Airfix Angel Interceptor reissue in 2011

[yorkie]

Just announced on the Airfix website. In 2011 they'll be reissuing the 1/72nd scale Angel Interceptor. Wonder if it'll have the new Airfix CG style box artwork?

http://www.airfix.com/2011/

Merry Christmas everyone.
Yorkie.

[Silent Bob]

Thats the one poor thing about new Airfix boxes, bland airbrushed images and before that photos of badly assembled models.
They are never going to better the Roy Cross painting of the Interceptor.

[Derek Eaton]

Was there more than one version of picture on the original box or was it just an update of the box? Always liked that image - was certainly the only Airfix model I ever bought more than one of. Strange looks from the man in post office as the young boy buys the same model he bought the other week.

[Technodelic]

I bought one in the 1980s that had a photo of the made-up model kit itself - not a patch on the original painting!

:o

[Dunc1]

That is great news about the Airfix Angel Interceptor. There was the wonderful Roy Cross painting as featured in the recent Airfix book. I have a more recent edition of the kit with a similar painting, perhaps by Roy Cross, so yes there are two different pieces of artwork, both excellent. It would be great to see Airfix release more Gerry Anderson kits, including the couple from the series which were never made.

[air terrainean]

Mike Trim has recently been producing box art for Airfix, so if they're not going to use the original (which is excellent) may be they might ask him !

[DukeDexter]

Mike Trim has recently been producing box art for Airfix, so if they're not going to use the original (which is excellent) may be they might ask him !

Double Whammy! :)
(loved the original too, though)

[Silent Bob]

I bought one in the 1980s that had a photo of the made-up model kit itself - not a patch on the original painting!

:o

That was during the the period that Palitoy owned Airfix. All the box art was replaced with photos of (badly built models) This was because Palitoy was part of the American company General Mills and legistlation in America said toy boxes had to show what was inside.
The Roy Cross artwork (which still exists as far as i am aware) was used all through the 60s and 70s. the only thing that changed was the Airfix logo.

[TonyB]

A great bit of news on the affordable model kit front then, might have to look at having several of those kits when they appear. :)

[Derek Eaton]

Yes please for the original artwork - no comparison really.

[yorkie]

I'm sure it's just my wishful thinking, but if the Angel sells well, maybe, just maybe, Airfix will decide to make other Gerry Anderson vehicles. I've always thought that Gerry could perhaps lend his name to design some new SF models and toys, even designs that weren't in his TV series. Designing SF models kits and toys could be a whole new career. I'd buy them all. ;D

[miger]

If Airfix still have the moulds for Stingray that would be the ultimate!

[Technodelic]

If Airfix still have the moulds for Stingray that would be the ultimate!

Didn't they do the Lyons Maid Fireball XL5 kit too?

[miger]

Didn't they do the Lyons Maid Fireball XL5 kit too?

Kitmaster produced the Xl5 model,but Airfix took them over shortly afterwards so they may still have those moulds too! :)
I'd have thought though that if they had either they would have been re-released by now :(

[colin]

Airfix are now revamping alot of their old tools , sIf they still have the tools,they may well refurbish them if they feel the investment is worthwhile

[Keryn]

I'd like to see the interceptor released with the original artwork, especially as I don't have to my original craft or box.

I got some funny looks too when I persuaded my father to buy me one.

Firstly, Dad liked making up model planes as he was ex-RAAF and flew in Liberators. All the models he bought (supposedly for my brother!) were WWII craft so he was a bit skeptical about buying a plane that wasn't real, but he was very impressed with the artwork and bought it after all.

Secondly, the salesperson in the toyshop was surprised it was being bought for a girl. :rolleyes:

And thirdly, I don't think Mum expected Dad to encourage my Gerry Anderson obsession into model making. :D

[Technodelic]

One wonders if they'll re-issue 'Starcruiser'. After all, the Eagle & Moonbase Alpha kits had MPC reissues in recent years...

:D

[yorkie]

Not keen on the Airfix version of Starcruiser. Rubbish compared to the Eagle and Hawk. If only they'd actually made it to look like Martin Bower's final version / the one in the comic strip.

