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82-702: The assets of Rosebud Kitmaster were sold to Airfix Products Ltd in late 1962. Nine locomotives and the motorcycle were later re-issued under the Airfix brand. Airfix Products Ltd collapsed in 1982. The Rosebud Kitmaster and Airfix railway & Trackside ranges were sold to David Boyle of Dapol Model Railways and the tools were transferred to their premises in Winsford , Cheshire (later in Llangollen , Clwyd and now Gledridd Industrial Estate in Shropshire . The residual tooling of

164-490: A 1 ⁄ 32 scale version. In this period, apart from model kits, Airfix also produced a wide range of toys, games, dolls and art & craft products. It was still producing other plastic products such as homewares at this time. Airfix Industries acquired part of the failing Lines Brothers ' huge Tri-ang toy business, then in voluntary liquidation, giving it the Meccano and Dinky Toys businesses in 1971. This made Airfix

246-483: A James Bond and Oddjob paired kit. 1:1 scale. Models of British garden birds in a diorama form, e.g., two bullfinches on a branch. A small range of kits of pre-historic dinosaurs, e.g., Tyrannosaurus Rex. A small range of motorised engines. Includes a Beam Engine, Paddle Engine, 1804 Trevithick Locomotive and Four Stroke Cycle Engine. The re-issue of the Beam Engine and Trevithick Locomotive during 2009 omitted

328-688: A wind tunnel or in free flight. Models of scale large enough to permit piloting may be used for testing of a proposed design. Architecture firms usually employ model makers or contract model making firms to make models of projects to sell their designs to builders and investors. These models are traditionally hand-made, but advances in technology have turned the industry into a very high tech process than can involve Class IV laser cutters , five-axis CNC machines as well as rapid prototyping or 3D printing . Typical scales are 1:12, 1:24, 1:48, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500, etc. With elements similar to miniature wargaming , building models and architectural models ,

410-609: A ' ship-in-a-bottle ', made in the more stable polystyrene . To meet Woolworth's retail price of two shillings, Airfix packaged the product in a plastic bag with a paper header that had the assembly instructions on the reverse. Its huge success led the company to produce new kit designs. The first aircraft kit was released in 1953, a model of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk I, followed by the Spitfire Mk IX in 1958, in 1 ⁄ 72 scale, developed by James Hay Stevens . This

492-633: A century, in particular in towing tanks. Manned models are small scale models that can carry and be handled by at least one person on an open expanse of water. They must behave just like real ships, giving the shiphandler the same sensations. Physical conditions such as wind, currents, waves, water depths, channels, and berths must be reproduced realistically. Manned models are used for research (e.g. ship behaviour), engineering (e.g. port layout) and for training in shiphandling (e.g. maritime pilots , masters and officers ). They are usually at 1:25 scale. Models, and their constituent parts, can be built out of

574-604: A color scheme that did not actually exist. This is commonly referred to as 'What-if' or 'Alternative' modeling, and the most common theme is 'Luftwaffe 1946' or 'Luftwaffe '46'. This theme stems from the idea of modeling German secret projects that never saw the light of day due to the close of World War II. This concept has been extended to include British, Russian, and US experimental projects that never made it into production. Flying model aircraft are built for aerodynamic research and for recreation ( aeromodeling ). Recreational models are often made to resemble some real type. However

656-573: A few kits of other subjects. The range consisted of 34 kits of individual locomotives or carriages, a model of the Ariel Arrow motorcycle, the " Fireball XL5 " rocket, parts to motorise the railway kits (using a motorised box wagon supplied pre-built, or a motor bogie) and three railway presentation sets: All of the moulds for the kits produced by Rosebud Dolls Ltd under the Kitmaster name were sold to Airfix Products Ltd in 1962, and later in 1982 all of

738-487: A fictitious Lewis Hamilton Formula One car model. Demand for this model was such that Airfix later produced a real model kit using the tooling from a similar Scalextric slot car . A life-size model of a Spitfire in the style of an Airfix kit was made as part of the BBC TV series James May's Toy Stories in 2009. The markings of the life-sized model paid homage to Airfix's first aircraft kit released in 1953, including

820-423: A field of study for thousands of years and many of the great problems have been solved using analytical and numerical techniques, many problems are still too complicated to understand in an analytical manner or the current numerical techniques lack real world confirmation. When this is the case, for example a complicated reinforced concrete beam-column-slab interaction problem, scale models can be constructed observing

