Introduction
Our story begins in 1939, London. With the world on the cusp of war, Hungarian refugee Nicholas Kove created the first iteration of Airfix, a company that at the time manufactured rubber inflated toys.
Kove had become a keen businessman in the years since he’d left Hungary so when it came to choosing a name for his new venture, he combined the process of fixing air into products, with his belief that all successful companies should have their names at the beginning of business directories. Thus, Airfix was born!
Airfix is the oldest UK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits and has been producing kits for the mass market since 1952.
Airfix founder Nicholas Kove & his wife Clothilde Kove
1940s
Unlikely Beginnings
- The scarcity of rubber due to the war began to make Airfix consider alternative materials and manufacturing techniques.
- Airfix was the UK’s largest manufacturer of pocket combs in 1947.
- In 1949, Airfix was commissioned to produce a pre-assembled promotional model of the TE20 Tractor. Assembling was found to be time-consuming and costly thus it was eventually sold in kit form.
1950s
A Whole New World
- The Golden Hind was released in 1952 marking our first ‘true’ Airfix kit and sold in Woolworth’s for two shillings.
- The famous ‘BTK’ Spitfire was launched in 1953, the first in a long line of Airfix Spitfire kits. The ‘BTK’ was replaced by the Spitfire IX in 1959, it would remain in the range until 2005.
- Our founder, Nicholas Kove, sadly passed away in 1958.
1960s
The Golden Year's
- We launched our first catalogue and the first Airfix magazine was produced which cost one shilling.
- 1962, Airfix purchased the plastic model railway construction kits ‘Kitmaster’ and introduced a new range of ‘00’ locomotives and a slot car racing system
- A long association with, what would eventually become, the Harrier started when we released the P.1127.
1970s
Onwards and Upwards
- During this decade Airfix introduced larger scales and produced 20 million kits per year!
- 1971, Airfix acquire Meccano and Dinky to become one of the UK’s largest toy manufacturers.
- The 24th scale Spitfire 1a became our first ‘Super Kit’, an extremely detailed kit that was truly ahead of its time.
1980s
Airfix Strikes Back
- An era of uncertainty for the brand, Airfix went bust in 1981 but was soon purchased by General Mills.
- The new owners set about releasing new products to capitalise on the success of ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ such as the mighty imperial AT-AT.
- Humbrol later acquired Airfix in 1986, and immediately brought in much-needed changes to rejuvenate the brand.
1990s
Under New Management
- ‘Flying Hours’ were introduced, allowing loyal Airfix customers to collect them and eventually redeem for a free kit!
- Humbrol brought back the 'all in one' concept, which would later evolve into today's 'Starter Sets'.
- Airfix Club was re-introduced in 1998, a place where collectors could discover and share about the world of plastic modelling.
2000s
The Hornby Era
- Airfix celebrates its 50th anniversary by issuing a 1:72 Spitfire 1a in the markings of the original ‘BTK’ markings.
- Hornby Hobbies acquire Airfix & Humbrol for £2.6 million.
- In 2009, Hornby began to embrace the digital age with design switching to CAD (Computer Aided Design) for all of its kits. Digital illustrations also started to appear on box fronts, skilfully composed and rendered by Adam Tooby.
2010s
A New Market
- In 2013, QUICKBUILD was launched to attract a new generation of model builders by creating a range of pre-painted clip-together kits for the 6+ year age group.
- Airfix published its first Workbench blog in 2015, providing a weekly in-depth look behind the scenes.
- The 'Vintage Classics' range is introduced bringing older but much loved kits back to the market. Each features the original artwork and information about the history of the model.
2020s -
Looking Beyond
- Airfix published its first Flight Deck video in 2020, providing customers with a monthly news roundup.
- In 2022, Airfix unveiled the brand new 1:24 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc following in the footsteps of the original Spitfire 1a Super Kit of 1970.
- Airfix collaborated with Paramount Pictures to release a new 'Top Gun' range in line with the 2022 sequel 'Top Gun Maverick'.
- Lyndon Davies, CEO of Hornby Hobbies Ltd, privately purchased Hawker Hunter XF509. This aircraft is currently being restored and will be on display soon.
Airfix Video Archive
Take a look back at a classic Airfix advert from 1979!
