AIRFIX - (Hornby Group)
Review of Airfix Military Kits Scale 1/76 - 1/72
A Humbrol Product. Humbrol Limited, Marfleet, Hull, England.
Since 2007 part of the Hornby Group
Airfix is one of the oldest manufacturers in the small scale. Referring to the standard on this moment are the Airfix kits outdated. Most of the moulds are from around 1964 and mosttimes never reworked to a higher standard. Airfix please rework your moulds !!!
Click on the pictures
Catalogue History
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| 1958 leaflet |
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| 1959 leaflet |
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| 1966 leaflet |
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| 1960-1 leaflet |
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| 1960-may leaflet |
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| 1962 (?) leaflet |
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1962 1st Edition annual catalogue |
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1963-'64 2nd Edition annual catalogue |
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1965 3rd Edition annual catalogue |
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1965 Airfix Corp. of America |
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1966 4th Edition annual catalogue |
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1968 Late 5th Edition annual catalogue |
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1969 6th Edition annual catalogue |
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1968-1 leaflet for early 1968 |
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1968-2 leaflet for late 1968 |
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1969 leaflet for 1969 |
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1970 7th Edition annual catalogue |
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1971 8th Edition annual catalogue |
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1972 9th Edition annual catalogue |
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1973 10th Edition annual catalogue |
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1974 11th Edition annual catalogue |
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1975 12th Edition annual catalogue |
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1976 13th Edition annual catalogue |
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1977 14th Edition annual catalogue |
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1978 15th Edition annual catalogue |
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1979 16th Edition annual catalogue |
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1980 17th Edition annual catalogue |
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1981 Catalogue - very rare! |
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| 1982 Catalogue |
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| 1983 Catalogue |
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| 1984 Catalogue |
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1984 2nd issue Catalogue |
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| 1985 Catalogue |
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| 1986 Catalogue |
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| 1987 Catalogue |
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| 1988 Catalogue |
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| 1989 Catalogue |
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| 1990 Catalogue |
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1991 New Releases leaflet |
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| 1992 Catalogue |
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| 1993 Catalogue |
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| 1994 Catalogue |
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| 1995 Catalogue |
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| 1996 Catalogue |
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| 1997 Catalogue |
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| 1998 Catalogue |
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| 1999 Catalogue |
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| 2000 Catalogue |
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| 2001 Catalogue |
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| 2002 Catalogue |
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| 2003 Catalogue |
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2003 New Releases leaflet |
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| 2004 Catalogue |
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| 2005 Catalogue |
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| 2006 Catalogue |
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2007 Early Programme leaflet |
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| 2007 Catalogue |
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| 2008 Catalogue |
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| 2009 Catalogue |
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| 2010 Catalogue |
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| 2011 Catalogue |
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| 2012 Catalogue |
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Oldbox Layout
The picture is an thumbnail of one of first original Airfix Sherman box-art. Over the years, the bottom third of the picture has been edited out,
getting rid of the dead German in the foreground.
The Airfix Box Layout History Over The Years
In early times the smal Airfix kits series 1 and 2 were packed in plastic bags with a paper label, followed by a hard-cover blister box with a carton backside,
If you want more info about the release years of the box-types, please visit next website:

For Airfix Box release info
Plastic Bag - (Boxing type 2 - 1959 until 1960 and type 3 - 1963 until 1973 )


Airfix Plastic Bag Labels Type 3 from 1963 until 1973 (type Red Flash)
Airfix boxes Type 3 from 1963 until 1973 - US Layout (type Red Flash)


The Plastic Blister Package were released in 1973 until 19?? - (kit type series 1)



Box type 4 used from 1973 until 1977 - (kit type series 2 & 3)






Airfix Box Layouts after 1977
Kit 1302 Panther Tank

Kit 1303 Sherman M4 MK-1

Model built by David O Garcia

May 2011 issue of "Scale Military Modeller" - article "Airfix Sherman History" by Tom Cole

Kit 1304 Churchill MK-7 Tank

Kit 1305 25 pdr Field gun and Quad

Kit 1306 German Stug III

Kit 1307 JS-III Russian Tank

Kit 1308 German Tiger I Tank


Model built by Erhan Atalay

Kit 1309 Bren Carrier with 6 pdr Anti-Tank Gun

Built model by Marcin Mizielinski

Kit 1311 8 Wheeler Sdkfz 234

Pictures built model

Sprue parts posted by Frank Mostert

Kit 1312 D.U.K.W. Amphibian

Kit 1313 White Halftrack M3

Kit 1314 AEC Matador with 5.5 inch Gun

Model built by Marcin Mizielinski

Model built by Mick Hill - (Matador variant with Coles Crane)

