Monday, March 10, 2008
Airfix 2008
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Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:41 PM
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Sunday, September 16, 2007
The Airfix website returns
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Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:32 PM
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Sunday, September 02, 2007
James May's Top Toys
Technorati tag: Scale Models
Labels: Airfix, Hornby, James May, Scalextric, video
posted by Ian Pattinson at 12:24 PM
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Monday, June 25, 2007
Airfix Tardis
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix, Dr. Who
Labels: Airfix, Dr. Who, Hornby
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:20 PM
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Monday, June 18, 2007
Wish List Time
But that's not going to stop me drawing up a wish list of kit's I'd like to get my hands on or see produced. Quite a few of them are driven by a desire to start painting 54mm figures, particularly Andrea's character series and placing them in dioramas involving relevant vehicles.
1. Arii's Collectors' Series available in the UK. I've developed a crush on these 1:32nd scale curbside models without ever seeing one or reading a review. I'm watching a lot of Kung Fu movies at the moment and I want to put Bruce Lee on a street with a delivery trike behind him and scattered boxes and other debris. I could order the models from Japan, or EBay shops in Australia or Hong Kong, but I'd really like to be able to get them from my local model shop or one of the bigg online shops like Hannants.
2. More of Airfix's 1:32nd scale '60s and '70s saloons re-released. I've read that some of the moulds were damaged or lost, and I may be the total market for a Morris Marina model. What I really want is the Ford Capri and Ford Escort. (I know the latter was in last year's three car special set, so I'll see if I can pick up one of those.) I don't have any plans for these in figure terms, just an abiding fondness formed from reading Street Machine and Custom Car in my youth. Whilst we're about it, let's have a Ford Pop (Anglia in the States, I think) in that scale. I know there was a 1:24th, or 1:25th van version by one of the US manufacturers, but let's have the saloon beloved of British hotrodders.
3. Photoetched parts for 1:72nd scale cars such as the ones from Cararama. You can get them for 1:87th cars (and, a little, for 1:76th ones as well), so let's have them for my braille scale of choice. I'm going to start producing transfers and stuff again, so one day I may be the person who satisfies this desire. (Affiliate link Cararama 1:72nd cars on EBay)
4. Retro robo. This is a personal project, I don't want anyone to produce it. I just need to find an appropriate Japanese robot to kit bash and lots of spare parts to use in the bashing.
5. Preiser 1:72nd stuff. I know they do a lot of good stuff in this scale, I just can't find it in my local model shops.
That's what I want right now. That, and the money to afford it all.
Technorati tag: Scale Models
Labels: 1:32nd, 54mm, Airfix, Arii, Hot Rod, model car, Nostalgia
posted by Ian Pattinson at 4:38 PM
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Amazonian Airfix
models. I stumbled across this list whilst searching for something completely different. They also stock Revell, AMT (but not much), Tamiya, Italeri, Hasegawa and no doubt others. They'll never have the arcane stuff available from a specialist shop or site, but might be worth checking out every so often.Technorati tag: Scale Models, Amazon
posted by Ian Pattinson at 9:03 AM
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Monday, April 30, 2007
Old model companies never die....
via Alan Bell
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:11 AM
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Saturday, November 11, 2006
Hornby buys Airfix
At the moment neither airfix.co.uk or airfix.com are up, But Hornby's site has an item about the acquisition.
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Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:10 PM
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Monday, September 18, 2006
The Ford Cortina site
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posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:50 PM
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Sunday, September 10, 2006
Hornby to rescue Airfix?
via Alan Bell
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Labels: Airfix, Model Railway
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:08 PM
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Thursday, August 31, 2006
Bye bye Airfix
It's a damn shame. The company was going through something of a revival and had released, or planned to release, quite a few kits I was eager (if too poor) to buy. I did get their TSR-2, but I also wanted the classic cars collection and various of the smaller military models. Wonder what this is going to do to the price of their kits lying around in model shops?
