You should build an Airfix kit at least once in your life it will keep your brain working
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- Опубліковано 17 лют 2024
- It is no secret I love Airfix kits, but is it just old man nostalgia pining for the days gone bye as seen through rose tinted glasses? I don't think so because it will keep your brain working and that's a good thing. I explain all that and why you should build an Airfix Kit at least once in your life in this video chat.
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Here's the thing about Airfix from my 68 year old perspective. No one else had the selection of choices that Airfix had. Airfix kits were ubiquitous and readily available, even to someone whose allowance often consisted of finding loose change in street gutters. As an aircraft buff from an early age, I loved the fact that I could have some of my favorite planes in miniature. As I grew into my teens, I discovered Scale Modeler magazine and what other builders were doing with their kits. Wow, you can make these kits more accurate, or wow, you can convert them into different versions. Of course my early efforts were crude at best and more than a couple were never completed. But the entire time, I was honing those modeling skills. Like most of us, I pulled away from the hobby in my young and dumb and full of ...... years, but when I returned, I resolved to getting better and doing some of this scratch building and converting.
Airfix (as well as other models of that era) are great examples of kits that can be used to create much better results than the original kit provides. I started by learning to improve cockpits and then moved on to using parts of different kits to get a result I was after. I still have an Otaki 48 scale F4U Corsair with a scratch built interior that uses parts from Monogram and Hasegawa to improve the kit.
So where does this leave me today? Well I am not afraid to tackle nearly any kit, even the short release kits that require extraordinary effort to build. Why? Because of the variety it provides me. Nearly everything I build now, is used as an opportunity to improve the kit. I have a Lockheed Hudson I just finished, (on Imodeler.com), that started as a 1963 release Airfix 1/72 Hudson I. It needed quite a bit of improvement (in my opinion), but it's done now and I love having it on my display shelf. The only other choice for a Hudson is the MPM / Revell / Italeri release which also requires a lot of work.
So the best reason to learn modeling skills, in my opinion, is that it opens up a world of choices in model kits, and gives me more opportunities to get better. Airfix kits (and other manufacturer's kits) provide this medium. And I don't have to get too upset if something isn't perfect (as long as I don't spend a fortune on the kit).
You have quite a bit to say about this Carl… have you thought of starting your own UA-cam channel?
@@HarryHoudiniModels, I sort of have one already, Clipper Scale Models, but only one video so far. I have been struggling with getting good (and usable) video footage so temporarily the channel is on hold. I may put the Hudson build up, but it will also be a photo slideshow video.
Modern Airfix is right up with Tamiya standard. It helps with their Vintage Classic range of kits if you have a bit of nostalgia for them. Although I'd say modern sanding sticks, fillers and cements make the building process much easier than I remember it. I recently built the Airfix Sepecat Jaguar from 1994 release. You have to wrangle it together but it's one of my favourite builds because of the extra effort involved. I'm not sure how much it improved my brain though...I still wander into rooms and then wonder why I went there.
Ah the onset of Craft disease… Can’t Remember A Flipping Thing!
For me as someone from the 70's it was airfix, matchbox and revell, for planes and tanks and of course soldiers.
Nostalgia and basic skills gained from fiddling with those oldies aside, thank god those times are gone
@Rene I did have some German infantry from Airfix back in the 60’s… my Dad made us a board game so my brother and I could play with them
@@HarryHoudiniModels now that’s a fantastic flashback. Dads making toys or games for their kids to play and learn. Used to be a common thing for crafty dads. 👍🏻
I'm 63 years old this May and I have so many Airfix plane kits to build I'm going to be building (happily) for years. And yes, I too can remember the bad (good) old days when you had to work to make something look correct and I think that's what's kept me coming back to model building.
Thanks guys… I do get a bit nostalgic with these kits, but it’s my channel, so I can do as I please ;)
Woolies in UK in the 70s wonderland❤❤❤❤
Yes it was great to go grocery shopping with Mom and grab a kit on the way though. Those were the days Tony :)
l,m 70 so l remember when decals were called transfers and tubes of glue were bulky things you used to have to pierce with a pin . Airfix were the best with Revell , Monogram and Frog models favourites way back then . Good video Harry . Nothing like a trip down memory lane for us old codgers . Take care . Look forward to the next .
Memory Lane is where I live matey.. thanks for commenting
First kit I built entirely by myself, in 1971, when I was eight, was the Airfix Supermarine Walrus. A biplane amphibian, with a pusher engine. I had seen one in a book, and it's sheer weirdness blew me away. I saw that my local newsagent had an Airfix kit of one, and mum advanced me next week's pocket money to buy it.
I made it on the dinner table, on top of several layers of old newspapers. Prior to that, if I was given a kit as a birthday or Christmas gift, mum or dad would have made it. If it was an Airfix 1/32 scale car kit, I might get a glance at the box, and dad would pounce on it - I remember him making the then modern Jaguar saloon: he obviously enjoyed making it, because he took ages over it, telling me that it would be ready 'soon'. He was good at them, too. It did mean though, I dreaded getting car kits, as I'd never get a look in. (Similar to Scalextric slot cars - my brother and I got a set one Christmas, but it took dad, an uncle, and the bloke from over the road two days to make sure it was 'safe'.)
The Walrus went together beautifully, and I even managed to leave the propeller free, so it spun round when I blew on it.
I have two now. One which will stay in it's original box, and a slightly more recent one, which I want to paint in pre war colours.
But you are correct. Airfix kits could be thrown together in an hour or so, but if you put a bit of work in, you'd get something really nice to display. The only classic Airfix aircraft I can never recall building, is the little FIAT G91-R jet. I don't know why, but seeing some of the schemes it comes in, I think I should find one.
Never that keen on Revell kits, other than their WW1 fighters, some of which were very good indeed.
Even those tossed together in one hours builds seemed great back then… especially the ones with glue fingerprints all over them hehe
In the 60s and 70s I grew up with Airfix and Matchbox. My Matchbox videos ( as Revell have re-poppped them, well the armour) are my most viewed videos. I am happily buying and building the vintage classis range from Airfix at present as it gives me so much nostalgia.👍👍😉
I will have to drop over and have a look
Your discussion on the development of modelling from crude balsa through the explosion of detail in the 70’s and 80’s then doldrums of the 90’s to the near “perfection” of today, you’re chronicling the changes in generations. And expectation.
Older generations had to exercise imagination in play and entertainment.
Current generations demand instant gratification, ‘virtual reality’ and external cognitive stimulation. In short, they can’t imagine and I do wonder if many can think, too, without instructions.
Controversial? Demeaning? Wrong? Time will tell.
But your message on cognitive exercise in later years is absolutely correct to the finest detail. Having 3 parents (joys of no-fault divorce) decline in care homes was painful to watch.
Takeaway: Airfix or not, keep those little grey cells active as Hecule Poirot would suggest, too! 😉
Yes Beniah, I had to watch both my parents mental abilities decline to the point where they did not even know who I was. It is a very sad thing to experience. Thanks for sharing your story.
I'm a returning modeller from 35+ years off. I much prefer the building of the Airfix kits. Tweaking and making things fit
A kindred spirit… good on you Jualian
As a 62 year old flatulator I understand your arguement and perspective. The true fun lies in the challenge.....
Without a challenge you just have complacency… unless that is what you seek. Thanks for sharing Mike
69 next birthday, like yourself I grew up with Airfix. I went into wooden boats during the eighties and nineties, I got lucky. Retirement bought me the time, my daughter moving out bought me the space. I am still doing wooden boats, but will definitely be getting the two RNLI Lifeboats this year.