Kit 1315 WW-I MK-1 Tank

April 2011 issue of "Scale Military Modeller" - article "Airfix Sherman History" by Tom Cole

Kit 1316 Russian T34/76-85 Tank

Kit 1317 M3 Grant/Lee Tank

Kit 1318 Matilda II Tank

Model built by Brett Mahoney - (Matilda into Russian service)

Kit 1319 Japanse Chi-Ha Tank

Kit 1320 Scorpion Scout

Kit 1321 LCVP Landigscraft

Kit 1322 Willys Jeep with Trailer

Kit 1323 GMC TRuck

For an "Stephen Brezinski" review about kit 1323 - GMC Truck visit:
"On the Way" Website
Kit 2301 Scammell Tanktransporter

Are the latest boxtops misprints??

21-06-2011
Airfix Scammell TRMU-30, or simply "Tank Transporter", as the box states. The box picture is mirrored from the earlier boxes, till I've spotted the markings on the Churchill.
I can't get the point why this is done but the fact is that it was! Also, on the picture of the same box is clearly visible one of the sides is printed
upside down. BTW, the other side of the box states "Made in India", probably this is the explanation? Meanwhile a friend from England pointed out another
mistake on the same Airfix Tank transporter kit box. On the last Indian version it is stated "Scammel", the right spelling is "Scammell" with double L,
as it is on the previous boxes, by the way. I still wonder is this a typo or a very clever way to avoid copyrights? - Ilian Filipov
14-11-2011:
Regarding the discusion over Airfix kit 2301 (Scammell Tank Transporter) mirrored box art. I bought one of these kits some time ago, it features both
mirrored boxart and “SCAMMEL” spelling in the titles. My example is “made in France” by Humbrol Group, and I think it is of slighly older vintage
than the “made in India” examples already shown in the site. So, it appears that Indians are innocent :). Things were already messed up when production
moved to India.
Adding to the rarity of this edition is that it is labelled as 1:72 scale, while earlier and later editions state H0/00 and 1:76, respectively.
I hope the information is of interest......David Sanz, Madrid. Spain
Model built by Alexandre Novellino

Models built by Mick Hill

Model built by Marcin Mizielinski

Kit 2302 Buffalo Amphibian


Kit 2303 88mm Flak Gun with Tractor


Kit 2305 Chieftain Tank


Built model by Erhan Atalay

Kit 2306 Leopard Tank


Kit 2307 Centurion Tank


Model built by Erhan Atalay

Kit 2308 Panzer IV Tank


Model built by Olaf Klein

Kit 2309 Bristol Bloudhound


For an "Al Magnus" review about kit 2309 - Bristol Bloodhound visit:
"On the Way" Website
Kit 2310 Crusader tank


Kit 2311 Sheridan Tank


Built model by Zhenmin Han

Kit 2312 German Reconnaissance Set


Model built by Erhan Atalay

Kit 2314 Bofors 40mm Gun with Tractor


Built model by Marcin Mizielinski

Built model by Alexandre Novellino

Kit 2315 Opel Blitz with Pak 40 gun


Kit 2316 Dukw


Kit 2318 White Half-track M3A1


Built model by Erhan Atalay

Kit 2320 - Sherman with Crab Mine Flail


Kit 2321 - Churchill with "Crocodille" Flamethrower

Note: The kits 2320 and 2321 are not new kits. Only the parts for the "Crab" and "Crocodile" are new. Airfix works offensive and have make conversions of his old models.
So they have used the old Sherman to the Sherman Crab and the old Churchill to the Churchill Crocodile.

Kit 2322 - LWB Landrover (soft top) & Trailer - ex-JBModels

Kit 2323 - M113 U.S. ACAV - ex-JBModels

Kit 2324 - LWB Landrover (hard top) & Trailer - ex-JBModels

Kit 2325 - Saladin MkII Armoured Car - ex-JBModels

Model built by Alexandre Novellino

Reworked are:
Mirrors - made with cooper wire
The turret and hull doors - Detailed with cooper wire
Bags - from resin set
Machine-gun - was replaced for other one (More detailed)
Kit 2326 - Bedford MK 4 Tonne Truck - ex-JBModels

