What a lot of commentators miss when talking about "old" Airfix kits is that by the early 1970s Airfix had already started to really step up its game and pretty much everything coming out new from then was good, a quantum leap from the earlier stuff. Thus just saying a kit is an old Airfix doesn't tell the story of that watershed. Great that you like this kit, I bought it when it was first released and loved it.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Could not agree more.. thanks for watching

@flybobbie1449

2 жыл бұрын

I couldn't wait for the Airfix catalogue to come out every year back in the 70's.

Really enjoyed this video - very nostalgic for me. Airfix was the fnacy brand for me. You had to go to Myers or John Martins (south Aussie depratment store - now out of business). The department stores used to have a big (for the day) section of models, humbrol enemels and paintbrushed. Matchbox kits I could buy at the local pharmacy/giftshop at the end of the street. I could get a 1/76 scale matchbox AFV about once a month, I think they were like $2.70 or so. I had that Airfix E-Boat as a kid, probably in the late 70s. It was my Christmas present one year, maybe grade 5 or 6 or so. (I guess that makes me a vintage modeller). It was physically the biggest kit I'd had to that point I think - I eventually got the Vosper Torpedo boat as well and the B-17G. I used to used them with my 1/72 Airfix and 1/76 Matchbox figures to run non histoircal raids - British commandos with kayaks and US Marines with rubber dignhies etc, that sort of thing. I'd love to have them again. I also always dreamed of the 1/72 Matchbox Flower Class Corvette- I think Revell have the molds/license for that kit now, but now I am grown up I am all responsible so won't buy a 3 foot long ship model, that I don't have a place to keep it.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

You can always play with it in the bathtub

I recently had a great experience with Airfix replacing a missing part (upper wings) and airmailing to me in Oz from England. Brilliant. The kit involved was out of production so it really meant a lot as there was little prospect of finishing it otherwise.

@HarryHoudiniModels

11 күн бұрын

Airfix have many of the old kits in their warehouse for spare parts. Like my old 70’s 1/24 Stuka which needed the canopy.

Everything I hoped it would be! Yay for Airfix! 😁👍

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Amazing quality for half a century ago, at least in a white box new tool first moulding.

Outstanding video and presentation. I'm going to purchase one of the Airfix kits. I have always "Enjoyed" building these kit because of their quality and accuracy from the huge 1/24 aircraft to the small 1/72 ones. From Sunny California USA.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Go for it!

Made this old Airfix kit as a water-line model a few years ago, same boxing as yours. Had some trouble with a warped starboard hull half around the torpedo cutouts but it was fixable withy some lengths of sprue and sanding. the rest of the kit fitted like a dream, as good if not better than your favourite Japanese brand. You mentioned the figures; personally I feel these are the best Airfix figures they've produced , even better than the Revell Naval figures which are quite over scale so don't put them next to the Airfix figures otherwise they'll look like giants. These old S-(E) boats were mainly used for training at the start of WW2, and most had the mast removed (See phots from the period), but a few were used operationally up until 1940 / 41. I still have the Revell S100 Flak 38 waiting in the stash so, it'll be interesting to follow your comparison. Personally I feel the old Airfix kit is one of those lost or hidden gems from yester-year and will take some beating. You'll find some photos on the Airfix forum.

@HarryHoudiniModels

Жыл бұрын

It is a gem of a kit

@mh53j

8 ай бұрын

I bought the Airfix E-Boat when it first came out ; not sure why, it's not really an area of interest for me. I glued a few parts together but put it away and never got back to it. I still have it though; it is a really nice kit. Would like to get some extra figures; the Airfix ones are pretty good, especially for the time. I remember the Humbrol paint call outs had the letter/number designation. I still have some of those - and they're still good after all these years!

One amazing looking kit for its age - thanks Harry!

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it Andrew

What you were saying about Airfix is all true, however during this year I have had new tool kits manufactured in India and we have great hard plastic again, its a real joy. By the way my video showing how to bend plastic with steam is up for premier 1st January

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Wow which Airfix kit is now back in tie stiff plastic?

@ModelkitStuff

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels the new tool vampire, mosquito are and my B17 which is a 4 year old tool but 2021 decals is too so guess its all new releases going forward

Hi Harry this kit brings back a lot of memories this was my first airfix kit in 1975 I was 10 years old lol I've just subscribed after just watching your review I think I will track one down here in the uk. Cos this was one of airfixs best kit's. Cheers Gary from the UK 🇬🇧

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the sub Gary

I was given both the Airfix E-Boat, and the Vosper MTB, as birthday presents in the mid 1970's. They were both fun builds, and nowhere near as daunting as the Matchbox 'Flower Class' Corvette, in 1/72 scale, which I also had.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

The Airfix kits also fit better... although I’ve only heard about the horror stories of the Re-Boxed Revell Corvettes.

