August been a busy month for Airfix, with a batch of re-releases in addition to its big-ticket item – the newly tooled A12012 1/48 Buccaneer S.2B.
Leading the pack is the Westland Lynx HMA.8/Mk.88A/Mk.90B (A10107A) for 1/48 scale and it comes with unchanged parts – offering three different variants plus a mix of armament – and new markings options. As before, they provide one example each from British, German and Danish naval air arms, but the schemes are updated with modern machines. This is sure to be popular with fans of helicopter kits and retails for £49.99.
Modellers favouring 1/72 scale have a Dornier Do 17Z (A05010A) and BAe Harrier GR.7A/GR.9 (A04050A) to savour; as with the Lynx, the parts are unchanged, but each comes with two new schemes. The former features airframes from two units: 9./KG 76 and 1./KG 2, based in France and Greece, respectively, while the latter offers a 41(R) Squadron jet and ZD437 Michelle, as was deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan during 2006.
There’s also a great bunch of Vintage Classics this month, starting with HMS Devonshire (A03202V) and HMS Fearless (A03205V) for the maritime sector. Both are more than 50 years old, so the detail isn’t to modern standards, but the reprinted decals are excellent, including deck markings and helicopter roundels. Both retail for £15.99, making them great value.
The final additions are both 1/76 figure sets, offering World War Two Japanese (A00718V) and Russian (A00717V) infantry. There’s a great selection in each pack, with 48 figures depicted prone, kneeling and standing; the Russian set includes three-man Vickers and mortar teams. All are moulded in the usual soft vinyl-type plastic, but the detail is still pleasing – at just £5.99 each they are ideal beginner sets.
More information on these and other Airfix products is at the Airfix website.
