" ..One of the few benefits of us all going back to work at the start of any new year is that we do so in the sure and certain knowledge that we are about to be transfixed by a spectacular new collection of Airfix model kits, with the launch of the latest Airfix range. Featuring a collection of new tooling projects, new scheme options and artwork for some range favourites and the return of some kit classics, range launch day usually sees the Airfix website struggling to cope with all the additional traffic, as thousands of people rush to take a first look at what kits might be tempting them over the coming months and if our designers have been hard at work producing a newly tooled example of their own favourite modelling subject..."
Range launch this year will be taking place at 4pm on Tuesday 9th January, so things will hopefully have settled down by the time you get home from work, allowing you to spend a few uninterrupted minutes inspecting all the new kits we have in store for you throughout 2024. We will, of course, be posting a range overview edition of Workbench next week, where we will be taking a closer look at some of the significant additions to the range, before moving on to feature all the new tooling additions to the 2024 range in more detail over the next few months. By the time we have covered everything, we'll be ready for range launch 2025 - how time flies when you're an Airfix modeller!.."
The 'new announcement' date coincides with our model club night and a 'special' presentation to those attending by an Airfix representative. So tune in here next Wednesday for more then...
Better not forget either that Airfix are in business to make money, not to manufacture a kit that you would like...and if that includes another Bf 109 so be it.
Having watched the slightly 'underwhelming' Airfix 2024 Product Release announcement 'live' on youtube - aside from a couple of neat 72nd kits - you have to suspect that this is just a clever ploy from Airfix and that we WILL see other brand-new kit announcements throughout the year like the surprise release of the Westland Sea King and ME 410 in 2023 and subsequent market reaction to this 'old school' approach to the release of new kits ..so much more exciting than getting a full list at the beginning of the year with only half the list actually appearing..
- the Bristol Bulldog was the only 'new-tool' in 48th scale and was not 'lidared' from the Hendon exhibit which apparently is not 100% accurate. OR rather, they did LiDAR it, but then looked a bit closer and found out the restoration in the 1980s was not the best, so the Airfix designers then went with the Bristol drawings as a result. A good example of not blindly trusting LiDAR data and using multiple sources. And while it's not my preferred era, the designers at Airfix are improving their kits with every release, so a 'new-tool' is always an event no-matter what it is
- the 72nd Bf 109 Friedrich apears in the markings of Wolf dieter Huy (III./JG 77) and is a 'Starter set' because of the four-colour finish.
- the B-24 is an 'H' variant with the nose art and both options are camouflaged. The first natural alu machines were a different Block No. with amended nav windows
- the 72nd Chinook is 'BN' and a Gulf War option
- the Bristol Bulldog was the only 'new-tool' in 48th scale and was not 'lidared' from the Hendon exhibit which apparently is not 100% accurate. OR rather, they did LiDAR it, but then looked a bit closer and found out the restoration in the 1980s was not the best, so the Airfix designers then went with the Bristol drawings as a result. A good example of not blindly trusting LiDAR data and using multiple sources. And while it's not my preferred era, the designers at Airfix are improving their kits with every release, so a 'new-tool' is always an event no-matter what it is
- the 72nd Bf 109 Friedrich apears in the markings of Wolf dieter Huy (III./JG 77) and is a 'Starter set' because of the four-colour finish.
- the B-24 is an 'H' variant with the nose art and both options are camouflaged. The first natural alu machines were a different Block No. with amended nav windows
- the 72nd Chinook is 'BN' and a Gulf War option
- new life-boat (that's all I can find to say about that one..)