As yet the official Airfix site has nothing to say on the subject.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 4:32 PM
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Monday, May 01, 2006
Wikipedia's Scale Models entry
For aircraft recognition in the Second World War, the RAF selected making models to the scale of "one-sixth inch to the foot" (which was two British lines, a legal division of length which didn't make it to America, besides being a standard shipyard scale). Although some consumer models were sold pre-war in Britain to this scale, the airmens' models were pressed out of ground-up old rubber tires. This is of course the still-popular "one-seventy-second size".
It wasn't predestined to succeed; there were competitors. The US Navy, in contrast, had metal models made to the proportion 1:432, which is "nine-feet-to-the-quarter-inch". At this scale, a model six feet away looked as the prototype would at about half a statute mile; and at seven feet, at about half a nautical mile.
After the war, firms that moulded models from polystyrene entered the consumer marketplace, the American firm Revell notably offering a model of the Royal Coach around the time of the 1953 coronation. In the early years, firms offered models of aircraft and ships in "fit-the-box" size. A box that would make an impressive gift was specified, and a mould was crafted to make a model that wouldn't ludicrously slide around inside. Modellers could not compare models, nor switch parts from one kit to another. It was the British firm Airfix that brought the idea of the constant scale to the marketplace, and they picked the RAF's scale.
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Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 9:53 PM
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Friday, April 28, 2006
Airfix Classic Car Collection
In the mean time, a few links-
The Vauxhall Viva HA.
The Viva Outlaws Club (mostly HBs and HCs though).
Triumph Herald images (including an appearance in a Tintin comic).
Triumph Herald wikipedia entry.
A stretched Herald.
Ford Escort Mk1 pictures.
A lot of Ford Escort desktop images.
The Escort RS2000.
Escort Mk1 rally cars.
An Escort funny car.
Related- onethirtysecond, a resource for 1:32nd scale car kits.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Vauxhall Viva, Triumph Herald, Ford Escort
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:48 PM
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Tuesday, March 07, 2006
AirKraft
via Blur Modeller
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Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 7:17 AM
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Sunday, March 05, 2006
TSR-2 photos
The box art. One presentation of the model suggests itself- the TSR and Lightning on the tarmac whilst their pilots chat in front of them and technicians run through pre-flight checks.
The sprues were sealed in a plastic bag and the transparencies were in their own bag
inside this.
The fuselage halves are on a large sprue.
The pilots, some cockpit detail and a selection of non-undercarriage struts. I won't be putting the crew inside the plane, I'd rather have a couple of figures on the tarmac in front of the plane.
Mostly bomb bay and engine details on this sprue. There are two loads, an instrument package from the test flights (bottom right, I think) and atomic bomb (I'll let you find that for yourself). You know I'm not going to be putting the instrument package in it.
The wings have an interesting design that a few people have commented on. It should cut down on the amount of filler where it meets the fuselage.
Mostly undercarriage and underside details on this sprue.
I need to build a couple of other large aircraft kits before I'll feel confident in tackling this one- I have a Vulcan and a Revell built "Amerika Bomber" flying wing that I can practice on. And those aren't going to be started until I have somewhere I can safely airbrush.
Another reason to put off building the kit is that there are few detailing sets available yet. I expect some will appear in a month or two. There are the "could have been" decal sets, though. I like the look of "Bad Attitude/ Hello Saddam" from Gulf War 1.
Technorati tag: TSR-2, TSR.2, Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 9:53 PM
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Thursday, March 02, 2006
I am so jealous right now
I ordered it through Hannants ages ago, before moving to the new casa Spinneyhead. This, and the fact that the old casa Spinneyhead has one of those "It was too large to get through the letterbox" cards, leads me to think (hope) it may have gone to the old address.
Pleeeeeeeeeze!
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix, TSR-2
posted by Ian Pattinson at 12:43 PM
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Thursday, January 19, 2006
It's heeeere (almost)
We are now in a position to give dates on TSR.2 availability. The kits are due in the country on February 15th and, assuming no delays with customs, will start shipping week commencing February 20th. Customers can expect to see the first kits appearing in shops later that week, with other stockists following shortly afterwards.
