Comparing the Arma Hobby and Airfix 1/72 Mustangs
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- What's the better kit? How long is a piece of string? Two very similar kits that are actually quite different and impressive for what they are. In this video I do a build review of each and go over the 10 main differences on each kit to see which one is appropriate for you.
Too Long to Watch?
If you're a beginner, don't get the Arma, consider the Airfix.
If you're an advanced modeller, either will do - if you want a quick nice fun build get the Airfix, if you want something quite involved and love cockpit details, get the Arma....
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Main Differences
03:16 Sprue quality tour
06:16 Options Differences
08:00 Instructions
09:20 Decals and Clear Parts
12:15 Paint callouts
13:52 How does the Airfix fit?
16:58 How does the Arma fit?
19:50 Conclusions
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The Airfix kit serves a useful function if it encourages younger modellers to get into the hobby and that's important to ensure the hobby has a future.
Exactly right Tom, cheers Chris
The great thing about the p-51 is that there are so many colorful schemes, the airfix kit builds up very nice. Get an aftermarket decal set and you can build them indefinitely.
Interesting comparison… great to see an Airfix kit with good fit and no huge gaps on the wing roots
Luck of the draw with this one - the next Airfix kit I'll review build will be a shocker probably!
To be fair to the Airfix kit it is a gift set version which is simplified with the painting detail and is made to be able to be built with only the paints which are already provided for you in the set. The decal sheet is also very simplified with only the main markings. Other Airfix kits have many more stencils to apply to them.
Agreed. That said, the video makes an interesting comparison between two quite different brands, the kind of comparison I'd have loved to find when I went back in the hobby recently ;)
I remember a recent episode of The Sprue Cutters Union podcast, where they interviewed an Arma Hobby person (forgot his name, sorry) who said good things regarding Airfix and made it clear they were not targeting the same hobbyist/beginner modelers. Which is fair, imho.
thanks Adam, yes youre quite right, the non gift set has a few more stencils and has simplified decals, but in comparison with Arma is still quite simple
Thanks Libb - yes that was Greg at Arma, great interview, and yes he did make it clear about who they were targeting, and the hobby can be - actually must be - different across the board. Can't all be Tamiya!
Your comments are always hilarious! AMS, Death Star Trench, etc. Your witty commentary aside, I would propose that there is one additional reason why some of us would go with an Arma vs Airfix - is the simple lack of time. If I spend my finite time on a kit, I want it to be well worth my time to make it gorgeous. It’s for modelers who are AMS but don’t have as much time to be fully AMA?1
Exactly on the time equation, and for me thats why I often go to a Tamiya kit because I know Ill get a top quality kit that will go together very easily without any roadblocks. Thanks again Tex, cheers!
Really the difference is who the kits are marketed for. A weekender vs Advanced skill modeller. Chalk and cheese. Thanks for video.
Thanks Cos, that's quite right, but even us so-called Advanced modellers need an easy and not too delicate project from time to time. Cheers Chris
I built two Airfix mustang and both had the same out of shape landing year. But they're nice kits. I'm gonna buy the arma kit at some stage
Thank you Chris. Going to be fun to follow the build. Cheers
Cheers EJ, yes Im looking forward to it!
Arma Hobby decals are made by Techmod (polish company).
Thanks Piotr, yep quality company Techmod, very good decals
Ive been modelling for over 55 years but im getting priced out by the top end models. At least the Airfix kit is forgiving if you want detail the model with little rusk of ruining the kit
Thats very true Michael, I think the Arma kit is super delicate....
My 10yo son is just getting into aircraft kits and he's working through some Airfix kits, which I agree are great for a beginner, and usually pretty forgiving. The lack of a paint reference list annoys the hell out of me though. Takes so much extra time to reference what the Humbrol colours are and then identify the suitable Vallejo/AK/Mr Colour alternative. I understand why Airfix only provides the Humbrol reference given they're both owned by Hornby; but still, its frustrating as hell.
Been back modelling a few months , the airfix p51 was the first kit I built , done about 5-6 72nd scale models , but now moves onto 1/48 , started with revell spitfire ans currently working on a hobbyboss 1/48 P51D ....seems to be a very popular aircraft to build!
Give the "old" 1990's Tamiya 1/48 aircraft ago - they fit like a dream and are a delight to build at a reasonable cost, and aren't so tiny for our older eyes!
In fact Armas instructions are more easy to follow and those explaining every step in detail.
Depends on your point of view - if its a rank amateur - no, too many specific steps and options that could overwhelm, especially if they want to make something quickly over a weekend. Someone with a couple more kits under their belt should have no trouble if they don't rush.
