I built the old Revell Memphis Belle back in the early 80s, this one looks a million times better! The Airfix instructions do seem to be much clearer than the Revell.
From what I've seen of the older toolings that doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is how much progress manufacturers have been able to make in the last 10 or so years. I think of a kit from 2010 as fairly new but they're starting to show their age compared with the latest with kits from the likes of Eduard and Arma Hobby. I'll be really interested to see how good Airfix's Liberator is compared to the Hasegawa one.
I have to say, both kits are extremely good with the Airfix offering coming out ahead with the comprehensive and very easy to follow, detailed instructions. A couple of things I think are better on the Revell B 17 are the engines, to me, more representative and detailed than the Airfix kit and the nostalgic 'silver' plastic Revell used on this one, reminds me of an Airfix B 25 I made waaaay back in my early model years (I think I was around 10 at the time, still a LOT to learn at that early stage!). Very good idea to compare the two similar kits, you give the modeller a pretty good idea what strengths and weaknesses are in both offerings. Something to note: The Revell kit is tooled in such a way they can produce the F and early G, the Airfix is specifically for the late G with staggered waist gun positions.
@@baanibarnes9711 I completely agree. They're very hard to split. Instructions are clearer on the Airfix kit but the options that the Revell kit offers puts them pretty neck and neck. Much like the B24 kit, the Revell one is only partially complete. I've built the Airfix one before and I love it! I built that old Airfix B-25 back in the day too 😃👍🏻
I do enjoy Airfix WWII plane kits, Revell's build up nice as well but Airfix has a good price point for their range. The academy Kits are nice too and their version Memphis has the double set of props you can use on other 1/72 kits that you may have broken or lost. Saved a 35 year old B-25 Mitchell using them even if slightly incorrect but painted up they do the job lol.
Revel seems to be trying to up their game. However, they still just re-box the majority of their old kits. They need someone in management to step up and say enough is enough. There needs to be a major update in their molds.
I completely agree. I like how Airfix have launched a 'vintage classics range' so you know that you're buying an old kit. I've been caught out a few times buying a brand new kit only to find it's an old Matchbox kit from the 70's reboxed!
Hopefully not put in "Incorrect" recessed panel lines like a buncha dolts think is accurate. Revell kits are just fine and are one of the few that actually look like the real deal when the panel lines are sanded slightly to look like the real deal. Scale up your recessed panel lines and see if they don't fall apart with the 6 inch gaps between the panels.
Im British and grew up building Airfix. Its probably this that makes me bias, but I never liked the build instructions Revell supply, they look like photo copies of a photo copy to me, over jumbled and easily confused. Even old Airfix ist that bad but the modern colour Manuals are a pleasure.
I completely agree! Revell's new NEW colour instructions are really nice but they seem to be producing very little new stuff these days. Despite their faults with some fit issues I'm really likely Airfix's stuff at the moment. I can't wait for the new Liberator!
I've built both and there's no mystery in either of them. Both go together well and the included instructions are easy enough for my 8 year old Nephew to have built a number of kits from both brands. I like Airfix for their pricing over any other WWII Airplane model makers, though Eduard are some sweet kits.
Weird that I literally searched this question yesterday but your video hadn't yet released! I am about to do a B-17G in 1/72 and wasn't sure which was the better kit to use. I already have the Airfix kit but i didn't want to start building if i thought the Revell one might be a better option. It seems that there isn't much in it, almost like Airfix just looked at the way that Revell had tooled their new mold and just made their own copy with some minor changes. Some people say that the nose glazing is not quite right on the Revell kit and looks better on the Airfix? Though this might not apply to the 'F' model you have as it has different glazing options to the 'G'. Some also suggest that the panel lines are a little too deep on the Revell version? I'm not that keen on the panel lines on either of them as i find they are sometimes too deep and wide for scale and some have large valleys where on the real aircraft it is a simple lap joint. One other point was that the wing is too fat in profile (looking front on) on the Revell version and is not right for scale? It will be interesting to see both aircraft side by side to compare as you go along and perhaps side by side when finished.
It’ll also depend on whether you want to do an early or late version ‘G’, the revell is an early G, with the airfix a late. Basically if it was in olive drabb/green it’s an early B-17G, if it’s aluminium it’s a late B-17G. Differences will be the rear gunner position is different, plus the waist gunners positions - one version they are in line left and right, the other version they are staggered.
The only advantages that the Revell kit has is the option of having the flaps down and the F option with Memphis Belle decals. Otherwise the Airfix kit is definitely the better choice
I don't have it either. I'm just going to order the box set when it comes out on DVD. A bit old school I know but it'll be one I probably watch multiple times.
I built the old Revell Memphis Belle back in the early 80s, this one looks a million times better! The Airfix instructions do seem to be much clearer than the Revell.
@@ScreamingLordStokes Oh wow, yeah this one is a totally different kit.
I built the original Revell 1/72 Memphis Belle many moons ago when a lot younger. This is one hell of a step up from that.
From what I've seen of the older toolings that doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is how much progress manufacturers have been able to make in the last 10 or so years. I think of a kit from 2010 as fairly new but they're starting to show their age compared with the latest with kits from the likes of Eduard and Arma Hobby. I'll be really interested to see how good Airfix's Liberator is compared to the Hasegawa one.
