Airfix introduced their 1/12th figure range in 1959, with a trio of military figures. All came in plastic bags, with the instruction sheet folded over, and stapled to the top of the bag forming a header.
This described the figures as Soldiers of Famous Regiments, which was later changed to Military Figures. All were modern British soldiers in ceremonial dress. They were Series 1 kits, and sold for two shillings (10 New Pence in modern money).
The figures were not actually referred to as 1/12th scale in the early days. The front of the header just gives the height of the figure, which could be 6 or 7 inches, depending on the headgear. The back of the header says 'Other Airfix models in this series are built to the same scale (1" to the foot). Ask for them in order to complete your collection.'
The first model in the series was a Coldstream Guardsman, from the 2nd Foot Guards Regiment. He was carrying a bolt-action Lee-Enfield No.4 rifle, which had been introduced in 1941, and was about to be replaced by the semi-automatic Self Loading Rifle, or SLR. Meaning, he is early post-WW2.
He was moulded in white plastic, and came with a small stand. A label for this was printed on the back of the header. You were to cut this out, and glue it to the stand. All the kits were moulded in white plastic, with the Coldstream Guardsman having 29 parts. These kits were not as simple as you might think, with the Guardsman having his bearskin cap in four quarters, which needed to be fitted together, before the joins could be dealt with.
I was able to confirm the 1959 release date for these early figures, after finding an advertisement from Gamages in London, in the June 1959 issue of Meccano Magazine. Although the ad does not mention the Airfix name. The Internet Archive has a large collection of old Meccano Magazines, which can be studied, although the coverage of kits is very limited, except for the advertising.
Have you seen the latest plastic kits ?
The Coldstream Guardsman
One of a series of Historical Kits now being produced , which should be of great interest to collectors. These finely detailed models stand 7 in. high and are complete with fully illustrated plan and working instructions. Also ready Lifeguard. Beefeater to follow. Post and Pkg 6d. (2 for 8d., 3 for 10d.)
The kit was given the number M1F. In the early 1960s (sources vary on exactly when) the existing Series 1 figures were moved up to Series 2, and re-numbered. M1F became M205F. The whole figure line also switched from plastic bags to cardboard boxes, with lift-off lids. The entire Airfix range was again re-numbered in the early 1970s, with the previous letter/number combinations being replaced with all-number catalogue codes. M205F then became 02505-6. During the transition period, boxes carried both numbers.
The model stayed in the Airfix Catalogue up to the 16th Edition (1979 according to the Vintage Airfix website), when the Airfix figure line began to be thinned out, prior to being dropped completely.
The figure remained out of production for around 30 years, until the London Icons set, A50131, was released in 2011. This was a large boxed set, and contained the first three Airfix 1/12th scale figure kits (now moulded in the standard Airfix light grey plastic), along with 15 pots of acrylic paint, two brushes, and a tube of cement. This set remained in the Airfix range until 2013. This has, to date, been the last re-issue of the Coldstream Guardsman.
The design of the packaging varied over the years, with the artwork changing several times. The London Icons set used photographs of the three built-up models.
The figure is usually referred to as the Coldstream Guardsman, but the early box just said Guardsman on the lid, before reverting to Coldstream Guardsman. The London Icons set shortened this to Coldstream Guard.
Scalemates have the assembly instructions for this kit, but only under the 1973 version of the box.
Eight photographs, most from Worthpoint, others from Meccano Magazine/Internet Archive and Super Hobby.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