Keep up the good work Harry.
Thanks for sharing Brian
Here in Scotland, back in the early '70s, it was really only Airfix that was available, with an occasional Heller now and again. I was keen back in those days and built loads of Airfix kits. Cant say I did a fantastic job of building them, but it was fun while I watched Blake's 7 or the Tomorrow People on the TV. The funny thing is, even after all this time, I still remember every single one of them. Fast-forward 50 years, I am back and trawling model shops and Fleabay for those old kits of my youth, bypassing all "the new stuff" because they simply don't hold the same meaning for me as those old Airfix kits do. Present project, an old Airfix Hudson Bomber 1 that I remembered being a great kit to build. The reality today is, it's much harder than I remember it was, or maybe it was always that hard, but I simply didn't bother putting in as much effort back then as I do now. I spot the flaws, the misaligned parts and so on much easier than I used to because I didn't know any better in the '70s! Oh! I also remembered to avoid the old Airfix Heinkel H111 this time around. That was such a difficult kit back then, and likely even worse for me now. The new Airfix H111 is lovely though! Love the Revell version too. Wish I had these in the 70s!
Some new kits are great improvements but most don’t have the joy and charm of the old vintage kits. Well through my rose tinted glasses they don’t
@@HarryHoudiniModels Well, if you want that old kit experience with a Heinkel, the He111 H-20 (A05021) is the one to go for as it still uses the old tooling. Good luck with the cockpit!
You are so spot-on with your view, not only of Airfix, but with the whole approach to model kit building/assembling. You're absolutely correct when you say that your approach and attitude to the hobby really does depend on at what point you first experienced it, regardless of what age you were. If, like me, you were 8 years old in 1969, you joined the hobby with the technology and production standards of the 60s. If I joined now, at 62, my viewpoint would be completely different. In this instance, you can't put a young head on old shoulders!
Specifically talking about Airfix, when they get it right, they get it REALLY RIGHT and no one - even Tamiya - can touch them for the overall experience of making one of their kits. Unfortunately, they've suffered - until recent times - with being 'too established'. They have a huge library of tooling going back years and they've struggled to fund replacing it with new tools due to the cost today. New companies only have one option when they bring a new kit out - new tooling - so, of course their product will be much more up to date in production technology. Yet some of these new companies have a lot to learn. I watched a video on Nigel's Modelling Bench recently where he spent several minutes pointing out how bad the ejector pin marks on a brand new tooling were - and how many there were! For all their shortcomings, something that is kept to an absolute minimum on new Airfix toolings.
Really enjoyed your video - look forward to the next one.
Thanks Shane, more build videos to come over the next month, then I do a chatty Workbench And New Kits (check the acronym) on the equinox.
I'd haunted the blister pack rack of my local hobby store for years, and picked up most of my own purchases from that selection, eventually moving into the ESCI boxes. As finances slowly improved, my purchases got into the larger scales. I fell out of the hobby for a few years, but got back in about a decade or two ago.
I like the old Airfix kits, warts and all, and picked up a couple of spare Typhoons when I learned that they were going to produce a whole new tooling. There are a couple of other old toolings that I quite enjoy, even if I haven't quite taken them to the point of being finished. It's the journey, not the destination. Those old toolings are so basic, that you really have to push your talents to give them something extra, and that's the charm of them.
Sounds like you get it Scott… it is all about enjoying the experience. For some it is a fast easy no brain build, but their experience is the paint job. For others like us, we enjoy the process of modelling the plastic and improving the kit.
Hello mate as a old bugger like yourself I started building airfix kits in the 1960s I would spend my pocket money every week on a kit that would come in a plastic bag never bothered to paint them happy days mate since I retired last year I have rediscovered the joy of our hobby and love making the airfix vintage classic range happy modelling old boy and all the best to you and bask the cat from here in the UK 👍
Bask the Cat says hello from down under Anthony
Grew up in California, my dad worked for Northrup and his childhood was spent watching P-38's leave the factory at Burbank. I remember the early frog kits more than the airfix kits, and having returned to the hobby, I find the modern Airfix kits have a real modelers vibe about them. My gateway models were the 1/48 scale Otaki kits from the 1970's.
I never experienced the Frogs kits back then. Airfix really has their marking niche worked out and it’s good to see them finally prospering.
Built my first kit in donkey's years during lockdown, bought from a supermarket. It was like a time machine. Trimming the sprues, sniffing the cement, painting and weathering. Still hate canopy detailing and rigging 1:72 biplanes, love the rest. I go back to bagged Airfix kits in Woolworth's, pocket money buys after school on a Friday afternoon.
I love the smell of Airfix Glue in the morning. Hehe
I have built kits since the 60's. Lots of Airfix, Heller and all the rest. They all teach a lesson. I don't care who the manufacturer is, they all produce a crappy kit or two, but I have never found anything unbuildable. If all you had to do is shake the box, what fun is that? Oh, and I am about 70 now, and still building.
Thank you for your entertaining channel.
Larry Landis
Good on you Larry thanks for commenting
Totally agree with you about the benefits of scale modeling as we age. Presently I’m 62 and have immersed myself back into sailing ship kits again. These were the kits that I was building back when I was a teenager and stopped modeling. Though I didn’t grow up building Airfix kits like you did (Aurora, Revell, & Monogram kits were my favorites) I do agree with you about the importance of problem solving/trouble shooting skills that come with these “vintage”kits along with a sense of nostalgia. I taught in public schools for 30 years and always tried to introduce scale modeling to my students. Besides problem solving, there was reading, following directions, and research involved with the hobby. Thanks for all that you do Harry👍🏻
Good on you Tom. I suppose you know the original intent of Airfix kits was to teach history to a younger generation by having them build the subject and read the instructions, which came with that history.
Great broadcast again harry. Airfix was great in the 70’s and made some quite off the wall kits, those and matchbox was the bread and butter of kits that we could afford. Maybe we’d get a Tamiya or an amt for a birthday or Christmas present. But then they were a rarity and very involved, so a long build and frustrating sometimes. Where as you knew an Airfix would give you enjoyment, no PE, no resin, plastic card, bits of balsa and stealing sewing thread from your mums needlework box, was the extent of added detail. Creation not assembly.
You nailed it Mark… we created.
Having both the skills and experiences of building models for the last forty years, I love rebuilding these old kits. You are right having to scratch build details, correcting shapes, sculpture new details it pure modeling bless.😊
Bless the bliss matey its all good
I started building Airfix back kn the early 70's tried the odd Polisil, Frog, and Matchbox. Matchbox were ok, Yes a long came Tamiya and I got the AFV bug. Airfix went through a stage where the Male pins didnt match the female holes. My little stash is now getting a lot more Red boxes and I think Airffix are rapidly getting towards being at the top of their game. I have also revisited some of the Classic kits and I enjoyed building them, I'm an OTB builder once built they sit on a shelf so the cockpits are sufficient for me. Airfix seem to have a fantastic team and I think their enthusiasm shows in the final products
Thanks for your story Peter.. glad you see the change for the better in Airfix and their new team
The good old days of Airfix models , large tubes of glue you pierced with a pin and when decals were called transfers . Uncomplicated modelling . No photo esch ,complicated fiddley assembly where 2 parts would suffice where as now there are several and no after market parts and rivet counting to make sure the kit is accurate . Simpler days when along with Airfix there were Frog , Monogram and Revell kits to choose from . Good video Harry you made a 70 year old Pommie smile .
