Customer Reviews

Airfix: Celebrating 50 Years of the World's Greatest Plastic Kits (Airfix Products)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

The sad thing is that I probably had all of the models at least once! A real nostalga trip. More photographs needed. If you were/are not into Airfix then this isn't the book for you! otherwise you'll love it.

I really looked forward to seeing this book. The subject matter is dear to my heart and a quick glance through the illustrations promised a great deal. But, despite some interesting interviews with ex-employees and some great Roy Cross artwork, much of the dialog is rather bland and insipid and it actually became a bit of a chore trying to get to the end of the book. Part of the problem is that there are some bits of Airfix history which really aren't worth celebrating but which the author has presumably felt duty bound to include to the detriment of the overall package and it's also very frustrating to find references in the text to kits which aren't illustrated in the book. A few more reference photos would have been nice but please, why the grubby looking cover?

This book makes me want to collect all the Airfix kits! As thorough as it should be delving into the business history of a fine British company. I loved every page, every photo, every moment I have spent with the book and I encourage all those wondering whether or not it would be a good addition to their modeling library to go for it. The sad thing is that now I wish I hadn't sold several Airfix kits I had in my collection. Oh well, the book makes up for any kits I squandered needlessly.