14 best airfix models

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Few aircraft in the history of aerial warfare can boast the impact and combat credentials of the Grumman F6F Hellcat, one of the finest fighting machines ever to take to the skies. A product of the already successful Grumman ‘Ironworks’, the company’s design philosophy was only to produce aircraft which were easy to manufacture and maintain and must be reliable in a combat situation. Importantly, it must be an effective combat aircraft and able to be mastered by the average wartime pilot following a standard conversion period. This no nonsense approach ensured that the Hellcat was ready to fight and available in some numbers when they eventually reached US Navy units in 1943. Despite its combat introduction taking place relatively late in the war, the Hellcat would prove to be the 'mount of aces' and unquestionably ruled the skies of the Pacific Theater. Posting some astonishing statistics, it has veen reported that almost 75% of all aerial victories claimed by US Navy Pilots were attributed to the Hellcat, which earned an impressive combat kill ratio of 19 to 1 in the Pacific Theater. Although combat claims can be notoriously difficult to corroborate, this meant that on average, nineteen enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of a single Hellcat, a statistic which could not be bettered by any other combat aircraft of WWII. Perhaps the most impressive combat statistic earned by the Gumman Hellcat was that made 'Aces' of no fewer than 305 US airmen, each one claiming five victories or more. Can be built with wings open or folded. Includes full cockpit detail with open or closed canopy options. Complete fully detailed radial engine, engine mount and all ancillaries. Separate engine cowling and forward fuselage panels. Detailed undercarriage, undercarriage bays and arrestor hook with options to build with wheels up or down. Fully detailed gun bays with complete machine guns and ammunition trays. Can be built with closed or extended landing flaps. Poseable control surfaces and trim tabs. Realistic surface detailing showing rivets, fasteners and rippled ‘stressed skin. ' Drop tanks (2 types), 250Ib and 500Ib bombs and rockets all included. Includes a choice of four decal schemes.

• October 24, 1944- the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific. Lt. Carl Allen brown Jr. A member of vf-27 flying f6f-5 'paper doll' From the USS price ton shot down 5 enemy 'zekes' Before evading a further 4 that were competing to shoot him down. His machine was damaged and he was Wounded but brown was able to land safely on the USS Essex after the Princeton was Sunk.
• Scheme 1) gumman f6f-5 Hellcat 'paper doll' Aircraft flown by lt. Carl a. Brown Jr. Vf-27, USS Princeton October 1944. Scheme 2) GRUMMAN f6f-5 Hellcat vf-12 USS Randolph (cv-15) may 1945. Scheme 3) GRUMMAN Hellcat Mk II 'operation sunfish' No. 808 Naval air Squadron, fleet air arm, HMS khedive, East Indies, March-April 1945. Scheme 4) GRUMMAN f6f-5 Hellcat flotille, carrier arromanches (R95), l'aeronavaler, Indochina War 1953.
• Skill level: 4 (expert). Dimensions of completed kit: length of fuselage 16. 7 in X width of wingspan 21. 4 in. Number of parts: 572.
• Can be built with wings open, or folded. Includes full cockpit detail with open or closed canopy options. Detailed undercarriage, undercarriage bays and arrestor hook with options to build with wheels up or down. Can be built with closed or extended landing flaps.
• Painting required: yes, paints need to be purchased separately. Humbrol paints needed are listed on the outside of the box.

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The Tiger I was produced from late 1942 as an answer to the formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of Operation Barbarossa. The Tiger I design gave the Wehrmacht its first tank mounting the 88mm gun. During the course of the war, the Tiger I saw combat on all German battlefronts.

• Mold Tools made in 1964, pack illustration by G. Schule, 1965.
• Enjoy the nostalgia with the revival of this classic plastic model. The boxes feature original paintings by an impressive range of artists.
• Since the early 1950s, Airfix has produced hundreds of fantastic models, across many different categories and the majority of these tools still exist, and using these tools are how the Vintage Classics are made.
• Many of these models are a little more challenging for today’s modelers, but that’s part of this brilliant hobby’s fun. With some wonderful “only produced by Airfix” items to come, the excitement’s really building.
• Humbrol paints needed to complete the plane liveries are listed on the outside of the box.