Great to hear that matey
My first model was an Airfix 1/72 Folland Gnat in red arrows colour. Yes it was a horror as far as the plastic was concerned but, when I opened it, one of the fuselage sides was broken in half, I guess something was dropped on it, but, I am a modeller and I had to improvise. I managed to get it together quite well. By today's standard, It was rough but I enjoyed it immensely and I was proud of it. That one kit led me to the Lightning, same scale, same manufacturer. I then went on and on from there. Here I am 45 years later and still enjoying it. Thanks for another great video Harry.
Great attitude Aaron… fix it, don’t complain about it, just get on and enjoy the hobby
Yes the memories, pocket money well spent. Thanks Harry. And I still build Airfix.
Good on you Cos. Thanks for dropping in
When I review kits on my channel, if the company clearly indicates the tooling date then I will be more lenient in my opinion if it has mould issues, flash etc. Airfix is one of these companies that has listened to the community and now includes the information we want to see on the boxes. Their modern kits are excellent and in my experience have only been let down by some QC issues in the factory (missing parts or short shots) but on the whole the quality is really good.
Whilst they have improved so much they still give you a "basic" standard of model out the box and there is scope to add extra details etc if you want to - part of the reason they dont go as insane with their rivets like eduard for example
Yes that tool date disclosure should be on every makes kit…
You have hit the nail on the head.You are totally correct in what you say. Your personality and attitude is a blessing to us all. Thank you for being you. You have my full respect,you continue to educate us with your tips and tricks. You have boosted my confidence so much in the field of model kits 👍
Good on you William… I just call it as I see it and won’t put up with the BS.
I started on Matchbox kits for planes and making ship models out of card, mainly because as I kid I did not have many funds. It was good times, It taught me how to read plans of ships.
Card ships are something I would like to try one day Michael… I have seen one chap build many models that way and you would swear the results could not just be paper, they look so real.
As someone who also started on Airfix in the sixties, I still build Airfix now. I also like older (cheaper!) kits where I have to adapt, scratch build and enjoy the challenge. Even the old East European kits with lots of flash and odd instructions, they are fun as well as annoying.
You are a better man than me Dungaree… those Eastern Express kits are a nightmare!
Airfix trainsets were brilliant. You bought three electric engines with different wheel formats but you could go buy the models of the locomotives and build the plastic chassis separate to the boiler and cabin. Instead of going the Hornby route of buying a collection of expensive engines, you could use the models and swap them out for a Flying Scotsman or a Mallard by clipping them to the motorised chassis and run them until you wanted a change. That way you got two hobbies in one, plus you got to build HO/OO scale models of village churches, shops, garages, stations, cottages and railside accessories all Airfix.
I remember building Airfix locomotive kits then swapping them onto my Hornby train set engines, plus building the carriages. Yes two hobbies for the price of one. Thanks for the memories Ronald.
So glad I came across your channel by chance. As I recently have rekindled my love and joy for modelling.
Ps. I'm 66 and really just a big kid at heart.
Stay a big kid, growing up is optional, and quite frankly not worth the effort Clive
Challenging, Interesting and Engaging, I think this is what is important about model kits.
Someone with unsteady hands and athritis in their fingers will find an 'easy to assemble' kit to be an enormous challenge just as someone with good manual dexterity and keen eyesight ( and/or a lot of magnification) can enjoy the challenge of the weathering and shading side of model painting. There's so many different ways they can be challenging for different levels of ability and different aspects of the kit building that people find more enjoyable.
That is a very good point and I know a fellow modeller with only one arm who enjoys Tamiya because, despite the challenges he faces, he can get it built. We all walk our own path and face our own challenges. Thank you for reminding us about this Francine
I totally agree with you on this subject. Maybe its a reflection on society today as a whole whereby people expect everything to be perfect without having to work for it. I love seeing the scratch building that people do to improve 'basic' kits. I get a great sense of achievement when i'm able to add things of my own design & making.
It is a great feeling Christopher… and yes this generation of want it now no effort required is very sad
I don't recall how old I was, but in the 1970s as a less than 10 year old, your choice was Airfix or Matchbox (in multi-coloured plastic) and I made both, in 1/72, OO/HO (or whatever scale that was called) or 1/600 scale. I don't remember that the fit was very bad although in hindsight there was a lack of detail and some accuracy (I expect). I also had the Airfix plastic tanks and soldiers (1/32 scale ?) to play with. Add that that Hornby Trains, Scaletrix and the odd bit Lego and Mecano. The kits were bought from the Toy Store (Airfix) or the Post Office (matchbox). NO wheels down kits in this days.
Everything else started in the early 2000's when I got a hankering to build and paint a Tamiya Panzer III L. Modern Airfix is as good as anyone out there today
Thanks for sharing Nick… I agree that modern Airfix is up there with the rest
Hey Harry ! I have to agree with you 100% on this one, I don't understand those that whinge and whine about flash.........c'mon people, removing flash and sanding down stubs and all that is just part of the process, it's what makes modelling fun. As for Airfix, unfortunately my first experience with Airfix was in the late 80's early 90's so not a great introduction, I spent many years thinking that Airfix was total crap. I remember reading somewhere, probably a modelling magazine, that Airfix had improved greatly, so I decided to try one. I tentatively bought a more modern Airfix kit and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I have a wide variety of kits (close to 600) in scales, manufacturers and subjects in my stash, and can proudly say that there are more than a few Airfix kits in there too. Don't want to piss you off Harry, but I do have quite a lot of Tamiya kits as well, mostly 1/24 scale cars though. Anyway Harry, it's good to see you looking more cheerful and happy ! Carry on mate !
Tamiya cars I have as well, about half a dozen in my stash.. mostly because they are the only manufacturers who make those subjects.
I agree with you, Harry. I grew up with early airfix, learning modelling skills by fettling and adding to airfix kits. It stood me in great stead for a life in engineering and my three latest models. Revell 1/72 Flower Class Corvettes, all 3 are also RC conversions. One has been built only from what comes in the box and just a few corrections, the other two are much more like scratch builds to enhance accuracy and better represent the real ships. I don't think I would have attempted this had I not had a similar modelling background to what you described. Big love from the UK.
Thanks Michael… yes Airfix makes so much sense if you came from a time where you actually modelled, not just assembled kits.
I used to build a lot of Airfix kits in the mid 1970's. Not built one since then ..until yesterday. I've now started on the 1/72nd scale Westland Sea King Helicopter. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.
Never could get a whirly bird to work… my blades would droop or fall off. Just not a chopper guy I expect.
Like your take on Airfix. Didn't build many models when I was young. Don't even.remember what make they were. After I retired I got into the hobby. I now have a small stash.
Small stash? Really? You are just not trying matey LOL
I started modeling in about the early 1970's here in the US. The stores that I got most of my kits from were drug stores, K Mart and places like that. These stores pretty much only carried amt, revell and monogram models. I had no idea that there were models from other countries such as airfix Tamiya excetra until the early 1980,s. So like you with airfix the kits that I built most were AMT kits mostly because I was big on commercial trucks. So that in a sense was my airfix. I love the fact that round2 has brought back a lot of the AMT kits. I didn't see Arfix until the 1990's which I bought 5 of there white boxed 1/24 scale wwll fighters. Any I agree with you these older kits are challenging and a lot of fun. Love your channel. Keep on modelin😊
Thanks for your modelling story Mark
Mark. I picked up a pair of Williams kits, a Douglas World Cruiser & a Boeing 247 airliner. I've never seen these American '60s kits before, and they await their turn in my, still growing, stash. I am almost afraid to break the seals to find out what lies within! What might be familiar to you is new to me, just like Harry said in this video. 😃
I definitely enjoy both types of kit. That effort you don't have to put into making the thing even fit together can be used to improve even further, the new well designed kit.
