Following on from Paul's request for information about Airfix Betta Bilda. As a kid, I was given the sets as a cheap LEGO alternative, which it very much was. The bricks were very basic, had little or no traction and fell apart easily. The only really interesting aspect of the line was the much later addition of a rocket model, which I only found as an adult. Even so, the same problems applied to the build, when its made it barely holds together and lifting it up for a quick flight always results in the boosters falling off or the nose cone dropping on the floor.
Here is an early seventies Airfix toy catalogue, from when the kit company branched out into toys and games, using rebranded toys from other companies, including Sears and Cragstan.
Other toys that I have since managed to acquire, include the cool Water Rocket, which I originally had as a kid. The blue version I got when I was young, but as it is basically a syringe device, I found it quite difficult to use and get anywhere near a good pressure! As an adult, I was surprised at how small they are (about 9"). The red version looks very similar to the Park Plastics air powered rockets pictured below.
Another great toy in the catalogue is the Americus Moon Buggy, originally made by Cragstan and with no sign of Airfix branding on the box. A cool beetle like vehicle, it 'walks' along by moving the leg units in opposition, as the radar scanner whirls about.
Finally, a model which is instantly recognisable as Airfix, the Gun Emplacement set. Another model which I only came across as an adult, but as a boy, my dad scaled it up to 1/72 in wood, to fit the larger Airfix figures and vehicles.
Its looking a bit dilapidated these days, as the green grass flock has worn away and the model putty sandbags round the turret have taken a beating. The gun in the turret was taken from a soft plastic heavy machine gun set from a rack toy.
I'm looking out for the Coastal Defence set to go with the Emplacement model now!
This is fascinating! I had no idea Airfix branched out into toys and games but it makes sense since they were a huge brand in the marketplace. I would have loved that Betta Bilda Rocket, and I would have glued it together as a model to keep for posterity! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThank you for the extra information on the Airfix Betta Bilda Rocket Set.
ReplyDeleteThe photos on the Betta Bilda box tops all show fairly young children, so the sets were clearly aimed at a different market to Airfix kits.
The Airfix Toys and Games Catalogue is most interesting. A very wide range of products. Several of the ranges were also found in the kit catalogues of the day. The 1/32nd scale vehicles and figures, along with the OO/HO Playforts, Playsets, and the big Assault Sets. But the OO/HO figures are not shown on their own.
Along with the Gun Emplacement and Coastal Defence Fort, there was also a Pontoon Bridge set from the modern era.
There are a couple of books on the toy side of Airfix. Forty Years of Airfix Toys by Jeremy Brook; and The Other Side of Airfix by Arthur Ward. Both worth having.
I've got a couple of Pontoon Bridges, had them a lot earlier than the emplacement and put them to use with Hot Wheels layouts too. I also had the Diving Sub as a kid, a big soda tablet went in the bottom and it dutifully sank on demand! Bill
DeleteThe catalog is great Bill! While I don't yet have any of their HO/OO scale forts and such, I do have their 1/32 scale Strongpoint (essentially a bombed out house with some sandbag emplacements).
ReplyDeleteI love those clear rockets Bill - like Novas in a way and would make fabulous toothbrush holders for going on holiday to Butlins! the gun emplacement is pure Airfix and tales me right back to carpet wars with toy soldiers and my beloved plastic Airfix Alvis. I loved their plastic toy military vehicles.
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