| Welcome to 72nd Aircraft. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Discontinued Airfix for 2017 | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 2 2016, 06:20 PM (2,281 Views) | |
| johnopfor | Nov 6 2016, 08:59 PM Post #16 |
|
Beast
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Fujimi has a better A-4B and Sabre family (the Academy/Hobbycraft Sabres are nice also),although they are more expensive and harder to find. Hasegawa has a Harrier GR.7/9 out there but I believe that they lack weapons. Even though Fujimi and ESCI have GR.3 kits out there, I believe that the Airfix GR.3 has better detail. |
| Gluing the wrong parts together since 1981 | |
![]() |
|
| Greenshirt | Nov 6 2016, 09:28 PM Post #17 |
|
Tim Holland, Southern MD - USA
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The other Spitfire PR XIX options are Fujumi and MPM (if more they are very hard to find, like Ventura or vac). The Fujimi is more accurate for F XIV (trying to be many subjects so not accurate for any) and being overengineered so even to make the relatively minor corrections for the subject desired still requires some work. The MPM is accurate but also a short run kit, requiring quite a bit to make it up, it may be getting hard to find. I've done all three, and while I'll readily take the MPM on at very low show prices ($2-3) I'd rather build the Airfix. It has the best cockpit of the three and is very easy to build; mine have all been paint ready within a day of first snipping parts from sprue. I've even used one to kitbash with the Airfix IX to make a nice FXIVc. It's only faults (IMHO) are the chord being about a mm too large and the deep panel lines. The Fujimi needs a new cockpit being completely wrong, and the fuselage is a pain given the engine cowl is two separate pieces, and the spine is separate; all to accommodate the F/FR XIV and to make the rocker panel shape better. Too hard...I found the Quickboost replacements help, but then the price is really too much. So...for the money the Airfix PR XIX is my first choice at the moment. Tim |
|
Tim Holland I'm a "green shirt" because I work on the carrier's flight deck and maintain US Navy aircraft. Safe sorties are my life so we can be anywhere, anytime -- from the Sea. http://greenshirt-modeler.blogspot.com/ | |
![]() |
|
| Graham Boak | Nov 6 2016, 09:43 PM Post #18 |
|
Hero
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The Sword/AZ Hurricane Mk.I is worth considering: the Airfix is a better model in some ways but does need some fiddling with. The old Heller Gladiator is still an acceptable alternative, at least to me. Enough so to avoid buying the Airfix one because I still have two Heller to make, so I may be biased. The AZ Tiger Moth is nearly as nice as the Airfix, but not quite. A wider range of markings, but there's always Xtradecal. The other three are indeed the only options. As I understand it, none of the ones on your second list are preferable to the alternatives, other than on price, but I've had none of them. That's assuming the alternatives are available to you (not sure if there is one fore the Harrier GR 9...) |
| Lancashire, UK | |
![]() |
|
| peebeep | Nov 7 2016, 01:50 AM Post #19 |
|
Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The Eduard 110 and 190 kits are top of the pile. peebeep |
|
www.locate-and-cement.com Locate and Cement website RevellAtions Bring me my chariot of fire Paul Brown, Chelmsford, UK
| |
![]() |
|
| Scott Hemsley | Nov 7 2016, 01:58 AM Post #20 |
|
Beast
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Arron ... Is the Airfix Sabre (F-86) any good? IMO, it's the best of the lot, hands-down ... period. The Fujimi/ Academy/Hobbycraft line are quite inaccurate in terms of x-section (too rotund and wide) , a wing span that's almost a scale foot too short & incorrectly shaped (square) airbrakes (which really shows up if you choose to have them open as they usually are on the ground) to mention three points. Granted, Airfix only released one new-tooled version (but in 3 guises)* and it does have it's flaws (wing fence & drop tanks are a bit too far outboard), but the overall shape/details are far superior to the others. It also is a proper Canadair made airframe, the same airframe sold to several other countries. If you don't mind doing a bit of conversion, any other variant of the Canadair Sabre can be done from them. If you opt for a North American made airframe, some minor details will have to be changed due to manufacturing differences in the airframes. Is it perfect? No, but then what kit is? Does it need some help? Yes, but nothing that can't be handled. Do the others need help? Again, yes - but again, IMO, they need far more help than Airfix. Are the others an easier build? Once ... maybe over their closest competitor ... Heller, but against the Airfix tooling, I'd have to say Airfix currently holds that title. As for comments about the type of (soft-er) plastic Airfix used in the kits, I found no problems working with it. In fact, if given the choice ... I prefer it over the harder, more brittle plastic. of many mfrg's. Much easier to work for some additional detailing or a bit of conversion. I once overheard the comment from fellow modeller who also had a history with working on the aircraft, that no North American or Canadair mfgr'd F-86 can be built OOTB from the Fujimi/Academy/Hobbycraft kits as the Fujimi tooling (let's face it ... all of 3 them share the same basic molds with a tweek or two) is based on the Japanese mfgr'd airframes - which are different again with their own mods. * It was first released as a RAF F.4. In effect this was a Canadair Sabre 4, retro-fitted with the 6-3 hard-edge wing mid-service, but they were initially delivered to the RAF with the narrow-cord slatted wing. In RCAF terms, OOTB, it's a Canadair Sabre 5. Personally, I have 3 more in the stash (which immediately replaced all my remaining Heller/Fujimi kits) for a Sabre 2 & 4 (both of these with the narrow-cord slated wing), plus a Sabre 6 - with the slatted 6-3 wing. If the modelling gods are with me, I'll be successful in converting the 6-3 wings on the 2 & 4, to the narrow-cord wings & all three of them will have the slats deployed. At least that's the plan. If you've not seen one built-up, here's mine done as a Sabre 5 of 441 Sqn., RCAF ![]() Scott |