902-553: A high degree of surface detail, and electrical features such as interior lighting and animation. For Star Trek: The Original Series , a 33-inch (0.84 m) pre-production model of the Starship Enterprise was created in December 1964, mostly of pine, with Plexiglass and brass details, at a cost of $ 600. This was followed by a 135.5-inch (3.44 m) production model constructed from plaster, sheet metal, and wood, at ten times

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984-507: A monthly modelling magazine, Airfix Magazine , produced by a variety of publishers from June 1960 to October 1993. During the 1970s, an Airfix Magazine Annual was also produced; and Airfix books on classic aircraft, classic ships and modelling techniques were published by Patrick Stephens Ltd. In 1963, the Airfix slot car racing system was introduced. Airfix produced cars with front-wheel Ackermann steering and, later, conversion kits so that normal Airfix 1 ⁄ 32 kit cars such as

1066-532: A more accurate Spitfire Mk IX model in 1955, and he would go on to direct the designs of Airfix kits in other ranges for 15 more years until his untimely death at the age of 38. During the 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded as the hobby grew. The range expanded to include vintage and modern cars, motorcycles, figures in both 1 ⁄ 76 and 1 ⁄ 32 scale, trains, model railway accessories, military vehicles, ships, rockets and spaceships, as well as an ever-increasing range of aircraft, most created at

1148-735: A plan-relief is a means of geographical representation in relief as a scale model for military use, to visualize building projects on fortifications or campaigns involving fortifications. In the first half of the 20th century, navies used hand-made models of warships for identification and instruction in a variety of scales. That of 1:500 was called "teacher scale." Besides models made in 1:1200 and 1:2400 scales, there were also ones made to 1:2000 and 1:5000. Some, made in Britain , were labelled "1 inch to 110 feet", which would be 1:1320 scale, but are not necessarily accurate. Many research workers, hydraulics specialists and engineers have used scale models for over

1230-672: A prototype gauge of 2 ft ( 610 mm ). The most popular scale to go with a given gauge was often arrived at through the following roundabout process: German artisans would take strips of metal of standard metric size to construct their products from blueprints dimensioned in inches. "Four mm to the foot" yielded the 1:76.2 size of the British "OO scale", which is anomalously used on the standard HO/OO scale (16.5 mm gauge from 3.5 mm/foot scale) tracks, because early electric motors weren't available commercially in smaller sizes. Today, most scale sizes are internationally standardized, with

1312-566: A scale of 1:43.5. Later, the European authority of model railroad firms MOROP declared that the "O" gauge (still 32 mm) must use the scale of 1:45, to allow wheel, tire , and splasher clearance for smaller than realistic curved sections. N scale trains were first commercially produced at 1:160 scale in 1962 by the Arnold company of Nuremberg . This standard size was imported to the US by firms such as

1394-406: A series of high quality injection molded Star Wars kits in 1:72 , and this range is supplemented by resin kits from Fantastic Plastic . Although the British scale for 0 gauge was first used for model cars made of rectilinear and circular parts, it was the origin of the European scale for cast or injection molded model cars. MOROP's specification of 1:45 scale for European 0 does not alter

1476-739: A soft durable plastic. Some vehicles of simpler casting and detail than their polystyrene equivalents and buildings were also available and included in larger playsets , e.g., the Coastal Defence Assault Set which included polythene tanks and infantry for either side plus a polystyrene Coastal Defence Fort kit. Collectors of vintage toy soldiers have reported brittling and disintegration of Airfix 1 ⁄ 76 scale plastic figures, though not as an age-related effect 1:32 scale. A small range of World War II figures in polystyrene that could be assembled in different poses. 54 mm. These were plastic kits of single foot and mounted figures from

1558-559: A structural scale model under static loading conditions in the elastic regime is presented in Table 2.2 of the book Structural Modeling and Experimental Techniques . Structural engineering scale models can use different approaches to satisfy the similitude requirements of scale model fabrication and testing. A practical introduction to scale model design and testing is discussed in the paper "Pseudodynamic Testing of Scaled Models". Aerodynamic models may be used for testing new aircraft designs in

1640-468: A thick form to be carefully applied to a bonding surface, or in a thin liquid which is applied into a joint by capillary action using a brush or syringe needle. Ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) aka "super-glue", or fast-setting epoxy , must be used to bond styrene to other materials. Glossy colors are generally used for car and commercial truck exteriors. Flat colors are generally desirable for military vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft. Metallic colors simulate