Kit 2327 - M113 U.S. Fire Support Version - ex-JBModels

Model built by Erhan Atalay

Kit 2328 - Saracen APC Mk1/2/3 - ex-JBModels

Model built by Tomas Hrdlicka

Kit 2329 - Bedford Mk Tactical Aircraft Refueller - ex-JBModels

Model built by Ilian Filipov

This is the good old JB Models kit, reborn in Airfix boxes, as you know, and that's why it could be still interesting for
somebody. Note, many things are upgraded, replaced and added to the basic kit, also the grille is DIY etch, so I'm afraid it can
mislead some young and still naive modeller. - Ilian
Kit 2330 - Vickers Light Tank - ex-JBModels

Model built by Marcin Mizielinski

Model built by Petr Hlavacek

Kit 2331 - Landrover 1 Tonne FC Truck G.S. Body - ex-JBModels

Kit 2332 - British M119 105mm Light Field Gun - ex-JBModels

Kit 2333 - Landrover 1 Tonne FC Ambulance - ex-JBModels

Built model by Zhenmin Han

Kit 2334 - Sherman "Calliope" Tank - ex-JBModels
Instruction manual and sprue parts taken from www.superhobby.fr

Built model - owners unknown

Kit 2335 - Matilda "Hedgehog"

Sprue parts and built model pictures are sent to me, but who is the owner


Built model by Zhenmin Han

Built model by Mike Johnson

Kit 2337 - WW-I Female Tank


For an "J.C.Carbonel" review about kit 2337 - WW-I Female Tank:
"Modelstories" Website
Kit 2338 - Cromwell Cruiser Tank

Model built by Mick Hill

For a "Britmodeller" review about kit 2338 - Cromwell Cruiser Tank:
"Britmodeller" Website
For an "Airfix Tribute" review about kit 2238 - Cromwell Cruiser Tank visit:
"Airfix Tribute" Website
Kit 3301 LCM III with Sherman


Kit 3302 R.A.F. Refuelling Set


Models built by Erhan Atalay


Kit 3303 Sam 2 Guideline Missile

Kit 3304 R.A.F. Emergency Set

Built model by Zhenmin Han

Kit 3305 R.A.F Recovery Set


Model built by Mick Hill - (Painted as an army vehicle from infantry brigade workshop REME)

Model built by Erhan Atalay

Model built by Mick Hill - (conversion of the airfix/dapol scammel mechanical horse trailer with the airfix bedford

Kit 3306 - Bedford QL Trucks (QLT and QLD) - (Two kits in the box)

Models built by Mike Hill

For an "Airfix Tribute" review about kit 3306 - Bedford QL Trucks (QLT and QLD) visit:
"Airfix Tribute" Website
Kit 3310 - King Tiger

Kit 4301 - Churchill Bridgelayer - (note bridge is in-correct)


Built model

For information and tips to correct the Churchill Bridgelayer kit 4301, visit:
"AirfixTributeForum"
Airfix Starter Sets - (paint, paintbrush and glue included)
Kit 50142 - King Tiger with Cromwell

Kit 55109 - Cromwell

Kit 55303 - King Tiger

Airfix Diorama Parts
Kit 75001 - Europian Ruined Workshop

Model built by Mick Hill

Kit 75002 - Europian Ruined Cafe

Kit 75003 - Europian Ruined Corner House
>
Kit 75004 - Europian Ruined Country Cottage

Kit 75005 - Europian Townhouse

For a "Britmodeller" review about kit 75005 - Europian Townhouse:
"Britmodeller" Website
Kit 75006 - Europian Church

For an "Airfix Tribute" review about kit 75006 - Europian Church visit:
"Airfix Tribute" Website
Kit 75007 - Europian Four Story Shop

For a "Britmodeller" review about kit 75007 - Europian Four Story Shop:
"Britmodeller" Website
For an "Airfix Tribute" review about kit 75007 - Europian Four Story Shop visit:
"Airfix Tribute" Website
Kit 75008 - Europian Brewery

For a "Britmodeller" review about kit 75008 - Europian Brewery:
"Britmodeller" Website
Kit 75011 - Narrow Road Bridge Full Span

Kit 75012 - Narrow Road Bridge Broken Span

Airfix Dioramasets
Kit 3380 R.A.F. Control Tower


Model built by Mick Hill

Kit 3381 - Forward Command Post

Kit 3382 - Jungle Outpost (old & new layout)

Kit 3383 Pontoon Bridge (old & new lay-out)