Club members will have exclusive access to a further 250 kits which will be pre-sold on Airfix.com shortly and strictly limited to 2 kits per club member. As we expect this offer to offer be over-subscribed, we will advertise the timing in advance to ensure fairness to all.
The February edition of Scale Aviation Modeller International, available to buy shortly, features an exclusive first look at the TSR.2 via pre-production test shots.
Kind regards
Gary Bent
Check out the rest of Airfix's releases for the year.
via Alan Bell
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix, TSR.2
posted by Ian Pattinson at 5:58 PM
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Monday, January 02, 2006
Fast Tiger
It's taken me longer to edit and upload this video than it did to make the model.
Last November there was a rash of timelapse videos of artists at work. I thought they were cool, and I decided I should do the same with a model.
Obviously, I couldn't do a really detailed model, and I'd be putting it together so quickly that I didn't want to waste money on something grand. I settled on the Airfix Tiger tank.
Neither my new digital camera or video camera has a timelapse feature, so I had to improvise. I set the delay on the camera to ten seconds and had it take two pictures. This gave me enough time after pressing the shutter to pick up where I had left off and get some more painting or construction done before being photographed. The total build lasted about two hours. To put the model together in such a basic way would have taken an hour without the photography.
There were almost four hundred pictures in total and I stitched them together at two frames per image and uploaded the result to Revver. Enjoy.
Technorati tag: Time lapse, Scale Models, Airfix, Tiger Tank
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:40 PM
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Tuesday, December 13, 2005
The new Airfix.com
via Alan Bell
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Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 7:03 AM
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Monday, November 21, 2005
Scale Aircraft Modelling
Other features included the evolution of the Zero fighter, and a round up of various models of it, and lots of full colour paint scheme illustrations. The F-16s are the dullest of the bunch in different shades of grey.
The magazine is rounded out with reviews and short build articles, previews of upcoming product and an end page opinion piece that returns to the TSR.2.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Scale Aircraft, Model Magazines
posted by Ian Pattinson at 7:51 PM
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Friday, November 18, 2005
Revell 1:72nd T34/85 and Airfix Russian infantry
I wanted a T34 for photo reference for the webcomic I've just started working on. It's actually in the centre of the very first frame, advancing up a shattered Berlin street, so I can't go any further until I've built this. The plan was to get a cheap kit for a fast build- it's an alternate reality tale, so historical accuracy isn't so important- but this one (bonus) comes with a Berlin colour scheme.
I don't know what the current state of the art for small scale armour is, but I've read reviews hinting at assembling tracks from individual chain links, a long way from the bendy soft plastic tracks I remember from my youth. Thankfully this kit manages to hit an acceptable middle ground, with the tracks formed from five or six separate pieces of varying lengths with long flat stretches under and atop the road wheels and shorter links going round the drive and end wheels.
Despite it being a fast build I'll try to do the model justice, with an amount of painting if not major detailing. Expect pictures of the beast going together.
The Airfix Russian infantry were bought to go with the T34, but I could almost have gotten away with any 72nd scale figures milling around. They're not awful, but the detail is soft and only the occassional pose is distinctive. I don't know if any other companies do World War Two Russian figures in this scale. These guys could make up the massed ranks backing up the more detailed frontline troops or would be ideal for wargaming.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, T34, Airfix, Revell
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:45 PM
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Thursday, October 27, 2005
Airfix
Airfix Collector
Airfix Collector's Club
Cool.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:33 PM
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Thursday, October 13, 2005
Airfix heads 2,400 years into future
Model maker Airfix is looking to the future of its business - 2,400 years into the future to be precise.
The company, famous for its fiddly plastic reproductions of World War II planes, tanks and battleships, is launching a range of robot fighters from the 45th Century.
It seems that the Spitfire and Lancaster Bomber no longer cut it with today's younger generation, brought up on a diet of Power Rangers and Pokemon.
