I have heard that the older Airfix 1/48 Aircraft leave a lot to be desired, but what about their new releases. Are the new ones pretty accurate? Do they have raised or recessed panel lines? If anyone can give me someadvice before I buy it would be appreciated.

We gotta stop meeting like this


Airfix's 1/48 aircraft kits were top of the line when they started coming out in the late 1970's, especially their Hurricane and Bf 109F. Even their Spitfire, Stuka and Hawker Fury biplane were pretty good, and the Spitfire has gotten a new lease on life in recent months with the Seafire I/II/III release based on the Mk. V.

And for a Sea Harrier, Airfix is still the only 1/48 game in town except for conversions.

In today's terms, all of those 1/48 kits in their original form are a bit clunky in the interior detail arena when stacked next to comparable Hasegawa and Tamiya kits. Some of the exterior details are still 1970's state-of-the-art. But the outlines were generally accurate, panel lines were a mixed of delicate raised and recessed detail, and they can be found a lot cheaper sometimes that the Tamiya and Hasegawa counterparts.

I personally think the Hurricane and Spit still stack up pretty well with a bit of work and new decals.


HTH

How does airfix stand up to the old revell-monagram or matchbox aircraft?? You see airfix on E-bay and they are always dirt cheap. Are they really that bad??

Airfix had a huge lilne of 1/72 aircraft, often producing the only models in any scale of obscure aircraft. Many still are the only ever kits. Unfortunately, many of the molds date back to the early 1960's. Interiors often consist of a seat and a poorly detailed pilot. Exteriors are rivet heaven. Glazing is almost too thick to see through and heavily distorted. Many of the more popular molds were picked up (or used) by MPC in the mid 70's on in their three in one markings releases. Many of the larger offerings had moving control panels. They need a lot of cleanup to meet today's standards. Some kits aren't worth even looking at, such as the Corsair. The Matchbox kits aren't terrible but almost all have Grand Cayon panel lines. Again, they lack any interior detail other than a pilot. Again, many of these have been for many years the only 1/72 scale releases of many of these aircraft.

Well, it seems that you have a good fix on aircraft questions that I might have. I guess I can just PM you instead. But I wouldn't get rank points

ANyways thanks for the info. I guess right now I will steer clear of Airfixunless I run across one of those Spit's.

Thanks

Damn, I almost forgot the 1/48 Airfix Mosquito FB VI -- now it's not quite Tamiya but it's a pretty good kit and a good value too.