[Derek Eaton]

The 1980 Angel snap and glue kit differs in the mould to allow for easier to snap-together construction and has new self adhesive decals - according to Dennis Nicholson Memorabilia guide.

[Technodelic]

The 1980 Angel snap and glue kit differs in the mould to allow for easier to snap-together construction and has new self adhesive decals - according to Dennis Nicholson Memorabilia guide.

Pretty certain the 1980s kit still had water transfers - I still have the made up kit somewhere - but they were not full colour. Just (off the top of my head) yellow red and black.

:(

[colin]

No, they were rub-down which were always problematic on anything but a flat surface

[Technodelic]

Here's the art for the Angel Interceptor from a 1970s Airfix catalogue. :)

Interestingly, while the 50 years of Airfix book shows one of the boxes, it doesn't credit the art as by Roy Cross. Is that definitely confirmed?

And does anyone know who did the (somewhat odd) Eagle & Hawk art for the original Airfix releases?

:confused:

[yorkie]

Arthur Ward's 'The Boys book of Airfix' from 2009 states on page 188 that the original artwork is by Roy Cross. The book shows this art and the made up model.

The 2011 Airfix catalogue has the Roy Cross artwork so assume this is what will be the box art for this year's release. At least it's not the snap-fix version, so they can't have altered the original moulds to make the snap kit. Perhaps they duplicated the mould for that version?

With the announcement of a new Thunderbirds series maybe this time Airfix will make some kits.

[agbs6]

Full details now on Airfix site, http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/scifi/a02026-angel-interceptor-a02026, but not available yet

[Technodelic]

Full details now on Airfix site, http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/scifi/a02026-angel-interceptor-a02026, but not available yet

Interesting... if that is the original Roy Cross art then it's a lot brighter than reproduced in the 1970s catalogue I had. Also, they have added that it is firing, which wasn't on the original painting!

Can someone add the version from the Roy Cross book, please? :)

[colin]

The Roy Cross painting DID have the Interceptor firing

[Technodelic]

The Roy Cross painting DID have the Interceptor firing

I stand corrected - it does on the version Derek Eaton posted on page 1 of this thread. So one has to ask, did someone paint out the firing for the catalogue I have (which is late 1970s)!? And if so, why?

:confused:

[colin]

During the 1970's, there was some concern about 'violent' images' and 'War Toys' having harmful effects on children. This also co-incided with the outright ban on use of the Swastika on any products intended for the German market. Thus, it was necessary for much of the wonderful box-art to be 'toned down' by touching out the explosions, bombs and gunfire (and the swastikas). During this period, Airfix was taken over by Palitoy who, in response to an edict from Brussels, requiring boxes to show the potential purchaser EXACTLY, what they were buying, replaced the colourful box art with drab photographs of the assembled and painted kit. Often the models were indifferently assembled and painted, then placed on a section of technical drawing as a backdrop. the resulting drab boxes probably put a lot of buyers off.
This even extended to the Angel, which by this time, had been re-tooled to make it a 'snapfix' assembly, aimed at the pocked-money market. The existing full-colour waterslide decals were replaced by 'cartoon' 'rub-down' pressure sensitive transfers which tended to refuse to adhere to anything but the flattest of surfaces. To add insult to injury, the Roy Cross artwork was replaced by a poor imitation, featuring the assembled model against a vivid blue background.
I have emailed Airfix to see whether the snapfix modifications have been undone and the original waterslide decals re-instated.

[mrthunder]

Full details now on Airfix site, http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/scifi/a02026-angel-interceptor-a02026, but not available yet

Interceptor or Intercepter ????

[Technodelic]

During the 1970's, there was some concern about 'violent' images' and 'War Toys' having harmful effects on children. This also co-incided with the outright ban on use of the Swastika on any products intended for the German market. Thus, it was necessary for much of the wonderful box-art to be 'toned down' by touching out the explosions, bombs and gunfire (and the swastikas).

