- The Airfix Tribute Forum -

Richard M · Posted: Sat 24 Jan 2009 20:25 pm Post subject: Airfix Modelling SIG Chat.

This is the general chat area for the Airfix Modelling SIG, open to all ATF and SIG members to post.
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Rich
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Richard M · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 17:46 pm Post subject:

I've been thinking of some things we can do as a SIG, as to my view, a SIG should be about more than just a single SMW display each year.

One of the projects I was thinking about, follows a suggestion by Jonathan, for a "What Airfix means to me" collection. We can have a group build where everyone chooses the Airfix kit which means the most to them, gives us a history of the kit, then explains why it is special and what it means to them. We can all follow each others builds and have a gallery showing all the builds and their explanations. Maybe we can link it into a show and have the models and the explanations on display, or possibly work it into a folder to be put on the table at the display for people to read through.

The second idea is rather longer term, a "2010 Icons of Airfix Calendar". We have a vote, where we each nominate our top 10 Airfix kits, which we consider iconic. The 12 with the most votes will be built by SIG members and photographed to go in an Airfix Modelling SIG calendar, which will be available for everyone to purchase.e.g like these from photobox.

What does everyone think of these ideas, and what other ideas do people have for things the SIG could do?
Best
Rich
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Best
Rich
---------------------------

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

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Owen · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 18:29 pm Post subject:

They sound like ideas worth developing.

Something I've just thought about - I know each and every modeller has their own opinions on Airfix kits and many get a slating for being old/suffering from fit issues etc, but amongst many of the older kits are the 'gems' of the pile - wouldn't it be interesting to see what Airfix kits people consider to be 'Gems', and with the shared knowledge we could produce a list of hidden Airfix treasures?

Owen
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Owen
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ColinM · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 19:19 pm Post subject:

Interesting ideas, but I don't see me buying a calendar of other folks models, however good they may turn out. Also, if it were to be a commercial project Airfix might take an interest if their name/logo were too prominent.

I'm not sure how many people would want to read anything detailed at a show, perhaps a slide show on a computer screen might work, just don't leave the laptop too near the door...

One very long term project for the SIG might be to build and photograph a finished example of every Airfix kit ever made to compliment Brian's boxart archive. The usual suspects would be added pretty quickly, the rarer ones would be more of a challenge and would make an interesting section at the nationals.

Short term we need to get some interest and members. How about an article for the next IPMS magazine to promote the SIG, the editor is always looking for good content. Something similar for a couple of modelling magazines too.

Colin
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Ratch · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 01:19 am Post subject:

Howzabout replicating the box art

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mattbacon · Yellow Star Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 144

feanor · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 07:46 am Post subject:

Ayup Matt...

Nice to see you here so early...

Will you be joining the SIG ?
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Brews · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 07:53 am Post subject:

BAC · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 08:17 am Post subject:

The trouble is with the 'Gems' (I hate that phrase, sounds so silly!) is that what one person likes and would say is a great kit, another would rubbish it.

For example I once saw the Westland Scout is a 'gem' but try building one and getting the window piece to fit or the skids to line up. It's a horrible kit -but of course that's my opinion.

As a suggestion why not pick the best sellers? We don't have access to sales figures but we can see how many years a kit has been on sale for. You will also be able to see if kits made in the last 20 years have regularily been in the catalogues. The unpopular kits are soon dropped -FMA Pucara anyone?

Cheers
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farmroad38 · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 08:52 am Post subject:

A problem that I see with both the 'gems' and the best sellers is that they're all kits we've seen before. I think it would be nice to mix it up with a few of the less often seen kits - we've certainly had a number of them on this site already and I'm sure that we could drum up a few to display.

Variety is the answer maybe - a few of the best known, a few of the oddities will give visitors the chance to point out the ones they've built, plus see some of the ones they haven't.
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Cheers,

Adrian

feanor · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 09:01 am Post subject:

Ayup Adrian...

Maybe the first display could be named 'The World Of Airfix' and as you say, try and get as broad a range of kits as is produced as possible.