1722-853: A total of over 15 playable aircraft, including the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, and the American Grumman F6F Hellcat . The game featured 20 missions, allowing players to play 10 missions as both the Axis and Allies. Players fought their way through the game's 1950s-era house, destroying enemy planes while trying to collect healing glue packets, new model kits, weapons schematics, and paint to customise their aircraft for online battles. Pilots would battle enemy model aircraft as well as U-boats, warships, tanks, flak guns, airships, and fortresses. Players could also design their own fighting emblem, call sign, and even their own battle maps based on

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1804-614: A variety of materials, such as: This includes injection molded or extruded plastics such as polystyrene , acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), butyrate , and clear acrylic and copolyester ( PETG ). Parts can also be cast from synthetic resins . Pine wood is sometimes used; balsa wood , a light wood, is good for flying airplane models. Aluminum or brass can be used in tubing form, or can be used in flat sheets with photo-etched surface detail. Model figures used in wargaming can be made of white metal . Styrene parts are welded together using plastic cement , which comes both in

1886-505: A wood such as pine, with plastic wheels on metal axles, which run on inclined tracks. The most famous wood racing event is the Boy Scouts of America 's annual Pinewood Derby which debuted in 1953. Entry is open to Cub Scouts . Entrants are supplied with a kit containing a wooden block out of which to carve the body, four plastic wheels, and four axle nails; or they may purchase their own commercially available kit. Regulations generally limit

1968-477: A year, Airfix commanded 75% of the UK market with 20 million kits per annum. Series 20 was limited for several years to the 1972 1 ⁄ 12 scale kit of the 1930 Supercharged Bentley 4½ Litre car, with 272 parts and the option of a 3-volt motor. In 1979 four motorcycles in 1 ⁄ 8 scale were added to this series. The company also introduced an addition to the very popular plastic soldier boxed set line with

2050-418: Is 4' 8.5". Therefore, a model railroad reduces that standard to scale. An HO scale model railroad runs on track that is 1/87 of 4' 8.5", or 0.649" from rail to rail. Today model railroads are more typically referred to using the term scale instead of "gauge" in most usages. Confusion arises from indiscriminate use of "scale" and "gauge" synonymously. The word "scale" strictly refers to the proportional size of

2132-420: Is done in a variety of scales from 1:4 to 1:450 ( T scale ). Each scale has its own strengths and weaknesses, and fills a different niche in the hobby: gauge gauge Model railroads originally used the term gauge , which refers to the distance between the rails , just as full-size railroads continue to do. Although model railroads were also built to different gauges, standard gauge in full-size railroads

2214-461: Is in India, while design and packing is in the UK. Model subjects produced by Airfix over the years include: 1:24, 1:48, 1:72, 1:144 and 1:300 scales, covering aircraft from World War I to the present day. Perhaps the best-known range of Airfix models. Sets of two 1:72 models, usually one Allied and one Axis, have been packaged as "Dogfight Doubles" series. 1:72 and 1:144 scales. A small range from

2296-591: The 1 ⁄ 25 scale vintage Stutz Bearcat kit originally produced as a tie-in to the Bearcats! television series). Airfix released MPC kits based on the Star Wars film series. Airfix's market share reduced to 40% of the UK market (2.3 million kits) though it had 75% of the German market. In the US, where automobile kits were more popular than aircraft, it was less than 2%. Four years later, General Mills withdrew from

2378-528: The Ariel Arrow in 1 ⁄ 16 scale. The '60's also saw the introduction of an extremely popular line of boxed 1 ⁄ 72 scale military figures. In the mid-1970s, larger scales were introduced, including detailed 1 ⁄ 24 -scale models of the Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109 , Hawker Hurricane and Harrier "jump-jet" . The mid-1970s were a peak time for Airfix. Releasing as many as 17 new kits

2460-1312: The Aurora Plastics Corporation . However, the early N-scale motors would not fit in the smaller models of British locomotives, so the British N gauge was standardized to allow a slightly larger body size. Similar sizing problems with Japanese prototypes led to adoption of a 1:150 scale standard there. Since space is more limited in Japanese houses, N scale has become more popular there than HO scale. Static model aircraft are commonly built using plastic, but wood, metal, card and paper can also be used. Models are sold painted and assembled, painted but not assembled ( snap-fit ), or unpainted and not assembled. The most popular types of aircraft to model are commercial airliners and military aircraft. Popular aircraft scales are, in order of increasing size: 1:144 , 1:87 (also known as HO, or "half-O scale") , 1:72 (the most numerous), 1:48 (known as "O scale") , 1:32 , 1:24 , 1:16 , 1:6, and 1:4 . Some European models are available at more metric scales such as 1:50 . The highest quality models are made from injection molded plastic or cast resin . Models made from Vacuum formed plastic are generally for