Thanks for that - it explains a lot. :)

[Design&Illustration]

Hi All,

I'm the guy working on the decals for the reissued kit, quick question - did anyone ever work out the what the serial numbers were for the other two Interceptors? The main one was "737" under the "A" on the tail, were the others the same or different?

Thanks in advance!

Jonathan

[air terrainean]

Can't help you myself, but it might be worth trying the Eagle Transporter Forum, as it's probably the best place on the net for information about Gerry Anderson craft.

[mr fox]

737 is the main model used in stock shots of the interceptor. this was destinys. the same shot were used again and again. in various episodes. only the guys know who made the real models. the only others colour for the interceptors was primer gray and they had no markings. which is used on the mysteroned interceptors in seek and destroy.
unless any one know better.
look forward to release.

[Design&Illustration]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

[colin]

Does this mean we're going to get ACCURATE Spectrum roundels?

[Design&Illustration]

Does this mean we're going to get ACCURATE Spectrum roundels?

Yup, based on the original decals used in the series.

[TonyB]

That is good news for the kit then, nice one.

However, it it does leave me with the two sets of accurate decals that I had already obtained for when the Interceptor was released, oh well, they will come in useful for something no doubt.

[torchy]

Just seen the new decal sheet reproduced in next month's Airfix Model World magazine.
Its awesome!

Gold centred Spectrum logos

Large 'A' black decal for underside and full stencil data

...and they are printed by Cartograf (probably the best decals manufacturer in the world)

Can't wait:)

Your battery boy

[saturnapollo]

Great news. I've got three on order at the local model shop.

Keith

[torchy]

Now available!
http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-models-for-2011/scifi/a02026-angel-interceptor-a02026/?searchguid=2011102018309&resultspage=&sortorder=

yipee!:D

[Dunc1]

I was at the Duxford Air Show last Sunday and I asked someone from Airfix if the Angel Interceptor was now available and he said no not yet but it would hopefully be out by Christmas. It seems that Christmas has indeed come early.

[torchy]

Hooray!

Got my Interceptors from Airfix this morning. The mould has been altered since the first issue to accommodate a brief eighties flirtation with 'Snap 'n'Glue, but the only thing to change (as far as i can see) is the removal of a couple of small fins on the nose that were added to keep it 'snapped' on.
And yes. the decal sheet is excellent, with gold centred Spectrum roundels and a spare pair if you want to apply them to the underside as seen on some studio models.
Fanderson get a thank you, as does David Sissons on the colour plan. its a lovely package in the current Anderson dry spell of merchandise.
Highly recommended.
Your Battery Boy.

[saturnapollo]

Actually the "fins" on the nose are still there.

Also I think the Spectrum roundalls may be too small. The fuselage ones should be the depth of the fuselage engine fairings with the top following the curvature of the engine cowling. The decals are about two or three mm too small in diameter which, at this scale is quite a lot.

The instructions show the larger decals to be used on the underside, but as all Spectrum roundalls were of the same diameter this is wrong.

Keith

[torchy]

Actually the "fins" on the nose are still there.



Keith


Yup that's what I meant, - the only thing (for the modeller) to change is the removal of these fins:)

[saturnapollo]

Oops! Sorry I misread that. I think you do have to lengthen the nose and make it more pointed though.

Keith

[torchy]

I would definitely agree with that.
Just thinking aloud here, but sometimes when I build inaccurate kits I go with what's in the box because that represents what was available at the time. ( is this making sense?), I suppose, rather than try to convert it to be a studio accurate model.
For example, I would rather have a Quercetti XL5 as it came, because that's what I remember from being seven years old. Even if it were possible to make it accurate, given the Quercetti toy inaccuracies.
With the Interceptor I am currently torn between going for Airfix (as it was 'from the box' ) and studio replica.
However, I know what's easiest to achieve.
For me, with the time I have available, laziness will win out every time!
John

[yorkie]

The Airfix Angel re-release is the snap-fit version and they've moulded it in grey plastic !? Oh heck. Ah well will still buy a few.