Wow Harry, with what I've just seen, I will defo look forward to seeing more as I have the white 75 boxed in my stash. Brass pedestals and a nice piece of wood too. Congratulations on what you have achieved in the time I've been watching your vids and known you. Best wishes to you and Bask. 👍👍👍👍👍

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Might as well have it ready for the April FTRC Group Build “Return of the Floater” where David Eaves and myself will build our E-Boats

I built the italeri 1:35 S-38 and it was a difficult kit to assemble, and very pricey, however it was a compliment to the 1:35 type XXIII U-BOAT, they are the same length

@HarryHoudiniModels

9 ай бұрын

I have build the Type XXIII in a smaller scale… it is a short coastal sub so not surprisingly similar length to the Schnellboot.

I remember as a kid back in the day getting this kit for Christmas. My mum still has a photograph of me with it

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

That would be a great keepsake Peter

@MrPDoff

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels wish I had kept it. It got built u did the RN MTB and RAF Airsea Rescue launch aswell??, and if i recall correctly I enjoyed doing them

Thanks for the comparison. Great help 😙 I've still got my 1:35 one to tackle 😬

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful Basil

Thanks Harry! Wish very much if I, could Find that old AirFix kit that I had built so long ago circa 1977.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

They are hard to find these days but pop up now and then. You can still get the re-boxed red box kit, but the plastic and quality of the moulds are not as good.

I remember anothet german fast boat that carried a tank and had hydrofoils. Not sure who it was made by, that was about 30 years ago. Great video.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary.. they did try hydrofoils in some of the last Schnellboots... but yes they had shorter armed motorboats which had hydrofoils

Geeez, Harry, you're leading me astray, mate. These kits are must haves to build. Make a change from building Submarines in 1/144. Bloody dreadful storm here last night, couldn't sleep, jumped onto the net and bought these three kits on eBay.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Good man... my work here is done. Better ring the manufacturers and get my commission cheques... hehe

Reminds me of Rye field model's I'm on my 3rd kit with parts missing now! I must be on record with them for sending it replacement sprues! All the new kit's aswell the first was the challenger 2 whole turret was missing! Then the new panzer 4 with panther F turret tracks was missing, the new Mrap with crows 2 G sprue was missing and had a Tiger 1 sprue in it with air filter first thing I thought the oshkosh never had fifel filters haha! Apparently RFM send boxes and boxes full of sprues out and flat packed boxes to there main suppliers then the main suppliers go through them all and put the sprues in the correct boxes for the kit's! That is actually fact in writing from hannants in UK how they receive the rfm kit's were always back intouch about rfm kit's with different or missing part's just now!

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Well as long as they supply missing parts that is all you need.

Hi everyone and a Merry Christmas to you all. Watching this build and seeing a vintage kit being put together, there have been a couple of kits I never got to make (or buy at least) from the 70's. Does anyone have any tips or ideas on where to begin to look for possible older kits, a market place for them, or special sellers? Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thx all.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

I setup auto searches on Ebay to get notified if anything I am looking for becomes available. Local sell groups where you might get a deceased estate and find some rare gems at crazy low prices if the widow just wants them gone.

Awesome as usual Harry. Very curious about that quad flak gun, "20cm think"? on the back of that boat.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Yes same as Whirblewind tank

Cool..like these boat kits..ive got coffee on so im all set to ck out video..

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy Bill

Had the airfi as a birthday present 40ish yrs ago thought it was excellent

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

It is surprisingly good for a half century old kit

@jameshill7375

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels hoping your skills will show it off

I bought this as a kid in 1975 with, IRCC, its paired Vosper MTB. Somewhere I still have the German Captain ... his boat sank, unfortunately.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Didn’t he go down with the ship?

@I_Don_t_want_a_handle

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels No he was on shore leave at the time ...

Good review esp on Airfix..example of how things dont always progress! Perhaps the disappointing thing (due to markets) is that Airfix re-release old kits but at modernish prices (but with poorer quality moulding) but seem to release relatively few new ones. Whereas Zdveza, Dragon and various Russian, Ukrainian and Chinese companies seem to be knocking new kits out

@HarryHoudiniModels

Жыл бұрын

Airfix have been releasing new tool kits at the rate of half a dozen a year for the last decade. Re-tooling old kits, like the 1/24 Spitfire, and creating new kits like the Blenheim. But yes the dreaded red box of a kit from the late 80’s-90’s that wasn’t much good in its day is very bad. They have started listing the tool date and rebox date on the boxes now. Plus cleaning up old moulds to produce the “Classic Range” of favourite kits they haven’t re-tooled yet.

