Airfix Combat Packs

If you were a little boy in the sixties, you probably had an Airfix toy soldier or two.  Through the years, other brands have been made, but none with the quality and sentimental value that the old ones had.  They were practically indestructible being made out of very strong, polythene plastic, and because of this you can find many of the originals out there.

The first Airfix figures on the scene were HO/00 size, but later on, a larger version was produced that was a 1/32 size.  Some of the first soldiers were resized larger and later on, newer ones were made.  Both sizes are quite collectible.

For some, they bring back memories of childhood, for others they are an investment.  Since they are so durable, they last and last, and stay in good condition, which makes them ideal for resale.  EBay has sets that go for quite a high price.

Then, in the 1970's, the Airfix Combo Packs were introduced.  These were the ultimate, since they not only came with solders, but a battlefield and cardboard scenery.  No longer did you have to build homemade forts for your soldiers to hide; they were all there in one pack.

They came in two basic styles: The European Battleground, and the Desert Battleground. With figures, vehicles and buildings that were not available anywhere else, these were must have for any child and collecting adult. These Airfix figures were still made durable, but had so much more to play with and display.

However, there are many Airfix combat packs and kits available, some from very cheap and others quite pricey, the combat packs are still very hard to find, especially in mint condition.  As with any antique, the harder it is to find, the greater the desirability and the higher the price.  Just as that rare baseball card in the garage might be worth a fortune, your old combat pack might be worth a pretty penny too.

As with many collectables, the older the better, and with Airfix soldiers, this is quite true for a number of reasons.  As the company grew and produced more items, there were some inconsistencies in the sets and figures.  Though they were still wonderful soldiers, a collector would most likely eschew them for a more pristine set.

Whether it is for the love of the military around the world, the memories of childhood, or an investment, these Airfix toy soldiers are sought after around the world.  Not many things are made these days to last, but these toy soldiers will be around for many more generations.

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admin, April 9th 2010 | Tags: , , ,
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Airfix Sets

Airfix is one of the world's largest manufacturers of themed plastic model kits.  The oldest UK manufacturer of model kits has been producing models to consumers since 1952.  While Airfix has produced a variety of themes from trains, boats, car racetracks and more, the military inspired line of Airfix Toy Soldiers were released originally in 1960 and perhaps the most popular line created.

Modelers love the accuracy and detail that the toy soldier model kits have to offer.  Airfix soldiers are made of polythene material (which is nearly indestructible) and were originally made on a HO/00 scale.  They have been increased in size to 1/32 scale that has grown popular acclaim from war-gamers, children and adults alike.

These sets have become the addition to many toy collections and many times are passed down from grandfathers and fathers alike.  Children who are brought up on building and painting Airfix sets tend to pass the hobby down to their children and grandchildren.  Throughout a period of 30 years, Airfix has released over 32 different themed sets from British Paratroops to the Russian Infantry.  A few years after the release of the first set of British Paratroops, a new and improved set of moldings were released with quality that would prove hard to surpass by any other manufacturer.  Other popular manufacturers in the toy model industry found that their business started to dwindle as Airfix distributed quality and affordable sets.

Most sets include a 29-man army along with one officer.  Some sets were later introduced with an extra officer and a different shaped base.  The original soldiers were packaged in a brown box and later changed to a crisp bag packaging.  These factors are really only recognized by the serious collector.

Along with various armies, Airfix released military vehicles such as: tanks, aircraft, transporters, field guns and more.  These vehicles in addition to the toy soldiers create a realistic simulation when set up in combination with one another.  Airfix famous sets also include creating staged battle re-enactments of famous battles such as the Battle at the Waterloo.

Airfix has grown to become on the world's most recognizable names to model collectors.  Although they have manufactured unsuccessful kits during their earlier years, throughout the years they have developed a molding with quality and detail that is hard to match.  A favorite past time of your grandfather can also become your favorite past time.  Airfix soldiers are going strong, and do not look like it is going anywhere!

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What are Airfix Toy Soliders?

So exactly what are Airfix Toy Soldiers? Airfax is a United Kingdom based company well known for producing high quality hobby model kits to scale, particularly of airplanes and other military vehicles. These model kits were at the height of their popularity in the 1960s and 1970s when every little boy wanted their very own Airfix model kit.

From the 1960s, the company also started producing scale figures featuring soldiers from World War I, World War II and other popular military groups. These figures were high quality and inexpensive and became another ‘must have’ toy for boys of the time. These figures are now highly collectible, particularly by adults who were children at the height of their popularity.

Airfix toy soldiers were produced in scales of 1:76, 1:72 and 1:32. The latter, larger type of toy soldiers were produced most recently and became the most popular type of figure produced by the Airfix company. The figures were produced with great attention to detail, molded from durable polythene cast in a mold, resulting in highly realistic representations of soldiers from a particular war or battle. Other companies quickly followed suit and produced their own versions but they could not match the quality or the popularity of the original Airfix figures.

Airfix model soldiers came in a range of kits. The first wave of these sets was produced in the 1960s and commonly known as the ‘brown box’. The packaging changed throughout the years but did not change from a box to bag until 1995. Sets in their original boxes are the most sought after and will reach the highest price for collectors. Although the packaging changed through the years, many of the figure sets remained the same as they were cast from the same moulds and even used the same shade of plastic. Figure sets produced in years that are more recent sometimes had additional plastic around the joins of the figure where the now older mould would not shut completely.

Sets were also available including vehicles and sometimes buildings, along with the figures. In the 1970s, two ‘combat packs’ were produced featuring battlegrounds set in Europe and the dessert. These packs came in large boxes and contained cardboard cutout scenery, a building, two vehicles and two sets of figures. These sets are now very rare and can fetch a high price at auction. The Desert Combat Pack of Airfix toy soldiers in particular are highly sought after.

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admin, April 9th 2010 | Tags: , ,
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