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When the Japanese Zero first entered service in 1940, it was without doubt the most advanced naval fighter in the world and quickly earned a reputation as a ruthless dogfighter. In early engagements, the Zero proved so effective that pilots were able to post an almost unbelievable victory ratio of 12 to 1 against their adversaries. As the Wehrmacht began its march across Europe in 1940, little attention was being given to developments in the Far East. Following years of re-arming and upgrading, the Japanese Navy could boast some of the most advanced naval aircraft in the world within its inventory, including the superb Mitsubishi A6M Zero. This long range Naval fighter would be at the forefront of Japan’s expansionist ambitions throughout WWII and in the early war years, proved to be unequalled in the Pacific region. Possessing exceptional maneuverability, the Zero quickly earned a reputation as a dogfighter and Allied pilots quickly learned to avoid a slow, turning fight with this beautifully balanced aircraft. As the fighter aircraft to beat in the Pacific, American pilots soon developed tactics that avoided playing into the hands of the Zero and began to score victories. As newer fighters began to enter service, the A6M Zero began to show its weaknesses, which were a lack of armour protection for the pilot and no self-sealing fuel tanks in the wing. Using their ‘boom and zoom’ hit and run tactics, the Americans finally began to get the measure of the feared Zero.

From the Manufacturer

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a long range naval fighter aircraft that formed the backbone of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Air Arm throughout the Second World War. Blessed with exceptional maneuverability, as well as long range, the Zero proved to be the best carrier fighter aircraft in the world when it made its debut in China in 1940 and then again in the opening stages of the Pacific War against the United States.

• 1: 72 scale plastic scale model kit
• Skill level: 1 (where 1 is for the beginner and 4 is for the more experienced modeler)
• Number of parts: 47

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Probably the best known fighter aircraft ever, and arguably the best looking too, with its sleek lines and elliptical wings, the Spitfire will be forever remembered for its role in the Battle of Britain.

• Made in India
• Package height :23.6 cm
• Package length :3.2 cm
• Package width :22.2 cm

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First flying in 1939, the Focke-Wulf Fw190 proved to be an immediate threat to RAF fighters when introduced in late 1941, being faster and more maneuverable than the Spitfire V then in service. This A-8 version was the most numerous and heavily armed variant, which entered service in 1944, as an attempt to stop the Allied daylight raids, however, by then the new Allied fighters had begun to outclass it.

• Part of the Airfix classic kit range, the 1: 72 scale is a smaller scale and is perfect for those models where you want a more simple and faster construction.
• Skill level: 1. Dimensions of completed kit: length 152mm x width 145mm. Number of parts: 53.
• Primary scheme: Focke-Wulf fw190-a8 flown by feldwebel Martin Ullmann, 9/jgs
• Painting required: yes, paints need to be purchased separately.
• Humbrol paints needed are listed on the outside of the box.

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Dogfight Double, After the fall of France in 1940, the two great air arms of the day, Great Britain’s RAF and Germany’s Luftwaffe, faced each other in large numbers for the first time. The spearhead of the Luftwaffe was the Messerschmitt Bf109E. A formidable fighting machine, it had proven itself to be world class throughout its previous campaigns. However, over southern England in the summer of 1940, it faced a new set of challenges. The most serious test for the Luftwaffe pilots was the widespread use of the RAF’s finest fighter, the Supermarine Spitfire. More manoeuvrable than the 109E, the Spitfire was the finest fighter of its day. This set contains two aircraft flown by aces, Helmut Wick and John Dundas. Neither survived their fateful engagement on 28th November 1940.

