Category:Airfix
Toy Brands and Manufacturers |
---|
Airfix |
1939 - |
1950s: The Airfix "Products in Plastics" logo in use in the 1950s, often in dark blue (see, e.g., the "Cutty Sark" kit packaging opposite). Airfix were at this point still pitching themselves as a more general-purpose plastic goods company. [image info]
Airfix trade advert, 1956. Note the number of product ranges other than construction kits. [image info]
1960: "Have you got them all yet?". Listing of Airfix kits, listing 104(?) kits [image info]
1961: 30-inch toy firing FN Rifle. An example of a "non-kit" Airfix product [image info]
"The AIRFIX Range", paper insert [image info]
1962: front cover of Airfix Magazine [image info]
Bullfinches, Airfix Wildlife Series 03830 [image info]
Blackburn Buccaneer, Airfix 384 [image info]
F-4B Phantom II, Airfix 388 [image info]
"HMS Cossack" kit [image info]
Airfix Modellers' Club [image info]
1815 soldier on horseback [image info]
Airfix Kits, Shire Library [image info]
Airfix was founded in 1939 by Nicholas Kove, to make hollow rubber toys and novelties, and when rubber became scarce because of wartime demand for tyres for military vehicles, Kove switched to using plastics, and then to injection moulding.
Origins
Although the name is now synonymous with model aircraft kits, and it would be reasonable to assume that this is what the name stood for ("air-fix"), the name was actually a reference to the air-filled rubber building blocks (and toy ducks and other novelties) that the company originally produced.
In 1949 the company produced a moulded acetate model tractor as a promotional item for the Ferguson tractor company, and then started selling the parts through Woolworths, unassembled, as kits.
In 1952, this was followed by a "proper" moulded polystyrene kit of the Golden Hind ship, and then the first Airfix model aircraft kit - a Spitfire Mk1 - in 1953.
However, the roaring success of these "poly-bagged" kits didn't immediately take over the company's whole output - a 1956 trade advert lists "construction kits" as the second entry for the company's output, after "polythene tea-sets"! The list goes on to mention "beach lines", "games" and "novelties, etc. etc".
It wasn't unusual for a plastics company to have different supplementary toy ranges for the Winter and Summer months ... the run-up to December would be producing toys for the critical Christmas market, while the quieter period after Christmas would be producing buckets and spades and balls and other beach novelties for the Summer Holidays. The attraction of the "hobbyist" market (exemplified by the growth of the "Hobbies" business) was that it dangled the promise of a population customers who might turn into reliable repeat buyers, and produce a steady year-round turnover.

Undated slip, text:
The AIRFIX Range includes over 300 Constant Scale Kits and among them are Aircraft, Modern and Veteran Cars, Warships and Classic Ships, Fighting Vehicles, Historical Figures, Rolling Stock and Trackside Series, 00 figures and Museum Models.
AIRFIX also produce MotorAce Home Car Electric Racing Sets and Accessories, New Artist Painting by Numbers, BETTA BILDA Building Sets and a wide range of Toys and for the modeller, publishes Airfix Magazine. For full details of each range see separate catalogues.
Adverts by year, 1958-1968
This spread of adverts (mostly from Hobbies Annual) from 1958 to 1968 show the arc of the Airfix product line over the decade. The Building Sets took up half the 1958 ad, Trackside appeared in the 1959 ad, and while these three "year" ads had the same lettering for the company name, it didn't look especially like a logo.
1961/1962 have a new logo and slogan "Just like the real thing", and focus on aircraft, 1963 focuses on the new Airfix Railway Construction Kits and uses a more recognisable "scrolled" logo. Betta Bilda still has a panel in 1965 and 1966, Airfix Motor Racing is in 1965 and 1967, but by 1968, the writing seems to be on the wall for both product lines, and the advert is exclusively about plastic construction kits.
Growth of the kits range
While the 1961 ad mentioned "nearly 100" kits, the 1966 advert boasted a range of 200 different kits, spread over 13 themes, by the 1968 ad, this had risen to over 250 kits in 19 ranges. The Airfix brand was now very emphatically about a plastic model kit company.
External links
Books
- Trevor Pask, Airfix Kits (Shire Library) ISBN 0747807914
- James May with Ian Harrison, James May's Toy Stories (Anova, 2009) ISBN 1844861074 pages 128-169
Subcategories
This category has the following 12 subcategories, out of 12 total.