2542-525: The Battle of Waterloo , War of American Independence , and English Civil War . 1:12 scale. Famous figures from history, mostly from England, e.g., Elizabeth I , Anne Boleyn , Edward, the Black Prince , Henry VIII , Julius Caesar , and Oliver Cromwell . Also produced were a Bengal Lancer , a showjumper with horse (rumoured to have been based on the young Princess Anne ), a 1:6 scale human skeleton, and

Rosebud Kitmaster - Misplaced Pages Continue

2624-657: The Ford Zodiac and the Sunbeam Rapier could be raced. The first set had Ferrari and Cooper cars and an 11-foot figure-of-eight track: it cost £4/19/11d. Always in the shadow of the Scalextric range, the Airfix version attempted to progress with the higher-end Model Road Racing Company (MRRC) range but eventually the venture was abandoned. Most of Airfix's older range of military vehicles, though sold as 1 ⁄ 72 , are generally accepted as OO or 1 ⁄ 76 scale -

2706-811: The Lunar Module and Vostok , to the Saturn IB and Saturn V . Also some TV/film science fiction spacecraft, usually in odd scales, such as the Eagle Transporter from Space: 1999 , and the Angel Interceptor from Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons . 1:72. A small range of World War II boats. ( E-Boat , Vosper MTB and RAF Rescue Launch ) and recently modern British Severn Class lifeboat 1:400, 1:600 and 1:1200 scales. From World War I to modern. 1:1200 covered

2788-645: The Monkeemobile and the Toyota 2000GT from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice - Airfix also kitted the Wallis WA-116 autogyro from the same film. Motorcycles 1:8, 1:12, 1:16 and 1:24 scales. Includes bikes from the 1960s to present day racing bikes. 1:76 scale. Includes a small number of ex- Kitmaster kits. The moulds for these kits were sold to Dapol in the 1980s. 1:32, 1:35, 1:72 and 1:76 scales. Airfix

2870-483: The "Airfield Control Tower" and the "Pontoon Bridge". Many artists have produced artwork for Airfix kit packaging, most famously Roy Cross . In 1962 Airfix bought from Rosebud Kitmaster Ltd, its moulds and stock for the Kitmaster railway range. The models were adapted to be compatible with Airfix's rolling stock models produced from 1960 which went with Airfix's trackside accessories of a few years earlier. Only ten of

2952-664: The "Battlefront History" series, consisting of a number of OO/HO vehicle or 1/72 aircraft kits and sets of OO/HO wargaming figures, presented on a vacuum-formed base. Also the "Rampaging Scorpion" and "Colossal Mantis" science fiction dioramas, which were re-boxed MPC kits. A new series of Airfield Sets has recently been released, with Aircraft, Military Vehicles and Figures included in the box. 1:76, 1:72 and 1:32 scales. Sets of mostly military figures (approximately 14 to 30 per box for 1:32, 30 to 50 per box for 1:72), of subjects such as World War I, World War II and Modern Infantry, Waterloo , Arab Tribesmen, etc. These are made of polythene ,

3034-586: The 00 gauge LMS Beyer-Garratt locomotive, can reach as much as £100. Before its demise, the company announced the introduction of a number of kits that never knowingly entered production, including the LNER Flying Scotsman, Southern Railway Class USA Tank engine and Canadian National U-4A. The OO/HO gauge models consisted of the following types; all OO scale unless shown as HO: The TT gauge models were: - The motorisation units were: The final model released by Rosebud Kitmaster Ltd, in their packaging,

3116-578: The 1/72 Spitfire Mk I that were carried over from the original 1/48 Aurora model, particularly the BTK squadron code provided in the decal sheet (the code never adorned a Spitfire in real life, as it was used by a squadron operating the Supermarine Walrus amphibious biplane). One of the complaints came from modeller John Edwards, who was appointed as Airfix's chief designer after convincing the company that he can improve their aircraft kits. Edwards helped release

3198-559: The 14xx and Castle. The remainder of the Mainline Railways had been produced for Palitoy by Kader Industries and ownership of those tools remained with Kader, is later used to form the basis of the Bachmann Branchline models. Dapol continues to produce (but not promote) most of the kits but as the moulds (some now over forty years old) wear out the kits are being discontinued. Hornby continues to make 4 mm/ft scale models from

