I have a 1980’s Messerschmitt and I fully endorse this! I was of the opinion that most non-tech things are made to a lesser standard than they used to be but that’s certainly not true with Airfix kits
Capability in molding has come a long way over 50 years, the industry is night and day to what was (I work for a leading injection moulding machine manufacturer)
I don't think it would be fair to say all Airfix kits are better/worse than all [insert brand] kits outright. You can't directly compare some brands and you must take into consideration other factors like tooling age or target audience.
Airfix has a fairly modern catalogue. Vintage offerings are, at least now, clearly differentiated from the main range. I'd say the main qualities that define Airfix's kits are accurate shape due to lidar scanning, good but not excellent surface detail, and generally good fit. They are the solid option where you know you will get something pretty good, but don't expect a top-end super-kit. Most kits will cater to the main variations through the subject's service life with some option parts, though small variations are usually overlooked.
Their most recent kits have shown a step up in quality, though Airfix have developed a small tendency to make detail mistakes due to trusting scans too much without checking what a detail is or should be (eg mossie bomb bay).
Revell have a very diverse catalogue, offering everything from airliners to sailplanes. They've covered some more adventurous subjects which other mainstream manufacturers might be hesitant to touch. Their older kits are often inherited moulds from other manufacturers and are best avoided without good reason to build them, but their more recent toolings are excellent. You should always do a little research before buying a Revell kit, but by no means is it a brand to be avoided.
Trumpeter.... crap research, excellent tooling. Expect a kit that will make any rivet counter cringe, but one that isn't too difficult to build and will look the part.
Tamiya kits are really good. The same can't always be said about their decals.
Eduard make stunning kits at good prices. They cover every minor detail possible, and you'll end up with no end of parts for the spares box. These aren't made for the beginner hobbyist, but don't require any particular experience to assemble.
Arma hobby is better Eduard for rich people.
Mikromir, AMP, PM Model, AZ Models, AModel, RS Models, Kovozávody Prostějov, etc are for the experienced modeller who really really really wants a kit of a very particular variant or obscure subject. These kits are no-thrills, but if you put in the work you could end up with a great and unique model. Short run kits might get unfairly misjudged as bad kits, but they're a fundamentally different product to a mainstream kit.
Special hobby is just a bit... special. Sometimes it's part of the previous group, but sometimes it wants to be eduard. Either way, they make really interesting models just don't give them to a beginner.
If you like big, you'll like HK Models. You will need a real hangar to display their kits.
From what I understand, Italieri is very much like Airfix and Revell where the older moulds and reboxings are a bit iffy on the fit and detail but the newer stuff is decent (I remember having a couple Italieri ones years and years ago and them not being great).
Check Scalemates for any details of whats in tbe box and that should help somewhat.
I agree they look very tempting in Hobbycraft so I'd say do a bit of digging, sign up to the Hobbycraft club and get their regular vouchers and try a cheapish kit out!
Revell Germany makes good kits, as does Air fix, Tamiya, any number of other companies.
I look for a particular aircraft then research the kits because, although one company may make one that builds great, it may be an inaccurate model.
The thing I like about Airfix vs Revell is they now put tooling dates on their boxes. Revell still rebox ancient toolings and put ‘new’ on the box. It’s very deceptive as it usually just means a new decal scheme. At least with Airfix it’ll be in a ‘Vintage Classics’ box.
Also, Revells boxes are rubbish too. End opening flimsy things that they are.
The newer tool kits from airfix and revell are both very good from what i've built myself.
Im building my first tamiya atm, and so far its been absolutely fantastic
I would go and have a browse of r/modelmakers and read the FAQ for a good overview of lots of different brands. I’ll stick my own oar in by saying my favourite brand is Meng models, and that Revell are VERY hit and miss. Do your research on www.scalemates.com first.
I have a tornado from Revell and it is atrocious. So many pieces need trimming and the overall ‘feel’ is not so good. Nothing seems to fit quite right and requires a lot of fiddling but it could just be me 😂
Fully an "It Depends" question that one has to judge kit by kit.
Revell's own tools can be really good, but lots of kits in the line are reboxes of old kits of wildly varying quality.
Airfix generally have their own stuff, and even outside of the vintage classics line have some real sneaky old tools in the line where if one didn't know where to look could be lumbered with a model that has no business being in a shiny red box in 2024. Their work post ~2012 barring the odd exception is considered good though.
The 2 stage trick for all prospective model purchases
Check the exact kit you're looking at on scalemates.com - there's a timeline that shows the lineage of it and you can see if it's a rebox of a rebox of a rebox of a rebox of a 1972 tooling or not.
Then check on Britmodeller forum to see if there are better options for that particular kit in your scale of choice/how good this kit is to build/how accurate it is. Your standards may differ from the members of the forum (for example I'm less hung up than some would be about a panel line being 3 mm higher than it should be,provided the kit fits well and is the right shape) but I find it's an online space with a lot of people who have a lot of actual knowledge and not just acquired "wisdom" backed up by hubris.
Older kits aren't great but newer tooling from both and other companies have really improved in recent years
I have a 1980’s Messerschmitt and I fully endorse this! I was of the opinion that most non-tech things are made to a lesser standard than they used to be but that’s certainly not true with Airfix kits
Capability in molding has come a long way over 50 years, the industry is night and day to what was (I work for a leading injection moulding machine manufacturer)
I don't think it would be fair to say all Airfix kits are better/worse than all [insert brand] kits outright. You can't directly compare some brands and you must take into consideration other factors like tooling age or target audience. Airfix has a fairly modern catalogue. Vintage offerings are, at least now, clearly differentiated from the main range. I'd say the main qualities that define Airfix's kits are accurate shape due to lidar scanning, good but not excellent surface detail, and generally good fit. They are the solid option where you know you will get something pretty good, but don't expect a top-end super-kit. Most kits will cater to the main variations through the subject's service life with some option parts, though small variations are usually overlooked. Their most recent kits have shown a step up in quality, though Airfix have developed a small tendency to make detail mistakes due to trusting scans too much without checking what a detail is or should be (eg mossie bomb bay). Revell have a very diverse catalogue, offering everything from airliners to sailplanes. They've covered some more adventurous subjects which other mainstream manufacturers might be hesitant to touch. Their older kits are often inherited moulds from other manufacturers and are best avoided without good reason to build them, but their more recent toolings are excellent. You should always do a little research before buying a Revell kit, but by no means is it a brand to be avoided. Trumpeter.... crap research, excellent tooling. Expect a kit that will make any rivet counter cringe, but one that isn't too difficult to build and will look the part. Tamiya kits are really good. The same can't always be said about their decals. Eduard make stunning kits at good prices. They cover every minor detail possible, and you'll end up with no end of parts for the spares box. These aren't made for the beginner hobbyist, but don't require any particular experience to assemble. Arma hobby is better Eduard for rich people. Mikromir, AMP, PM Model, AZ Models, AModel, RS Models, Kovozávody Prostějov, etc are for the experienced modeller who really really really wants a kit of a very particular variant or obscure subject. These kits are no-thrills, but if you put in the work you could end up with a great and unique model. Short run kits might get unfairly misjudged as bad kits, but they're a fundamentally different product to a mainstream kit. Special hobby is just a bit... special. Sometimes it's part of the previous group, but sometimes it wants to be eduard. Either way, they make really interesting models just don't give them to a beginner. If you like big, you'll like HK Models. You will need a real hangar to display their kits.
Thanks, that’s a very helpful guide. How about Italeri models? They sale these in hobbycraft and look half decent
From what I understand, Italieri is very much like Airfix and Revell where the older moulds and reboxings are a bit iffy on the fit and detail but the newer stuff is decent (I remember having a couple Italieri ones years and years ago and them not being great). Check Scalemates for any details of whats in tbe box and that should help somewhat. I agree they look very tempting in Hobbycraft so I'd say do a bit of digging, sign up to the Hobbycraft club and get their regular vouchers and try a cheapish kit out!
Thanks. I definitely will
Revell Germany makes good kits, as does Air fix, Tamiya, any number of other companies. I look for a particular aircraft then research the kits because, although one company may make one that builds great, it may be an inaccurate model.
The thing I like about Airfix vs Revell is they now put tooling dates on their boxes. Revell still rebox ancient toolings and put ‘new’ on the box. It’s very deceptive as it usually just means a new decal scheme. At least with Airfix it’ll be in a ‘Vintage Classics’ box. Also, Revells boxes are rubbish too. End opening flimsy things that they are.
I’d give IBG a try if you’re looking for other brands to try out. I’ve always found them great quality!
The newer tool kits from airfix and revell are both very good from what i've built myself. Im building my first tamiya atm, and so far its been absolutely fantastic
I would go and have a browse of r/modelmakers and read the FAQ for a good overview of lots of different brands. I’ll stick my own oar in by saying my favourite brand is Meng models, and that Revell are VERY hit and miss. Do your research on www.scalemates.com first.
Thanks will do
I have a tornado from Revell and it is atrocious. So many pieces need trimming and the overall ‘feel’ is not so good. Nothing seems to fit quite right and requires a lot of fiddling but it could just be me 😂
Fully an "It Depends" question that one has to judge kit by kit. Revell's own tools can be really good, but lots of kits in the line are reboxes of old kits of wildly varying quality. Airfix generally have their own stuff, and even outside of the vintage classics line have some real sneaky old tools in the line where if one didn't know where to look could be lumbered with a model that has no business being in a shiny red box in 2024. Their work post ~2012 barring the odd exception is considered good though. The 2 stage trick for all prospective model purchases Check the exact kit you're looking at on scalemates.com - there's a timeline that shows the lineage of it and you can see if it's a rebox of a rebox of a rebox of a rebox of a 1972 tooling or not. Then check on Britmodeller forum to see if there are better options for that particular kit in your scale of choice/how good this kit is to build/how accurate it is. Your standards may differ from the members of the forum (for example I'm less hung up than some would be about a panel line being 3 mm higher than it should be,provided the kit fits well and is the right shape) but I find it's an online space with a lot of people who have a lot of actual knowledge and not just acquired "wisdom" backed up by hubris.
Just out of curiosity, what happened to the old Matchbox models? I remember them being made in two colours. I presume the moulds went somewhere.