Was everyones route into modelling through Airfix kits???

[Bealman]

Most definitely yes. Had just about every two bob kit there was, be it plane, ship, vintage car, or Coldstream Guard!

When I eventually got a Triang train set, I started on the lineside kits, and had just about all of those, including, of course, platform figures and accessories.

That got me and me mate into collecting the OO sized army figures and playing wargames with them.

Airfix figured big time in the young Bealman's life.

The last Airfix kit I built was the Apollo/Saturn V in 1971, which I still have. Unfortunately, it has lost it's place on top of the piano since I built the Lego version last year, and is now consigned to a shoe box.

[tutenkhamunsleeping]

The last Airfix kit I built was the Apollo/Saturn V in 1971, which I still have. Unfortunately, it has lost it's place on top of the piano since I built the Lego version last year, and is now consigned to a shoe box.

Good grief! What size shoes do you take?

[Newportnobby]

Had just about every two bob kit there was

I have one of those every morning at 07.30.
Trouble is, I don't get up until 08.30

[guest311]

regular as clockwork, then Mick, just not adjusted for BST 

[Bealman]

The last Airfix kit I built was the Apollo/Saturn V in 1971, which I still have. Unfortunately, it has lost it's place on top of the piano since I built the Lego version last year, and is now consigned to a shoe box.

Good grief! What size shoes do you take?

It does break down into it's separate stages 

The Lego version is not as good, by the way. It is certainly an impressive model, but due to the method of construction, it looks a bit 'fat.' It does not convey the slender look of the real thing, which the Airfix model does.

[tutenkhamunsleeping]

It does break down into it's separate stages 

I reckon my Missus has enough shoe boxes to store a real one

[tutenkhamunsleeping]

I can remember my first two Airfix kits, bought for me by my Nan in Woolies, West Bromwich.  A Whirlwind Helicopter and a Tiger tank.  No rhyming slang there please, Mick

[Newportnobby]

Can't think of any rhyming slang for 'Helicopter'

[guest311]

Woolies 

they of the uneven wooden floors ..
'best of' LPs and 'NOW xx'
and an abundance of everything from Airfix to Woolco 

staff seemed, IIRC, to be required to wear miniskirts and go-go boots, at least the females 

happy days.

now, like so many British icons consigned to the scrapheap  :'(

[exmouthcraig]

Well a bit of a thread divert but still worthy of a mention as it was 25years ago and the company is now defunct.

In 96 we as a family trekked out to Adelaide to a family Christmas, getting 7 people round the world for a month was no mean feat, my mum, gran and little sister went in November and spent 8 weeks there, me my other 2 sisters and dad were to fly out in December.

A new suitcase was bought for my mum to travel from a local Woolworths and the day before we were to go we went back to the same store for dad to buy another one to go with.

Typically on the shelf there wasnt a 36" suitcase so dad asked a member of staff and she disappeared into the lift to check the store room, she returned dragging this rather heavy 36" case and dad checked out, this was a beast suitcase and dad made a point of saying "if it weighs this much empty I'm going to be paying a hefty excess baggage cost".

We got home and opened this 36" case, to find a 34" case and then a 32", 30", 28" and 2 flight bags. So that was it, we all flew out with matching luggage and dad even had matching hand luggage, Adelaide airport closes at 10pm and due to about 500 people waiting for the plane to arrive they had to stay open, we were a good 8hrs late, upon arrival dad got an ear bending over buying 5 pieces of luggage when he was only meant to buy 1!!!

[GWR_modeller]

Yep.  I just about remember my mum painting lead soldiers (the two inch tall Britains type of thing) on the kitchen table as piece work.  She bought me an Airfix kit HMS Devonshire.  I carried on making kits of all types until I went to Uni.  Then many decades I later started railway modelling.

[guest311]

remember going to Wollies in Western rd Brighton in the 70's, paid for my purchases, and walked away from the till....

checked my change....
oops, she'd given me my change and the initial note I'd paid with ...
'excuse me, you made a mistake with my change '

'you should have checked it before you left the till'

'ok'

[guest311]

Most definitely yes. Had just about every two bob kit there was, be it plane, ship, vintage car, or Coldstream Guard!

When I eventually got a Triang train set, I started on the lineside kits, and had just about all of those, including, of course, platform figures and accessories.

That got me and me mate into collecting the OO sized army figures and playing wargames with them.

Airfix figured big time in the young Bealman's life.

The last Airfix kit I built was the Apollo/Saturn V in 1971, which I still have. Unfortunately, it has lost it's place on top of the piano since I built the Lego version last year, and is now consigned to a shoe box.

did you have the exploding box car 

[Bealman]

You mean the Triang one, no but me mate did. He had the 'Defender' train set.

[joe cassidy]

I remember the instructions :

"locate and cement"