Airfix - am I a failure as a father?
Discussion
The eldest of my children bought an Airfix Aston Martin DB5 "starter kit" last week, largely with my approval because I thought it would be a good father and son bonding experience to assemble it together.
In my youth I built lots of Airfix planes and only managed to remove the last of the glue from my fingers at about seventeen years of age. Most of them looked as they should have, albeit after a liberal coating of paint. I therefore felt confident that I could teach the little chap how to build a scale model, and he would be further convinced that I am his hero.
It didn't go well.
I managed only to locate and remove the front suspension components from the rectangular plastic frame. Could I assemble them? Could I hell. The instructions were no use at all. I couldn't work out whether the components were meant to be interference fit or glued. They didn't appear to fit together well enough for either.
After half an hour of trying I gave up and we tipped all the components into a freezer bag, which was put somewhere for a "rainy day". I took the precaution of inviting my wife to try assembling the kit, so that she too doesn't think me a dismal failure. Fortunately she too was defeated.
I cannot help feeling just a little bit sad. What should have been quality father and son time, with him being impressed with me as a father and teacher, ended in failure with him thinking I am an impatient bad-tempered and sweary idiot (I am, but I don't want him knowing that any earlier than necessary).
But I am not entirely sure that I was to blame. I don't think Airfix models of my youth were quite so badly fitting and with quite such poor instructions. I haven't looked at one in about forty years (and plan not to look at one again for as long as I live) but I am SURE they used to be better quality.
Did they?
In my youth I built lots of Airfix planes and only managed to remove the last of the glue from my fingers at about seventeen years of age. Most of them looked as they should have, albeit after a liberal coating of paint. I therefore felt confident that I could teach the little chap how to build a scale model, and he would be further convinced that I am his hero.
It didn't go well.
I managed only to locate and remove the front suspension components from the rectangular plastic frame. Could I assemble them? Could I hell. The instructions were no use at all. I couldn't work out whether the components were meant to be interference fit or glued. They didn't appear to fit together well enough for either.
After half an hour of trying I gave up and we tipped all the components into a freezer bag, which was put somewhere for a "rainy day". I took the precaution of inviting my wife to try assembling the kit, so that she too doesn't think me a dismal failure. Fortunately she too was defeated.
I cannot help feeling just a little bit sad. What should have been quality father and son time, with him being impressed with me as a father and teacher, ended in failure with him thinking I am an impatient bad-tempered and sweary idiot (I am, but I don't want him knowing that any earlier than necessary).
But I am not entirely sure that I was to blame. I don't think Airfix models of my youth were quite so badly fitting and with quite such poor instructions. I haven't looked at one in about forty years (and plan not to look at one again for as long as I live) but I am SURE they used to be better quality.
Did they?
The moulds for that kit pre-date Noah's ark. The old moulds from that era were never great in terms of accuracy of the parts fit, and age has only worsened them.
Try a more modern kit instead. Maybe a Tamiya one. Modern Airfix toolings are really rather good, but not being a car modeller I'm unaware of any recent new tool car kits.
Try a more modern kit instead. Maybe a Tamiya one. Modern Airfix toolings are really rather good, but not being a car modeller I'm unaware of any recent new tool car kits.
jamieduff1981 said:
The moulds for that kit pre-date Noah's ark. The old moulds from that era were never great in terms of accuracy of the parts fit, and age has only worsened them.
Try a more modern kit instead. Maybe a Tamiya one. Modern Airfix toolings are really rather good, but not being a car modeller I'm unaware of any recent new tool car kits.
Jamie, thank you. It wasn't entirely my fault then.Try a more modern kit instead. Maybe a Tamiya one. Modern Airfix toolings are really rather good, but not being a car modeller I'm unaware of any recent new tool car kits.
I have that kit, and it is a sod. "Beginner" my arse.
From a misspent youth with Games Workshop figures, the most useful advice I can give you is to get a decent needle file and a scalpel. The latter for neatly cutting away things, the former for filing away mould lines. (Very fine sandpaper is useful for this too.)
Best of luck with getting your youngster underway with building his own!
From a misspent youth with Games Workshop figures, the most useful advice I can give you is to get a decent needle file and a scalpel. The latter for neatly cutting away things, the former for filing away mould lines. (Very fine sandpaper is useful for this too.)
