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 Referring to the standard on this moment are the Airfix kits outdated.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

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1958 leaflet

1959 leaflet

1966 leaflet

1960-1 leaflet

1960-may leaflet

1962 (?) leaflet

1962 1st Edition annual catalogue

1963-'64 2nd Edition annual catalogue

1965 3rd Edition annual catalogue

1965 Airfix Corp. of America

1966 4th Edition annual catalogue

1968 Late 5th Edition annual catalogue

1969 6th Edition annual catalogue

1968-1 leaflet for early 1968

1968-2 leaflet for late 1968

1969 leaflet for 1969

1970 7th Edition annual catalogue

1971 8th Edition annual catalogue

1972 9th Edition annual catalogue

1973 10th Edition annual catalogue

1974 11th Edition annual catalogue

1975 12th Edition annual catalogue

1976 13th Edition annual catalogue

1977 14th Edition annual catalogue

1978 15th Edition annual catalogue

1979 16th Edition annual catalogue

1980 17th Edition annual catalogue

1981 Catalogue - very rare!

1982 Catalogue

1983 Catalogue

1984 Catalogue

1984 2nd issue Catalogue

1985 Catalogue

1986 Catalogue

1987 Catalogue

1988 Catalogue

1989 Catalogue

1990 Catalogue

1991 New Releases leaflet

1992 Catalogue

1993 Catalogue

1994 Catalogue

1995 Catalogue

1996 Catalogue

1997 Catalogue

1998 Catalogue

1999 Catalogue

2000 Catalogue

2001 Catalogue

2002 Catalogue

2003 Catalogue

2003 New Releases leaflet

2004 Catalogue

2005 Catalogue

2006 Catalogue

2007 Early Programme leaflet

2007 Catalogue

2008 Catalogue

2009 Catalogue

2010 Catalogue

2011 Catalogue

2012 Catalogue

Oldbox Layout

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)

Kit 1302 Panther Tank

Model built by David O Garcia

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

Model built by Erhan Atalay

Built model by Marcin Mizielinski

Pictures built model

Sprue parts posted by Frank Mostert

Model built by Marcin Mizielinski

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

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

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

For an "Stephen Brezinski" review about kit 1323 - GMC Truck visit:

"On the Way" Website

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

Built model by Erhan Atalay

Model built by Erhan Atalay

Model built by Olaf Klein

For an "Al Magnus" review about kit 2309 - Bristol Bloodhound visit:

"On the Way" Website

Built model by Zhenmin Han

Model built by Erhan Atalay

Built model by Marcin Mizielinski

Built model by Alexandre Novellino

Built model by Erhan Atalay

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.

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)

Model built by Erhan Atalay

Model built by Tomas Hrdlicka

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

Model built by Marcin Mizielinski

Model built by Petr Hlavacek

Built model by Zhenmin Han

Instruction manual and sprue parts taken from www.superhobby.fr

Built model - owners unknown

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

For an "J.C.Carbonel" review about kit 2337 - WW-I Female Tank:

"Modelstories" Website

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

Models built by Erhan Atalay

Built model by Zhenmin Han

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

Models built by Mike Hill

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

"Airfix Tribute" Website

Built model

For information and tips to correct the Churchill Bridgelayer kit 4301, visit:

"AirfixTributeForum"

Model built by Mick Hill

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For a "Britmodeller" review about kit 75005 - Europian Townhouse:

"Britmodeller" Website

For an "Airfix Tribute" review about kit 75006 - Europian Church visit:

"Airfix Tribute" Website

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

For a "Britmodeller" review about kit 75008 - Europian Brewery:

"Britmodeller" Website

Model built by Mick Hill

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>

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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

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Kit G1 (09657-7) or (40657-8) - "Guadalcanal" US marine Assault Forces
Kit G2 (09658-0) or (40658-1) - "Guadalcanal" Japanese Defence Forces

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Kit E2 (09654-8) or (40654-5) - "El-Alamein" German Defence Forces
Kit E1 (09653-5) or (40653-6) - "El-Alamein" Allied Attack Forces

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

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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

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Kit 49996 - GMC Truck

For an "Stephen Brezinski" review about kit 49996 - GMC Truck visit:

"On the Way" Website

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Kit 49997 - Willy Jeep with trailer

For an "Al Magnus" review about kit 49997 - Willy Jeep with trailer visit:

"On the Way" Website

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Airfield Dioramesets - This sets are a combination from existing line!

Kit 06901 - WWII RAF Airfield Set (RAF Refuelling, Spitfire Ia, Personnel, Base)

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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)

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Airfix scale 1/72 ships

Kit 5280 Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat
Kit 5281 R.A.F. Rescue Launch

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Kit 10280 German E-Boat

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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.

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Airfix kits released under other Labels

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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

876W01

876W02

876W03

876W04

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876W05

876W06

876W07

876W08

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876W09

876W10

876W11

876M01

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MPC - Made in the USA - release 1981-1985

Catalog History

1969

1972

1973

1974

1974-1

1975-1

1975-2

1976

1978

.

1980

1982

1983

1984

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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

Kit 6201 - Amph. Buffaloo

Kit 6202 - SKfz. 7 & 8.8cm

Kit 6203 - Opel Blitz & pak 40

Kit 6204 - Chieftain

.

Kit 6205 - Centurion

Kit 6206 - Leopard

Kit 6207 - Scammel Transporter

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

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

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Kit 2-8001 - Historama - El Alamein

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Kit 2-8002 - Historama - Battle of Tobruk

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

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

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

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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)

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Kit 2-8051 - Guns of Normandy (1973)

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Kit 2-8052 - Breakout From Normandy (1973)

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

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

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

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Craftmaster - Catalog History

1966

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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)

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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.

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Airfix - released in Taiwan - unknown company

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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

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For more information about Airfix kits:

Airfix World-Wide Web-Site - worldpage

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Airfix Web-Site

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For e-mail Henkofholland click button below:

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