• 1:72 scale plastic scale model kit
• Skill level: 2 (where 1 is for the beginner and 4 is for the more experienced modeller)
• Number of parts: Spitfire 36 / Messerschmitt 64
• Includes all paints, adhesive and brushes you need

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During the early stages of WWII, the American built Curtiss P-40B proved to be one of the most important fighter aircraft available to Allied Air Forces. Flying with the RAF in North Africa and the American Volunteer Group in China, the Allison V-1710-33 powered P-40B was to became one of the most distinctive fighters of the entire war, wearing their fearsome shark-mouth artwork. Arguably, the most striking versions of the P-40 were the early machines, which displayed an extremely sinister profile – with a shorter, more pointed nose and an extremely throaty Allison V-1710 engine, the P-40B (Tomahawk IIa in RAF service) aircraft looked almost like flying Great White sharks. When RAF No.112 Squadron of the Desert Air Force added aggressive looking sharks teeth and eyes to their aircraft in 1941, they inadvertently turned their Tomahawks into some of the most iconic aircraft of WWII and certainly some of the most visually appealing. These designs would find their way on to many different aircraft throughout the remainder of the war, but the RAF Desert Air Force certainly started the trend. Livery A: P40B Lt. George Welch, 47th PS, 15th PG, December 1941 Hawaii Livery B: Hawk 81-A-2 No47 (P-8127) Robert T. Smith, 3rd Squadron (Hell's Angels) American Volunteer Group, Kunming, China, June 1942

• 1:48th Scale WWII Military Aircraft Plastic Model Kit Skill Level: 2 Number of Parts: 106
• Livery A: P40B Lt. George Welch, 47th PS, 15th PG, December 1941 Hawaii
• Livery B: Hawk 81-A-2 No47 (P-8127) Robert T. Smith, 3rd Squadron (Hell's Angels) American Volunteer Group, Kunming, China, June 1942
• Humbrol Paints needed are listed on the outside of the box.
• Construction and painting required: yes, glue and paints need to be purchased separately

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Continuing the wartime development of the famous Super marine Spitfire, the mk. Xiv saw the classic shape of Mitchell's celebrated fighter paired with the awesome power of the new rolls Royce Griffon engine. The aircraft was superb and one of the RAF's most capable fighters of WWII, proving particularly successful when employed against the V-1 flying bomb attacks which Germany launched against Southern Britain, from the summer of 1944. The adoption of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine provided the Spitfire with a significant increase in performance, but not without presenting Super marine designers and pilots converting to the aircraft with a few challenges. Installation of the new engine in the existing Spitfire airframe required a redesign of both the front and rear sections of the aircraft and the use of a distinctive five bladed rotol propeller. Pilots used to flying Merlin engine versions of the aircraft would find the Griffon turned in the propeller in the opposite direction and whilst the earlier aircraft tended to veer to the left on take-off, the Griffon powered machines would veer in the opposite direction – if the pilot forgot and applied their usual corrective inputs, their first Flight could be a particularly short and uncomfortable one. As the only British fighter Type to remain in production throughout WWII, the Spitfire was constantly developed to ensure it remained at the forefront of fighter performance, with the Griffon powered aircraft being around 80 mph faster than the original Mk. I machines. With the purr of the early Merlin engines replaced by the throaty growl of the mighty Griffon, these later developments appear to be much more capable versions of the fighter than the classic early Spitfires, even though they are basically a development of them. The Griffin powered Spitfire Mk. Xiv possessed greater performance than that of the thoroughbred Mk. Ix and therefore was superior to both the Luftwaffe Focke Wulf Fw 190 and the latest versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Taking part in air operations in support of and in the months following the D-Day landings, the mk. Xiv was used extensively by the 2nd tactical air Force, equipping all 20 of the Spitfire squadrons that operated from the continent in the months between D-Day and ve-day. Employed predominantly in an armed reconnaissance role, these fearsome fighters would search for targets behind German lines, attempting to disrupt both their retreat and their ability to send reinforcements to the current front line. Their speed also made them an ideal aircraft to help counter The growing Doodlebug threat endured by Southern Britain in the months following operation Overlord and the D-Day landings.