That’s one way to look at it
Goooood morning from New Brunswick...Gawd I hate this town, hate the snow, and most of all I hate that there's no model shops anywhere near me. But on to the Airfix subject...
I love and hate that company. I've built good, fun kits, and some that didn't get to completion because whoosh, out the window... the 1/72 Walrus was one of those. Horrible little bass-turd. On the other end of the scale was the Lancaster Mk2. Man, what a beautiful kit. I did one for a friend who recently passed away, as the plane his grandfather flew during the war.
Now, I'm hitting the point where I'm having to be really selective about buying, since I don't have the space to display them and don't want to build-and-toss. They're too pricey. I would love to do a fleet of Lancs, as I actually worked on the one that's on outside display in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. The post-war RCAF versions are of special interest... anyway, my dog farted so I better put her outside...
Pity the dawg could not have farted outside, just putting her out now leaves the stink inside LOL
In 1988 , I was building the batlleship Richelieu from scrach at scale 1/100 as a remote control model. After the hull was nearly ready for paint, I was measuring it and came to the conclusion I had a problem with the fotocopier I used to duplicate the frames of the plan. The height of the hull was missing 1 cm. I've stoped that build and the unfinished hull ended in the bin.
Edit : I went to Paris to the museum to take foto's of the model they had there and also to the ministry of the navy. I got meters of plans of the Richelieu and Jean Bart
Before that I mainly sit Revell models which I liked a lot
Yes Vincent there can be optical distortion with the old photocopiers before they went digital. I always wanted to remote control my wood ship builds but never got a chance as the technology was expensive back in the 60’s. Now you can Bluetooth anything for pocket money!
After 2 minutes I know exactly where you're coming from mate
Great, can you tell me? I get a bit lost in the middle of these videos hehe
They seem to be getting better and better . Just wish they could bring out a 1/200 Warship of WW1 or 2 at a sensible price.
Sadly Trumpeter and a few of the other Chinese model manufacturers have cornered the market there. For the quality expected these days the work of tooling a kit from scratch is just too expensive considering the limited demographic of potential buyers.
All this may change when more and more specialised subjects are designed by enthusiasts online as 3D model kits. That is already starting to happen. Plus being 3D scalar designs, you can have pretty much any scale you want!
Harry I've just retired recently I'm starting to get back into model making again now I have time to enjoy the hobby , youngsters now have lost something as they want things perfect without having to use their brains.
Regards
Sean 😅
Yes Sean I worry what world they will make, androgynous, lazy, entitled, hang on….. I think they said the same about the Hippies in the 60’s, who went on to become the business tycoons of the 80’s… maybe there is hope?
Started scale modeling as a kid in the mid-1970's. Loved the Matchbox kits, as well as Airfix in 1/72. Monogram had good kits by the standards of the day in 1/48. Along came Heller, Fujimi, Tamiya, LS, ESCI, Academy, etc. Every company has good kits as well as some kits that are not as good. By the 1990's I was building vac-form kits with white metal parts because it was the only way to get certain aircraft. Took a 25 year hiatus and came back to a highly-changed hobby. I don't build for competitions any more. I just build for fun. Working my way back up to vac-forms. I love the construction part of the build. Painting/decaling is my least favorite part.
You will fit right in here then Sam… thanks for watching
Hi Harry less of the old I’m 61 ha hahaha I built airfix models in the early seventies it set me up to be an engineer always making things some foreigners in it ha ha ha glad for your vids always make me laugh 😀
If I made one person laugh Robert, then my job is done here!
I find myself in agreement with you. My earliest memories of Airfix relate to the poor fitting parts and the amount of work and skill required to get decent results. From dissolving plastic in glue to make filler and hours of sanding to scratch building one's own cockpits. Like you, I also started out making Balsa Aircraft. I confess to being somewhat disappointed with my latest build, because the parts fitted perfectly.
If you want a model with lousy fit, can I recommend that you buy and attempt to build the old Monogram B-26 Marauder kit in 1/48 scale. You'll be in ecstasy! 😂
Yes it does seem very unlike modelling when the kit just clicks together LOL. Thanks for your story Tom.
Totally agree with this. I started with Balsa wood kits then discovered Airfix, Frog and Heller plastic models. Also built Revell and Hawk. I have a good size stash ov vintage Airfix and Frog. They take me to my happy place!
A happy place is a good place to be John
Hi Harry
Airfix in my opinion is like life it gives you happiness,laughter and pain and you hnow what it’s fantastic
Well said David
I am 60 now Harry and i was brought up on Airfix. When young (10 ish) our local newsagent used to have the old airfix bagged kits pinned up out of reach. Never a rich family (in terms of money) but my pocket money bought me a basic 1/72 bagged kit, a cheap paintbrush and a jar of paint. Do you remember those triangular glass airfix paints? One of my memories (again when i was about 12) was wanting the 2 stroke airfix engine kit our local post office had. We were off on summer holidays and mum/dad said if it’s still there when we get home and you still have your holiday money then you can buy it. Those 2 weeks we had in Scarborough could not go quick enough :-) when we got home i still had my holiday money (mum/dad used to put some aside through the year for my brother and me) and it was straight up to the post office/newsagent before it shut to get that kit.
Probably made a hash of it but as a pre-teen did i ever enjoy my model building. Now in my later years i have been able to track down that same kit and it’s in my pile of classics very much like you have on your shelf Harry.
Great memories Tony… I crashed all my motorised balsa aircraft, flown on control lines. But half the fun was repairing them.
Well, 'Arry, mate... Speaking as an 80's kid Airfix had some real dogs in the kennel back then. The Wellington, Fiat G-50, Harry Tate.... The Halifax III reissue in black plastic from that era was absolute rubbish. Built them all, pissed me out of my wits at the time.
Then, as you say, you grabbed the Heracles, the Ford Trimotor, the Tiger Moth and the Auster AOP. You expected the same level of vituperation. But, no. They were reasonably detailed models and a joy to build. The British Vosper, RNLI and MTB boats were beautiful. Clunky in detail, but beautiful. The Sopwith Pup still is a valid kit even today, with some tender care, I love it.
My take these days is "Build the darn thing. You've seen worse."
Great video.
Cheers.
Thanks for your comments Mr Underdog
@@HarryHoudiniModels Always a pleasure, sire.
Hello Harry, i am mostly into Shipmodels of different materials: plastic, wood and sometimes paper. It all startet in my youth, with revell- and airfix-kits. Still today, i love the old airfix sailing-ships. In my stash, there is the Airfix Victory, the Bounty and some other Ships from Revell and Heller, also some Wooden-Kits. I am currently working on some wooden- (DeAgo Vasa, Krick Revenue-Cutter Alert) and plastic-ships (Revells Blackpearl). About two weeks ago, in my basement, i find again another old airfix-Bounty, that i have started building many years ago. Inspired from the Ship Craft Book "Bounty HM Armed Vessel 1787" by Kerry Yang, i startet to rework this model with the color-scheme in this book, which maybe could be the more likely coloring from the royal navy. But i am not a rivet-counter. I try to enhance this model witch some scratch building parts. The reworking and this not so usual color-scheme of the Bounty makes a lot of fun to me. And this is all about! I like your videos very much, specialy from the Sailing-Ship-Models. Sometimes it is hard for me to understand your australian-accent, only with my german-school-english. But anyway, your videos are interesting and inspiring to me. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing! Greetings from Germany!
