AIRFIX 1/12th FIGURES BY BIRTHDAY BOY PAUL ADAMS

Here is a quick look at the various 1/12th scale figure kits made by Airfix - they were released between the late 1950s and the late 1970s. Most were single foot figures, with one double-figure kit, and two mounted subjects. The 19 kits fall in to several distinct groups.

The biggest problem when researching these kits is pinning down the exact release dates, as these vary from reference to reference. Some of the dates are therefore only approximate at this stage.

I will be looking at these kits in more detail in future articles.

The largest group of 1/12th scale kits was the original series of 12 models, released between 1959 and 1965. They lasted until the late 1970s/early 1980s.

The first three kits were described on the paper header as Soldiers of Famous Regiments. All were modern British subjects, in ceremonial uniforms. These would later be re-issued in 2011 in a boxed set with paints and cement as London Icons.

These were followed by eight Historical Figures, including several British Kings. Of these 11 Military and Historical figures, seven were originally released in Series 1, and four in Series 2. In the early 1960s all the existing bagged kits were put in to boxes.

The old Series 1 kits were 'promoted' to Series 2, and re-numbered. Only one further kit was issued - the short-lived Boy Scout. Of the Historical Figures, only Henry VIII has been re-issued by Airfix in 1998, and Joan of Arc by Heller in 2007.

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Series 1, later Series 2

Coldstream Guardsman (Foot Guard)

Lifeguard Trumpeter

Yeoman of the Guard (Beefeater)

Napoleon

Joan of Arc

Oliver Cromwell

Charles I

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Series 2

Henry VIII

Black Prince

Richard I

Julius Caesar

Boy Scout

Then came a unique double-figure kit, with James Bond & Odd Job doing battle, in a scene from the film Goldfinger. This was a Series 4 kit, and had the copyright date 1966 on the box. Like the other Airfix James Bond kits, this was a short-lived model.

It was re-released in 1998, in a new box.

In the early 1970s Airfix launched a series of models that were clearly intended to get more girls involved in modelling. The kits included life-size models of British Birds, Famous Women of History, and the first mounted figure in 1/12th scale: the Showjumper.

Famous Women of History. This trio of Series 3 kits had more elaborate bases that the earlier Historical Figures, and very ornate clothing that must have been a challenge to paint. Released between 1974 or 1975, and 1977. Only the Anne Boleyn kit has been re-issued, in 1998.

Anne Boleyn

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Victoria

The Showjumper is said to be modelled on Princess Anne, who was a champion equestrian. First listed in the Airfix catalogue as a Series 6 kit, later changed to Series 7. Released in 1975.

Finally came a pair of historic military models. Both were enlarged versions of figures already included in the 54 mm (1/32nd scale) Collectors Series. One foot, and one mounted.

French Imperial Guard 1815 (foot) - Series 3

Bengal Lancer (Indian cavalryman, mounted) - Series 7

By the early 1980s all of these kits had disappeared from the Airfix catalogue, and few have been re-issued.

Most of the illustrations are pages from various Airfix catalogues. The 8th Edition Catalogue shows all 12 original models, including the Boy Scout; the 12th Edition shows the Showjumper and the first two Famous Women of History; the 15th Edition shows all three Famous Women, and the two military figures.

The James Bond & Odd Job box is from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand