Brilliant interview Gary. With regards to the "off centre wheels", when I see someone dig out a pair of digital callipers to make a point it makes my eyes roll. I think there's a certain amount of snobbery involved. It's "cool" to mock and knock Airfix and rather than praise them for the massive leaps they've taken over the last few years, certain "reviewers" just want to score points and possibly want to be "controversial" to get the extra viewers.
Beautiful lines and detail in this kit, great job. I was wondering if there was any mention of, possibly, down the line of course, of an updated PB4Y-2 Privateer coming our way?
@@garys_stuff Certainly. Besides a 1/4 flip of the engines and nacelles, an extra top turret, lengthened to 75ft.-7 ins, in front of the wings, a single tail wing, two Catalyna gun mounts on each side of the fuselage and my favorite thing, the ERCO nose turret, anything would be better than the Matchbox molding. It's all in the panel lines. I purchased two Matchbox versions and built one of them in the early 80's. I scribed all the panel lines according to the "In Action" series by Squadron/Signal who also provided vacuform canopies and windscreens. I never saw Revell's repops of Matchbox's molds. I still have the other kit.
I love the Tamiya Swordfish, the one with the transparent hull part. Maybe Airfix and other modeling manufacturers should think about getting large "Clear parts" so you can see the inside. Tamiya use like the He219 UHU (and other kits) a lead cockpit floor, which solves the tail sitting.
A nice look behind the scenes of model kit designing, Gary. Thank you. As for the misalignment in the wheels of the model, it is a fraction but if it is noticeable to the builder then it must be addressed. Airfix should always aim for perfect moulds just as we aim for perfect builds. Will it stop me from buying this awesome kit? Nope. But if I can see the imperfection, I’ll swap to aftermarket wheels or ask Airfix for a replacement and job done. No fuss, however, I’m always thankful for such issues getting highlighted. It is how everyone can improve. 😊❤
Its very nice model kit. Airfix goes very high in quality last years. One of the few companies that makes models of large bombers and planes like B-24. Thanks for interview. Hello from Czech republic. 99 like😃
Good interview. Yeah I agree , it’s not just about how a kit will look when you are done but how it looked when you were building the interior .. kinda gives the modeler an intimate feel for the machine , inside and out and what the young kids saw when flew off in these not knowing if they are coming home.
Gary, I know there's been some comments about the wheels and tyres but having seen one in Modelworx in Newhaven I agree with you, when it's done you'll have to get a magnifying glass to see it. The tail sitting is more of an issue for me. Perhaps after market companies could produce the cockpit floor, pilot's seats, etc. in white metal, that would probably stop it being a tail sitter? Just a thought. 🤔
But why no crew, either flying, or even better, with ground crew. Maybe Airfix could take a leaf out of ICM's book and issue a separate crew kit moulded in proper hard styrene, with or without a jeep. this would get more use from an existing mould.
I don't know why companies don't use the method Tamiya used for the 1/48 HE219 Owl to stop tail sitting ie. have a white metal front undercarriage bay or cockpit base for example.
Hi Gary great to the project from designers point view, I have one sittin here, I need thing slow down before start a lot on the plate, but it will a slow build, If there is bit an issue, as modelers we just over come, that all part of modeling.
Young designer for building a famous bomber but he did do his research. Especially the Bombay doors and walkway. The roll up doors were unique because if they malfunctioned the bombs could still be dropped right through them . The walk way was used to set the set the fuses and as the primary bailout position. To maximize the detail you could build a cut away kit - so I might just have to buy two kits :-) I may have missed it but I wonder who builds the kits out of the box at Airfix , do they have both builders and " makers".? Thanks for going to the factory Gary, I know it must have been a tough assignment :-) Cheers Bob
They do have builders but either they are some of the in-house team (I think Paramjit is a very good modeller) or they get people to build them for the Airfix Model World magazine. They get to see projects way before any of the YT creators, and have some of the earliest kits in the country. We normally have to wait until release day just like everyone else - unless it's a special "surprise" launch like the Sea King last year.
@@garys_stuff Thanks Gary, I do like the strategy Airfix uses to address the model community They have always accounted for a majority of my " stash" for many years of building . Living across the pond I don't get to participate in some of their UK programs so a video like this is very informative My personal modeling mantra is " if it's British and flies, its made by Airfix" Thanks again, Bob
I really can't see if your bothered why you can't make the hole bigger and centre it in something like CA glue . I just happened to see that issue brought up by Nigel's as of his bench . I think he's quite pedantic and always wanting aftermarket. Some of us are just happy to get a good kit .
The liberator is awsome very happy with it as for the wheels being off by a millimeter .in 1940 the real ones probably as well .As for wieght I’ll try the engines and squeeze some forward of the wheels and forward spar
After building the pre-production sample for Airfix Model World and finding myself unable to achieve the 55g of weight specified by Airfix (circa 30g in mine across both designated locations plus I put weight in behind the nose turret ammo boxes) I've written to Chris P-J and suggested they consider doing the bomb aimer's floor piece + ammo boxes in white metal, which combined with the weight in said designated positions, would skin the tail sitter issue. I hope they'll do this in future iterations and design in similar measures for other kits where this is a factor.
This has come up a few times with Airfix but they seem very reluctant to go down this road with any kit. Can't remember why Dale said they didn't want to do it...
@@garys_stuff Cheers for that Gary. I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest it and as I mentioned to Chris, it may not be a viable option for commercial reasons, which I of course understand. 😊
@@TheStoicModeller you are absolutely right though - if any recent kit screams for a solution to the nose weight issue it is this one! Hoping your more insider access might influence them more than I can!!!
Hi Gary. In truth, I have no influence on any of this but that doesn't preclude throwing the odd suggestion in. I'm just a plastic test pilot for the odd new Airfix project lined up for general release. How far along are you on your Libby...?
Hello mr. Gary!thank you very much for your efforts delivering fun excitenes and Inspiration. thank u4sharing.With best regards and sticky greetings from sandy Brandenburg/germany.your fellow modellmate.christian
Re the off-centre wheels Gary - there must be some variation in process somewhere then if the error is so small, because I've seen one of the videos where it has been pointed out and I can quite clearly see the eccentricity. I haven't got super-dooper eyesight and this wasn't in massive close up, and it really was obvious.
In which case I would venture it is more than 0.15mm. Which is interesting. I'm assuming it's not the position of the hole in the rim, it's that the whole rim is slightly offset. Looks more apparent when it is on the frame because of the injection gates which one assumes should be in the middle.
Enjoyable interview. Though I'm not in possession of this kit as I prefer 1/48, this product is really very nice and certainly very well researched. A lot of thought has gone into the design, together with much of Airfix's recent products too, that is obvious. A credit to this chap and his associates. As for 'tail sitters', I personally don't think it's the responsibility of model companies to sort out. Yes, Tamiya go that extra mile but their products are at the premium end of the market and consequently, one pays for that privilege. Personally, I think it's up to the modeller to resolve such issues nose weight. It's an exciting challenge. Make it enjoyable instead of seeing it as a nuisance.
Firstly it's a model who does this, l am not looking for every nut and bolt to be in the right place maybe if l had paid £500 or 600 for a 1/32 Border Model kit but it's a very good designed representation of a Liberator and that will do me Tommy, fascinating interview what l was wondering was does anyone say no you can't have that it's too expensive to mould it or maybe it doesn't matter a mould is mould 👍
I think mould costs vary depending on a range of factors including size, material, finish textures and so on - there certainly is a parts count issue with many kits. Then some moulds may include slides that add to the cost. It's a complex dance I suspect!
I would guess more likely to be industrial/product design, but I will ask them! I'll be at an Airfix event next week and some of the designers will be there too.
To me two points came out. Level of detail and something on part accuracy. I think for external detail I would like the highest level of detail that can be sensible accommodated in the scale of the model. Overdoing it could result in really small parts and a model that is almost impossible to build, and the pleasure of building it may be compromised. Internal detail is a bit of a double edged sword, on one hand if it can't be seen what is the point It could just be the "but I know its there" On the other hand if the hidden detail is really good then there is an opportunity to do a sectioned model as if it is presented in a museum. I have actually done this with the RFM full interior tank kits. As for having a go about the wheel axles being 6 thou off centre some people must lead really sheltered lives. They must go over these kits with all their measuring gear itching to find a fault. What would annoy me a bit is if the axle is too small a diameter for the hole in the wheel and when it comes time to glue the wheel on it won't hold a true position. This is a bit long but I found your discussion very interesting, especially the bit about all the kit variants being done already.
With regard to the offset wheels, it would be really good if Airfix would release the wheels as a 3D printer file so that those who are able can rectify the error. They released a 3D printable paper plane. Surely it can't be too difficult for them to release a correction.
Well they could in theory, although with that kind of level of correction they will be relying on their customers to have a printer capable of that kind of resolution. I know I don't have one. Also, I won't bother with mine because the offset is so incredibly small - for one thing I do wonder about the allowance made for the tightness of the fit with the wheel and the gear leg. Usually there's a very small amount of plastic to allow the wheel to turn into the correct flattened position - how much play is there compared with the 0.15mm offset?
@@garys_stuff You're right of course Gary. The trouble is, now that everyone knows that the error is there, everyone is looking for it. It is small. But I can see it. I'm sure it can be minimised or hidden. What would Tamiya being doing in this situation ?
I like to make a model not an exact miniature replica. It will look like a Liberator and that it what matters for the price you pay. I'm sure a replica would cost a small fortune compared to a plastic kit from your local shop.
So the hole and rim seem to be a bit off like the builder? Chill out and have a cup of coffee ☕ while you contemplate Trumpeter... Where you automatically know a few things will be completely inaccurate. See, don't you feel better already? Did you notice no one said that wheel was inaccurate, its just a tad wacky. The optometrist society would like to thank Airfix for the sudden increase in appointments 😜. 90% of kits get tires and rims as a first aftermarket part offered out there. Propeller replacements are usually the second thing modellers buy. Next rivet counter you catch complaining like its the end of the hobby, ask them how many of each, wheels and props they've bought for their kits. Find something else use that energy on, like getting a hobby 😜
Oh no! The wheels are 0.15mm off, I'll never sleep again.
Some people need to get a life.
Great interview Gary, cheers.
Brilliant interview Gary.
With regards to the "off centre wheels", when I see someone dig out a pair of digital callipers to make a point it makes my eyes roll.
I think there's a certain amount of snobbery involved. It's "cool" to mock and knock Airfix and rather than praise them for the massive leaps they've taken over the last few years, certain "reviewers" just want to score points and possibly want to be "controversial" to get the extra viewers.
You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment...
Beautiful lines and detail in this kit, great job. I was wondering if there was any mention of, possibly, down the line of course, of an updated PB4Y-2 Privateer coming our way?
Think I'd have to look at the parts again and see what can be changed with re-tooling the whole fuselage!
@@garys_stuff Certainly. Besides a 1/4 flip of the engines and nacelles, an extra top turret, lengthened to 75ft.-7 ins, in front of the wings, a single tail wing, two Catalyna gun mounts on each side of the fuselage and my favorite thing, the ERCO nose turret, anything would be better than the Matchbox molding. It's all in the panel lines. I purchased two Matchbox versions and built one of them in the early 80's. I scribed all the panel lines according to the "In Action" series by Squadron/Signal who also provided vacuform canopies and windscreens. I never saw Revell's repops of Matchbox's molds. I still have the other kit.
Still great to see Airfix back in the UK where it belongs 👍 Great interview 👍🙏♥️🌈
Lovely model of a very important aircraft..... from Norfolk where many of these aircraft and their brave crews flew from...
I love the Tamiya Swordfish, the one with the transparent hull part. Maybe Airfix and other modeling manufacturers should think about getting large "Clear parts" so you can see the inside. Tamiya use like the He219 UHU (and other kits) a lead cockpit floor, which solves the tail sitting.
A nice look behind the scenes of model kit designing, Gary. Thank you. As for the misalignment in the wheels of the model, it is a fraction but if it is noticeable to the builder then it must be addressed. Airfix should always aim for perfect moulds just as we aim for perfect builds. Will it stop me from buying this awesome kit? Nope. But if I can see the imperfection, I’ll swap to aftermarket wheels or ask Airfix for a replacement and job done. No fuss, however, I’m always thankful for such issues getting highlighted. It is how everyone can improve. 😊❤
Enjoyed the interview Gary - nice to hear the designer's thoughts on the model.
Its very nice model kit. Airfix goes very high in quality last years. One of the few companies that makes models of large bombers and planes like B-24. Thanks for interview. Hello from Czech republic. 99 like😃
Good interview. Yeah I agree , it’s not just about how a kit will look when you are done but how it looked when you were building the interior .. kinda gives the modeler an intimate feel for the machine , inside and out and what the young kids saw when flew off in these not knowing if they are coming home.
Very nicely said 👍🏼😊
Gary, I know there's been some comments about the wheels and tyres but having seen one in Modelworx in Newhaven I agree with you, when it's done you'll have to get a magnifying glass to see it. The tail sitting is more of an issue for me. Perhaps after market companies could produce the cockpit floor, pilot's seats, etc. in white metal, that would probably stop it being a tail sitter? Just a thought. 🤔
Or the company themselves eg. Tamiya He 219
SAC did this for the Airfix B25 a few years ago. I’d like to see it done more often
But why no crew, either flying, or even better, with ground crew. Maybe Airfix could take a leaf out of ICM's book and issue a separate crew kit moulded in proper hard styrene, with or without a jeep. this would get more use from an existing mould.
I don't know why companies don't use the method Tamiya used for the 1/48 HE219 Owl to stop tail sitting ie. have a white metal front undercarriage bay or cockpit base for example.
Other companies have, for example Hobby Boss in their Me-262. For some reason Airfix are shy of doing it.
Hi Gary great to the project from designers point view, I have one sittin here, I need thing slow down before start a lot on the plate, but it will a slow build, If there is bit an issue, as modelers we just over come, that all part of modeling.
Great to hear the thoughts of the designer and how he approaches a project. Thank you.
Can’t wait to see if they make a coastal command version. Itching to get one.
Great interview. I need to get me one of those!
Arrived on Wednesday in my queue now
I will be build of the Year! I’m waiting for it!
Young designer for building a famous bomber but he did do his research. Especially the Bombay doors and walkway. The roll up doors were unique because if they malfunctioned the bombs could still be dropped right through them . The walk way was used to set the set the fuses and as the primary bailout position. To maximize the detail you could build a cut away kit - so I might just have to buy two kits :-) I may have missed it but I wonder who builds the kits out of the box at Airfix , do they have both builders and " makers".? Thanks for going to the factory Gary, I know it must have been a tough assignment :-) Cheers Bob
They do have builders but either they are some of the in-house team (I think Paramjit is a very good modeller) or they get people to build them for the Airfix Model World magazine. They get to see projects way before any of the YT creators, and have some of the earliest kits in the country. We normally have to wait until release day just like everyone else - unless it's a special "surprise" launch like the Sea King last year.
@@garys_stuff Thanks Gary, I do like the strategy Airfix uses to address the model community They have always accounted for a majority of my " stash" for many years of building . Living across the pond I don't get to participate in some of their UK programs so a video like this is very informative My personal modeling mantra is " if it's British and flies, its made by Airfix" Thanks again, Bob
I really can't see if your bothered why you can't make the hole bigger and centre it in something like CA glue . I just happened to see that issue brought up by Nigel's as of his bench . I think he's quite pedantic and always wanting aftermarket. Some of us are just happy to get a good kit .
The liberator is awsome very happy with it as for the wheels being off by a millimeter .in 1940 the real ones probably as well .As for wieght I’ll try the engines and squeeze some forward of the wheels and forward spar
There's a bit of room inside the nose gear bay as well...
Great interview, Gary! That was quite interesting.
Imperial thumbs and toes up Gary, love your maybe not so subtle jab at the rivet counters and the micrometer crowd at the end.
Not intended as a jab, more that kind of thing isn't why I make models.
After building the pre-production sample for Airfix Model World and finding myself unable to achieve the 55g of weight specified by Airfix (circa 30g in mine across both designated locations plus I put weight in behind the nose turret ammo boxes) I've written to Chris P-J and suggested they consider doing the bomb aimer's floor piece + ammo boxes in white metal, which combined with the weight in said designated positions, would skin the tail sitter issue.
I hope they'll do this in future iterations and design in similar measures for other kits where this is a factor.
This has come up a few times with Airfix but they seem very reluctant to go down this road with any kit. Can't remember why Dale said they didn't want to do it...
@@garys_stuff Cheers for that Gary. I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest it and as I mentioned to Chris, it may not be a viable option for commercial reasons, which I of course understand. 😊
@@TheStoicModeller you are absolutely right though - if any recent kit screams for a solution to the nose weight issue it is this one! Hoping your more insider access might influence them more than I can!!!
Hi Gary. In truth, I have no influence on any of this but that doesn't preclude throwing the odd suggestion in. I'm just a plastic test pilot for the odd new Airfix project lined up for general release. How far along are you on your Libby...?
@@TheStoicModeller test pilots worth their weight in gold mate! Haven't yet joined the fuselage halves, almost ready for that.
Thanks both. Very interesting and informative
Hello mr. Gary!thank you very much for your efforts delivering fun excitenes and Inspiration. thank u4sharing.With best regards and sticky greetings from sandy Brandenburg/germany.your fellow modellmate.christian
My pleasure Christian!
Re the off-centre wheels Gary - there must be some variation in process somewhere then if the error is so small, because I've seen one of the videos where it has been pointed out and I can quite clearly see the eccentricity. I haven't got super-dooper eyesight and this wasn't in massive close up, and it really was obvious.
In which case I would venture it is more than 0.15mm. Which is interesting. I'm assuming it's not the position of the hole in the rim, it's that the whole rim is slightly offset. Looks more apparent when it is on the frame because of the injection gates which one assumes should be in the middle.
@@garys_stuff Yes the rims are off centre. Have a look at the review on Nigel's Modelling Bench at about 16.30 in.
Enjoyable interview. Though I'm not in possession of this kit as I prefer 1/48, this product is really very nice and certainly very well researched. A lot of thought has gone into the design, together with much of Airfix's recent products too, that is obvious. A credit to this chap and his associates.
As for 'tail sitters', I personally don't think it's the responsibility of model companies to sort out. Yes, Tamiya go that extra mile but their products are at the premium end of the market and consequently, one pays for that privilege. Personally, I think it's up to the modeller to resolve such issues nose weight. It's an exciting challenge. Make it enjoyable instead of seeing it as a nuisance.
Hi Gary great bomber,great looking kit, great interview well done Gary,can’t wait to build mine.
