Explore the history of Airfix through articles covering the company’s development, its model kits, catalogues and packaging styles, together with Humbrol reference material for collectors and modellers.
Humbrol Paint Equivalents Chart Cross-reference table for model paint brands. Search by Humbrol number, colour name, or any brand code. 146 colours Humbrol Colour Name Airfix AK 3GEN Code AK Real Colors FS / RAL / BS Vallejo Tamiya Revell Italeri Mr Hobby Hataka Model Master Lifecolor 3 Gloss Green G5 X-5 5 F-15 Dark … Read more
In 1975 Humbrol Limited, then a divison of Borden (UK) Limited, released the first in a series of modellers reference library card entitled Authenticard. Series 1 was “a selection of authentic painting and information sheets covering Aircraft, Aircraft Insignia and Armoured Fighting Vehicles”. It contained 20 sheets with “Authentic painting and camouflage details for military … Read more
The following is a brief history of Airfix. 1939 – A Hungarian Jew by the name of Nicholas Kove set up a business in London manufacturing cheap rubber toys filled with air – the company was named Airfix. 1947 – Airfix manufacturing changed to plastic pocket combs. Kove introduced the first injection moulding machine into … Read more
Originally compiled by Jeremy Brook at Airfix Collectors Club, edited by Dan Parish The term “type” refers to the layout, artwork and design of the header card or box. The header card is the piece of folded paper that is stapled to the top of the plastic bag that contains the kit parts. On the … Read more
Starts with the illustrated leaflets prior to 1962 This is a history of the Airfix catalogue and the cornerstone of the Vintage Airfix website. The first “real” Airfix catalogue appeared in 1962 – see 1st Edition cover photograph later. Before that Airfix produced frequent kit lists – sometimes every month. Printed in simple duo-tone, these flimsy and very rare … Read more
