discussion airfix brings back some oldies

[monica]

http://www.airfix.com/shop/diorama-and-buildings/

just having a look through the new airfix news letter and seen some oldies i remember

and for some i think welcome returns in 1.76/72

 

[eddiesolo]

If Airfix got more up to date with modern modelling scaling and made 1/35 for their dio buildings it would compliment so many other builds. But alas, I feel that they have missed the boat and there are more companies out there catering for the 1/35 modeller, shame as they have some good stuff.

Si

 

[monica]

your right Si, as they still cater for 1.72/76 more than 1.35, realy need companies to bring down the cost ,as some are way to costly thats why i try to scratch build alot,

but still nice to see some old kits back on the market,

 

[Guest]

Great !! I can pose my BMW Mini at a frontier checkpoint or desert outpost !!!!

Cheers, Neil

 

[Alan 45]

If Airfix got more up to date with modern modelling scaling and made 1/35 for their dio buildings it would compliment so many other builds. But alas, I feel that they have missed the boat and there are more companies out there catering for the 1/35 modeller, shame as they have some good stuff.Si

I agree mate and it's not like they do proper 1/32 figures just the toy soldier ones it's a shame they never get the balance right

 

[Alan 45]

http://www.airfix.com/shop/diorama-and-buildings/just having a look through the new airfix news letter and seen some oldies i remember

and for some i think welcome returns in 1.76/72

That's brought back some memories Moni thanks for sharing

 

[Dave W]

I personally think Airfix are doing ok.Their pricing is very reasonable in my opinion.I would have liked them to do the new Blenheims,Dornier 17Z,Tigermoth and Swift in 1/48 though.Would have bought one of each.They can't please everyone I suppose.

 

[Guest]

I agree that's exactly the point Dave, they can't please everyone. I think they have done an amazing job of turning the company round and to even see them producing new toolings after the state the company was in only a few years ago is testament to the fact that they must generally be getting it right.

Don't forget as well that Airfix do a huge amount of PR, at thier expense, for the sake of promoting the hobby. They do model workshops at air displays etc with the specific purpose of encouraging youngsters back and even sell promotional sets of large numbers of models at very reasonable prices that schools or other such organisations can purchase. I take my hat off to Airfix.

Also, while it may be easy to criticise they are not doing exactly what you want them to do, they are probably more open to feedback than any other model manufacturer out there. If you want them to consider manufacturing something take the time to tell them. I would also recommend that you join thier club and help them to support the hobby because if we don't and we don't get the youngsters interested we are not going to have any manufacturers in this business in the next generation.

 

[Alan 45]

I agree that's exactly the point Dave, they can't please everyone. I think they have done an amazing job of turning the company round and to even see them producing new toolings after the state the company was in only a few years ago is testament to the fact that they must generally be getting it right.Don't forget as well that Airfix do a huge amount of PR, at thier expense, for the sake of promoting the hobby. They do model workshops at air displays etc with the specific purpose of encouraging youngsters back and even sell promotional sets of large numbers of models at very reasonable prices that schools or other such organisations can purchase. I take my hat off to Airfix.

Also, while it may be easy to criticise they are not doing exactly what you want them to do, they are probably more open to feedback than any other model manufacturer out there. If you want them to consider manufacturing something take the time to tell them. I would also recommend that you join thier club and help them to support the hobby because if we don't and we don't get the youngsters interested we are not going to have any manufacturers in this business in the next generation.

You raise some good points there Richard , I've got nothing pagainst airfix it's where I started and over the last few months I've bought a number of airfix kits and although they don't do a massive amount of what I would like them too I can still give them their dues and say they are getting it right

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the heads-up,Monica. Great to see all these new tools from Airfix.

 

[eddiesolo]

I agree that's exactly the point Dave, they can't please everyone. I think they have done an amazing job of turning the company round and to even see them producing new toolings after the state the company was in only a few years ago is testament to the fact that they must generally be getting it right.Don't forget as well that Airfix do a huge amount of PR, at thier expense, for the sake of promoting the hobby. They do model workshops at air displays etc with the specific purpose of encouraging youngsters back and even sell promotional sets of large numbers of models at very reasonable prices that schools or other such organisations can purchase. I take my hat off to Airfix.

Also, while it may be easy to criticise they are not doing exactly what you want them to do, they are probably more open to feedback than any other model manufacturer out there. If you want them to consider manufacturing something take the time to tell them. I would also recommend that you join thier club and help them to support the hobby because if we don't and we don't get the youngsters interested we are not going to have any manufacturers in this business in the next generation.

Your points are valid Richard, but look at the range of models, planes, armour, figures, accessories etc from a host of other companies that have sprung up to accommodate the new breed of modellers that are wanting more than 1/72, aircraft etc. Airfix got into a mess because it got lax and behind the times in looking at the future of modelling and sat on its existing range. We are in 2014 and they have only just started to re-tool in the past few years. Hats off to them for the re-tooling and for the PR they do, they are trying to get back into it and are trying very hard to get youngsters into it but as I have said...there be more choice from other makers, why should folk want to ask Airfix when the models are available elsewhere? Airfix could and should have foreseen the market trends, they are not a small independent shed of a company they have a long history of being in this market. It is easy to criticise from the side-lines but I have never been a fan of Airfix, they seemed to charge a lot for a poorly made model, their range was limited to war with occasional forays into something else, other makers offered a better product for the same or slightly more price. This is just my opinion on the subject folks.

This may sound hypocritical after my rant but, I just hope that this time Airfix have got it right, I really do, as the hard work they have done to promote and turn the company around deserves to pay off, just don't want to see a great modelling icon slip away, that would be tragic.

Si

 

[BarryW]

I would love them to produce aircraft in 1:32 scale. That is simply because of the quality of their new tool kits and I would love to see that translated into 'my' scale. It does not take anything away from what they are doing and doing right. My view of Airfix has changed since getting back into the hobby 2 1/2 years ago, from indifference to respect. They have certainly got their act together under Hornby ownership.

 

[Guest]

If I was thinking of it from an Airfix perspective I would be asking "Why produce the same as the Japanese and Chinese manufacturers and compete with them?" I would be looking at the more dedicated lower capacity kits that keep British, European and American buyers interested. They still produce many kits that no-one else out these has ever even dreamed of producing and probably never will so I do think Airfix have a sound philosophy.

I also firmly believe in supporting our own industries as much as possible and before anyone reminds us that Airfix is now owned by the Chinese they still emply a number of people in the UK and still produce such superb British interest kits as the TSR2 and the soon to be 1/24th Typhoon. I actually think if they were to change thier strategies and produce 1/35th armour and compete with the orientals we would loose out big time.

 

[yak face]

Totally agree with that last post Richard, It would be pointless (not to mention VERY expensive!!) for Airfix to start doing 1/35 stuff and trying to compete with well established and highly regarded makers like Dragon and Tamiya etc. What we dont want to forget is that they have been keeping their eye on the ball regarding current trends as evidenced by their recent armour /softskin releases in 1/48 , tony