Kit 4382 German Outpost
Kit 6704 - Gun Emplacement
Kit 6706 - Coastal Defence Fort (old & new lay-out)

Kit 670x - Fort Saharina

Kit 50009 - Battlefront

Kit 50060 - WW-I Western Front Diorama

Special D-Day Collection - Operation Overlord 6 june 1944
Kit 50064 - This collection contains the next kits:
Tiger I, AEC Matador, LCV IV, Dukw 353, Sherman Crab, LCM III with Sherman and Coastal Defence kit>/b>


Battlefront History Series - (Out of Production)
Kit D1 (09654-9) or (40651-0) - "D-Day" Allied Attack Forces
Kit D2 (09652-2) or (40652-3) - "D-Day" German Defence Forces
Kit G1 (09657-7) or (40657-8) - "Guadalcanal" US marine Assault Forces
Kit G2 (09658-0) or (40658-1) - "Guadalcanal" Japanese Defence Forces
Kit E2 (09654-8) or (40654-5) - "El-Alamein" German Defence Forces
Kit E1 (09653-5) or (40653-6) - "El-Alamein" Allied Attack Forces

Kit S1 (09655-1) or (40655-2) - "Stalingrad" German Attack Forces
Kit S1 (09656-4) or (40656-5) - "Stalingrad" Russian Defence Forces

Airfix kits released by Heller and Airfix
Note August 2011: This 3 kits are not longer available under Airfix label, but alone under Heller label
Kit 49995 - LCVP Landingsboat
Kit 49996 - GMC Truck

For an "Stephen Brezinski" review about kit 49996 - GMC Truck visit:
"On the Way" Website
Kit 49997 - Willy Jeep with trailer

For an "Al Magnus" review about kit 49997 - Willy Jeep with trailer visit:
"On the Way" Website
Airfield Dioramesets - This sets are a combination from existing line!
Kit 06901 - WWII RAF Airfield Set (RAF Refuelling, Spitfire Ia, Personnel, Base)

Kit 06902 - WWII Luftwaffe Airfield Set (Opel Blitz & PAK, Me-109E, Personnel, Base)

Kit 06903 - WWII USAAF Airfield Set (Willys Jeep, P-51D, Personnel, Base)

Kit 06904 - Modern RAF Airfield Set (Scorpion, Harrier GR3, Personnel, Base)

Airfix scale 1/72 ships
Kit 5280 Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat
Kit 5281 R.A.F. Rescue Launch

Kit 10280 German E-Boat
The 1/76 Soft-Skins "Snap-Togheter" Kits from Airfix
Airfix has released a long time also many soft-skin kits from the "Snap-Togheter" class.
Airfix kits released under other Labels
Hobby - Made in Japan by Tsukada - release 1988
876W01 LVT4 BUFFALO & JEEP
876W02 CRUSADER TANK Mk2 or Mk3
876W03 OPEL BLITZ & PAK 40 GUN
876W04 25 POUNDER FIELD GUN
876W05 R.A.F.EMERGENCY SET
876W06 L.C.M.III & SHERMAN TANK
876W07 DUKW AMPHIBIAN
876W08 MATADOR & 5.5 INCH GUN
876W09 BOFORS 40mm GUN WITH TRACTOR
876W10 R.A.F. REFUELLING SET
876W11 BREN CARRIER & 6POUNDER GUN
876M01 THE BRISTOL/FERRANTI BLOODHOUND
876M02 M551 SHERIDAN TANK
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| 876W01 |
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| 876W02 |
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| 876W03 |
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| 876W04 |
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| 876W05 |
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| 876W06 |
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| 876W07 |
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| 876W08 |
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| 876W09 |
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| 876W10 |
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| 876W11 |
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| 876M01 |
MPC - Made in the USA - release 1981-1985
Catalog History
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| 1969 |
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| 1972 |
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| 1973 |
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| 1974 |
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| 1974-1 |
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| 1975-1 |
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| 1975-2 |
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| 1976 |
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| 1978 |
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| 1980 |
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| 1982 |
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| 1983 |
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| 1984 |
MPC issued Airfix kits as next:
1980's
1-6201 Amphibious Buffalo
1-6202 German 88
1-6203 Anti-Tank Battery
1-6204 Chieftain
1-6205 Centurion
1-6206 Leopard
1-6207 Tank Transporter
1-6208 Reconnaissance Patrol
1-6209 Anti-Aircraft Battery
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| Kit 6201 - Amph. Buffaloo |
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| Kit 6202 - SKfz. 7 & 8.8cm |
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| Kit 6203 - Opel Blitz & pak 40 |
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| Kit 6204 - Chieftain |
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| Kit 6205 - Centurion |
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| Kit 6206 - Leopard |
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| Kit 6207 - Scammel Transporter |
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| Kit 6208 - SdKfz. 222 & Kubel |
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MPC issued Airfix (Historama) kits as next:
Historama
2-1204 Red Baron Dogfight (1972)
2-1205 Chopper! Chopper! (1972)
2-1206 Battle of Britain! (1972)
2-1207 Balloon Buster! (1972)
2-1208 Pearl Harbor Attack! (1972)
2-8001 The Battle of El Alamein (1972)
2-8002 The Battle of Tobruk (1972)
2-8003 The Battle of Iwo Jima (1972)
2-8004 D-Day: Merville beach (1972)
2-8005 D-Day: Omaha beach (1972)
2-8006 D-Day: Sword beach (1972)
2-8007 Rescue at Dunkirk (1972)
2-8008 Battle of the Bulge (1972)
2-8009 Guadalcanal (1972)
Historama - MPC