Other Arma kits have a similar approach to the tailplanes. I have built several marks of Hurricane, Wildcats, and the Yak. I have two b/c Mustangs in the stash. Arma has a P-51D due very shortly. Not really a beginners kit but lovely to build.
Oh I didnt know they were doing a -D, that will be interesting!
@@beckersmodels Arma Hobby put out a monthly email newsletter - from October - "Our next models (new tooling) are the P-51D Mustang 1/72 (December) and Hurricane IIc 1/48 (after the New Year)."
Sold I’m getting the Airfix one cheers for the comparisons ps the Arma one another day regards fred trying to populate the skies on my layout
Good luck Fred and you're welcome, cheers Chris
A nice little comparison, Strangely I quite like the Airfix 1/48 Mustang more than the Tamiya one built a couple and both times f**ked up the Natural metal finish, here in NZ there is only about $10 difference in price.
Interesting, yeah I've built a couple Tamiya 1/48 Mustangs, havent tried the Airfix one. The best Mustang kit by far remains the Tamiya 1/32....
Great informative video, as usual sir.
Slight error at start of broadcast which seems to have everyone confused including people here, the UK is still in Europe it only left the Union which is a financial/governing body of countries, as a land mass still in Europe.
Airfix have upped their game recently in all areas, from plastic to design. For years sat on their 1970’s laurels but a new broom and resurgence in forward thinking is taking place, if recent releases are anything to go by, buccaneer and Anson you really need to check out. I know you’re a Tamiya fan and their kits are superb, but where they used to be inactive and pushing forward they now seem content to sit back and just collect the cash with zero effort, like Airfix used to be.
I will have a look at the new Airfix releases, but im still wary after being bitten on their recent new releases too!
Great comparison Chris, I mentioned on my Lancs, I had concerns on proper scaling with props and pilot. After seeing your comparison I think it's an optical illusion primarily based on the color of plastic The comparison of the two sprues made the Airfix kit look smaller, but when you had them side by side all looked well.. However I'm still concerned on my pilot, like I mentioned he was either a small bloke or Airfix cheated a bit. I'll know more first of the year when I start the build, have to work my way up with several practice kits first, by then I'll have symptoms of AMS and ready to go. BTW, as a qualified judge what's the ruling on Swastikas I Googled for decals on line and you can get them. However one of my model mates gave me a bit of a shun. It's a symbol used for 1,000's of years by many cultures, and I think would add authenticity. My dad was a POW, guest of the Luftwaffe and I've met Adolph Galland, there is no problem with the Russian Star or Japanese Sun. Any thoughts?
The "fuzzy" cross as its sometimes called is problematic for obvious reasons, as is the letter Z these days. Its perfectly fine to use on models, even in Germany.
As for pilots, theres plenty of aftermarket ones available, particularly in that scale now! Cheers Chris
I've had some luck finding certain Arma Hobbies kits on amazon for almost Airfix money, picked up a TS-11 Iskra Novax expert kit for $18, but i live in the non upside down part of the world so your mileage may vary.
I'll second the arma kits aren't for beginners, great kits but there can be some fiddly steps even if the overall fit is excellent.
Yeah they are hard to get here at a more reasonable price which may put off some, but for the dedicated 1/72 crowd, its something theyll go for at any price probably.
Hi Chris. Yeah, I'm somewhat of an Airfix 'loyallist' (rather than fanboi), but have bought the expert version of Arma's kit.
I will say from the outset that I bought this kit with the expectation it was of a higher build quality than an Airfix kit, but despite incredible detail and engineering, there are a couple of annoying features.
Wheels-down engineering, for one. Youve converted me to building kits wheels-up, and this 'feature' combined with lack of a pilot is a minus for me.
Another thing (mentioned in another review I've watched) is that the Arma kit (along with the Airfix kit!) has some annoyingly large sprue gates. And sink marks (one noticeable on right fuselage side just below cockpit).
The Arma kit will build into a gorgeous kit, which is why I bought it, but you've actually sold me on the idea of the Airfix kit - which I hadn't considered, being an older soft plastic kit - for a quick wheels-up build.
The new 1/48 Anson kit in Aussie colours looks just amazing. Gary from 'Gary's Stuff' did a full build series. Too complex for me, at this stage, but I might buy it for the stash. Would you consider reviewing that?
EDIT: Plasmo built the Arma P39. They are now my favourite manufacturer.
th-cam.com/video/bGIyO9XfPfg/w-d-xo.html
This should be fun😂
Hope you enjoy it mate!
Haven't watched yet but...
I'm guessing that you have undieing love for the airfix.
That was sarcasm 🤠
Ha! Give it a look Robert - its actually a pretty bloody good little kit! I might get one for my son to build as well...cheers Chris
Brexit land weell noticed u all gone home thamk god
U trying to b funny they completley different