THAT display, IMO, needs the likes of JE*J, Bf109, 110 Saturn V 1a 24th Spit, Anne Boleyn, Julius Ceasar, etc as can be procured.

Then, displays like Farnborough, need to be tailored to Aircraft. spit, hurri, lanc, stirling, Mustang, etc, etc.

Somewhere like, say, Bovington needs Targ... (sorry, force of habit), tracked Vehicles, and so on... but the Biggie at Telford needs again, as broad a spectrum of Airfixes output that spans the decades....
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

BAC · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 10:35 am Post subject:

Of course Airfix arn't just aircraft or British kits. Over the years they've re-released many kits of other countries in their boxes. Countries such as France, USA, South Korea, Turkey, Japan to mention just a few.

Although these arn't Airfix kits as such they are still a part of their history and should be included.

How about a sprinkling of kits like these on a display table.....

Cheers!
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If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!!!!!!!!

feanor · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 11:51 am Post subject:

Ayup Bri...

Agree 100%

Just don't let Arni near the mini or freedom fighter, 'cos it'll be scratched into something totally outrageous !

Nige....
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

Ratch · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 12:00 pm Post subject:

I compiled an incomplete

list of what's been in the catalogue over the last ten years (OK, I was bored)

and I think these were the ever-presents

Of course. this is not a definitive list, but just a starting point for conversation

Another idea

What about displaying the 2009 Catalogue

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983

feanor · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 12:51 pm Post subject:

Ayup Ratch..

Is the Mossie in it?

I may have to steal one if it is !
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

stuzzar · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 14:23 pm Post subject:

I have the Dodge weapons carrier made up, just needs a coat of paint. Started back in the 70's and it is the Airfix issue still have the instruction sheet as proof.

Cheers

Stu

feanor · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 14:37 pm Post subject:

stuzzar · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 14:49 pm Post subject:

They came in very handy when I wanted to make a 1/48 scale weapons carrier

Cheers

Stu

feanor · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 15:44 pm Post subject:

Ayup Bruv..

Yes, sounds good. but then Airfix Destructions can be used for more then their original purpose. and especially i think the older ones, where the parts are named...

@RichM...

As for other types of display, there could be themed sub groups, like all the classic ships, small and Large, in an 'Explorers' theme. 'Superkits' another, 'Napoleonics' and figures, 'Conversions' if anyones butchered a figure or two, as well, and so on. The Dioramas should make exceptional display pieces... plus examples of toys such as Ironing bo... sorry, Flight Deck, and the diving submarine, if anyone has one, the disc shooting pill-boxes would all add interest... plus Literachewer and the like..
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Airfix Member 022... Jolly Boy.

Remember: 'The Dude Abides'...

'It's GOOD to be the King !'

BAC · Posted: Thu 05 Feb 2009 19:28 pm Post subject:

Something else we could do is a sort of 'Airfix Turns Full Circle'. As it's Airfix's 60th year of producing kits we could do the kits that have either had the tool modified or replaced with another Airfix or other brand tool alongside the original kit.

For example;

Hart - Demon
Dakota - AC47 -DC3 (Italeri)
Bronco 'A' - Bronco 'D'
B17 'Bit o lace' - B17 (Acadamy)
Hurricane IVP - Hurricane I/II (1970's) - new 2009 tool
Spit IX 'JEJ' - New 2009 Spit IX
Mig15 - New 2009 Mig15
Concorde prototype - Concorde production
Sherman - Sherman Calliope - Sherman Crab
Churchill - Churchill Crocodile
Wellington - Wellington (MPM)
VC10 - K2 Tanker.
Plus others.

You get the idea.

Another thing Airfix is well known for is catering for the person who likes dioramas or wargames. Maybe we could;

a/ Do a little railway diorama using locos and rollingstock plus a couple of buildings.

b/ A miniature wargame with something unusual such as Romans/Ancient Britons fighting over the Airfix Roman Fort. Or US Civil War, AWI, WW1, WW2 with the Polyprop tanks. Whatever really, it could even be finished off with a tape measure and some dice. It doesn't have to be that big.

Just a couple of ideas.

Cheers
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If you can't Dodge it, Ram it!!!!!!!!