@vanpallandt5799

Жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels half a dozen kits a year isnt much though? Zdveza and Eastern European companies seem to be doing more than that..i mainly follow a Russian modelling channel as a Brit.

You ever do a Italeri Schnellboot S-100 in 1/35 scale..?? Or it’s sister ship S-38..? It be very interesting .

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

I do have the 1/35 scale MAS Italian Motor Torpedo Boat. Might do a review of that kit soon.

I have a started Airfix original that I have had since my teens in the 70s in my shed that I haven't looked at in at least 10 years,Not to mention other stuff.I did notice that critters have been having a go at the boxes.If only the missus would let me store some of this stuff inside instead of valuable shelf space been taken up by crap Bee Gees and Beach Boys cds/dvds

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Who uses CD’s in a digital age? Get the shizzel out of there and insert some classic styrene mate!

@alanthorne3921

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels My missus is old school she can hardly work the phone!In fact our house is prehistoric and hysterical,sorry historical.To be fair I have about 2000 cds taking up a lot of room in the mancave which I could be displaying more Sopwith Camels and Focke Wulfs.Get rid of that bloody train layout

My memory might fail me but did Airfix ask for stamps as payment (for postage) for lost parts back in 70's?

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

You know, I think you might just be right, but I cannot recall that far back too clearly now

I still can't get over the Kentucky Amazon packaging . I guess they not only play bluegrass , but they smoke it too . That old Airfix kit is great !

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it was a shock... compared with how the E-Boat, S-38 and my S-100 Flak kits arrived. All the latter in stiff boxes, styrofoam and packing, so they arrived safe and sound.

Great review. If I may offer some advice upgrade to a HD level camera when you can.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

My videos are shot in 1080i Hi-Def but compressed to 720i due to local bandwidth restraints. YT will also stream at what ever level your connection allows. So you may only be seeing it in a lower resolution on local bandwidth restriction times. Rest assured I have tested and played back the video after it was upload through my local ISP on a large TV and the video was crisp and clear. However once 5G comes to my street, very soon, I will move up to 1080i rendering. So nothing to do with the camera. All about bandwidth and streaming restrictions.

@jimminey-fooking-cricket4903

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels O.K good to know.

👍👍

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Pondering whether i should get an Airfix one...I already have the Revell one which I am unlikely to ever build due to being too lazy...on the other hand I'm probably still just short of 1000 models in the stash, maybe...

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

What’s another kit then?... try to get the original White box if you do

@guidor.4161

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels Yes i know that from old experience: The Old Bill Bus in 32 is a very nice model, i have several (90's and 2014 release) and they are all quite flashy, even the military version hahaha...

That Chinese one has the best name, Fore kit.

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

haha better than last name skin!

hi, the hull seamlines don't fit at all and the hull sides need to be hollowed out and skimmed flat to eliminate the seems between the sides and bottom parts!

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

You might have a later moulded version with the softer plastic? I had been warned about fit issues on the hull, but as can be seen my dry fit it looked pretty spot on! However mine is a first press 1975 kit with the better plastic. I might eat my word when actually building it, but a dry fit is usually a good indicator.

Oh My..ive been lucky ..hvnt had the cheap shipping.....yet anyway..

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Avoid Amazon Kentucky... those Good ole boys throw toy boats in the mail

Harrys next video apples and oranges or Johnson sizes lmfao sorry H couldn't help myself

@HarryHoudiniModels

2 жыл бұрын

Leave my Johnson out of this... it’s got me into enough trouble as is Sammy.

@sammy_dog

2 жыл бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels lol i bet it has

I enjoyed the review. However, shekels?? That did not help. It would have been better to have stayed with Australian dollars, since that's where you are. People can convert to their own currencies.

@HarryHoudiniModels

5 ай бұрын

Actually not so.. when I used to say dollars the great unwashed assumed it was yankee green backs and a lot of confusion followed. So I came up with the fictitious sheckle as an easy arbitrary yard stick to compare prices without worrying about currency. Everyone else gets it.

@sinclairwhitbourne2090

11 күн бұрын

@@HarryHoudiniModels There's always someone with arrested humour development like Kapitain Tezza2213. Good clip, many thanks and I hope shekkels, zloty and Kenobian wooden dollars rain down on you, not to mention South Pacific Pesos, the humble currency of Australia.