Thanks Hein… I try to speak slower in the build videos, but often speed up in the chatty videos as I get passionate about the subject I am ranting on about. I must remember the old News Reader trick from my days in TV and tap my feet together as I chat. It makes you slow your speech to the rhythm of your feet.
I started with Airfix in the mid 60’s, I never have had a break from modelling either. Airfix was excellent back then, it encouraged you to learn skills and didn’t realise it, when I did Revell I hated the dark green plastic, for me it made it difficult to see detail on it, I knew of Tamiya in the 60’s but no way could afford them, I tried the odd Frog kit as well but Airfix was the main focus. Being a builder of race cars and bikes I don’t build airfix now as they really don’t do my genre, a couple in the intsy wintsy small scale is all. On the other side of the coin as it were, some of the race car liveries give me brain ache just working out the order to apply them, one of the latest builds had 400 decals :) luckily I don’t mind decaling, building is the best bit and painting the worst for me, take care and model on
If only we could just build and decal without painting. Maybe there is a way to do that with coloured 3D printing? Hang on I think Bandai already tried that LOL. Thanks for your insight Sara-Jane, always a pleasure to hear from you.
You absolutely nailed it, Harry. 'Nuff said.
Thanks John
👏 I like the cut of your jib. Well said. Airfix all the way for me.
Good on you Brother…
@@HarryHoudiniModels
I’ve only just “found” your channel. Was searching for stuff on the Airfix Warpsite.
I have to say I am very much taken with it. You talk the talk of our generation of modellers ( and others too I guess)
Anyway I’m giving you a big thumbs up👍 and working my way through your content. Top tips and banter. Thanks for all your hard work. Should help me a lot with my Warspite and other kits I’ve got down from the loft after all these years.
Great to hear matey… more Warspite coming up this month
Harry I am a similar age to you and grow up on Airfix and Matchbox both were always a pleasure to build they may not have been well put together by me but I still have a soft spot for Airfix. I still have some 80's Airfix kits in the stash they may be built one day
Good on you Jez
I built a BF-109, and an F?A-18 from Airfix, wont say I'll do another Hornet, but I'll happily do another 109. The Airfix 109 was my first "proper" model, as most prior were pre-painted or basic assembly.
It is interesting you called it a “proper model”, but that is not a bad way to view Airfix. You actually get to model, not just assemble.
I built Airfix, Matchbox, Heller, Italeri, Monogram, AMT and Tamiya when growing up in the mid-late 70's and early 80's. These days I pick up those I built as a cheeky monkey and those I wanted but couldn't, never mind raised panel lines, anything and everything to escape back to simpler times! 😉
Might even try one of them FROG kits....😉😆😂
I am yet to experience a Frog kit… who knows… I may do a review of the one I was gifted last year.
@@HarryHoudiniModels
Go for it....take a walk on the wild side, instead for the comfy cosy Tamiya side! 😉😆😂
I got to laugh in the seventies I used to do all my math in the old way working it out my self then one of my co workers got me a calculator I thought I don’t need it because working it out for myself keeps my brain busy ha haha Harry go for it
I still think in numbers… a degree in Mathematics kind of drummed that into me
Friendly greetings from Londinium Britannica, Harry. I turn 61 this week so when you use the word CONTEXT, I so understand you, the context of Then and Now. I'm 70% through building Then an Now Airfix B-25 Mitchell (old tool vs new tool) bloody enjoying both kits for what are, NOT the great vs crap mindset!! Got myself a new-vintage 90's factory sealed B-24 Liberator for when Airfix release the new tool this year, can't to do the same again. p.s. your to old to play with Willy😉
Leave my willy out of this “that’s what she said”!
I broke my arm when I was 11 my dad went to our local model shop and bought me the 1/24 scale spitfire still remember that kit took heaps of work to make it all fit but it made the six weeks go by
Still takes a heap of work… luckily Airfix finally retooled that one.. thanks for your comment Jason
the 'Willy' comment caught me off Guard ... Spat my drink all over the the monitor .... Howling with Laughter :)
Great! I like to sneak a willy in now and then for reaction
With such a diverse market from shake and bake Tamiya to short run kits from the likes of Valom (built a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer from them. Little bit of work but enjoyable), there's something for everyone's tastes.
There's also so many things to take into account. I probably would baulk at paying a lot of money for a poor ill fitting kit with a lot of parts but certainly don't mind getting my teeth into what is now termed a "Vintage Classic" from Airfix.
Another point is that youngsters nowadays aren't used to working at something to get a result and perhaps need something "easy" to encourage them to stay in the hobby. We sometimes forget that without people coming into the hobby, businesses like Airfix will cease to exist.
As always thoroughly enjoyed the video! 👍👍
The whole kids need it easy thing is a cop out. When I built my first kits, albeit wood, my father built them with me, shared the experience, and passed on his knowledge of model making.
The trope of a kit that isn’t just click together with no effort will scare off a junior modeller just smacks of bad parenting. If the parent got involved, then the child would learn and grow into the hobby.
@@HarryHoudiniModels From my experience in my work environment, I'm finding "apprentices" starting work with no experience of even of even using a rake and having to build up their basic skills from a lower level than from when I started my own apprenticeship. In many ways the same could be said for kit building. The basic skill level for youngsters is at a lower level than when you or I started kit building.
One thing I do agree with, is spending time with the kids and trying to pass on skills. I've managed to prise my own son away from his video games etc and we've managed to build a few kits now and I'm very proud of his progress. Whether he keeps up the hobby in later years, who knows? But at least he'll learn skills and use his mind for problem solving that many people his age may not be learning. Most of all I enjoy the time spent together.
We may well disagree slightly on this point but I certainly approve of your no nonsense attitude which unfortunately seems to be disappearing in this increasingly mad world. Now back to the work bench to escape all this madness. Lol
In my experience, there is no right or wrong way to experience our hobby. Some like Airfix, others like Revell or Tamiya, some only build this brand or that , some only build ships or planes, some only build RAF models, or even only BF-109s. And that's all okay. As long as you enjoy it. I prefer to build ships and planes myself, the brand doesn't really matter to me. Also, this preference doesn't stop me from building something different every now and then, everything is possible and that's the beauty of our hobby!
Well said Matti
I know what you mean, and I'm from Gen Z. I get more satisfaction from building than painting, and Airfix models are great for that; particularly in the conversions. I'm currently switching the superstructure and chassis from the Vintage Stug 3 and Panzer 4 tanks to make a Stug 4 and Panzer 3 K- it's all just research and surgery to make it fit! And a basic paint scheme to prevent it going pear shaped.
Sounds like you are really enjoying yourself Captain, and that is the actual aim and need for a hobby.
