Airfix tank kits

ScatPack said:
So MegaHobby is having an Airfix tank kit sale. My question is are these kits any good?
Click to expand...
I have not built an Airfix tank kit yet but the aircraft kits are good kits. I've not had any problems with them.
This is a decent overview of their kits.

"Airfix tank model kits offer a range of experiences for modelers, from beginner-friendly to more challenging builds, depending on the specific kit and era. Some older kits may have inaccuracies or softer detail, while newer releases tend to have better detail and fit. Overall, Airfix kits are known for their affordability and can be a good option for those looking for a fun and relatively inexpensive build, especially if they are not aiming for top-tier accuracy."

Pros and Cons of Airfix Tank Kits:

PROS:
  • Affordable:
    Airfix kits are often priced lower than some other brands, making them accessible to a wider range of modelers.

  • Variety of subjects:
    Airfix offers a wide range of tank subjects, including popular choices like the Tiger I and Cromwell.

  • Beginner-friendly:
    Some Airfix kits, particularly older ones, are known for being relatively straightforward to build, making them suitable for beginners.

  • Fun builds:
    Many modelers find Airfix kits enjoyable to build, especially if they are not overly concerned with historical accuracy.
CONS:
  • Potential for inaccuracies: Some older Airfix kits have inaccuracies in detail or dimensions.

  • Softer detail: Detail in older kits may not be as crisp as in newer, more modern kits.

  • Fit issues: Some older kits may have fit issues, requiring extra care and potentially filling or sanding.

  • Limited modern features: Some kits may lack features like photo-etched parts or link-and-length tracks found in other brands
 
Last edited:
Last time I ever touched an Airfix kit was over 40 years ago and it was a very negative thing. I have heard from many sources that the company has turned things around and their newer stuff is very nice.

Those two statements seem to align pretty well with what Tim posted. I also think that is true for most manufacturers, Tamiya kits from the 1970s are nowhere near as nice as the newest ones.
 
The important thing here is: which Airfix tank kits? The 1:76 scale kits they released from the late 1960s on, or the 1:35 scale kits they began releasing a few years ago? The former range from "OK" to "better leave on the shop shelf", AFAIK, while the latter are good to pretty good. The early 1:35 scale releases are reboxed Academy ones, BTW.
 
The only 'actual' Airfix kits in 1/35 are the Austin K2/Y Ambulance, the WWII British Army 30-cwt 4x2 GS Truck, The Ferret Scout car and (when it's released) the Alvis FV622 Stalwart Mk.2. All the rest (new in the red boxes) are Academy kits - most of which I've heard, seem to be nice kits, if a little old.

There are some really old 1/35 kits from the 60s/70s ish era that are also repops, but they won't be in red boxes.
 
That is definitely an Academy rebox. If you want an accurate Tiger, buy one by Dragon or Takom or someone, but those will be a lot more expensive and more involved to build.
 
Jakko said:
That is definitely an Academy rebox. If you want an accurate Tiger, buy one by Dragon or Takom or someone, but those will be a lot more expensive and more involved to build.
Click to expand...
Yes but who would really know what's accurate or not?
I don't give a toss about being super accurate because
A. I build for my enjoyment.
B. No one I know would know what's accurate or not.
C. I build for my enjoyment.
D. If in doubt, refer to A and C
 
I'm woth locomotive. I just didn't want to spend the money on something that was a total P.O.S. Accuracy isn't all that important. When I do build it, it'll be like the 2nd one I've built since the 1980's lol.
 
The kit you've picked will be fine. It's not an engineering prototype you're building.
It's a pastime, a hobby, a craft, an art, self expression even.
Enjoy it.
Maybe even paint it pink like some other lunatic….?
 
locomotive said:
Yes but who would really know what's accurate or not?
Click to expand...
You would. Other people who see it when you post it online would, too.

locomotive said:
A. I build for my enjoyment.
B. No one I know would know what's accurate or not.
C. I build for my enjoyment.
D. If in doubt, refer to A and C
Click to expand...
A and C (and therefore D) are non-arguments: I build for my enjoyment too, and part of that enjoyment for me is trying to make an accurate replica of the real thing. If that's not your goal, fine, it's your model, so you should build it the way you want to — but it's better to not presume other people build models with the same goals in mind as you have. Some/many do want to know that a kit isn't particularly accurate even if they "only" build them for themselves.

For that matter, B is a non-argument as well: if you're not building for anybody's enjoyment but your own, it doesn't matter who you know that might comment on accuracy.
 
ScatPack said:
So MegaHobby is having an Airfix tank kit sale. My question is are these kits any good?
Click to expand...
All of the Airfix 1/35 armor kits are reboxed Academy kits. Most are decent, but they are nothing like modern armor kits. That being said, they are not priced like modern armor kits.

The few exceptions are the K2Y trucks, Cromwells, Stalwart, Ferret. These are new tools by Airfix. Possibly they are still made for them by Academy, but they are new tools none the less.
 
Because I design models and put a huge amount of my effort into researching things and trying to make the kit look as accurate as possible,
I cannot look at a model any more and not nit-pick it to death.
I do my best to restrain myself when it comes to commenting online, but sometimes it slips out.
So yes, accuracy in a design is not only important, it's something model companies have had to deal with for decades.

But...if it's not important to you(the builder) then the kit should at least be buildable.
Part fit is in my opinion what makes the build enjoyable or not*.
(*notwithstanding the personal satisfaction of the hobby itself and the subject matter).

But...but...having said that, I cringed when I read the criticisms of "old vs new".
I built Frog and Airfix kits in the 60s, then MPC, AMT and Monogram kits in the 1970s.
They were often poor at best (re part fit and quality, detail, etc) but they were perfect, I loved them!
It's what we had, it was in many cases the best we had, and we loved buying them, building them, bashing them.

Stop calling them out for what they were, admit they were the originals, and they taught you what you know today.
I love the fact that companies like Airfix still have these models and haven't touched them.
If you want to spend three times the price for a more technically accurate model, go ahead.
Same goes for a better fit model.
Although I don't know why they have to be as expensive as they are, look at what Meng puts out for half the price!
 


Write your reply...

Similar threads

AKRoast
Takom Chieftain tank tracks
Replies
18
Views
563
Edbert
Edbert
R
German WW11 battle tank KO'd
Replies
2
Views
154
robin bird
R
M
M2A1 Medium Tank 1/72 EMP3D
Replies
7
Views
192
Jakko
Jakko
Rimmer
Gekko 1/35 Cruiser Tank mk.II (A10)
Replies
10
Views
242
locomotive
locomotive
Pantherman
Airfix 1/72 German reconnaissance set
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
JUG
JUG

Latest posts

Back
Top