Arguably, it was Airfix who started it all, therefore it seems to be appropriate to begin this series of reports from the Nuremberg Trade fair with them

Only a year ago, it seemed that time had caught up with Airfix. Dragged into virtual bankruptcy through the mismanagement of another company, the future looked very bleak indeed.

However, with to the acquisition of the company by Hornby, a new dynamic seems to have entered the company - with a series of new releases which are already showing some serious investment.

While I was in Nuremberg, I was fortunate enough to talk to one of the company's senior people and the impression I got was of a quiet but positive optimism for the company's future.

The reality is that few companies can survive without an other 'arm' to ensure continued investment in models. In the case of Dragon, much of their success was due to the 1/6th scale figures which ensured that investment was available for both Armor and Aviation models. In the case of Airfix, they are using a series of TV 'tie-ins' to ensure the future of the company. Two very popular TV shows (Doctor Who and Shaun the Sheep) have licenced Airfix to produce a series iof themed models. As both of these shows have acheived good ratings, it's likely that Airfix will also benefit considerably.

This year, for virtually the first time in the company's history, they have money for around a DOZEN new mouldings. In previous years the company was fortunate to do a couple...

Airfix - Aviation Releases

Five new releases are listed for release in 1/48th scale:

A10101 - English Electric Canberra B.2/B20

A10102 - English Electric Canberra B(I) 8

A10103 - English Electric Canberra PR.9

A10104 - Martin B-57B Canberra

A10105 - TSR2

Of the Canberras, the first will be available in March 2008, with the remainder coming thru at roughly 2/3 month intervals.

In 1/72nd Scale, for a rank amateur such as myself, it's a little more difficult sorting out the actual new against re-issues so i'll list what's OBVIOUSLY new:

A05036 - Horsa Glider

(Nº ?) - DH Mosquito

A05008 - Fokker F-27 Friendship

(Nº ?) BAe Nimrod MR.1/MR.2/MR2P/R.1

Penultimately, the BIG (literally) news comes in 1/24th scale with:

(Nº ?) DH Mosquito

ALL of the 1/24th scale aircraft are being re-issued and all now include an electric motor with battery box in the display stand...

Finally, for those who enjoy working with aviation dioramas, the three sets of airfield vehicles in 1/72nd scale are also listed:

RAF Refuelling Set

RAF Emergency Set

RAF Recovery Set

Also available will be:

A03380 - RAF Control Tower

Regarding another branch of the process - Humbrol Paints, they are expanding their range of acrylics and continuing with the enamel range.

My thanks to Airfix Ltd's representative in Nuremberg for help in compilng this report.