Best of luck with getting your youngster underway with building his own!
Bad choice, I'm afraid.
"Starter Kit" in Airfix Land is not linked to "ease of build" or "quality of moulding". All it means is thar you get a bunch of unuseable paints, a cheapo paintbrush and some glue.
And, in my opinion, cars are much harder to build well compared to aeroplanes or tanks.
"Starter Kit" in Airfix Land is not linked to "ease of build" or "quality of moulding". All it means is thar you get a bunch of unuseable paints, a cheapo paintbrush and some glue.
And, in my opinion, cars are much harder to build well compared to aeroplanes or tanks.
I have to agree with the others here. I've introduced my children to model kits and sad to say the quality (excess flash) & hence ease of build for some Airfix kits can be not so good. When you are trying to maintain the interest of a youngster and have to spend a fair amount of time cleaning up the flash on a part before they can glue it in place you realise it isn't working as a learning experience.
You're better off going for a simpler Tamiya kit. Bit more expensive but they go together nicely
You're better off going for a simpler Tamiya kit. Bit more expensive but they go together nicely
Edited by Tempest_5 on Monday 18th April 20:58
A work colleague recently bought the new tool Airfix Gnat starter kit for his nephews to build. They were so bad they gave up and binned them (can't remember the specific issues TBH). In fact I think he wrote to Airfix to complain. Came as no great surprise to me since there have been quality issues with 2 of the last 3 new tool Airfix kits I've built. Problem as far as I can see is that they use cheap plastic and production is in Timbuk Three (or wherever).
My advice would be to forget them altogether and buy Tamiya, Revell, Academy, Hasegawa or, for absolute beginners, Matchbox. Look on EBay and the equivalents are often cheaper than Airfix. If it's only cars you're interested in, you won't go far wrong with Tamiya. Matchbox did some fairly simple cars that always went together well. Also, read online reviews before buying. If you look at Airfix's own website, you'll see the one customer review the DB5 has got, effectively says it's junk.
My advice would be to forget them altogether and buy Tamiya, Revell, Academy, Hasegawa or, for absolute beginners, Matchbox. Look on EBay and the equivalents are often cheaper than Airfix. If it's only cars you're interested in, you won't go far wrong with Tamiya. Matchbox did some fairly simple cars that always went together well. Also, read online reviews before buying. If you look at Airfix's own website, you'll see the one customer review the DB5 has got, effectively says it's junk.
dr gn's advice is always this.
I think his reaction is excessive when it comes to Airfix. Plenty of kids build Airfix kits and don't throw them in the bin before they are finished. I oversaw a whole group of Scouts a few years ago who built the Airfix new tool Messerschmitt 109E and they were all delighted.
I think his reaction is excessive when it comes to Airfix. Plenty of kids build Airfix kits and don't throw them in the bin before they are finished. I oversaw a whole group of Scouts a few years ago who built the Airfix new tool Messerschmitt 109E and they were all delighted.
If you want a good starter kit car I'd recommend Revell's '05 Impala Police car. It's not really my thing but I bought one after seeing a made up kit in my local model shop.
It's a curbside so no engine detail and all the underbody detail is a one piece mold. It has its origins in a snap together kit and could probably be built without glue. Masking and painting takes more time than the build, mostly for window frames etc.
There's three decal options - a genuine Dayton PD, a fictitious City Police and a Chevy demo scheme.
It's a curbside so no engine detail and all the underbody detail is a one piece mold. It has its origins in a snap together kit and could probably be built without glue. Masking and painting takes more time than the build, mostly for window frames etc.
There's three decal options - a genuine Dayton PD, a fictitious City Police and a Chevy demo scheme.
Eric Mc said:
All it means is thar you get a bunch of unuseable paints,
Yes, how are you supposed to use the paints? I bought an Airfix Ford Escort mk1 starter set to kill some time and the paint simply would not stick to the model! It beaded off like the model had been coated with Neverwet! Even after lightly sanding the model it wouldn't stay on and looked really really lumpy when it eventually globulated enough to adhere to it. Fairly sure there were no clues in the instructions either.
budgie smuggler said:
Eric Mc said:
All it means is thar you get a bunch of unuseable paints,
Yes, how are you supposed to use the paints? I bought an Airfix Ford Escort mk1 starter set to kill some time and the paint simply would not stick to the model! It beaded off like the model had been coated with Neverwet! Even after lightly sanding the model it wouldn't stay on and looked really really lumpy when it eventually globulated enough to adhere to it. Fairly sure there were no clues in the instructions either.