Yeah Airfix was my start, I've come along way from glueing plastic together i the 60,s and I still biuld the occasional Airfix but now its all about adding detail which is my buzz and I hope keeping my brain sharp. But I agree it the process that keeps you brain fit. Keep going Harry I do like your chats. You'll alway get a thumbs up for this kind of vid
Thanks Paul… just scale modelling for the next few weeks, but I will return for a chat with my next Workbench And New Kits video in March
Here in Germany it was Revell. But today, while Airfix really developed in creating new kits and building up this ‚classic‘-product-line, Revell fuc*ed up completely.
Sorry to hear that Conrad. However you guys now own Heller and from what I hear are finally sorting them out. We may yet get instructions for their sailing ship kits that we can understand!
@@HarryHoudiniModels i‘m working on a tallship. I can handle that ;) Another interesting topic to talk about would be model kit shops. Here in Germany they are dying, one by one. Internet shops kill them. Such a shame… It was such a great thing to visit a real shop and get surprise by the kits they offer when seaching the shelfs. What about shops in Australia?
I have a friend who has just retired and he is no longer able bodied enough for the vintage vehicle restoration he used to engage in. I realise there can be a stigma of model kits being toys and 'just for kids' so it was enormously helpful that I was able to show him a highly detail painted Warhammer model that I built. He knows that I have repaired chassis, cut and shut panels, worked on engines and custom painted vehicles so he knew I wasn't been patronising suggesting he try model kits. In his case it would be stuff like Willys jeep and vintage trucks and unlike working on the actual vehicles, it takes less physical ability, takes up less space, costs a lot less money but can be just as interesting and engaging.
I think the hobby has grown up with the kids from the 60’s and now referred to as “scale modelling” has become a recognised mature pass time. Much like childish computer games of the 80’s became more sophisticated in the 21st century and now have world championships with serious prize money.
Another good video Harry. Thanks
My early Airfix experience dates back 60 years in the Uk. I'm 71 now in Canada where hobby shops still sell the old kits. I don't mind. In my formative years I loved the Airfix 20mm soldiers. Eighth Army v Africa Corps and ACW Union v Confederates. Great value boxes. I recall getting a Sunderland which was a monster kit for me at the time. Not sure why I painted it green ??? But it was fun. Keep up the good work.
There was an all over green version from memory… but heck, paint it pink if you want. Thanks for your comment Steve
Agree here Harry. My experiences also except for the balsa wood kits. I had one but never built it. I built all the Airfix 1;72 planes. I’m looking forward to the Bristol Bulldog in 1/48. I hope it’s not a Redbox. Thanks for posting.
Not a rebox, but a brand new tool David. I will also get one later in the year when they come down under.
I am soon 66, and really relate to the theme of this video. I have a 40 year old kit of an Airfix 1/72 Mosquito I found half-built when I visited England in December last year. I had no idea I had kept it. I was in the process of giving it a bulged bomb-bay. Even then, I was thinking "this kit it close, but quite what I want so I'll kitbash and scratch build it to more in line with what I have in mind". Along with that kit I found an Airfix Short Sunderland that my late father had started.
I cant help adding stuff to my models. One time, I bought an Airfix skeleton to use as a starting point for a Ray Harryhausen Hydra tooth child. I lost the kit, but have always had a dream of doing a full conversion, frown and all.
I may have some in my closet ;)
I think my first Airfix kit was in the late 60s as a kid in Sydney - it was Captain Cook's H.M. Bark Endeavour... before I progressed to many many aircraft, but that was interrupted by Revell's large scale Cutty Sark. I've recently bought the same (unmade) Revell kit in its original box, but a Kit I always wanted when I was a kid making the Endeavour was the Airfix companies model of the ship the Wasa. I was able purchase an original kit from its first release period and are amazed still at the quality of the mouldings of the hull, particularly the rear stern castle. As we know these days the actual colours of the stern castle are very different from what it was when the kit was produced - an absolute riot of colour. I look forward to making it.
Yes the Airfix Wasa is a magnificent kit, and one I have in the stash, which will get built in my retirement. I never attempted it in my youth, but it is a model I too will savour in my demented old age.
Yes can't wait to paint it! I'll need some bloody fine brushes!! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_(ship)#/media/File:Vasa_stern_color_model.jpg
Try using some Posca Paint Pens. Just like model paint but with the advantage of a fine pointed pen, which I find so much easier to use to add the gilding and pick out any details. I show how to use them on my St Louis build videos.
Thanks for the tip.
I wanted to tell you about a model ship I have that was built around 1805 (yes the model not the actual ship). I had it dated by the Sydney National Maritime Museum a few years back, when they cleaned it and gave it some minor repairs. It is a Royal Navy 2nd Rate, 94 gun ship. It measures 105cm in length (including jib boom).
It's wood of course, with finally carved ivory for the stern castle/galleries. The pale yellow stripes along the hull which contain the gun ports are also strips of ivory let into the timber. The figurehead is of an RN Captain pointing ahead with his out stretched right arm and holding a telescope tucked under his left arm. The pin rails at the base of the three masts are ivory. It is rigged without sails. All the cannon on the model are rolled out as if ready for battle. One interesting addition is dozens of crew, officers and Royal Marine figures carved out of wood dotted about the decks and in the rigging, climbing ratlines etc. Another interesting feature is the crews hammocks, they are all rolled up and tucked into the supports on the bulwark on the upper gun deck above the cannon. This was a common feature when ships were to enter battle as the hammocks could absorb some of the shot and splinters - and were readily accessible for burying the crew who died in battle.
The ship has no name and I have contacted various places in the UK to put an identity to it, but sadly no luck. The model was made in Scotland by a relative from my wife's side of the family, who I'm told was a ship builder in the 19th century. One interesting detail is the stern galleries, they are open, like little verandahs - a feature seen on RN ships of war in the late 1700s. Indeed when the Victory was first built she had open rear galleries before they became closed in during a later refit (as seen on all later ships) which is how we see her today. The model came to Australia when the family emigrated from Scotland in the 1880s, can't believe it survived the journey!!! It was loaned to the old Museum of Technology in Harris Street eons back and ended up in their basement store. Still they had the foresight to put it in a lovely timber case for display. They labelled it HMS Victory!
I have the full set of airfix historic figues henry the viii was the only one i built as a kid cant wait to make them all
They were unique kits… lots of painting though
I was born in 1955 and I grew up with Airfix. I had every tank, warship, and aeroplane (and all the 1/72 soft plastic figures) by about 1969. I loved building and painting them, even though i was not very good at making or painting. I moved away as academia took over. I bought some in recent years but heart issues and arthritis mean i cannot make them. I now have several hundred ok quality die-cast models. My father made wooden flyable models including a flyable compressed CO2 gloster meteor.
I remember those Co2 jet engines for wood models… We had a model aircraft club at school, for those kids who were not into game sports, and I remember one fellow brought a jet powered craft along. We were all excited to see how it went, but from memory the kid was so nervous he crashed it.
I had 60's Airfix hanging from my bedroom ceiling when I was little. It wasn't till I was older and I took them down and dusted them that I realised they weren't the best 60's kits. Series 2 Mossie and the old prototype Buccaneer were the worst. The first kits I got were some I found at a car boot sale. They were produced by Airfix but blind bagged and given away as part of an orange squash promotion. There was a Sea Hawk, P1127 (Prototype Harrier), A4 Skyhawk and a Jet Provost. I made a pig's ear of them and they all got scrapped. The first Airfix kit I did a proper job on was a Spitfire. That and all the kits that followed are still around. Nowadays, my eyes are buggered and I can't see a damn thing up close without my specs! I need magnifiers to even do 1/35. Maybe one day I'll get used to them and could give something smaller a fair go. Never say never..............