Firstly it's a model who does this, l am not looking for every nut and bolt to be in the right place maybe if l had paid £500 or 600 for a 1/32 Border Model kit but it's a very good designed representation of a Liberator and that will do me Tommy, fascinating interview what l was wondering was does anyone say no you can't have that it's too expensive to mould it or maybe it doesn't matter a mould is mould 👍
I think mould costs vary depending on a range of factors including size, material, finish textures and so on - there certainly is a parts count issue with many kits. Then some moulds may include slides that add to the cost. It's a complex dance I suspect!
Thanks for the answer Gary because till you see an interview like this you wouldn't think about it 👍
An interesting interview, which leaves me with another question: What studies does a kit designer have, graphic design or industrial design?
I would guess more likely to be industrial/product design, but I will ask them! I'll be at an Airfix event next week and some of the designers will be there too.
@@garys_stuffvery nice.
How do you forget pitot tubes on the B-17?
To me two points came out. Level of detail and something on part accuracy. I think for external detail I would like the highest level of detail that can be sensible accommodated in the scale of the model. Overdoing it could result in really small parts and a model that is almost impossible to build, and the pleasure of building it may be compromised. Internal detail is a bit of a double edged sword, on one hand if it can't be seen what is the point It could just be the "but I know its there" On the other hand if the hidden detail is really good then there is an opportunity to do a sectioned model as if it is presented in a museum. I have actually done this with the RFM full interior tank kits.
As for having a go about the wheel axles being 6 thou off centre some people must lead really sheltered lives. They must go over these kits with all their measuring gear itching to find a fault. What would annoy me a bit is if the axle is too small a diameter for the hole in the wheel and when it comes time to glue the wheel on it won't hold a true position.
This is a bit long but I found your discussion very interesting, especially the bit about all the kit variants being done already.
A new 1/48 scale Jaguar would be really nice to have, comparable to the 1/48 Buccaneer
With regard to the offset wheels, it would be really good if Airfix would release the wheels as a 3D printer file so that those who are able can rectify the error. They released a 3D printable paper plane. Surely it can't be too difficult for them to release a correction.
Well they could in theory, although with that kind of level of correction they will be relying on their customers to have a printer capable of that kind of resolution. I know I don't have one. Also, I won't bother with mine because the offset is so incredibly small - for one thing I do wonder about the allowance made for the tightness of the fit with the wheel and the gear leg. Usually there's a very small amount of plastic to allow the wheel to turn into the correct flattened position - how much play is there compared with the 0.15mm offset?
@@garys_stuff You're right of course Gary. The trouble is, now that everyone knows that the error is there, everyone is looking for it. It is small. But I can see it. I'm sure it can be minimised or hidden. What would Tamiya being doing in this situation ?
I really enjoyed this.Hope they will release other versions of this great bomber.I would love the see the USN version of this.
Yes, imagine if the frames were set up so they could make the Privateer as well....
@@garys_stuff That would be a nice turn.The Matchbox Privateer is getting on now.
@@rayborg7378 it would be brilliant - I need to check the frames to see how much change can actually be made!
If you're really that bothered about off-centered wheels, just fill the hole with some suitably stretched sprue, and re-drill the hole.
From what i understand it's not the wheel location off centre, its that the rim is slightly out of kilter with the rest of the part.
I like to make a model not an exact miniature replica. It will look like a Liberator and that it what matters for the price you pay. I'm sure a replica would cost a small fortune compared to a plastic kit from your local shop.
So the hole and rim seem to be a bit off like the builder? Chill out and have a cup of coffee ☕ while you contemplate Trumpeter... Where you automatically know a few things will be completely inaccurate. See, don't you feel better already? Did you notice no one said that wheel was inaccurate, its just a tad wacky. The optometrist society would like to thank Airfix for the sudden increase in appointments 😜. 90% of kits get tires and rims as a first aftermarket part offered out there. Propeller replacements are usually the second thing modellers buy. Next rivet counter you catch complaining like its the end of the hobby, ask them how many of each, wheels and props they've bought for their kits. Find something else use that energy on, like getting a hobby 😜
Dude, you do cheer me up!