3280-513: The 1950s. The first model rocket engine was designed in 1954 by Orville Carlisle , a licensed pyrotechnics expert, and his brother Robert, a model airplane enthusiast. Static model rocket kits began as a development of model aircraft kits, yet the scale of 1:72 [V.close to 4 mm.::1foot] never caught on. Scales 1:48 and 1:96 are most frequently used. There are some rockets of scales 1:128, 1:144 , and 1:200 , but Russian firms put their large rockets in 1:288. Heller SA offers some models in

3362-552: The Airfix company was taken over by Humbrol in 1986, but the company went down in August 2006. Hornby then acquired the Humbrol and Airfix brand names. Dapol Model Railways have subsequently re-introduced the Kitmaster name for their range of plastic construction kits and their "completely knocked down" range of coaches derived from Airfix and Mainline Railways tooling. The range comprised mainly British railway rolling stock but there were

Rosebud Kitmaster - Misplaced Pages Continue

3444-413: The Airfix mouldings. A monthly magazine, Model Trains , was published by Airfix from January 1980. The magazine included especially good articles aimed at newcomers to the hobby and also included many articles about modelling US and Continental European railways, as well British prototype railways. The publication of Model Trains continued for some years after Airfix ceased ownership in 1981. A change in

3526-542: The Japanese import Tamiya . Some beginner's level kits avoid the necessity to paint the model by adding pigments and chrome plating to the plastic. Decals are generally applied to models after painting and assembly, to add details such as lettering, flags, insignia, or other decorations too small to paint. Water transfer (slide-on) decals are generally used, but beginner's kits may use dry transfer stickers instead. Model railroading (US and Canada; known as railway modelling in UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland)

3608-506: The Kitmaster locomotives were released under Airfix. From 1975 to 1981 Airfix also manufactured a line of ready-to-run models of British railway stock in OO gauge ( 1 ⁄ 76.2 scale). Their details and accuracy were an improvement on rival products from other British manufacturers such as Hornby . The product range expanded rapidly. A model of a Great Western Railway (GWR) 0-4-2 autotank steam locomotive and GWR auto coach are amongst some of

3690-634: The Supermarine Spitfire. The celebration was two years early because of an incorrect 1953 date commonly accepted at the time. As the moulds for the original kit were long gone, Airfix reissued its 1 ⁄ 72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ιa kit in blue plastic. The kit also included a large Series 5 stand (the moulds for the smaller Series 1 stand having been lost) and a copy of the original plastic bag packaging with paper header. On 31 August 2006, parent company Humbrol went into administration , 31 of 41 employees being made redundant , largely because of

3772-432: The UK's largest toy company. In the 1980s, Airfix Industries group was under financial pressure, there were losses in Airfix's other toy businesses and attempts to reduce costs were met with industrial action . The pound strengthened from US$ 1.56 to US$ 2.35 in a matter of months, destroying export markets, because customers were unwilling to accept a 50% price increase for the same goods. The financial interdependency of

3854-407: The UK, the name 'Airfix' has become practically synonymous with plastic models of this type, "they became a sort of generic name for any plastic, injection-moulded model kit". Airfix manufactured a wide range of plastic model products such as cars , aircraft , ships , commercial vehicles, military vehicles , railways , and figures . Founded in 1939, Airfix was owned by Humbrol from 1986 until

3936-587: The UK. The brand label was changed to Great Model Railways (GMR) in 1979, although the Airfix name was still included. However, Airfix left the model railway business in 1981. The models were sold to one of its main competitors Palitoy which produced the Mainline range of products. The former Airfix moulds together with the Palitoy-designed 2P 4-4-0 and Class 56 diesel were later re-sold to Dapol Ltd and then subsequently to Hornby. Dapol provided new chassis for

4018-498: The US and Humbrol (now Hornby ) in the UK. Lacquer paint produces a hard, durable finish, and requires its own lacquer thinner . Enamels have been generally replaced in popularity by acrylic paint , which is water-based. Advantages include decreased toxicity and chemical smell, and brushes clean with soap and water. Disadvantages include possibly limited durability on plastic, requiring priming coats, at least two color coats, and allowing adequate cure time. Popular brands include

4100-464: The aerodynamic requirements of a small model are different from those of a full-size craft, so flying models are seldom fully accurate to scale. Flying model aircraft are one of three types: free flight , control line , and radio controlled . Some flying model kits take many hours to put together, and some kits are almost ready to fly or ready to fly . Model rocketry dates back to the Space Race of