A
- Airfix Magazine (4 F)
- Airfix Motor Racing (14 F)
B
- Betta Bilda Building Set Accessories (1 P, 4 F)
- Bleriot to Concorde (display) (23 P, 10 F)
- Airfix Building Sets (4 P, 14 F)
K
M
- Airfix Museum Models (1 P, 2 F)
R
- Airfix Railway System (25 F)
- Rosebud Kitmaster Ltd (5 P, 39 F)
T
- Airfix Trackside Series (1 P, 16 F)
Pages in category ‘Airfix’
The following 10 pages are in this category, out of 10 total.
Media in category ‘Airfix’
The following 164 files are in this category, out of 164 total.
- 12 Ton Ventilated Goods Van, Airfix 54300-4 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,292 × 1,033; 659 KB
- 20 Ton Brake Van GWR (Airfix Railway System 54363-5).jpg 1,600 × 906; 756 KB
- 20 Ton Goods Brake Van, Airfix 54360-6 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,605 × 1,050; 785 KB
- 25 Ton Machine Wagon Lowmac, Airfix 54330-5 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,711 × 923; 630 KB
- 2nd North British Dragoon (Scots Greys) 1815, model kit (Airfix).jpg 1,092 × 1,800; 1.03 MB
- Accessory packs (Airfix Betta Bilda).jpg 2,200 × 1,763; 2.19 MB
- Accessory packs, Airfix Building Sets (AirfixBSIB ~1959).jpg 2,085 × 1,466; 1.45 MB
- Airfix (GaT 1956).jpg 1,021 × 1,600; 143 KB
- Airfix - Products in Plastics, logo.jpg 1,400 × 850; 142 KB
- Airfix 00 gauge Construction Kits (HobbiesCat 1959).jpg 3,000 × 1,223; 1.02 MB
- Airfix 1-72 Halifax Bomber, advert (Aeromodeller 1964).jpg 826 × 1,200; 424 KB
- Airfix 1-72 Halifax Bomber, advert (AMA 1964).jpg 826 × 1,200; 132 KB
- Airfix Betta Bilda Instruction Book (ABB ~1962).jpg 2,200 × 1,484; 2.9 MB
- Airfix Betta Builder (Hobbies 1968).jpg 2,022 × 941; 571 KB
- Airfix Building Set Instruction Book, cover, early (AirfixBSIB ~1957).jpg 3,000 × 1,903; 1.7 MB
- Airfix Building Set, Instruction Book, (AirfixBSIB ~1959).jpg 2,200 × 1,436; 1.85 MB
- Airfix Building Sets (Hobbies 1959).jpg 1,406 × 1,031; 412 KB
- Airfix Check List - Have You Got Them All Yet, yellow slip (1960).jpg 1,024 × 652; 480 KB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1958).jpg 1,219 × 1,600; 811 KB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1959).jpg 1,664 × 2,200; 1.22 MB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1960).jpg 1,238 × 1,600; 818 KB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1961).jpg 1,223 × 1,600; 755 KB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1962).jpg 1,734 × 2,200; 1.16 MB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1965).jpg 1,242 × 1,600; 747 KB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1966).jpg 1,235 × 1,600; 782 KB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1967).jpg 1,244 × 1,600; 1.01 MB
- Airfix Construction Kits (Hobbies 1968).jpg 1,211 × 1,600; 969 KB
- Airfix Couplings, box.jpg 800 × 504; 95 KB
- Airfix Cutty Sark original.jpg 1,600 × 792; 412 KB
- Airfix FAL FN Herstal 30inch Rifle, Gamages (MM 1961-07).jpg 2,041 × 997; 486 KB
- Airfix Kits, Trevor Pask, 0747807914 (Shire Library).jpg 844 × 1,200; 152 KB
- Airfix logo (1958).jpg 1,500 × 480; 121 KB
- Airfix logo (Hobbies 1961).jpg 1,400 × 640; 246 KB
- Airfix Magazine, advert (MM 1967-07).jpg 1,873 × 2,400; 1.14 MB
- Airfix Magazine, front cover, April 1976 (AirfixMag 1976-04).jpg 850 × 1,200; 546 KB
- Airfix Magazine, front cover, May 1962 (AirfixMag 1962-05).jpg 1,309 × 2,000; 1.43 MB
- Airfix Modellers Club, paper slip.jpg 1,200 × 920; 240 KB
- Airfix Motor Racing Set, advert crop (RM 1962-12).jpg 1,889 × 1,338; 937 KB
- Airfix Motor Racing, logo (AirfixMag 1966).jpg 1,200 × 921; 150 KB
- Airfix Motor Racing, MR125 box, lineart (AirfixMag 1966-01).jpg 1,488 × 1,525; 790 KB
- Airfix Motor Racing, set MR11, lineart (Hobbies 1968).jpg 2,730 × 2,001; 1.43 MB
- Airfix MotorAce, logo.jpg 1,729 × 578; 130 KB
- Airfix MRRC racing (AirfixMag 1976-03).jpg 769 × 1,024; 236 KB
- Airfix MRRC, For The Specialist (AirfixMag 1968-04).jpg 802 × 1,024; 325 KB
