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 Referring to the standard on this moment are the Airfix kits outdated.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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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
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
Kit 1309 Bren Carrier with 6 pdr Anti-Tank Gun
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
Kit 1315 WW-I MK-1 Tank
Kit 1316 Russian T34/76-85 Tank
Kit 1317 M3 Grant/Lee Tank
Kit 1318 Matilda II Tank
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 Scammel Tanktransporter
Model built by Alexandre Novellino
Kit 2302 Buffalo Amphibian
Kit 2303 88mm Flak Gun with Tractor
Kit 2305 Chieftain Tank
Kit 2306 Leopard Tank
Kit 2307 Centurion Tank
Kit 2308 Panzer IV Tank
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
Kit 2312 German Reconnaissance Set
Kit 2314 Bofors 40mm Gun with Tractor
Kit 2315 Opel Blitz with Pak 40 gun
Kit 2316 Dukw
Kit 2318 White Half-track M3A1
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
Kit 2328 - Saracen APC Mk1/2/3 - ex-JBModels
Kit 2329 - Bedford Mk Tactical Aircraft Refueller - ex-JBModels
Kit 2330 - Vickers Light Tank - ex-JBModels
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
Kit 2335 - Matilda "Hedgehog"
Sprue parts and built model pictures are sent to me, but who is the owner
Sprue parts pictures are sent to me, but who is the owner
Built model by Mike Johnson
Kit 2337 - WW-I Female Tank - announced
Kit 3301 LCM III with Sherman
Kit 3302 R.A.F. Refuelling Set
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
Kit 3306 - Bedford QL Trucks (QLT and QLD) - (Two kits in a box??) - announced for 2010
Kit 4301 - Churchill Bridgelayer - announced
Kit 3380 R.A.F. Control Tower
Kit 75001 - Europian Ruined Workshop - announced for 2010
Kit 75002 - Europian Ruined Cafe
Kit 75003 - Europian Ruined Corner House
Kit 75004 - Europian Ruined Country Cottage
Airfix Dioramasets
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 50009 - Battlefront
Kit 50060 - WW-I Western Front Diorama - announced
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
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
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
Historama - El Alamein
Historama - D-Day
MPC Dioara'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)
1-6101 Attack: Normandy
1-6102 Attack: Rhineland
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
Who is so kindley to help me with 1:1 scans from the different Airfix kit lay-outs?
(if possible 600 pixels high)
My thanks in advance - Henkofholland
For more information about Airfix kits released under other Labels:
Airfix World-Wide Web-Site - index page - a special for Airfix collectors!!!
Airfix World-Wide Web-Site - worldpage
Airfix Web-Site
The website from Eric Williamson (UK) with a lot of information about the story of Airfix, include the old Catologs, kits and pictures
A guide to collecting Airfix HO scale figures !!!!
E-mail to Henk Timmerman / HenkofHolland
