Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

CLICK HERE to see new posts in last 24 hours
Mark all forums read
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:

Username:   Password:
Discontinued Airfix for 2017
Topic Started: Nov 2 2016, 06:20 PM (2,279 Views)
John Thompson
Member Avatar
Hero
[ * ]
Flyboy72nd,Nov 9 2016
05:48 PM
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!!

Yes, but where did he get them? From a distributor, or by ordering them directly from Airfix or even Hannants? That's what makes the difference - not all shop owners are willing to take the trouble to do that.

John
i cant brain today - i have the dumb
Goto Top
 
Flyboy72nd
Member Avatar
Hero
[ * ]
Not sure - reasonably sure it is a distributor. Highly doubt he orders from Hannants, there is a slight chance he gets them direct from Airfix, but next time I'm in the store I will ask.
Posted Image

Building something Canadian, Eh! Graham; to avoid confusion M., from Canada's Capital!!
Goto Top
 
Starfighter Decals
Hero
[ * ]
If I were to guess where the Hobby Shop got them, it was direct. How do I know this? Pre-orders made from North American customers on the Airfix web site are flown in by air freight from the UK when the kits are released and shipped from Hornby USA. One of the changes made in 2016 by Hornby that, let's just say, isn't going over very well with their US Distribution outlets.

I have a story, but not for public consumption, about this. :angry:
Goto Top
 
dknights
Member Avatar
The court of LAST RESORT!
[ * ]
I talked to my LHS. He said that he gets Airfix cheaper from third party distributors than from Hornby USA.
David M. Knights
Fortes fortuna adiuvat

14 Finished: Special Armor V-2, Airfix P-51
15 Finished: SBS Gladiator engine
16 Finished: Brengun C2 Wasserfall, Merit SS-N-2 Styx, World's smallest diorama, Airfix Hurricane.
17 Finished: Japanese Carrier Deck, Belcher SS-4, Italeri AB41, PLAN Type 039A (not 72nd scale)
18 Finished: NONE
The bench:Platz T-33, Trump. T-34/85, Meng F-106, Airfix P-51 #2, Airfix P-40
Revell MiG-21F-13, Ace Citroen V-11
Goto Top
 
Starfighter Decals
Hero
[ * ]
dknights,Nov 11 2016
10:00 PM
I talked to my LHS. He said that he gets Airfix cheaper from third party distributors than from Hornby USA.

That's interesting. Hornby tells me that are suppose to be the only distributor for North America for Hornby items.

In this day and age, nothing surprises me anymore. Back in the late 80's early '90s it was Marco Polo who claimed of be the sole imported of Hasegawa and Fujimi to name a few. Yet, some did get them direct.

Just a crazy, mixed up, upside down world at times.
Goto Top
 
stimpy
Member Avatar
Is It Safe?..... Nope
[ * ]
Yes, one can shop around the USA online and obtain Airfix at much lower prices than directly from Hornby which suggests some sellers are obtaining them direct from India or other source. I certainly have managed to buy some Airfix at prices that have astounded me, for instance Lancaster B.II at $20 each, a Whitley from Europe with postage that is cheaper than buying in the USA.... and so on. It really does pay to shop around and highlights a weird Global price setting and cost point.

I am always amazed at being able to get a kit from China or Japan with postage that is less than paying USPS for the kit from a US store.

That will all change now that President elect-Fucwit has suggested leveling an import tax of up to 35%...... really, that's gonna be a real kick in the arse for anyone buying anything, I seem to recall the USA doesn't really produce anything much these days........ stop it, stop it, off topic!
No more plastic
Goto Top
 
InchHigh
Member Avatar
It's a good day to build.
[ * ]
stimpy,Nov 12 2016
10:43 AM
........ stop it, stop it, off topic!

Yes, please, please, not here! Don't start it.
Jeff

Time spent modeling is not deducted from your lifespan.

I spent most of my money on beer and women. The rest of it I just wasted.
Goto Top
 
dixieflyer
Member Avatar
Hero
[ * ]
InchHigh,Nov 12 2016
09:52 AM
Yes, please, please, not here! Don't start it.

Annnnnd, there it is. I knew it was coming.

Warren
"History is the lie we all agree upon."
Goto Top
 
Starfighter Decals
Hero
[ * ]
stimpy,Nov 12 2016
11:43 AM
Yes, one can shop around the USA online and obtain Airfix at much lower prices than directly from Hornby which suggests some sellers are obtaining them direct from India or other source. I certainly have managed to buy some Airfix at prices that have astounded me, for instance Lancaster B.II at $20 each, a Whitley from Europe with postage that is cheaper than buying in the USA.... and so on. It really does pay to shop around and highlights a weird Global price setting and cost point.


We are comparing apples to oranges. Retail vs wholesale pricing and availability.

The question was why are Airfix kits so hard to find in the USA. I pointed out a major factor is the distribution problem, not the cost of the kits at the retail level. I do realize in a Global Economy with inexpensive world wide shipping from some SE Asia countries, it is cheaper to purchase items at their retail prices and have them shipped to the USA at near or below US Wholesale prices because of the tax laws and polices of the respective countries. These same policies do cause indirectly to many of the problems of obtaining and the cost of certain Kits and supplies here in the USA (and US Goods overseas as well BTW). The "Gray Market" is a bigger problem now, more than ever.

This "new" way of business is changing our hobby in many ways. MMD's troubles, Lack of Brick and Mortar Hobby Shops, International Companies having distribution troubles can place many of the root causes to the Price Wars of Internet Retailers and the , let's say "interesting" solutions Governments have put into place due to these changes.
Goto Top
 
Flyboy72nd
Member Avatar
Hero
[ * ]
John Thompson,Nov 9 2016
06:37 PM
Yes, but where did he get them? From a distributor, or by ordering them directly from Airfix or even Hannants? That's what makes the difference - not all shop owners are willing to take the trouble to do that.

John

I asked today and was told he gets his Airfix from a Canadian distributor.
Posted Image

Building something Canadian, Eh! Graham; to avoid confusion M., from Canada's Capital!!
Goto Top
 
airjiml2
Member Avatar
Beast
[ * ]
Flyboy72nd,Nov 14 2016
05:31 PM
I asked today and was told he gets his Airfix from a Canadian distributor.

Probably P.M. Hansen who I believe are Airfix's distributor in Canada.

Jim
Goto Top
 
Flyboy72nd
Member Avatar
Hero
[ * ]
Good detective work, do you know where he gets his stock from?
Posted Image

Building something Canadian, Eh! Graham; to avoid confusion M., from Canada's Capital!!
Goto Top
 
mat
Newbie
[ * ]
Warning don't go overboard buying the AIRFIX xix it has a LOT of problems. I bought 6 before realising not only is the wing to far forward like on the IXc and their 109 (oddly the drawing of the 109 is spot on in the stencil instructions and in scale too), but the fuselage is too short (people that have made to many CMR and AZ IXs said the AIRFIX IX was too long but is fine) if it has to be AIRFIX then you need to kit bash the IX fuselage with the XIX nose adding a shim - oh and scribe all the relevant lines and drill the camera (you need to do this on the xix kit anyway as it's in the wrong place)
Whoops sorry that's a bit jumbled. I'll be kit bashing Eduard XVIs and Ventura griffons for my II AC Sqn XIXs and XIVs
Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Fully Featured & Customizable Free Forums
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »