A blast from the past, for some maybe

[Pete999]

Do any members remember Air-fix kits? I was an avid builder when I was small, and come bonfire nigh, me and my mates would gather all our old models that we no longer cherished, Boats, Planes etc, take the boats down the cut, stick a banger in somewhere, and pretend we were sinking the Bismark or some other Hun Battleship, good fun in those days.

 

[John Preston]

I actually saw a van the other day sign written that they did airfix models. I think they were larger sized though than the kits I remember.

 

[Wilko]

Yep - Lancaster, Stuka, Spitfire and wasn't the glue something else .

 

[Pete999]

Yep - Lancaster, Stuka, Spitfire and wasn't the glue something else .

Yes some good stuff that was.

 

[Andy78]

Was making a couple of kits with my kids last Christmas. Didn't prove to be a long lived distraction though what with xboxes and mobile phones nowadays.

 

[Midwest]

All us big kids used to do Airfix models when we were little kids. Remember having a bit of a spillage/overdose with with the glue, and it melted the plastic. Lots of paints sometimes hid the damage. And the flippin transfers used to come off.

 

[Pete999]

My old man was in the RAF during WW2 helped me build a plastic Lanc, smashing job we made of it, cherished it till the glue lost it's cohesion.

 

[littlespark]

Watching James may on tv last week... it was an accident, honest.

Turns out Hornby trains, air fix and scaletrix are all the same company now.

 

[Midwest]

My old man was in the RAF during WW2 helped me build a plastic Lanc, smashing job we made of it, cherished it till the glue lost it's cohesion.

Had an uncle in the RAF during WWII. My departed auntie had a boyfriend who was a tail gunner, who didn't survive WWII. Going back to my Grandparents, my Great Uncle died in Egypt WWI. Not dismissing recent conflicts, I do think we, now, don't realise what an impact those two wars had on lives & communities.

 

[Bobster]

Used to have a few of them. Loved doing it as a kid.

They usually ended up being only 2 colours after painting as I couldn't afford lots of different ones.

That an meccano, not sure if that's available either.

 

[Marvo]

Never really got into the glue-together models, I always preferred Meccano,

 

[telectrix]

remember them well. think they were 1/72 scale. as pete's 1st post. usednto hnhg them upnin tree and shoot with.22 air rifle.on that scale .22 waslike a 37mm cannonshell.

 

[Pete999]

Budding terrorist training

 

[Squid]

Airfix, Revel and the little plastic soldier kits that you used to get, local newsagent stocked them as well as Matchbox cars.

Uncle flew Wellingtons and Mossies other Uncle Oxfords Mother also in the RAF during WWII

 

[westward10]

There used to be back in the 70s a large shop on the Great West Road near Hounslow dedicated to Airfix and other models, fantastic place.

 

[Squid]

There used to be back in the 70s a large shop on the Great West Road near Hounslow dedicated to Airfix and other models, fantastic place.

On the way to Hounslow past Isleworth opposite the fire station there used to be a model shop where I bought my first IC RC car.

 

[westward10]

On the way to Hounslow past Isleworth opposite the fire station there used to be a model shop where I bought my first IC RC car.

Lose my bearings around there now but think it was on the corner of Upper Sutton Lane near the old Master Robert.

 

[Squid]

Lose my bearings around there now but think it was on the corner of Upper Sutton Lane near the old Master Robert.

It was on the London Road, just checked Google Maps and its all flats in the area now, there is a model shop in Brentford though.

 

[Midwest]

I also used to collect & play with sets of plastic toy soldiers, can’t remember scale or who made them, but they were only 3/4 inch tall. Was about 50 odd in a small box.

My youngest spent many an hour (and his pocket money) in Games Workshop, doing the same.

 

[Spoon]

I remember them well. I used to love making models. Usually of ww2 tanks.
My missus got me an Airfix 1:72 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress and paints for xmas. I've nearly finished it.

 

[Bobster]

I remember them well. I used to love making models. Usually of ww2 tanks.
My missus got me an Airfix 1:72 Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress and paints for xmas. I've nearly finished it.

Going to need some pictures of that when it's finished.

I didn't even know it was still around!

 

[Spoon]

This is what i have up to now.

It's been quite a few years since I last done one..
The engine is made up off all small bits, then covered with the external bit... Crazy I know, but the missus says I know it's there..
There are seats and stuff in the inside.

 

[Bobster]

Just googled and found a shop that sells airfix not too far from my apartment in Germany.

Think i'll have a pop in this weekend.

 

[Spoon]

I still need to paint more of mine.

 

[Spoon]

Just googled and found a shop that sells airfix not too far from my apartment in Germany.

Think i'll have a pop in this weekend.

Go for it mate.

 

[Bobster]

Go for it mate.

The smell of enamel paint and the glue that was supplied will certainly bring back some childhood memories.

Although I doubt the glue is still as potent as is once was?

 

[Spoon]

The smell of enamel paint and the glue that was supplied will certainly bring back some childhood memories.

Although I doubt the glue is still as potent as is once was?

They do these now. A lot better than the tubes I used to use.

 

[Squid]

I always wanted one of these as a child but then moved to RC stuff.

 

[westward10]

Do you still have to float the transfers off in a bowl of water.

 

[Spoon]

Do you still have to float the transfers off in a bowl of water.

Yes. I have loads for mine and lots are ikky-bikky.

 

[Bobster]

Yes. I have loads for mine and lots are ikky-bikky.

They would always fold up on me, I could never, unless they were large ones, get them to work.

 

[Spoon]

They would always fold up on me, I could never, unless they were large ones, get them to work.

I've been luck up to now. All worked fine. The model I have has 3 very small text ones per bomb.

 

[gnuuser]

Never really got into the glue-together models, I always preferred Meccano,

i used to do a lot of them when i was a lad and lost quite a collection when i was 14 (our old house burned down from a lightning strike, hit the power lines and blew out the panels)
have some i want to get yet (mostly naval ships)

 

[Deleted member 72666]

....Loved them when i was a kid......I can smell the glue and the humbrol drying as we speak!

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Who else remembers bolsa wood?

 

[Andy78]

They would always fold up on me, I could never, unless they were large ones, get them to work.

It was a skill in itself was that. The best way was to lift them up with a craft knife blade, and apply them flat with a damp paintbrush.

But yeah, I had loads break and fold on me.

 

[Bobster]

It was a skill in itself was that. The best way was to lift them up with a craft knife blade, and apply them flat with a damp paintbrush.

But yeah, I had loads break and fold on me.

I mean, the last time I remember doing one I was maybe 10 or 11 years old. An I was more excited by the building then proceeding to break it playing with the thing.

Still, I guess we will see if age is a factor, I will be treating myself to one this weekend.

I guess the CEO wouldn't be too happy if I programmed one of our robot arms to fly it around!

 

[Andy78]

I mean, the last time I remember doing one I was maybe 10 or 11 years old. An I was more excited by the building then proceeding to break it playing with the thing.

Still, I guess we will see if age is a factor, I will be treating myself to one this weekend.

I guess the CEO wouldn't be too happy if I programmed one of our robot arms to fly it around!

Yeah I'll have been about 13 when I gave them up.

Haha, now I'm imagining a robot arm zooming a plane around with a speech synthesiser saying "neeeeoooooowwm" in a robotic voice.

 

[Spoon]

Who else remembers bolsa wood?

I've never dabbled with the stuff myself but there are vids on YouTube where people make stuff out of it.

 

[Spoon]

Still, I guess we will see if age is a factor, I will be treating myself to one this weekend.

Go for it. What are you going to get?

 

[Bobster]

Go for it. What are you going to get?

Well I'm not sure, just going to get there and see what I see.

Nothing too big or fancy as I'll be heading back to the US in a couple of months, so it'll likely end up in the bin.

 

[Squid]

I used to make RC planes from balsa wood when I was a kid.

 

[gnuuser]

soon as I get the materials I going to try making a mountain dulcimer
Appalachian dulcimer - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_dulcimer

 

[Silly Sausage]

It was the first time I got arrested, for stealing a bag full of Airfix kits in Leeds. Best one I ever made was the Apollo Lunar Module, tricky legs on that buggar!

 

[gnuuser]

Haha, now I'm imagining a robot arm zooming a plane around with a speech synthesiser saying "neeeeoooooowwm" in a robotic voice.

Thank you for that amusing mental image!
I'd love to see a you tube video of that!

 

[Spoon]

Question people. Do i paint the black diagonal stripe on the wing or use the transfers they have supplied?
I'm thinking painting would look better.

 

[telectrix]

you asked. ///,,,

 

[Kamikaze]

I guess the CEO wouldn't be too happy if I programmed one of our robot arms to fly it around!

True, some CEO’s have no sense of adventure but we need to find out if yours has?

 

[naylorpd]

I always wanted one of these as a child but then moved to RC stuff.

View attachment 48532

Yes, I remember doing the Saturn 5 - it was big, nearly 3ft AFAIR, and broke down into the separate rocket stages.

And the lunar module - really fragile legs but very cool. Even separated into the two stages.

 

[Pete999]

Yes, I remember doing the Saturn 5 - it was big, nearly 3ft AFAIR, and broke down into the separate rocket stages.

And the lunar module - really fragile legs but very cool. Even separated into the two stages.

Working in the US, my step Grandson was into Aircraft carriers, saw an USS Enterprise complete wit planes etc, as far as I am aware it's still in their loft unopened, don't think he was that impressed with my gift.