And in a move that will appal purists, the new models will be snapped together instead of requiring painstaking, and often frustrating, gluing.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 7:33 PM
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Monday, September 19, 2005
Bloodhound Gang
The APMA has this page and some pictures of completed versions of the kit, and other Bristol aircraft, on this page.
A shot from the Transport Archive of a Bloodhound on the Woomera proving grounds. It might be worth trying to reproduce the circular base it's mounted on- they're shown on the box art as well.
Another picture of a preserved Bloodhound.
Two Bloodhounds and lots of other aircraft on this page.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Airfix, Bristol Bloodhound
posted by Ian Pattinson at 8:10 PM
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Thursday, August 04, 2005
U-2
I found out yesterday that Airfix have released a model of the U-2 spyplane in 1:72nd scale. If a suitable model of a Chevrolet Camaro could be found (do Cararama do one?), the scene above could be modelled as a diorama. The Camaro is a chase car, relaying information to the U-2 pilot to keep them out of trouble.
Original image from Air Force Link, a great source of reference photos for modellers. Larger image here. Related images here and here.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, U-2, Camaro
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 2:20 PM
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Sunday, July 17, 2005
EBay finds
SR-N1 Hovercraft in 1:72nd.
Aoshima drift parts set, for your tuner cars.
Airfix HO/OO zoo animals.
Roswell UFO (or this Area 51 UFO may be more accurate, both from the same seller).
1:12th female figure for motorbike, doesn't fit the Tamiya Ducati 916.
"PAINTED SEXY NUDE EROTIC RESIN FIGURE", in case the last one isn't revealing enough flesh.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, EBay
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 6:36 PM
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Saturday, May 14, 2005
Cars and Stars
The Aston Martin DB5 I just won will be a great backdrop for Andrea's Secret Agent. I can imagine the champagne bucket and glasses on the back seat and maybe a few super-spy style gadgets (does anyone do 1/32nd ejector seats?)
The Airfix 1930 Bentley is going to be a bizarre battle car, with Lewis guns mounted on it and various other outrageous elements. Who better to be driving it than a First World War fighter ace.
Historex is a great big treasure trove of, mostly, figure modelling coolness but so far I haven't found an Al Capone or other '30s gangster to go with the Packard Victoria that should be on its way to me. I must continue looking.
And finally, two figures I don't have cars for yet. The Virtual Fighter and Cyborg 2020. These two could just fight each other, I guess.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, Model Figures
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 11:23 PM
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Saturday, April 09, 2005
EBay watch
NB These are not things that I am selling on EBay. If I'm trying to pimp up my own stuff I will say so. Also, I am not responsible for any problems arising from the sales.
Here's a few to start with-
Airfix SnapFix Flying Saucer. As the seller says, Airfix's attempt to jump on the post Star Wars sales bandwagon. I doubt that this is one of those kits whose rarity is going to lead to increased value down the line. It might look good with a bit of kit bashing and weathering.
Airfix 1914 Old Bill bus 32nd scale. You might just be able to get away with mix'n'matching this bus with Emhar's (35th scale) WW1 tanks and infantry.
Monkee mobile 1:25 "Here we come, walkin' down the street."
German tanks Captured by the Red army 1/72 Decal set and/ or Russian Lend-lease Tank Decals. 1/72 Useful for spicing up Eastern Front dioramas. They're being sold by the same merchant, so buy both and you could get a good postage deal.
1/72 SCALE VACFORM SUPERMARINE 224 The 224 was an early variant toward the Spitfire, so this is an essential kit for any Spit completist.
Monty's Caravan & Armoured car 1/76 kit by Matchbox WW2 I made this kit once and loved the little Daimler scout car. £8 is a bit steep for my nostalgia at the moment though.
Revell Snark S-M -62 missile Revell made a load of missile models in the 50s and 60s. Sadly 1- they're very hard to find 2- they were "box scale", sized to fit the box and therefore all different scales.
Artificial resin eyes Just a little creepy.
Technorati tag: Scale Models, EBay
Labels: Airfix
posted by Ian Pattinson at 12:07 PM
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