[saturnapollo]

I can confirm that Airfix have printed the Spectrum roundals too small. And there shouldn't be two different sizes. All roundals (top and underside of the wings and fuselage) should be 10.6mm in diameter. The small ones are 9mm. At this scale that's quite a difference.

No idea how they managed to make a mistake with these when there are plenty of photos of the original models available.

Keith

[Design&Illustration]

I can confirm that Airfix have printed the Spectrum roundals too small. And there shouldn't be two different sizes. All roundals (top and underside of the wings and fuselage) should be 10.6mm in diameter. The small ones are 9mm. At this scale that's quite a difference.

No idea how they managed to make a mistake with these when there are plenty of photos of the original models available.

Keith

That's interesting stuff Keith, the big problem in working out the decal sizes was that the various sized models all seemed to be proportionally different.

You mentioned in your other post about the depth of the intakes, the proportions for the roundels were worked out from a near side-on shot of (presumably) the large studio model and the top and bottom of the fuselage, intakes and canopy were lined up with the GA drawings (measured off the kit), giving an approximation of the size in relation to the scale of the kit (which is another story). The same was done with a near plan-view shot (presumably the same model) where the size of the roundels were close to those already figured out for the fuselage. What this also showed was just how "out" the Airfix kit is some aspects, especially the panel lines.

You're right about the underwing roundels being larger, the problem here was that the moulded "A" on the undersides didn't quite match those of the VFX models (which also varied), and the standard sized roundels just did not proportionally fit the "A" - the alternative would have been to do a new "A" decal to match the same size roundels, but then the more general modeller would have been wondering why the decal didn't match the moulded shape. Tricky, a case of doing them "wrong" to look "right". In the end, extra (same sized) roundels are included for those who want to mask and paint their own "A", though obviously for the most part the underwing roundels were rarely seen anyway.

I'd be curious to know where you're getting your dimensions from because no one was able to provide any other than that three different sizes of Spectrum roundels that were printed for the VFX models, which brings us back to the old problem of what the scale the Airfix kit is supposed to be.

And for what its worth the kit roundels are actually 9.796mm.

[Chrisof]

Well it looks like an Angel interceptor to me :) A very nice one at that. I intend to invest in one :)

[saturnapollo]

Hi Design&Illustration

To answer your points probably the easiest thing is to post the link to the All Sections Alpha Forum thread where this has been discussed and which includes photos of the original models which will better illustrate things than I could explain.

http://www.allsectionsalpha.com/showthread.php?137-Airfix-Reissues-Angel-Interceptor-Kit

However if you have been constrained by Airfix to match the engraved lines etc, then I can see where you are coming from. The 9mm diameter by the way was the measurement of the Spectrum roundal minus the white border as that is not visible against the white paint scheme (with the exception of the underside decals of course).

Don't get me wrong, the decals are a vast improvement on previous releases and it didn't stop me buying three kits (for the moment) as I intend doing a hangar diorama.

Keith

[Design&Illustration]

Hi Keith,

I think it all depends on the maths being used to arrive at 10.6mm and if the length of the studio models scale proportionally to the Airfix kit.

Here's a shot of how the roundel size was arrived at based on the depth of the fuselage rather than the length:

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/6895/angelinterceptor.jpg

[saturnapollo]

Yes, indeed thanks for the detailed explanation of the process. The fact that the kit doesn't exactly proportion/scale to the studio models couldn't have helped right enough.

Keith

[Chrisof]

Got mine today, a little smaller than i expected but thats probably for the best as space in my room is a premium.

We should post our finished versions to see how they compare :)

[Dunc1]

There is a superb review of the Angel Interceptor reissue in the latest (Feb) issue of Model World with some superb photos. The feature is six pages long and very favourable. I wonder if this will lead to other Anderson Airfix kits.

[Kallisti]

The biggest problem with the kit is the MALE pilot!

I've yet to begin mine but much inspiration can be found from other boards such as the Unofficial Airfix Modellers Forum who did a Group Build of Angel Interceptors with some superb scratch building of cockpits and conversion.

See the build forum here (http://uamf.org.uk/viewforum.php?f=190)