Kit technology has come on leaps and bounds and modellers now have far higher expectations. But there's something comforting about building a classic kit and I really do recommend it just to see the difference. As it happens, leaving aside that the transparencies are terrible, there isn't that much wrong with them. These two Airfix beauties above scrubbed up really well, and in fact, I would go as far as saying they're better than some of the modern ones. The modern Revell Lancaster from 1994 isn't nearly as good as this Halifax in terms of surface texture. The Halifax has all the rivets and imperfections.
As to the Sunderland, the finer features are a bit rough, but again, the riveted fuselage makes for a super accurate finish that's incredibly well suited to heavy weathering. Where the Sundy is concerned, there's no such thing as too much weathering.
Both these builds were relative easy with no major problems. The interiors are limited but there's even less point going to town on the interior on 1:72 kits than some 1:48 bombers. The Sunderland has issues with misshapen windows, and this photo makes it look better than it actually is, but in both cases I got a respectable build.
With Airfix being a long established company with an incredibly diverse range there is a major variance in quality and some are absolute stinkers. I recently built the 1:48 Hawker Fury biplane which, though produced in 1980, it feels far earlier than that. It's one of the few kits I haven't been able to bash into a respectable shape. And then there's the 1:48 Etendard IVP, which is absolutely fine but underwhelming in every respect. The Mosquito FB VI isn't up to much either. It's featureless and clunky.
That said, there's the English Electric Lightning and Canberra in 1:48, both of which are fantastic kits although they're not that old in kit terms. 1995 onwards is what I call new when recessed panel lines became the norm.
Due to budget constraints I have not yet had the pleasure of building many of the much newer Airfix kits but I have bashed out a couple of the 1:72 Jet Provost which is a lovely little kit with superb decals. If that's the standard Airfix is hitting these days then they still have a future in this game. The newly released Handley Page Victor looks amazing and I will, one day, get round to doing the Airfix Shackleton. When it comes down to it, Airfix will always be king of 1:72 scale. Revell are great across all scales but when it comes to 1:72 aircraft the crown belongs to Airfix.
As much as I love their kits, there's also a lot to be said for the box art. Probably one of the most overlooked popular culture genres of art, known by nearly all men of a certain age, is Airfix box art, particularly pre-1980. It's good to see them reviving the traditions.
Thankfully, Airfix are maintaining a classics range, republishing some of their famously awful efforts, but that much is understood in the unwritten contract. It's part nostalgia, and part frugality. The older ones are much cheaper and with so many after market parts around, they make for nice little diversions. Particularly the 1:24 warbirds. I just wish they'd re-release the 1:48 Buccaneer, even though it's one of their all time worst. I've built four of them and will happily do another.
If memory serves, the Airfix Lancaster isn't a bad kit, and some of the 1:48 monoplane fighters are easily comparable with Tamiya. When they're good, they're up there with the best. That's why Airfix is synonymous with modelling as an endeavour - and long may it be the case.
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