I have to use prescription 3X reading glasses to do my scale modelling these days. Eyes went about 10 years ago. Need driving glasses, TV glasses, computer glasses… the list goes on and on. Thanks for commenting Roger
@@HarryHoudiniModels No worries. I have varifocals. Sometimes, the brush tip or what I'm painting goes beyond the range I can see. This is why I got the magnifiers, I can wear them in front of my glasses. They work well, but, you have to remember to take them off before you get up and do something else.
Harry What about the vague approximations that were FROG? And hooray for Matchbox!
And flashes in my mind of "The Four Yorkshiremen" when you wax lyrical on days of yore. 🙂
Yes, yes, yes, I pressed the buttons. Hooroo from down in Adelaide.
(Oh and Italeri, I like them too. Well actually I like lots of model companies. Good on them for catering to my madness).
I have never built a Frog kit Matterus, although I did get one as a gift from a fan in the post. Maybe I should review it later on and try the build. I did that with Matchbox, which I had never built in my youth, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I'm American and the first time I ever bought an Airfix kit was when I visited London in 1992. I found I little hobby shop and bought a 54 mm Polish Lancer and French Napoleonic Infantryman. They both built up into beautiful figures that I still have today. Growing up in the U.S. during the 70s and 80s Revell and Monogram kits were similar in build quality to Airfix kits. Many had fitment and accuracy issues but they were great to build nonetheless. I agree with you that they keep the brain active.
Keeping the brain going is a good thing. Thanks for chirping in Bird
Good on you, Harry! I built a huge number of Airfix kits when I was first building models...starting in the late 50's and on into the mid-70's. At that time Airfix had about the best range of kits around, specially in aircraft and sailing ships. I still remember all those kits very fondly. I also built the other common kits of the time, such as Revell, Frog, Lindberg, Monogram, Pyro, Heller, Italeri, and so on. But Airfix was probably number one when it came to aircraft and ships. Now, of course, I buy all the incredible stuff that's out now and it's totally detailed and fits perfectly...which I do like...but here's the thing: Airfix itself makes kits like that now! Their new kits fit like a dream and are beautifully detailed in every way. So, I guess if one wants a bit of nostalgia....then one can build one of those old kits from way back when we were kids. Sometimes I do that too.
Sadly all I have is nostalgia in my sunset days… I look back at when I was young, healthy and carefree… it’s a grumpy old man thing I suppose. Luckily there are still enough of us left on UA-cam to make videos about it.
@@HarryHoudiniModels - I'm in the same situation. I was born in 1948, and will be 76 in October. My model building days are pretty much over now, due to worsening eyesight, and difficulty in handling small parts, etc. Everything gets harder to do. I remain quite interested in the new kits that are coming out, but it's a bit frustrating knowing that I'll probably never build them. However, there's nothing I can do about that. I hope there is an afterlife, so I can continue to reflect on the finer points of model kits....as well as a lot of other stuff! On the other hand, if there isn't, then I won't have to worry about it, will I?
I believe the Airfix P-40B is the best P-40 in 1/48 scale. I would especially love to see a 1/48 scale P-40E "Aleutian Tiger" kit. I built the old Revell 1/32 scale version in the 70's.
This must be a recent new tool kit? I didn’t build one from Airfix back in my youth.
100% agree with everything you said in this video 👍
Good on you matey
after watching your video I found myself gazing at all of my completed models. and you know what? my favs are those kits that fought me all the way to completion. my number 1 favourite is the airfix baggy kit of the harrier prototype the P1127 kestral!
It is true we learn more from the challenges in our life than the things we get easily. However I can understand the desire for an easy kit if you have a stressful life, but what they may not realise is a kit that absorbs you with its need for minor correction, we used to call that modelling, can also take away all the stress. Thanks for commenting Peter.
Hi Harry; loved the show; as always. Recognised our chat bout 'Heracles' and I think that the, Tamiya manufacturer reflects the Japanese, philosophy of. Bushido & the "Book of Five Rings" by Miamoto Musashi. Precision in what you do, to show your respect to/for others. Eg, seen in movie The last Samurai. & You know 7 of 9's need for perfection. But I'm with you cos you put your Heart n Soul into a build. Because it's not Just about precision. & in conclusion. What ever makes YOU Happy !! So please Do Not Nit Pick or Harass Harry Houdini for; Just My humble opinion. ;-}D Model Makers Unite !!!
The Nit pickers get the boot, unless it is constructive Critique… on my channel it’s all about me! Hehe
G'Day Harry being a pom I grew up on Airfix started with the usual Spitfires and Hurricanes but I love having a go at everything they did back then planes tanks ships spaceships and thanks to you I started building Airfix again.
Only now I have a few skills to make them the way I wanted to back in the day, but never could.
I now go out my way to find the older kits to build.
Long live Airfix. 😀
Good on you Roger… yes the Classic original kits are getting few and far between these days, but well worth finding. Luckily Airfix is reissuing some of them under the Vintage Classic label, albeit with 50 year old moulds, which can be a little dodgy.
I love all the model kit manufacturers, but I started with Airfix kits a lot of people started with a Spitfire me been different I started with a Hurricane.
I have a fondness for Airfix because of that and always will, so I'll keep making them and yes they keep my brain what's left of it going.😵👍
Good on you John
Thanks Harry.@@HarryHoudiniModels
Im happy there is variety. My preferance is Airfix. The new Gannett is great but my most fun are the vintage classics. I dont like hours of doing interior details that you can not see on a finished model.
I think one interior is enough in a lifetime Alan, just so you can say you did it, then add only the details which will show… unless of course you love doing interiors and are happy to just look at the photos afterwards.
@@HarryHoudiniModelsG'day. Chears for the reply. I once had a book of a sooper detailed Airfix Sunderland full interior (I followed your build, it was great). This chap was a miricle worker, so many photos in the book, then closed it all up. He at least had the book for many people to see his work. I once spent a couple of days doing extra detail on a 1.24 Harrier(15 ish years ago) I was fairly pleased but i have seen 1,72 detailing bettter than my 1.24... Overall modern Airfix is fab but spending half the build on the interior of a 1.72 Spit that i cant even see tends to spoil my mojo. The new 1.48 Land Rover is amazing too. I have done 2 of them, so far, but thats the opposite for me,, being a larger scale, in that there is no hand brake lever, gear levers, footpedals or exhaust pipe. Have you seen this new Landy? You should do one, They are a very quick and enjoyable build.
Another interesting and thought provoking video, Harry. It's very tempting to respond with a cheeky, "OK, boomer" ;) but, instead, I seem to have written an essay.
I'm Gen X (I think, born 1976). As I was into cars, my first taste of kits was Monogram and Tamiya, as both were fairly easy to get in local shops (South East England). Oh, if only I'd known how lucky I was. When I tried some Airfix 1:32 cars, they definitely felt like a step down in quality. Back then, I just wanted to get things built and painted as quickly as possible, so the results were variable. I still have a few of those models, which I keep as a way to see how far I've progressed. After something like a 30 year gap, I returned to the hobby back in 2020 (for some reason I had lots of spare time back then...) and I've built more in the past four years than probably the forty before that. From Aeroplanes to Tanks and from Airfix to Tamiya.