- Airfix Railway System (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,819 × 850; 305 KB
- Airfix Railway System, 1976 catalogue (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,110; 4.58 MB
- Airfix Railway System, 1976 catalogue, rear cover (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,153; 1.9 MB
- Airfix range (Hobbies 1968).jpg 1,702 × 2,200; 1.11 MB
- Airfix Range, paper slip.jpg 1,200 × 978; 401 KB
- Airfix Road Racing, Beatties (AirfixMag 1964-12).jpg 931 × 1,200; 401 KB
- Airfix scroll logo (1963).jpg 3,000 × 435; 201 KB
- Airfix Veteran Cars (MMM 1964).jpg 1,600 × 1,037; 743 KB
- Angel Interceptor kit, Captain Scarlet, box (Airfix A02086).jpg 1,200 × 699; 657 KB
- Bases, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,227 × 798; 253 KB
- Beam Engine Kit, box lid (Airfix Museum Models).jpg 1,800 × 1,118; 2.03 MB
- Betta Bilda Set No1, box lid (Airfix).jpg 1,590 × 1,800; 592 KB
- BettaBilda Wall Units, Accessory Pack 14, leaflet (Airfix).jpg 1,516 × 2,200; 885 KB
- Biggin Hill 4-6-2 locomotive BR 34057, Series5 Airfix kit 05651 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,458; 2.08 MB
- Blackburn Buccaneer, model kit, box lid (Airfix 384).jpg 1,800 × 812; 1.05 MB
- Booking Hall, Series1 Airfix kit 01609 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,453 × 1,576; 749 KB
- BR Diesel Mixed Freight Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54055-7 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,116; 3.26 MB
- BR Inter-City Brake Second Open Mk2D Coach, Airfix 54200-5 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,921 × 1,104; 1.72 MB
- BR Inter-City First Open Mk2D Coach, Airfix 54201-8 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,923 × 1,137; 1.76 MB
- BR Steam Goods Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54057-3 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,109; 2.92 MB
- Brake Van, plastic construction kit, box lid (Airfix R4 02658).jpg 1,600 × 1,083; 813 KB
- Brake Van, Series2 Airfix kit 02658 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,485 × 1,477; 957 KB
- Building Accessories and Lockbricks packs, for Airfix Building Sets (AirfixBSIB ~1957).jpg 1,600 × 1,117; 1.24 MB
- Building Set Accessories (Airfix Betta Bilda).jpg 1,766 × 2,381; 867 KB
- Bullfinches, Airfix Wildlife Series, box lid (Airfix 03830).jpg 1,800 × 919; 1.27 MB
- Bungalow, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,885 × 1,599; 1.04 MB
- Castle Keep, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,678 × 1,573; 1.02 MB
- Cattle Wagon, plastic construction kit, box lid (Airfix R5 02659).jpg 1,600 × 1,082; 948 KB
- Cattle Wagon, Series2 Airfix kit 02659 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,458 × 1,309; 779 KB
- Cement Wagon, plastic construction kit, box lid (Airfix R2 02662).jpg 1,600 × 1,081; 876 KB
- Central Pacific Jupiter 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive, Airfix 54170-5 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,457 × 1,140; 986 KB
- Church, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 2,039 × 1,923; 1.26 MB
- City of Truro 4-4-0 locomotive BR 3440, Series4 Airfix kit 04654 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,395; 1.67 MB
- Class 31 Diesel Locomotive BR D5531, Airfix 54101-9 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,874 × 1,170; 1.59 MB
- Class 31-4 Diesel Locomotive BR 31401, Airfix 54100-6 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,940 × 1,206; 1.59 MB
- Complaint Slip promoting Airfix Magazine (Airfix).jpg 1,200 × 818; 733 KB
- Cottage, Starter Set, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 2,064 × 2,043; 1.51 MB
- Country Inn (Airfix Trackside 4001).jpg 2,200 × 2,021; 3.35 MB
- Detached House (Airfix Trackside 2).jpg 2,200 × 2,036; 3.11 MB
- Detached House (Airfix Trackside 4002).jpg 2,200 × 2,019; 3.13 MB
- Detached House (Airfix Trackside Series No2).jpg 1,800 × 767; 438 KB
