Airfix

[Beermonster58]

I'd only buy the Skyvan, Islander, SRN. 4 & Trimotor. None of the reissues or, new items.

[The Rat]

Having done battle with the Airfix Westland Scout, I would never buy another in 1/72nd scale, just too fiddly. 1/48th would be much better. Fujimi did a Wasp in that scale, but they're not easy to find.

[NARSES2]

Lets remember these are purely predictions.

It's possible the guy has inside information, but they are still predictions. Be interesting to see how close he comes though.

[Beermonster58]

From a personal point of view, it's a dismal and uninspiring list
None of the "new" items are of interest and, out of the "reissues", I already have the ones I'd want.

Once again,the Vintage Classics save the day. Of course it's only a prediction but, I wouldn't get excited about it if it turned out accurate

Horses for courses I guess. Que sera! Sera!. I'm sure a lot of others will  take a different view and, that's fine😉👍.

Once the actual list is revealed I'm sure a lively discussion will follow! 😉😂

[PR19_Kit]

Having done battle with the Airfix Westland Scout, I would never buy another in 1/72nd scale, just too fiddly. 1/48th would be much better. Fujimi did a Wasp in that scale, but they're not easy to find.

I converted one to a Wasp a zillion years ago, and what a job THAT was! 

Building a Scout OOB is a pain as it tail-sits normally and there's nowhere to put any nose weight usually. I squeezed some lead sheet under the cockpit floor, just.

I had (maybe still do....) one of those 1/48 Fujimi Wasps, and I think I bought it thinking it was 1/72. 
I'll have a look when I'm up in The Loft next.

[kitbasher]

Chaps the vid was one bloke's opinion, no different to any of the opinions posted on this forum!

I know what I'd like to see released and rereleased but I'm waiting patiently for The Big Reveal.  Hopefully I'll be surprised.

[Old Wombat]

If anyone spots a 1/350 Black Swan-class sloop in the releases, let me know. OK?     

[The Rat]

Chaps the vid was one bloke's opinion, no different to any of the opinions posted on this forum!

Exactly! And it isn't a prediction, I believe he makes that clear, it's just hopes and dreams. He has no inside knowledge, just ideas on what he sees as possible. I had a good chat with Gary when I was at Telford in 2024, and he's just like the rest of us, a personable chap who loves the hobby and has ideas and opinions about the direction he would like to see it go.

[Gondor]

Just had an email from Airfix saying that the 2026 Club Membership is now open.

https://uk.airfix.com/community/airfix-club?utm_source=homepage-banner&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=2026-club

I am thinking of letting my membership lapse this year. It's not as if the membership does much for me, as I hardly ever shop at the Airfix Store unless it is something that has just been released that I would like to get my grubby little mits on; that's the only time the membership is handy for the discount.

[Weaver]

Airfix have just announced the Airfix Club special edition kit for 2026 and it's... disappointing.    

The kit is a twofer of a 1/72nd Tiger Moth and a Viggen in Swedish Air Force commemorative schemes. The Viggen is the all red "The Show Must Go On" aircraft from 2000.

Problem?

Well, judging from the artwork and the built-up models on the website, it looks almost certain that they're using the original Airfix Viggen kit from 1971. This kit represents a prototype airframe, with a straight spine and no dogteeth on the wings. After the kit was tooled, flight testing caused SAAB to add a bulged spine and dogteeth, which featured on ALL production Viggens, including "The Show Must Go On".

Just to add insult to injury, you can currently buy an accurate model of "The Show Must Go On" from Special Hobby for less than the price of an Airfix Club membership. Of course this doesn't include the Tiger Moth, but I don't imagine many people have a burning desire for that display plane, and if they do, then Hannants can sell you an aftermarket decal sheet for it for £5.50.

This doesn't bode well for me renewing my membership this year. Something very special in the 2026 releases might, but I'm not holding my breath.

Also, of course, this means that the old Viggen kit is going to be one of the Vintage Classics releases for this year.

[zenrat]

Did someone say Swedish Tigermoth?

nattfjäril 2 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=43253.msg754821;topicseen#msg754821

[NARSES2]

"Fields and Meadows" Tiger Moth is just   

Probably going to let my membership lapse this year, depends on what the new releases actually are.

[Weaver]

Nice one Fred, that looks great!

These are the Club Special Edition models built up. The Tiger Moth is undeniably pretty:

[Beermonster58]

To call the Club Membership kit disappointing is to flatter it. Very poor decision on Airfix's part. I don't really know who  they are aiming  it at.

I have personally no interest in biplanes of any kind and, if I wanted a Viggen, I'd go for the Special Hobby kit.

Very unimpressed. My continuing membership will depend on what is on offer  in 1/72 for 2026 (and possible membership discounts thereof ) but, if this is an example, I might as well save my money.

Unless of course it's a BRAND NEW VIGGEN and, they're winding us up by making us think its the ancient 1971 kit? 😉😂

[scautomoton]

hmm Scalemates only shows the Tiger Moth boxings against the Airfix bundle, so no help in determining vintage of Viggen.