![]() |
|
| RexTN | Nov 7 2016, 05:20 AM Post #21 |
![]()
Accidental CAG
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Many disagree with me, but, the Airfix A-4B is better than the Fujimi,,,,,except for the nose and the tail. The deal is that changing the nose shape and the Rudder height on the Airfix is easier than trying to thin the Fujimi's rear fuselage enough to match the correct shape seen in overhead photos. (there is NO bulged look to a real Skyhawk behind the intakes, as Fujimi molded) So, if you really want a "good" A-4B,,,,,get the Airfix, and use your Fujimi nose on it, and add the Fujimi rudder and the fin part below the rudder to get the rudder shorter. You can do the same for all the A-4 versions, use the Airfix, and add whatever nose you need to it. (don't worry about the rear fuselages not "matching what you are building",,,,,both company's rear fuselages are "generic" anyway, so all the things you'd have to do to the Airfix for different versions, you also have had to do the Fujimi all along, anyway) |
|
yep, one of each USN squadron http://hangardeckview.blogspot.com/ http://z15.invisionfree.com/Hangar_Deck_Re...dex.php?act=idx | |
![]() |
|
| Vladimir K. | Nov 7 2016, 12:29 PM Post #22 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I am no expert on Skyhawks, so I can't say anything about accuracy or comparison with Fujimi and whatnot, but the Airfix kit looks very nice, panel lines are relatively fine (much better than, say, on their Harrier) and it goes together really well - my nephew built one without any problems and he is rather a Little Johnny (yet). |
![]() |
|
| Vladimir K. | Nov 7 2016, 12:38 PM Post #23 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
As for F-86, I concur with Scott above. I built two and it's a nice kit. Too prominent panel lines and annoying problem with the canopy framing (it's far too thin, even the kit decals on "The Huff" don't fit onto it!), but otherwise a nice and simple kit. As for Fujimi, it has its advantages over Airfix (wheels for instance), but overall, it shows its age and for me, the build was quite unpleasant with many slight errors and inacuraccies which added up, eventually I gave up halfway through and gave it to my baby daughter to play with. |
![]() |
|
| Aaron_w | Nov 8 2016, 05:53 AM Post #24 |
|
Toady
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks, with a catalog as old and large as Airfix it gets hard to remember which are old and new, and which really hit the mark or fell short. It is unfortunate that they don't seem to have very good distribution in the US as they are priced right for causing me an impulse buy, if only I saw something other than the same handful (Spitfire, P51, Me109). I've had a heck of a time getting my mitts on the Wildcat. I finally found a place with some in stock and even they turned out to be backordered, a first for me with that vender who usually has a very reliable real time inventory. None of these are something I can't live without, but I will certainly keep my eye open. Also thanks to Mark for the heads up, now I'm wishing I had added the Hurricane to my last order. |
| Aaron Woods | |
![]() |
|
| keefr22 | Nov 8 2016, 10:27 AM Post #25 |
|
Who, me?
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
It also apparently has an incorrect tail fin having the same (shorter) one as in the original GR1 kit. Freightdog do a resin replacement if a couple of millimetres bother you! |
|
Keith Ryder Swansea UK 'A plan is vital, but is never more than a basis for change' | |
![]() |
|
| John Thompson | Nov 8 2016, 01:27 PM Post #26 |
|
Hero
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Likewise in Canada - I don't seriously expect ever to see a retooled Yak-9 from them, but I would, as you say, buy on impulse several of the non-VVS types which I don't want badly enough to mail-order, *if* I saw them on the LHS shelf. On the rare occasions when I do see Airfix stock, it's usually older and my guess is that it's been imported via Hannants, not through a local distributor. John |
| i cant brain today - i have the dumb | |
![]() |
|
| softscience | Nov 9 2016, 12:48 AM Post #27 |
![]()
Hero
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Why is Airfix so hard to find in the us? |
|
----------------------------------------------------------- Greetings from beautiful Maryland, Ralph K. | |
![]() |
|
| Mark Schynert | Nov 9 2016, 05:53 AM Post #28 |
|
Yeast
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Because they don't ship enough here. Sort of tautalogical, I guess, but our LHS gets shipments that might have one or two of some of the kits, and they never even hit the shelf, people are so eager to buy them. I've placed orders for about six since the great renaissance--it's been either that or order from Hannants (or if I'm lucky, Mark has what I want). |
![]() |
|
| Starfighter Decals | Nov 9 2016, 04:55 PM Post #29 |
|
Hero
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Why so hard? A few reasons.... 1) Poor distribution. 2) Terrible Discounts to wholesale accounts 3) Chronic shortages of products 4) Market Changes driven by the Internet 5) Poor Leadership at Hornby Ltd. I won't get into details on a public forum. Some of these issues are self inflicted, others are market driven. |
![]() |
|
| Flyboy72nd | Nov 9 2016, 05:48 PM Post #30 |
|
Hero
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
That's funny I was just in my LHS and the new stuff is on the shelf! US bomber supply set has been around for a week or two now, the He-111 is there, the JP3, got the new Whitley VII last week & he has a bunch of Me-109Es & P-51Ds on sale!! |
![]() Building something Canadian, Eh! Graham; to avoid confusion M., from Canada's Capital!! | |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z4.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)







7:22 PM Jul 11