Airfix- Workbench | The most famous Luftwaffe aircraft of them all?
Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates, and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.In this edition of Workbench, we will be looking at our latest scale model kit tribute to an aircraft which has to be considered one of the most notorious of the entire Second World War, one which became synonymous with the destructive intentions of the all-conquering Luftwaffe, the Heinkel He-III bomber. Unquestionably one of the most distinctive aircraft of WWII, the Heinkel He-III was one of several inter-war aviation projects which started development as a fast, modern civilian transport aircraft, only to later reveal its true intentions as a strike bomber. Produced in large quantities, wherever the Luftwaffe were operating, so you would expect to see the sky full of Heinkels.As we prepare to welcome the H-6 torpedo attack variant of this aircraft to the current Airfix range, we will be spending this edition looking at how this famous aircraft was able to adapt to take on a great many operational roles, and become the Luftwaffe’s main attack bomber for the duration of the Second World War.In other news, can you believe that this summer marks the 10th Anniversary of our Workbench blog? That being the case, and with this clearly being an opportunity to celebrate, we will be announcing our ‘Workbench Aluminium Anniversary Competition’ shortly, with an impressive Airfix prize haul awaiting our lucky winner, something no self-respecting Workbench reader will want to miss.We had hoped to launch our competition this week, however, the technology gods have not been on our side, so it’s going to be something to look out for in next week’s edition, so this is just our way of putting everyone under starter’s orders.On to matters pressing, and we have a classic WWII Luftwaffe kit addition to the 2025 range firmly in our sights in this latest edition of your weekly Workbench blog.
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Airfix- Workbench | Royal Air Force ‘Whaleback’ ASR launches – The sea shall not have them
Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates, and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix. We have something very different as our subject matter up for review this time around, as we prepare to welcome the first of three appealing High Speed Craft additions to our Vintage Classics range in 1/72nd scale. Some of the most impressive kits to have ever taken their place within various Airfix ranges, and models which make highlight additions to any collection of built kits, the first anticipated arrival of the three is the RAF Rescue Launch, a series of high speed vessels which plied their trade in the English Channel, North Sea and whilst stationed on overseas deployments. Real speedsters of the seas, these vessels were not only dedicated to the rescue of downed airmen forced to ditch or bail out at sea, but could also be required to support wider Royal Naval operations on occasion, bringing their great speed and impressive firepower to bear in either a defensive, or offensive capacity. A fascinating subject which has resulted in the creation of this truly classic Airfix kit, we will see how these ‘Spitfires of the Sea’ possessed more than just a passing connection to Britain’s aviation industry, along with how the use of the RAF roundel was more than just for decorative purposes. With an impressive selection of built model images to illustrate this latest feature, and two appealing scheme options for us all to discover, please join us as we step aboard some of the most impressive boats to have ever launched from a UK boat house in this latest edition of Workbench.
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Airfix | Airfix raise a glass to beer carrying Spitfires
Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates, and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix. As the Airfix team return from our attendance at the Royal International Air Tattoo, and four long and intense days of working and talking all things modelling and aeroplanes, we wanted to take this Workbench opportunity to make those who couldn’t make this year’s show aware of our exclusive show announcement, and a further unexpected kit addition to the 2025 range. If you’re attending the world’s greatest military Airshow and intend to unveil a new kit at such a prestigious event, you’d better make sure it’s a BIG one, and in this regard, we pulled out all the stops. When it comes to aircraft types which can claim to have earned the status of aviation icon, nothing comes close to rivalling the reputation of the Supermarine Spitfire, so if you need a new kit announcement which possesses real hobby gravitas, look no further than the Spitfire in our largest 1/24th scale, a Super Kit in every sense. A project which has seen us collaborating with some influential partners, this latest large scale kit announcement is so much more than just a re-issue of an existing kit, it’s one which boasts some unique and appealing additions, but one which also attempts to draw attention to an unusual and very human story from the final year of the war in Europe.
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Airfix | Workbench- B-24 Liberator mystery in the Sahara
One of the main offensive assets the Allied air forces could call upon during the Second World War was the availability of large numbers of capable four engined heavy bombers. Both Britain and America introduced aircraft capable of carrying the fight to enemy occupied Europe, with the Luftwaffe’s inability to match them thought by many to be one of the most significant factors in them ultimately losing the war. Both Britain and America could call upon the destructive services of three different four engined heavy bombers during WWII, with the Avro Lancaster joining the Short Stirling and Handley Page Halifax in Bomber Command service, pounding countless German targets by night.The Americans also had three such aircraft, the impressive late war Boeing B-29 Superfortress joining the B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator which were already in service, although as far as many people are concerned, this particular story started and ended with the Flying Fortress. For whatever the reason maybe, the B-17 seemed to capture the imagination of the world, and as such, is often regarded by many as the most famous and most important four engined heavy bomber of the war, even though the B-24 Liberator was produced in greater numbers and was arguably the better aircraft.As we welcome what is just the second release from our new 1/72nd scale Consolidated B-24 Liberator tooling to the 2025 range, this latest update will help us attempt to redress this historic imbalance by discovering why the B-24 was much more than just an aircraft which served as a support act for the Flying Fortress throughout the USAAF daylight bombing campaign against Germany in WWII, and is deserving of much greater recognition than it usually receives. A true WWII aviation heavyweight is under the Airfix modelling spotlight in this latest edition of Workbench.
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Airfix | Workbench- Chinook – An aviation phenomenon
As the Airfix team are engaged in making final preparations for our attendance at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, our latest Workbench update features our latest scale tribute to an aircraft which has to be described as one of the most significant of the post war era, the current RAF incarnation of which is scheduled to be thrilling the crowds at Fairford in just a few days’ time, the mighty Boeing Chinook. This twin rotor behemoth is a heavy lift helicopter phenomenon, an aircraft whose everyday routine taskings are anything but routine, and a helicopter the world has come to rely on over the past 63 years or so.As the second release from our newly tooled Boeing Chinook HC 1 kit is just about to arrive in our warehouse, and is surely destined to prove as popular as the inaugural release, we’re devoting this edition to the wonderful world of the Wokka, looking at why both the aviation world and modelling/enthusiast communities just can’t get enough of this magnificent and historic aircraft. In addition to taking a little historic overview of the Chinook’s service life with the Royal Air force, we will be looking in a little more detail at the two scheme options which are included with this second release, with the added benefit of having eye’s on a selection of built model images, featuring kits finished in both of those scheme options.
From the world of Airfix, dive into “Workbench”, the audio companion to Airfix’s beloved Workbench blog. Each episode brings the workshop to your ears, with a deep dive into everything from exclusive model reveals and technique spotlights to candid chats with the creators behind the builds.🛠️ Exclusive Insights – Hear firsthand from Airfix designers and developers about the process behind your favourite kits, ✈️ Model Spotlight – Explore the story of each release, whether it’s a revived classic like the Blenheim or the latest Avro Anson kit🎧 Community Chats – Join conversations akin to Sprue Talk, offering deeper insight into the wider modelling scene!Whether you're tweaking paint layers or planning your next diorama, “Workbench" delivers expert guidance, creative inspiration, and the stories that bring scale modelling to life—anytime, anywhere!
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