4182-597: The car's weight to 5 ounces (141.7 g), width to 2.75 inches (7.0 cm), and length to 7 inches (17.8 cm). The rules permit the cars to be augmented with tungsten carbide weights up to the limit, and graphite axle lubricant. Miniature wargames are played using miniature soldiers, artillery, vehicles, and scenery built by the players. Before the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI), visual effects of vehicles such as marine ships and spaceships were created by filming "miniature" models. These were considerably larger scale than hobby versions to allow inclusion of

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4264-539: The collapse of Heller SA, which still manufactured most of Airfix's kits. On 10 November 2006, Hornby Hobbies Ltd. announced it was to acquire Airfix and other assets of Humbrol for £2.6 million, and relaunched the brands the following year. In 2008, Airfix's former factory in Kingston upon Hull was demolished. Under the management of Hornby, Airfix was revitalised. Old ranges were re-issued, and Airfix launched several new kits annually. Most manufacturing of Airfix products

4346-527: The company was commissioned to create a promotional model of a Ferguson TE20 tractor, moulded in cellulose acetate plastic and hand-assembled for distribution to Ferguson sales representatives. To increase sales and lower production costs, the model was sold in kit form by Woolworth 's retail stores. In 1954, Woolworth's buyer Jim Russon suggested that Airfix produce a model kit of Sir Francis Drake 's Golden Hind , then being sold in North America as

4428-513: The cost of the first. As the Enterprise was originally reckoned to be 947 feet (289 m) long, this put the models at 1:344 and 1:83.9 scale respectively. The Polar Lights company sells a large plastic Enterprise model kit essentially the same size as the first TV model, in 1:350 scale (32 inches long). It can be purchased with an optional electronic lighting and animation (rotating engine domes) kit. Although structural engineering has been

4510-570: The divisions of Airfix Industries forced it to declare bankruptcy in 1981. The company was bought by General Mills (owner of US automobile kit-maker MPC ) through its UK Palitoy subsidiary. The kit moulds were sent to their factory in Calais , France. Later, Airfix aircraft kits were marketed in the United States under the MPC label and some MPC kits were sold in the UK under the Airfix name (an example being

4592-775: The editorial team saw the original Model Trains editorial staff launch a new title as Scale Trains , in April 1982. A slight name change followed in April 1984, as Scale Model Trains following the final issue of Model Trains in December 1983. Scale Model Trains ran until June 1995, when a new publisher was found and the magazine was relaunched in 1995 as Model Trains International , the November/December issue being issue number 1. It continues to be published. In 2000, EON Digital Entertainment released Airfix Dogfighter for Microsoft Windows . The game featured computer representation of Airfix's Second World War-era model aircraft with

4674-559: The electric motor and gears science fiction wargaming models. Models to tie in with the recent Doctor Who TV series including the TARDIS . Models of moving engines with transparent parts to show details. Airfix also produced a small number of Card Construction kits for use with the Airfix Railway System. These were included with some Airfix GMR Train Sets. And various structures as

4756-404: The erroneous BTK squadron code. Scale model#Examples of scale models A scale model is a physical model that is geometrically similar to an object (known as the prototype ). Scale models are generally smaller than large prototypes such as vehicles, buildings, or people; but may be larger than small prototypes such as anatomical structures or subatomic particles. Models built to

4838-540: The first Star Wars film and the 1978 TV series Battlestar Galactica also spawned lines of licensed model kits in scales ranging from 1:24 for fighters and smaller ships, to 1:1000, 1:1400, and 1:2500 for most main franchise ships, and up to 1:10000 for the larger Star Wars ships (for especially objects like the Death Stars and Super Star Destroyers , even smaller scales are used). Finemolds in Japan have recently released

4920-474: The group's existing kit-manufacturer, Trun -based Heller SA . This was a logical acquisition since Humbrol's paints and adhesives could be used to complete Airfix kits and the Heller factory was under-utilised. The Hobby Products Group was sold to an Irish investment company, Allen & McGuire, in 1994 and continued under the Humbrol name. In 2003, Airfix celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first aircraft kit,

5002-426: The latter's financial collapse on 31 August 2006. Since 2007, both Humbrol and Airfix have been owned by Hornby . Airfix was founded in 1939 by Hungarian businessman Nicholas Kove , initially to manufacture inflatable rubber toys. The brand name was selected so that it would be alphabetically the first in trade directories. In 1947, Airfix introduced injection moulding , initially producing pocket combs . In 1949,

