Is there any way of distinguishing new-tooled Airfix kits from any ancient ones still on the shelf? Are there any visual hints on the box art, or text? Or is it to be found in the kit’s serial number? I don’t want to have to be cross-checking with Scale Mates every time I’m looking at an Airfix kit!
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Hi most of the new 72nd Airfix planes are in “red boxes” and sell from around $11-12 to $30. Heavy bombers may go $40 +. The moldings are very good, good decals, build well and look good when done and some go back 10 yrs or so now. Many 72nd Airfix kits are now sold as “vintage” old molds, box art from the older boxing and clearly say “vintage” on the box top and those moldings though done in the last couple years or even this year have new instructions and decals…the mold is old.
Some Airfix new mold 72nd planes and helo’s, odd scale cars, a couple 72nd/76th tanks and I think some scale ships are sold as “starter” sets…acrylic tubs of Humbrol paint, glue and a brush. Paint is decent, instructions and decals are good…the 72nd plane sets are newer molding. The other types of kits I do not new if new molds or old molds re-done.
I do not build Airfix 48th scale but I think the same applies…some kits are new molds in the last 10-12 years, any “vintage” mold says so on the box.
All the 72nd or 76th Airfix tank/vehicle kits I believe are old molds that are just in a new box, with new decals and instructions.
Airfix has several all new 35th offerings , their molds and are pretty nice. Also Airfix boxes Academy “clones” of 35th tanks that aren’t to bad, some better then others. Hope this is helpful. Mike
what Mike said. There are some old kits that are labelled airfix vintage I think…
Yeah. I just got, and am half finished, Airfix’s new-tool 1/72 Mosquito bomber. Certainly nowhere near the price of the sixties kit, but very well detailed and went together well, except for the wingroots, but with enough pressure and glue all was well - without the need for putty. I’m eyeing the Swordfish next and I want to make sure I get a good kit - not an ancient.
Here is an example of one that you can buy now but is very old (vintage classic is the marking):
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airfix-a01046v-fiat-g50--1396834
I don’t know how consistent they are about that.
Again since marked “vintage classic” for the Fiat G 50…the “mold” is old, the decals and instructions are new…the price is much more then when this kit was out late 1960’s early 70’s when I recall seeing it for the 1st time. Will it build into a G 50 yes…will it work maybe cause the mold is old. Even new Airfix Red Box 72nd planes need some TLC, but over all are real nice, imho. I really like the Widlcat they biought out 6-7 years ago now, their newish P-51D is decent a couple of the Spits to,there’s a newer Hurrican and Typhoon that are nice, and the more recent Me-109’s, early war and late are nice and so is the newer Me110. Mike.
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I’m only interested in newer Airfix 1/72 kits that no one else has done, ie; Special Hobby has a state-of-the-art Me 109; Edward has a really excellent Spitfire; and Armo’s Hurricanes are the best, they also have a Wildcat, Mustang, and Zero. New Airfix models that look good are the Beaufighter, Swordfish, and Gloster Gladiator. I don’t think anyone else has recent releases of those.
The airfix spit is an awesome kit.
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