I have just ordered the Revell one today ready to start on the 26th
Ah nice!
I have to say, both kits are extremely good with the Airfix offering coming out ahead with the comprehensive and very easy to follow, detailed instructions. A couple of things I think are better on the Revell B 17 are the engines, to me, more representative and detailed than the Airfix kit and the nostalgic 'silver' plastic Revell used on this one, reminds me of an Airfix B 25 I made waaaay back in my early model years (I think I was around 10 at the time, still a LOT to learn at that early stage!). Very good idea to compare the two similar kits, you give the modeller a pretty good idea what strengths and weaknesses are in both offerings. Something to note: The Revell kit is tooled in such a way they can produce the F and early G, the Airfix is specifically for the late G with staggered waist gun positions.
@@baanibarnes9711 I completely agree. They're very hard to split. Instructions are clearer on the Airfix kit but the options that the Revell kit offers puts them pretty neck and neck. Much like the B24 kit, the Revell one is only partially complete. I've built the Airfix one before and I love it! I built that old Airfix B-25 back in the day too 😃👍🏻
@@The_Male_ModellerI, too built the Airfix B25 Mitchell - silver plastic, blue instructions, lots of rivets!
@@ScreamingLordStokes Ah yeah, I built that Mitchell too! I love their new tool one though. That's a lovely little kit
I do enjoy Airfix WWII plane kits, Revell's build up nice as well but Airfix has a good price point for their range. The academy Kits are nice too and their version Memphis has the double set of props you can use on other 1/72 kits that you may have broken or lost. Saved a 35 year old B-25 Mitchell using them even if slightly incorrect but painted up they do the job lol.
Gotta love a spares repairs box! Great for dioramas too 😃👍 I agree, I think in 1/72 Airfix are pretty solid with their WW2 range.
Revel seems to be trying to up their game. However, they still just re-box the majority of their old kits. They need someone in management to step up and say enough is enough. There needs to be a major update in their molds.
I completely agree. I like how Airfix have launched a 'vintage classics range' so you know that you're buying an old kit. I've been caught out a few times buying a brand new kit only to find it's an old Matchbox kit from the 70's reboxed!
Hopefully not put in "Incorrect" recessed panel lines like a buncha dolts think is accurate. Revell kits are just fine and are one of the few that actually look like the real deal when the panel lines are sanded slightly to look like the real deal. Scale up your recessed panel lines and see if they don't fall apart with the 6 inch gaps between the panels.
revell and airfix actually came out SIX years apart, so not really "about at the same time"
Both kits omitted pitot tubes. Kind of a screw up.
Im British and grew up building Airfix. Its probably this that makes me bias, but I never liked the build instructions Revell supply, they look like photo copies of a photo copy to me, over jumbled and easily confused. Even old Airfix ist that bad but the modern colour Manuals are a pleasure.
I completely agree! Revell's new NEW colour instructions are really nice but they seem to be producing very little new stuff these days. Despite their faults with some fit issues I'm really likely Airfix's stuff at the moment. I can't wait for the new Liberator!
I've built both and there's no mystery in either of them. Both go together well and the included instructions are easy enough for my 8 year old Nephew to have built a number of kits from both brands. I like Airfix for their pricing over any other WWII Airplane model makers, though Eduard are some sweet kits.
Weird that I literally searched this question yesterday but your video hadn't yet released! I am about to do a B-17G in 1/72 and wasn't sure which was the better kit to use. I already have the Airfix kit but i didn't want to start building if i thought the Revell one might be a better option. It seems that there isn't much in it, almost like Airfix just looked at the way that Revell had tooled their new mold and just made their own copy with some minor changes. Some people say that the nose glazing is not quite right on the Revell kit and looks better on the Airfix? Though this might not apply to the 'F' model you have as it has different glazing options to the 'G'. Some also suggest that the panel lines are a little too deep on the Revell version? I'm not that keen on the panel lines on either of them as i find they are sometimes too deep and wide for scale and some have large valleys where on the real aircraft it is a simple lap joint. One other point was that the wing is too fat in profile (looking front on) on the Revell version and is not right for scale? It will be interesting to see both aircraft side by side to compare as you go along and perhaps side by side when finished.
It’ll also depend on whether you want to do an early or late version ‘G’, the revell is an early G, with the airfix a late. Basically if it was in olive drabb/green it’s an early B-17G, if it’s aluminium it’s a late B-17G. Differences will be the rear gunner position is different, plus the waist gunners positions - one version they are in line left and right, the other version they are staggered.
I'm American and I'd buy the Airfix without even a glance at Revell.
The only advantages that the Revell kit has is the option of having the flaps down and the F option with Memphis Belle decals. Otherwise the Airfix kit is definitely the better choice
I don't have Apple TV. So does this mean I can't watch the mini series?
I dont either. I'll just wait until it comes on another app.
I don't have it either. I'm just going to order the box set when it comes out on DVD. A bit old school I know but it'll be one I probably watch multiple times.
@@The_Male_Modeller I might too. It'll go good with my DVDs of Band of brothers and The Pacific
What about Academy models?
They're really good in my opinion. I've built 2 but I didn't have an unbuilt one in the stash.
Master blasters?🤣
Jman