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5084-406: The many memorable and important product releases. Airfix also offered an analogue electronics-based multiple train control system (MTC) allowing independent control of locomotives on the same track. Airfix produced a large number of plastic kits for both railway stock and scenic items. Some of these such as the footbridge and engine shed became instantly recognisable to almost every railway modeller in

5166-505: The missions in the game. The whole game was an advertising venture, as the paints are Humbrol and the kit upgrades show actual pictures of Airfix packages. The Airfix history has ensured that the company, its products and its brand has entered modern culture, especially in the Anglo-centric world, in its own right. In 2008, a TV advertisement for the Santander bank was produced, featuring

5248-604: The model, while "gauge" strictly applies to the measurement between the inside faces of the rails. It is completely incorrect to refer to the mainstream scales as "HO gauge", "N gauge, "Z gauge", etc. This is further complicated by the fact some scales use several different gauges; for example, HO scale uses 16.5 mm as the standard gauge of 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ( 1,435 mm ), 12 mm to represent 1,000 mm ( 3 ft  3 + 3 ⁄ 8  in ) gauge (HOm), and 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) (HOn3-1/2), and 9 mm to represent

5330-507: The more skilled builder. More inexpensive models are made from heavy paper or card stock. Ready-made die-cast metal models are also very popular. As well as the traditional scales, die-cast models are available in 1:200 , 1:250 , 1:350 , 1:400 , 1:500 and 1:600 scale . The majority of aircraft modelers concern themselves with depiction of real-life aircraft, but there are some modelers who 'bend' history by modeling aircraft that either never actually flew or existed, or by painting them in

5412-1247: The most concerned with accuracy and detail. Kit assembly is done either "out of the box", or with modifications (known as " kitbashing "). Many kit manufacturers, for various reasons leave something to be desired in terms of accuracy, but using the kit parts as a baseline and adding after-market conversion kits, alternative decal sets, and some scratch building can correct this without the master craftsmanship or time expenditure required by scratch building. Scale models are generally of two types: static and animated . They are used for several purposes in many fields, including: Most hobbyist's models are built for static display, but some have operational features, such as railroad trains that roll, and airplanes and rockets that fly. Flying airplane models may be simple unpowered gliders, or have sophisticated features such as radio control powered by miniature methanol/nitromethane engines . Cars in 1:24, 1:32, or HO scale are fitted with externally powered electric motors which run on plastic road track fitted with metal rails on slots. The track may or may not be augmented with miniature buildings, trees, and people. Children can build and race their own gravity-powered, uncontrolled cars carved out of

5494-413: The notable exceptions of O scale and N scale. There are three different versions of the "O" scale, each of which uses tracks of 32 mm for the standard gauge. The American version follows a dollhouse scale of 1:48, sometimes called "quarter-gauge" as in "one-quarter-inch to the foot". The British version continued the pattern of sub-contracting to Germans, so, at 7 mm to the foot, it works out to

5576-425: The prototype corresponding to one inch on the model, e.g. 1:48 scale = "1 inch to 4 feet", 1:96 = "1 inch to 8 feet", etc. Models are obtained by three different means: kit assembly , scratch building , and collecting pre-assembled models. Scratch building is the only option available to structural engineers, and among hobbyists requires the highest level of skill, craftsmanship, and time; scratch builders tend to be

5658-414: The ratio of any linear dimension of the model to the equivalent dimension on the full-size subject (called the "prototype"), expressed either as a ratio with a colon (ex. 1:8 scale), or as a fraction with a slash (1/8 scale). This designates that 1 inch (or centimeter) on the model represents 8 such units on the prototype. In English-speaking countries, the scale is sometimes expressed as the number of feet on

5740-634: The requirements of similitude to study the problem. Many structural labs exist to test these structural scale models such as the Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory at the University of Illinois, UC. For structural engineering scale models, it is important for several specific quantities to be scaled according to the theory of similitude. These quantities can be broadly grouped into three categories: loading , geometry , and material properties . A good reference for considering scales for

5822-717: The same scale as the prototype are called mockups . Scale models are used as tools in engineering design and testing, promotion and sales, filmmaking special effects, military strategy, and hobbies such as rail transport modeling , wargaming and racing; and as toys. Model building is also pursued as a hobby for the sake of artisanship . Scale models are constructed of plastic , wood, or metal. They are usually painted with enamel , lacquer , or acrylics . Model prototypes include all types of vehicles (railroad trains, cars, trucks, military vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft), buildings, people, and science fiction themes (spaceships and robots). Models are built to scale , defined as

