Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the Greatest Modelling Kits Ever Made (Collins Gem) [Hardcover]

Arthur Ward (Author)

Book Description

Series: Collins Gem | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

This gloriously illustrated, large-format volume celebrates 50 years of Airfix plastic modeling kits. Hundreds of superb color photos show all the obscure and highly collectible kits, as well as the best-sellers, with illustrations of packaging, box art, advertisements from Airfix magazine, and a mass of period ephemera. The lively text charts the rise, fall, and rise again of Airfix models. It's a nostalgic reminder of kits long vanished, but with a happy ending: Airfix is now re-releasing 40 kits a year, bringing back some models not seen in two decades. Airfix has all the information important to collectors, from complete range listings to production dates.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Arthur Ward is Chief Executive of Big Design, a design studio with an impressive list of corporate clients from the Civil Aviation Authority to the National Maritime Museum.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK; First Edition edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0004723279
• ISBN-13: 978-0004723273
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Toys

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The mis-spent youth..., November 30, 1999

By 

mat (North Yorks, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the Greatest Modelling Kits Ever Made (Collins Gem) (Hardcover)

I'm cheating, really, having read the book in the UK before it hits the States. So what...we're talking the biggest-ever drain on a young boy's pocket money thru the 60s and 70s...and Arthur Ward's wonderfully researched volume sets a now somewhat older bloke's mind at rest. Yup, I made the right decision to squander my hard-earned on the minutely detailed models which would wreck my close vision forever. Painted 'em, photographed 'em, burnt 'em...as Mr Ward also reminisces..that's the way we treated our plastic model kits. The illustrations are superb...beautiful original box artwork, fabulously nostalgic photos of packaging and content. Some omissions, I think...I can't recall seeing reference to the Gangbuster prohibition cars series...maybe I missed it. It's a less expensive tome in the US...$35 instead of 30 quid...but you'll love it...his charming writing, the lovely paper it's printed on. I tried to help my 9 year old son build a present-day kit. The magic had gone for me, tho he had fun. A book's much better, when you're a bit older, even if you haven't really ever grown up.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Trip Through Time, December 1, 2003

By 

Daniel L. Berek (Flanders, NJ, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the Greatest Modelling Kits Ever Made (Collins Gem) (Hardcover)

If you grew up loving models and model airplanes, you probably built at least one Airfix kit. If the dramatic box top illustration encouraged you to dig a little deeper into your pocket and purchase that kit, you probably have Roy Cross to thank. Some of these models became prized display pieces, others met an untimely fate at the mercy of a book of matches or firecrackers.

Just about every Airfix kit you remember, and several you may have forgotten, are presented. The pictures brought back many fond memories, and the text gave me a fine overview of the history of the company and its kits. Yes, there are better detailed and more modern kits available in hobby stores today, but the old-fashioned offerings of Airfix, heavy-handed rivet detail, thick canopies and all continue to hold a special place in the hearts of those of us who have been with this hobby for several decades. My main critique concerns the repetitiveness of the book and its poor organization; the manuscript definitely could have used a helping hand of a good editor. However, as with the kits themselves, Airfix aficionados like myself are willing to overlook such shortcomings.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun trip down memory lane, March 8, 2005

By 

Mark A. Taylor (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the World's Greatest Plastic Kits (Airfix Products) (Paperback)

When I was a kid building kits from the local hobby shop, it never interested me where they came from, or how they were made. Now, thanks to this book I've learned there are fascinating stories behind how those little bits of plastic ended up in the store to tempt me. This book is filled with behind-the-scenes details of how those little kits in the plastic bags got to the stores all those years ago. It's a brilliant read, too. Not too stuffy or serious. Just right. And filled with great photos of kits you'll remember, and some you've never seen. Excellent stuff!