For me, I prefer when the supplied parts fit together in the appropriate place. I especially admire those kits where parts will pretty much only fit in the correct place. I don't mind having to do a bit of sanding or trimming to make stuff fit, but I prefer to direct my energy towards adding detail. For example, one of the first kits that got me back into the hobby was a Tamiya 1:24 Honda Prelude XX, which I'd made a half-hearted attempt at starting a few years earlier. There were two main deficiencies with this kit; the first that I noticed was that a lot of engine bay detail was simply absent. For whatever reason Tamiya hadn't bothered to produce a lot of the pipes and parts that should have been there. So I ended up checking photos and videos in order to add a lot of the wiring and plumbing (including the windscreen washer bottle) that should have been there. Also, and this was a rare mistake for Tamiya, the mounting for the front bumper was in the wrong place, if installed "correctly" the bumper would be way out of line with the front wheel arches. This was fairly easy to fix, but far less satisfying than the much more fiddly engine-bay work as it's the sort of thing that you think a kit manufacturer should get right.
Also in 2020, my team at work bought me the Airfix 1:32 Jaguar E-type. I'd built one of those in my youth, so I had an idea of what to expect, except that the poor thing was covered in flash. But, thanks to some online advice, I fabricated a few pieces to correct some of the details, I spent ages on the body; sanding away mould lines and filling seams (but, In fairness, the E-type is probably one of the most difficult shapes to mould) and the result is incredibly satisfying.
But even simple kits can pose interesting challenges. When you study the instructions and look at the parts, you try and work out for yourself whether to paint before or after assembly. To work out what bits must be painted before others. To try and make sure any holes are drilled or panels cut before you find that you've metaphorically painted yourself into a corner.
That's the great thing about this hobby, there is no right way to do it. If you want to count the rivets, and then correct your model so that you have all the right rivets in the right order, great (if you just want to criticise other people's work for not having the right number of rivets, however, you can shut the fudge up). If you want to build it out of the box, slap the decals on without paint and enjoy it that way (or not even bother with the decals), go for it. If you want to ignore the painting instructions and decorate the model in your favourite colours, go wild (although you may want to make sure that you tell people that this is what you've done). It's a creative hobby, so create stuff.
I have to give this essay a B+ Not because it wasn’t full of good words, just too many mentions of rivets, so my eyes glazed over. My favourite part was the last sentence, because at last I could give my old tired eyes a rest. LOL. Thanks for commenting John
I grew up on Revell and Monogram here in the US; much preferred Monogram. Monogram aircraft actually had very good pilot figures, especially in their mid-70s to 80s releases. Airfix was around, usually as MPC releases, especially the Profile Series with 3 choices of markings!
I really want to like the new Airfix, but they have been disappointing - especially the 1/72 Sea Kings; over simplified and lacking some prominent details, though the HAR 3 did have the RWR antennas fitted to post war Falklands aircraft.
I kind of see Italeri as similar to Airfix. They aren't shake-and-bake, but they can be made into decent models. They also have a more diverse range - i really liked all the helicopters that came out in the 90s. They have also been modifying the 1/35 Land Rover kit since it was first released in 1980, though a new one, especially a 110 Defender, might be warranted.
Italscary like Airfix! Them’s fighting words m’laddie! LOL
I am in the club as well. Love this part - nicely put Harry 👌
There is a club? I don’t think I have paid my membership Peter… hehe
Hi Harry. I research the subject of each kit I start and see where the kit falls short. This gives me a benchmark of what areas could do with super detailing. Even if it is just getting the ailerons to pivot on a bit of brass wire, or wiring and hose details missing from an engine bay. This gets the old brain juices flowing. With the new Airfix super kits the details all there but the tolerances between parts fitting has been thinned down to the point of just a layer of paint between parts can stop the kit from going together properly. This creates new issues that can make the difference between displaying your kit with panels off to see all the lovely details and glueing the kit together, panels and all, and only you know what efforts you have gone to on the fiddly bits inside. The money shot is presenting a finished kit to a friend, then seeing their faces as you peel away close fitting panels to reveal loads of hidden details. Everyone is familiar with a Spitfire but not everyone has seen the inner machinations. It is always possible to add that little extra to a kit and that is where I enjoy the headaches. Love ya topics mate. Keep it up.
Thanks for commenting Splukker
Well done sir and your message is spot on. I enjoy watching and listening, working on the thinking bit as I just turned 75😮. As yet to decide what I want to do when I grow up but think my years as a CAD jockey were nearest the top. I have gone overboard on building a stash and so far I have replaced a missing prop on a old mahogany Corsair. Painted at least 3 times and decals maybe 5 times but it is on the plane and from arms length looks ok, which is great for me. Thank you for filming and sharing your wisdom. I appreciate it as well as that stuff from the other Aussie Mr Becker. Good lads, be well and cheers mate.
Growing up is optional!
I am now reading a biography of Gallileo. An interesting comment by the author is that both Sir Isaac Newton and Gallileo were model makers all their lives.
It is very true as are so many creative people Max
As I approach 60, I’m torn between the nostalgia of plastic models, and the lack of relevance to my present life. I hadn’t considered that building them would help keep my mind sharp as I hurtle toward my dementia years. So maybe I’ll take it up again, after all.
There you go some relevance after all
Great video again matey, I am a young lad in the world of Scale modelling and was never around for the original airfix kits, I started in the tail end of the 90's But still may favourite airfix kits are the 1/24 planes from the 60's and 70's, you have seen what i have done with them, I am not too bothered about painting and weathering i care more about the engineering inside them. Any way keep up the cracking work
Thanks Ben… more to come
Brilliant video Harry! Totally agree with you! I haven’t built an Airfix kit since 1979 (I think it was their Me109E, 1/24 scale) so tomorrow I shall buy their 1/48 Fairy Gannet and give that a bash! Love the channel! Greeting from the Netherlands. 😊
Thanks Daff hope you enjoy the Gannet
Well said Harry
Thanks Jeff
I also started on Airfix kits and have a fondness for the kits they were a brilliant way into the hobby and the range was massive and relatively cheap the old bagged kits were 20p and the big boxed kits like the B29 were only a few pounds when I started building them and they were about as good as it got (HE177 aside). Your point about being more involved with the kits from the 60’s and 70’s is true about most of the kits an available at the time even tamiya weren’t that great . I used to have a fondness for italeri kits from that time which could be pick up well into the nineties for a few pounds and with a bit of work could be built into a good model . My problem with some of these kits today which are still in the range along with re boxing old kits from other manufacturers is you can pay the same price for them as a new tool which I kinda resent.
That was my reason for disking Tamiya when I first tried their brand. I was sold a very basic and quite horrible old 70’s kit dressed up in a new box at new prices. And it wasn’t anywhere near as much fun as Airfix,
@@HarryHoudiniModels If you want to relive your youth and the old balsa models there are books released in the 1940’s called “Aircraft of the fighting powers” which had scale diagrams /plans which you could use to make the planes . Some of the Italian biplanes look like a fun build.
I have the Airfix K2/Y ambulance - first AF kit since the 70s. .looking forwards to it.
Good to hear matey
Hey Harry 'me not so old cobber'. I grew up on Airfix, Matchbox and some Revell kits. Like you said I never really saw or had any Tamiya kits until just recently. They all have a place in the hobby. I have got some old and rare kits over covid on ebay mainly and some of them are not any where near the engineering standard you get now. I love them any way and it reminds me of the early days as a kid.
Yes those old kits are like time capsules taking us back to less complicated days when Men were Men, and there was only one other gender.