In the UK, the term plastic models is still synonymous with Airfix. Most people, especially of the mid-age generation, have heard of Airfix or have an instant mental image even if they haven’t made one themselves. Also, it is Airfix that helped to maintain the popularity of the Spitfire until today due to the tremendous impact its models had among younger generation of the 1960s and 1970s.

Airfix was founded in 1939 by Nicholas Kove, a Hungarian-born businessman, and initially made inflatable toys (hence the name of the company). In 1947, Airfix introduced injection moulding, initially producing pocket combs. In 1949, it was commissioned to create a promotional model of a Ferguson tractor. The model was initially moulded in cellulose acetate plastic and hand-assembled for distribution to Ferguson sales representatives. Then Kove came up with an idea of selling the injection-moulded version of the model as an assembly kit. It appeared on the shelves of Woolworths in 1949.

Its popularity surprised everyone but Airfix was somewhat slow to recognize the market opportunity. Once they did, their second kit produced in 1953 was – you guessed it – the Spitfire Mk. I. This subject was chosen by managing director Ralph Ehrmann and general manager John Gray, who had both experienced air combat during the war. Rumors have it that Nicholas Kove had severe doubts about commercial viability of an aircraft model, and warned Ehrmann and Gray that any loss would be deducted from their salaries.

The rest, as they say, is history. The Spitfire kit was an instant hit. There were only 21 components to it, and it included the display stand. The scale was 1/72, another pivotal choice; The “constant scale” of 1/72 was used on subsequent Airfix aircraft kits and within a couple of years was as the standard scale for aircraft models worldwide.

The Spitfire was to remain the best-selling Airfix model product ever. In the mid to late 1960s, Airfix sold 350,000 Spitfires every year. For comparison, their next-best model, the Hurricane, was sold in around 80,000 copies. Even during the 1970 when the Airfix range expanded to include vintage and modern cars, motorcycles, figures, trains, trackside accessories, military vehicles, large classic ships, warships, liners, engines, rockets and spaceships, no other model exceeded the popularity of the Airfix Spitfire.

In view of this statistics it is understandable that the company invested in new and improved Spitfire kits. In 1960 the original kit was replaced by the Spitfire Mk.IX, followed by a huge and complex 1/24 scale Spitfire Mk. I in 1970, the first 1/24 aircraft model produced by anyone in the world.

Another 1/72 Spitfire kit from Arifix was Mk. Vb issued in 1974. This kit was of great quality for its day, featuring highly accurate outline and fine surface detail. It was followed by new-tool Spitfire Mk. I in 1979, just as accurate as its predecessor but featuring o choice of traditional or snap-together assembly. Bothe these kits are still readily available today.

The same year saw the introduction of Airfix Spitfire Mk. V in larger scale of 1/48. This kit, together with its 1/72 siblings, remained the most accurate Spitfire kits modellers could buy throughout the 1980s.

In the 1980s, new generation of children have instead turned their attention to computer games and the popularity of plastic kits dwindled for about a decade.

Since mid-1990s, the demand for plastic models has increased again, albeit fueled by adult rather than youngster hobbyists. Airfix was back on track again, and their most important kit release in modern times came in 1996 in the form of… Supermarine Spitfire F22/24 and Seafire FR46/7 in 1/48 scale. These were excellent kits comparing well with the best plastic kits in the world, and are still much sought after by the modelers worldwide.

These kits were followed by 1/48 Spitfire Mk. IX/XVI in 2005, a good offering but not quite up to the standard of the preceding F.22/FR.46.

Lastly, in 2007 we have a complately new 1/48 Spitfire Mk. I from Airfix. This, for sure, won’t be the last Spitfire kit we see from this company.

Related links

http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/models/btk/index.html
http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/spitfire/features/airfix