For brush painting, I'd recommend Vallejo Model Colour, again with a drop of retarder medium and thinners. These are by far the best paints I (or at least my 6 and 8 year olds) have used for this level of model building. You'll need at least two thin coats to get a good result.
Remember that no matter how good the paint, a poor quality brush will almost certainly ruin your efforts, and brush painting gloss is never going to end well irrespective of the manufacturer.
Overspraying a brush painted military aircraft or vehicle with Humbrol acrylic matt clear aerosol can return surprisingly impressive results.
Edited by dr_gn on Tuesday 19th April 11:18
I've been really impressed with a lot of the new tool Airfix kits. Admittedly i haven't yet built many of them, but i have collected quite a few, and many of them have well thought out design, such that seams are hidden. Plus the appearance of the moulding looks good quality (to my eye), and i like the style of the recessed panel lines on the aircraft. I agree the plastic seems soft, but i haven't found it problematic yet. For me i find the prices are really attractive, and i want to support my local model shop, and a British company!
If the OP is keen to try another Airfix Aston Martin, the DBR9 may be worth a go. See review here:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topi...
It's still not without issues tho! I definitely had some tricky assembly issues, although i forget exactly what. And the Gulf orange racing stripe transfers were a real pain to fit, and not really sized correctly.
I would say for a Father/Son project one of the small aircaft kits would be much easier.
Off the top of my head, from new tools you could choose:
P-51or F-51 Mustang
Various Spitfires
Hurricane Mk1
Messerschmit Bf109G-6
Focke Wulf Fw190A-8
If the OP is keen to try another Airfix Aston Martin, the DBR9 may be worth a go. See review here:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topi...
It's still not without issues tho! I definitely had some tricky assembly issues, although i forget exactly what. And the Gulf orange racing stripe transfers were a real pain to fit, and not really sized correctly.
I would say for a Father/Son project one of the small aircaft kits would be much easier.
Off the top of my head, from new tools you could choose:
P-51or F-51 Mustang
Various Spitfires
Hurricane Mk1
Messerschmit Bf109G-6
Focke Wulf Fw190A-8
No way are you a bad father, I like and dislike Airfix in equal measure. If you ignore the 'Starter Set' and just go for something you/your son will like to build together - my dad bought me the Ark Royal which we built when I was about 8 - made a hash of it, but still building 35 years later.
As above, Airfix aren't the only company out there, I have a few Revell in the stash, a comfy build. Make sure you're both having fun with the right kit
As above, Airfix aren't the only company out there, I have a few Revell in the stash, a comfy build. Make sure you're both having fun with the right kit
As an aside to the kit recommendations, have you considered taking some time to re-familiarise yourself with modelling before guiding your son? A few hours building some good quality basic kits yourself will not only give you confidence but will feed your son's confidence.
I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Edited by Banana Boy on Tuesday 19th April 21:15
Banana Boy said:
As an aside to the kit recommendations, have you considered taking some time to re-familiarise yourself with modelling before guiding your son? A few hours building some good quality basic kits yourself will not only give you confidence but will feed your son's confidence.
I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Quite honestly I would rather turn the scalpel on myself than start building models again. I only agreed to do this one to show him what it was all about. In a funny sort of way he has learned something useful.I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Edited by Banana Boy on Tuesday 19th April 21:15
13m said:
Banana Boy said:
As an aside to the kit recommendations, have you considered taking some time to re-familiarise yourself with modelling before guiding your son? A few hours building some good quality basic kits yourself will not only give you confidence but will feed your son's confidence.
I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Quite honestly I would rather turn the scalpel on myself than start building models again. I only agreed to do this one to show him what it was all about. In a funny sort of way he has learned something useful.I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Edited by Banana Boy on Tuesday 19th April 21:15
A while back I overheard a conversation between my lhs owner and some sales rep: Along the lines of he dreaded people buying their starter sets because he knew it would be unlikely they'd be back for more, but sold so many he couldn't afford to dump them.
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