Kit 2-1206 - Battle of Britain! (1972)

Kit 2-8001 - Historama - El Alamein

Kit 2-8002 - Historama - Battle of Tobruk

Kit 2-8003 - Historama - The Battle of Iwo Jima

Kit 2-8004 - Historama - D-Day (Merville June 06 - German Army Merville Battery)

Kit 2-8006 - Historama - D-Day (Merville June 06 - British Commando's Sword Beach)

MPC Diorama's - Super Historama
2-8051 Guns of Normandy (1973)
2-8052 Breakout From Normandy (1973)
2-8053 Commados Strike at Dawn (1973 or 74)
2-8054 Tank Battle at El Alamein (1973 or 74)
Kit 2-8051 - Guns of Normandy (1973)

Kit 2-8052 - Breakout From Normandy (1973)

Kit 2-8053 - Commados Strike at Dawn (1973 or 74)

Kit 2-8054 - Tank Battle at El Alamein (1973 or 74)

1-6101 Attack: Normandy
1-6102 Attack: Rhineland - (no picture)

Craftmaster - Catalog History
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| 1966 |
Airfix corporation of America (CraftMaster) has issued 1/76 kits as next.
M1-49 75mm Assault Gun
M2-49 Josef Stalin 3
M3-49 Pz.Kw.V Panther
M4-49 Mk.I Sherman
M5-49 Mk.VII Churchill
M6-49 25-Pounder Field Gun with Quad Limber and Gun Crew
M7-49 Bristol Bloodhound and Land Rover
M8-49 Mk.VI Tiger I
M9-49 Bren Gun Carrier with 6-Pounder Anti-Tank Gun
M1-79 Scammell 30-ton Tank Transporter
Craftmaster (Airfix - US Layout)

KIKO - Made in the Brasil - released after 1981

Posted by Luiz Edgard Marcondes from Brasil
MR. A. KIKOLER (KIKO) took REVELL to BRASIL in circa 1960 and all (hundreds) of Revell kits produced worldwide are also produced in Brasil, even with similar boxtops.
From circa 1980 the KIKO brandname was added becoming REVELL KIKO and afterwards also HELLER KIKO (some 20 kits only) and AIRFIX KIKO (just 18 kits only).
From AIRFIX only the Sdkfz 234 in 1/76 and Rommel's Halftrack (Sdkfz 250/3) in 1/32 were made in Brasil. NONE of HELLER ARMOUR was made in Brasil!
Of REVELL also none 1/76 armour kits, but several in 1/40 scale (M-48 bridge layer, T-34/85, 105 mm gun, Sherman tank, Self propeled gun, U.S. 6x6 truck etc...), this are all Revell 1960's kits, Aditionally Snaptite Panzer and Sherman on the 1980's.
Airfix - released in Taiwan - unknown company
Sam Publications has released Tom Cole's new book "Build Convert Airfix Military Models"
• Over 50 Builds in 1:76 (3 in 1:72)
• A short history of each type
• Straight builds
• Conversions
• Super-Detailing
• How-to Guides
• Colour Profiles
• Scale Plans
For more information visit:
Sam Publications Web-Site
For ordering visit:
Sam Publications order form
For more information about Airfix kits:
Airfix World-Wide Web-Site - worldpage
Airfix Web-Site
For e-mail Henkofholland click button below: