Airfix’s 1/600 HMS Devonshire was first tooled almost 60 years ago. As STU FONE maintains, if any kit deserved to return as a Vintage Classic, this is a prime contender.
In their day Airfix’s 1960s-70s maritime kits were hugely popular, and although now they appear somewhat spartan, they can still form great replicas with the right amount of effort. As might be expected for such an old product, the parts count on Airfix’s recently re-released Devonshire (A03202V) – first issued in 1963 – is lower than more modern offerings at just 80 pieces. These are held on three styrene ‘trees’ (open frames, rather than enclosed runners). What may surprise many modellers is the lack of sink marks and flash… a comparison with a 1973 boxing revealed the moulds have stood the test of time much better than most.