• Being a slightly larger scale, 1: 48 allows Modelers to add those intricate details that is absent from smaller scales.
• Skill level: 2. Dimensions of completed kit: length 206mm x width 209mm. Number of parts: 118.
• Primary scheme: Super marine Spitfire favorite Mk XIV flown by Squadron leader James Bernard Prendergast, no 414 Squadron, royal Canadian air Force, B156 Luneburg, Germany may/June 1945. Scheme 2: Super marine Spitfire Mk XIV no 11 (AC) Squadron, RAF, second tactical air Force (2TAF), RAF buckeburg, Germany 1950-1951.
• Painting required: yes, paints need to be purchased separately.
• Humbrol paints needed are listed on the outside of the box.

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First flying in 1939, the Focke-Wulf Fw190 proved to be an immediate threat to RAF fighters when introduced in late 1941, being faster and more maneuverable than the Spitfire V then in service. This A-8 version was the most numerous and heavily armed variant, which entered service in 1944, as an attempt to stop the Allied daylight raids, however, by then the new Allied fighters had begun to outclass it.

• 1:72nd Scale WWII Military Aircraft Plastic Model Kit
• Skill Level: 1
• Number of Parts: 53
• This kits contains all the paints, glue and brushes necessary to complete this kit
• Comes with Humbrol Paints, Glue and Brushes
• Skill level: Beginner

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Airfix Quickbuild Bugatti Veyron 16.4. No glue, no paint, just build! Collect and build an exciting range of legends from airfix! Quick and simple, The model is designed as a push-fit model construction kit, which has been pre-colored. The model is provided with decorative stickers. The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engine grand Touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph). the original version has a top speed of 408.00 km/h (253.52 mph).It was named car of the decade (2000–2009) by the BBC television programmed top gear. The car is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of little Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti Company. The 16.4 refers to 16 cylinders and 4 turbochargers. Airfix is the oldest UK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits and has been producing kits for the mass market since 1952. Airfix produces a wide range of kits aimed at all types of scale modelers, with subjects such as military aircraft, Civil aircraft, ships, galleons, cars, space, figures, dioramas, and military vehicles.

Set Contains:

1 x Quick Build Model

• No Paint!
• No Glue!
• Just Build!
• Quick and Simple to put together
• Skill level: Beginner

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Supermarine Spitfire - Collect and build a brand new range of kits from Airfix. These quick and simple push-fit construction models look just like the real thing!

• These quick and simple push-fit construction models look just like the real thing!
• No glue or paint required - just decorate with the stickers provided
• Each aircraft comes with its own display stand

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The end of the Second World War saw the victorious Allied nations desperately attempting to secure details of German jet technology and high speed research data, information which could be applied to their own jet projects. Using this information and engine technology obtained from Britain, the Soviet Union introduced the diminutive Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 in 1949 one of the most capable of the early jet fighters and even as this aircraft was proving effective during the Korean War, the Soviets were already working on its successor. The larger and faster Mig-17 Fresco may have given the appearance of being nothing more than a larger incarnation of its predecessor, however, this was in fact a completely redesigned aircraft, incorporating many improvements over the MiG-15 and a significant upgrade in Soviet jet capability. The MiG-17 was designed to perform the role of bomber killer and was never intended as a dogfighter, however its exceptional agility would allow this aircraft to score combat victories over much heavier and more modern American designs. Dismissing the aircraft as nothing more than an upgraded MiG-15, the Vietnam War proved to be something of a sobering experience for the US Air Force, as some of their most modern aircraft would fall victim to the guns of the MiG-17, even though this had itself been superseded by more modern designs. Lighter and much more manoeuvrable than the US aircraft, the subsonic MiG-17 would claim victories over such aircraft as the F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas Phantom, which would result in the US developing new agile air superiority fighters, in the years immediately following the end of the conflict. Possessing both excellent performance and being easy to maintain, the rugged MiG-17 was produced in large numbers and became the standard Warsaw Pact fighter from the mid 1950s and for the next decade, with aircraft produced under licence in both China and Poland. An extremely cost effective aircraft, it was an attractive fighter option for many of the world’s smaller air forces and more than thirty overseas nations would eventually operate the type. Perversely, for a nation against which the MiG-17 was designed to combat, America would become home to significant numbers of these aircraft, most coming into the hands of private collectors, but a small number used in dissimilar aircraft trials and to perfect combat techniques against smaller, more agile jet fighters. Two beautifully restored examples have also been popular display performers on the US Airshow circuit over the years.

