Airfix 2015 releases
Discussion
The full list is out, and I have to admit to being a little excited with the thought of building a Shakelton. I might even go for the "Dogfight double" of a Defiant and Dornier 17:
www.airfix.com/shop/new-for-2015.html
www.airfix.com/shop/new-for-2015.html
Zad said:
Presumably the EE Lightning is a new mould, it seems a lot of money for another rehash of the old one.
No that will be the "old" mould. However, Airfix's 1/48 Lightning was always looked on as one of the best models they produced before the "Hornby" era.The 1/72 lineup is cracking. We have brand new toolings of a Whitley - and a Shackleton (an MR2 as well) - and a Beaufighter.
Eric Mc said:
Zad said:
Presumably the EE Lightning is a new mould, it seems a lot of money for another rehash of the old one.
No that will be the "old" mould. However, Airfix's 1/48 Lightning was always looked on as one of the best models they produced before the "Hornby" era.lufbramatt said:
The much-lauded Airfix 1/48 lightnings and late spitfires were essentially Heller kits- contrary to popular belief, they were not designed by Trevor Snowden, but subbed out to Philippe Goulard, one of the Heller kit designers. "Our Trev" just supplied him with some reference material.
lufbramatt said:
Yes, the moulds have always been owned by (Humbrol) Airfix, but the design was penned by a Heller designer, who has also since worked for Revell. He's a nice guy, I've met him a few times.
General question about moulds/process: There's a lot of discussion about surface detail on previous new tool stuff. Among other things it was discussed at a recent lecture I went to in terms of cost per unit vs. fidelity. If a new tooling process became available which gave higher tolerances at a cheap price, could/would you use the existing CAD to make new moulds? Or is the mould making process so expensive that it wouldn't be worth it?We would never be able to justify replacing existing recent moulds unless they broke down and could not repair them, even then we would have to justify how quickly we would recoup the expenditure on an existing subject vs. a subject new to the market. I would love to be able to use tool making methods that gave better definition, although I think the grade of plastic used and the amount of regrind in the mix makes a big difference too, our test shots always look much crisper than production mouldings which is frustrating, as the tools are pretty good. Sadly that side of things is out of my hands
lufbramatt said:
We would never be able to justify replacing existing recent moulds unless they broke down and could not repair them, even then we would have to justify how quickly we would recoup the expenditure on an existing subject vs. a subject new to the market. I would love to be able to use tool making methods that gave better definition, although I think the grade of plastic used and the amount of regrind in the mix makes a big difference too, our test shots always look much crisper than production mouldings which is frustrating, as the tools are pretty good. Sadly that side of things is out of my hands
As a design engineer, I feel your pain. Unfortunately compromise is part of the game I guess.Dr Jekyll said:
I quite fancy the 1/144 Vanguard.
Nice to see it back in the range. It is a very ancient kit now (originally released around 1961) but it is the only 1/144 injection moulded kit of a Vanguard there has ever been.Great to see it in it's original BEA livery too.
Edited to add - 1963
https://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id...
Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 22 December 17:22
lufbramatt said:
We would never be able to justify replacing existing recent moulds unless they broke down and could not repair them, even then we would have to justify how quickly we would recoup the expenditure on an existing subject vs. a subject new to the market. I would love to be able to use tool making methods that gave better definition, although I think the grade of plastic used and the amount of regrind in the mix makes a big difference too, our test shots always look much crisper than production mouldings which is frustrating, as the tools are pretty good. Sadly that side of things is out of my hands
If it's the plastic (presumably cost related), are you sure people wouldn't be prepared to pay more for enhanced quality? A lot of subjects you're offering these days aren't that mainstream, so I'd assume a few extra £ here or there wouldn't be the end of the world for those customers?Is the 1:24 Typhoon the same plastic grade as the other new tool stuff?
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