have been great for me. All issues minor and easily rectified.

OP,

I've built several of the new tool Airfix kits, all in 1/48, and my experiences have been mixed. All were good in terms of detail, but fit was hit and miss. Here is a brief rundown:

Boulton Paul Defiant

Excellent fit, easily as good as Tamiya. Very good detail, and all aroung great kit of an interesting and somewhat unusual subject. Highly recommended.

Hurricane Tropical

Also very good in terms of both fit and detail. The only small issue was that the canopy needed a little work to fit properly. Otherwise great.

P-40 (Pearl Harbor version)

Very good detail, but lots of fit issues. Fuselage halves were warped and splayed out near the tail, very noticeable gaps at the wing root, the protusions on the leading edge of the wing fit terribly, etc. Every step of the build required lots of sanding, fitting, re-fitting, putty, etc. I understand that nothing is perfect, but this was far worse than what I expect from a new tool, newly engineered kit. 

I have the Mk 1 Spitfire, Armstrong Whitworth Whitely, Sea Hurricane and Stuka in the stash. We'll see how they go.

I have also built a few of the new tool 1/72 kits, and some were OK while others had poor fit. None were great. 

It seems that while the level of detail is consistently very good, the quality of engineering is inconsistent with Airfix.  

I've built two of the new 72nd scale kits. Enjoyed both. Only complaint was the sprue attachment on a few small pieces

Retired In Kalifornia

 

Bish

 

 

Retired In Kalifornia

 

 

Bish

 

 

Retired In Kalifornia

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Ooops, didn't do my homework! The Italeri kits look really inticing; the old Striling kit is too outdated for retooling. Also didn't do my homework re. Revell Halifax B.III, they've got the long-span version, one I'd pined for decades ago. It'll be years before I get to build any more "Big Brits", just hope they'll still be available when I do.

 

 

 

 

 

Well, you can always buy them now just in case

I plan oin getting the Revell Halifax III and Italeri Stirling I next year, they seem like nice kits and of course the best option out there.

 

 

 

 

Probably should buy them but space is limited well as my pension till will claim the Maximum U.S. Social Security benefit in a few years, 25% more than if I did right now.

 

After building my "Italians" the Battle Of Britian group of 1960s & 70s kits likely are next, might preempt with a 1939 Polish Invasion group if can find an RS Do.17F kit somewhere.

All this is hoped for after am done with building the Italians, at my current annual building rate by end of 2020 though maybe into 2021 if new kit releases come out. January 30, 2021 would had been Mom's 100th birthday maybe on that day will be done.

 

Hannants has both the RS 17 E and F, both can be built for the Polish campaign. But i am sure you can find them closer to home.

Good luck with your projects, i have a couple of those myself, but going to be many years before any are completed, if at all.

Retired In Kalifornia

 

 

Bish

 

 

Retired In Kalifornia

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Ooops, didn't do my homework! The Italeri kits look really inticing; the old Striling kit is too outdated for retooling. Also didn't do my homework re. Revell Halifax B.III, they've got the long-span version, one I'd pined for decades ago. It'll be years before I get to build any more "Big Brits", just hope they'll still be available when I do.

 

 

Well, you can always buy them now just in case

I plan oin getting the Revell Halifax III and Italeri Stirling I next year, they seem like nice kits and of course the best option out there.

I have been astounded at the fine detail in injection styrene kits recently.

I had someone explain to me a couple of years ago how slide molding works.  Now, I am wondering how the new high detail molding works.  When resin kits and aftermarket first came out, the explanation of the fine detail was the low surface tension of the polyurethane resin. I know in metal diecasting this is import- why type metal is used in printing industry.  Low surface tension of the various alloys of lead and other low temp metals.

Is there a change in the styrene material used, or is it to do with the dies and the casting process it self?

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. 

Retired In Kalifornia

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.

 

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 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.

Tounge in cheek-----the one still sealed in the box on the dealer shelf.

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?

Pawel

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.

This is their way to push the old tool kits!

Have a nice day

Paweł

 

I don't agree, they have never opted for sequential numbers like Dragon or Tamiya, its just their way. Revell are the same.

Jay Jay

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.  

 

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 two Skyhawks, built one and was pleased with it.

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.

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.

This is their way to push the old tool kits!

Have a nice day

Paweł

Jay Jay

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.

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.  

Hello!

While I have several new tool Airfix kits and they look just super in the box, I have built one of the first new ones - the scooter:

Build report for it is here: http://vietnam.net.pl/A4Bmoden.htm

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

Paweł

Thanks for all the replies, folks. Was just generally curious if this is normal. Sounds like it. 

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.

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. 

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!