- Detached House and Garage, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,925 × 1,389; 1.37 MB
- Detached House and Garage, No1 Set, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,850 × 1,706; 1.01 MB
- Detached House, 00 construction kit, bagged (Airfix Trackside 4002).jpg 966 × 1,024; 932 KB
- Diesel Shunter D2300, Airfix (RM 1963-01).jpg 2,351 × 3,000; 2.92 MB
- Doors and Windows, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,227 × 855; 456 KB
- Dr X Adventure Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54052-8 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,055; 2.16 MB
- Engine Shed, Series2 Airfix kit 02608 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,453 × 1,651; 1.19 MB
- Esso Class B Tank Wagon, Series2 Airfix kit 02656 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,474 × 1,476; 896 KB
- Evening Star locomotive BR 92220, Series5 Airfix kit 05652 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,402; 2.03 MB
- F-4B Phantom II, model kit, box lid (Airfix 388).jpg 1,800 × 805; 1.24 MB
- Factory Building with plastic roof, Airfix Building Set No3 (AirfixBSIB ~1959).jpg 3,000 × 1,370; 1.41 MB
- Farmyard, Airfix Building Sets (AirfixBSIB ~1957).jpg 2,200 × 1,083; 726 KB
- Fencing and Gates, Series1 Airfix kit 01617 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,447 × 1,568; 494 KB
- Fitting Roof Tiles (AirfixBSIB ~1959).jpg 1,808 × 1,156; 395 KB
- Footbridge, Series2 Airfix kit 02601 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,468 × 1,573; 624 KB
- Formula 1 BRM racing car, Airfix Clubman range (MM 1966-10).jpg 1,475 × 2,000; 1.59 MB
- Gable Ends, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,227 × 800; 208 KB
- Garage, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,760 × 1,512; 862 KB
- Gatekeepers Lodge, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,904 × 1,844; 1,013 KB
- General Store (Airfix Trackside 4004).jpg 2,200 × 2,015; 3.34 MB
- Girder Bridge, Series2 Airfix kit 02607 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,465 × 1,580; 585 KB
- Great Western Suburban Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54056-0 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,116; 2.99 MB
- GWR Suburban Brake Coach, Airfix 54250-0 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,745 × 1,086; 1.49 MB
- Harrow Schools Class 4-4-0 locomotive SR 919, Series4 Airfix kit 04652 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,343; 1.77 MB
- HMS Cossack plastic construction kit (Airfix).jpg 1,024 × 381; 249 KB
- How To Lock Bricks Together (AirfixBSIB ~1957).jpg 1,573 × 732; 279 KB
- Industrial buildings with plastic roof, Airfix Building Set No3 (AirfixBSIB ~1959).jpg 3,000 × 1,229; 1.36 MB
- Instructions page, Airfix Building Set (AirfixBSIB ~1957).jpg 2,200 × 1,325; 1,003 KB
- Instructions page, Airfix Building Set (AirfixBSIB ~1959).jpg 2,200 × 1,433; 1.14 MB
- Inter-City Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54054-4 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,116; 3.25 MB
- Interlocking Bricks, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,227 × 801; 197 KB
- James Mays Toy Stories, cover and spine (ISBN 9781844861071).jpg 1,451 × 1,600; 1.39 MB
- Jill Windmill, Clayton (motorised model).jpg 768 × 1,024; 625 KB
- Just Like The Real Thing, Airfix Motor Racing (AirfixMag 1966-01).jpg 919 × 1,200; 645 KB
- Just Like The Real Thing, Airfix Motor Racing (MM 1964-09).jpg 908 × 1,200; 642 KB
- Just Like The Real Thing, Airfix Motor Racing (MM 1966-10).jpg 2,380 × 3,000; 3.71 MB
- Kiosks and Platform Steps, Series1 Airfix kit 01611 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,468 × 1,588; 1,024 KB
- Level Crossing, Series1 Airfix kit 01615 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,475 × 1,671; 1 MB
- Lockbricks concept drawing (Patent GB845986).jpg 1,105 × 878; 110 KB