5904-492: The scale of 1:125. Science fiction space ships are heavily popular in the modeling community. In 1966, with the release of the television show Star Trek: The Original Series , AMT corporation released an 18-inch (46 cm) model of the Starship Enterprise . This has been followed over the decades by a complete array of various starships, shuttlecraft , and space stations from the Star Trek franchise. The 1977 release of

5986-415: The scales of 1 ⁄ 72 for small and military aircraft and 1 ⁄ 144 scale for airliners. The growth of the hobby launched a number of competitors such as Matchbox and introduced new manufacturers from Japan and the US to the UK. During this period the Humbrol company also grew, supplying paints, brushes, glue and other accessories as an alternative to Airfix's own range. Airfix also launched

6068-467: The series of cars in 1:43 scale , as it has the widest distribution in the world. In America, a series of cars was developed from at first cast metal and later styrene models ("promos") offered at new-car dealerships to drum up interest. The firm Monogram , and later Tamiya , first produced them in a scale derived from the Architect's scale: 1:24 scale , while the firms AMT , Jo-Han , and Revell chose

6150-472: The ships of the "Bismarck chase" 1:600. A range of 20th Century Liners including Mauretania , Queen Elizabeth , QE2 , QM2 , Canberra , France and the channel ferry Free Enterprise II A number of 15th to 19th-century ships in small scale (about 1:600) and large scale (from 1:96 to 1:180). 1:12, 1:24, 1:25, 1:32 and 1:43 scales. The range includes a series of Veteran and Modern cars e.g. 1930 Bentley Blower . TV and film tie-ins included

6232-483: The subsequent introduction of a small number of true 1 ⁄ 72 vehicle kits to the Airfix range created controversy regarding the exact scale. Hornby's new packaging shows 1 ⁄ 72 or 1 ⁄ 76 as appropriate. In late 1962, the acquisition of the intellectual property and 35 moulds of Rosebud Kitmaster gave Airfix its first models of railway locomotives in OO and HO scales and its first motorcycle kit;

6314-476: The surviving tools were sold to Dapol Model Railways. However, not all of the kits were passed over and several were destroyed by General Mills / Palitoy at the Glenfield warehouse where they had been stored following the liquidation of Airfix Products Ltd that year. As such, some Kitmaster kits are extremely collectable and can be valuable to a dedicated collector. Prices of unmade kits for the rarer models, such as

6396-519: The toy market to focus on its core food manufacturing business. At one point, it looked as if the Airfix range might be discontinued with no new toolings released from 1986 to 1987. Eventually around this time, it was bought by the Hobby Products Group of Borden, Inc. , which had tried to buy the range in 1981. Borden was also the owner of Humbrol . The moulds remained in France but were relocated to

6478-504: The various metals (silver, gold, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, etc.) Enamel paint has classically been used for model making and is generally considered the most durable paint for plastics. It is available in small bottles for brushing and airbrushing , and aerosol spray cans . Disadvantages include toxicity and a strong chemical smell of the paint and its mineral spirit thinner /brush cleaner. Modern enamels are made of alkyd resin to limit toxicity. Popular brands include Testor 's in

6560-463: Was a scaled-down copy of the Aurora 1 ⁄ 48 Supermarine Spitfire kit, although it is unknown if this kit was produced with authorization from Aurora. Kove initially refused to believe the product would sell and threatened to charge the cost of tooling-up to the designers. Airfix later received complaint letters from modellers and former Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel regarding inaccuracies of

6642-470: Was the first company to release small-scale military vehicles in 1960 with the 1:72 Bristol Bloodhound with Launcher, SWB Land Rover and trailer. The original range of vehicles was in 1:76 scale, also known as OO scale. Also, a range of Military Vehicles sets was produced, such as the "RAF Refuelling Set", the "RAF Recovery Vehicle Set", and the "Airfield Fire Rescue Set" with accessories that could be used in dioramas. HO/OO scale World War II scenes including

6724-572: Was the motorcycle: A subsequent model, manufactured by the Hermes Supply Company (a subsidiary of Airfix ) was marketed as "your Kitmaster model" in 1963: The Hermes Supply Co also supplied five kits from remaindered Kitmaster stock in plain packaging to fulfil a Nabisco promotion which ran on Shredded Wheat packets during early 1963. These were: Airfix Airfix is a British brand and former manufacturing company which produced injection-moulded plastic scale model kits. In

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