• Part of the Airfix classic kit range, the 1: 72 scale is a smaller scale and is perfect for those models where you want a more simple and faster construction.
• Primary Scheme: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 17F 'Fresco' (Shenyan J-5) Aircraft flown by Le Hai, 932nd Fighter Regiment, Vietnam People's Airforce, Tho Xuan, August 1969. Scheme 2: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 17F 'Fresco' Gosudarstvenny Nauchno-Ispytatel'ny Krasnoznamenny Institut Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 1970s.
• Skill Level: 2. Dimensions of Completed Kit: Length 155mm x Width 134mm. Number of Pieces: 84mm.
• Painting and assembly required. Paints and glue need to be purchased separately.
• Humbrol paints needed to complete the plane liveries are listed on the outside of the box.

Product description

As arguably the finest fighter aircraft of WWII, the Mustang went on to be selected as the USAF primary piston engined fighter after the war, with all other types relegated to secondary roles, or withdrawn from service. The re-designation of USAF aircraft in 1948 saw the P for Pursuit change to F for Fighter, resulting in the Mustang becoming a North American F-51D.

• Scheme 1: ‘Rotation Blues’ 67th FBS Korea Scheme 2: F51D 77 Squadron RAAF Korea 1951 Scheme 3: J26 Mustang, Swedish Air Force
• The 1: 48 scale is perfect for those models where you want even more detail.
• Over the past 100 years, some of the most iconic machines produced by Man have taken to the air and either transported millions of passengers around the world, or become the essential tools of War and peace. The fascinating world of aviation is brought to life by airfix.
• Skill level 3. Length 205 mm width 236 mm. 147 pieces.
• Painting required: yes, paints need to be purchased separately. Humbrol paints needed are listed on the outside of the box.

Product description

The British named the M3 "General Stuart" upon receipt of the tank under the Lend-Lease program in June of 1941. The tank's ability to "shoot and scoot" as well as keeping the crew safe from small fire arms fire, earned an affectionate nickname of "Honey" by its operators. The British cavalry men liked this tank as it could travel 10 to 20 mph faster than their own or enemy tanks, and for its ease of maintenance. The M3s were designed to replace the outdated M2s. The M3 incorporated a thicker armor, lengthened hull, and a trailer idler wheel to act as another road wheel to decrease ground pressure and improve weight distribution. The M3 turret had three pistol ports and shortened recoil mechanism. It was also equipped wraith a 37mm M6 gun, which was adequate early in the war, but by 1942, the German counterparts far surpassed the range of the M3. The narrow width of the M3 could not accommodate a larger gun. The M3A1 was fitted with a Westinghouse gyrostabilizer, a turret basket and an oil gear hydraulic traverse mechanism, but lacked a turret cupola. The earlier version of the M3A1, the Stuart III, was powered by Continental W-970-9A-7 cylinder radial gas 250 Hp engine but by mid 1941, the Stuart IVs came off the production lines with Grierson T-1020 air cooled radial diesel engine.

• Classic 1: 35 Armor model scaled tank. Includes some interior details and includes both band tracks and individual Link tracks.
• Skill level: 2. A great plastic model kit for the beginner or intermediate modeler.
• Primary scheme: M3 Stuart 'honey' Connecticut IV, 'a' Squadron, 5th royal tank regiment, 7th armored division, North Africa 1942. Scheme 2: M3 Stuart 'Helen' B company, 192nd Battalion, provisional tank group, Philippines, late 1941.
• Painting and assembly required. Paints and glue need to be purchased separately.
• Hambros paints needed to complete the plane liveries are listed on the outside of the box.

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