- Meat Van, plastic construction kit, box lid (Airfix R8 02661).jpg 1,600 × 1,077; 868 KB
- Mineral Wagon 16 Ton, Series2 Airfix kit 02657 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,457 × 1,381; 720 KB
- Modern Office Block, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 2,043 × 2,128; 1.55 MB
- Mogul 2-6-0 locomotive BR 76093, Series4 Airfix kit 04653 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,449; 1.74 MB
- Old Bill 1910 B-Type London Bus, Airfix Kit (AirfixMag 1962-05).jpg 666 × 1,024; 690 KB
- Ole Bill Bus, Airfix (HCVS-LBR 1966).jpg 1,194 × 1,800; 974 KB
- Platform Fittings, Series1 Airfix kit 01612 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,462 × 1,583; 751 KB
- Prairie 2-6-2T Tank Locomotive GWR 6110, Airfix 54151-1 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,155 × 1,181; 1.04 MB
- Prairie 2-6-2T Tank Locomotive, BR, Airfix 54151-4 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,102 × 1,187; 1.02 MB
- Prairie Tank 2-6-2T Locomotive BR 6167, Series4 Airfix kit 04655 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,402; 1.43 MB
- Race Track News, Airfix MRRC (AirfixMag 1968-04).jpg 1,263 × 1,600; 1,015 KB
- Race Track News, Airfix MRRC (AirfixMag 1969-01).jpg 1,263 × 1,600; 1,017 KB
- Railbus, plastic construction kit, box lid (Airfix R201).jpg 2,200 × 975; 1.05 MB
- Refrigerator Van, plastic construction kit, box lid (Airfix R203).jpg 2,200 × 990; 986 KB
- Roof, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,869 × 1,782; 1.54 MB
- Saddle Tank 0-4-0 locomotive 51212, Series2 Airfix kit 02660 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,466 × 1,480; 764 KB
- Service Station (Airfix Trackside 4003).jpg 2,200 × 2,036; 3.55 MB
- Signal Box, Series1 Airfix kit 01605 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,474 × 1,607; 938 KB
- Signal Gantry (Airfix Trackside 4023).jpg 2,200 × 1,888; 2.66 MB
- Signal Gantry, Series1 Airfix kit 01616 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,458 × 1,580; 664 KB
- Standard Couplings, model railway, box of 24 (Airfix R6).jpg 1,600 × 1,008; 385 KB
- Station Accessories (Airfix Trackside 4013).jpg 2,200 × 2,004; 3.61 MB
- Station Accessories, Series1 Airfix kit 01742 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,462 × 1,592; 563 KB
- Station Platform, Series1 Airfix kit 01607 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,456 × 1,602; 482 KB
- Stephensons Rocket 0-2-2 locomotive, Series1 Airfix kit 01661 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,489 × 1,477; 822 KB
- Telegraph Poles, Series1 Airfix kit 01618 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,476 × 1,683; 499 KB
- The AIRFIX Range, insert.jpg 1,444 × 1,040; 886 KB
- Trackside Accessories (Airfix Trackside 4021).jpg 2,200 × 2,002; 3.42 MB
- Trevithick 1804 Steam Locomotive, detail (Airfix Museum Models).jpg 1,600 × 1,067; 863 KB
- Union Pacific 4-4-0 Steam Locomotive 119, Airfix 54171-8 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 2,384 × 1,115; 975 KB
- Union Pacific Box Car, Airfix 54270-4 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,750 × 956; 827 KB
- Union Pacific Caboose, Airfix 54271-7 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 1,240 × 995; 549 KB
- Villa, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 2,123 × 1,372; 1.27 MB
- Vintage Car, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,491 × 1,261; 666 KB
- Wild West Adventure Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54051-5 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 1,057; 2.02 MB
- Wild West Freight Train Set, Airfix Railway System 54053-1 (AirfixRS 1976).jpg 3,000 × 2,127; 2.91 MB
- Windmill (Airfix Trackside 4019).jpg 2,200 × 1,937; 2.9 MB
- Windmill, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,926 × 2,381; 1.38 MB
- Windows and Doors, Airfix Betta Bilda (ABBins 1960s).jpg 1,869 × 1,407; 1.37 MB