toys for boys , model ships and planes

steeljack · 15-10-2007, 22:04

Went out today to pick a few things up and decided to get a couple of model kits for my 8 yr old grandson , the 'Airfix' type , injection moulded plastic where you snap all the parts off a central stem and glue them to-gether , could I find them ........4 or 5 places including 'Toys R us', no one carries them anymore , they are too dangerous ! ! ! , finally the last toy shop directed me to a specialist hobby shop which had a few in stock from a Japanese manufactuerer costing an arm and a leg.
Question .......Dont little lads build these type of things anymore ?

West Ender · 15-10-2007, 22:11

What is dangerous about them? My son built many an Airfix plane, with his dad's help, and he's managed to get to the age of 42 quite safely. He never even glued himself to the table and, believe me, if anyone could - Alan would have.

BERNADETTE · 15-10-2007, 22:13

Bet it is Health And Safety saying the pieces are dangerous if swallowed or something stupid like that.

lancsdave · 15-10-2007, 22:15

No problem with them over here. My brother has a toy shop in Padiahm and he sells them.

steeljack · 15-10-2007, 22:16

think there is also a fear the little lads would start sniffing the glue ........utter hogwash .......if that was the case I'm sure 90% of the male population born after the end of WW2 would be raving junkies

shakermaker · 15-10-2007, 22:24

I used to love putting together Airfix kits when I was younger, I've got dozens of fighter jets knocking around somewhere!
Got them all from a hobby shop in Blackburn.

SPUGGIE J · 15-10-2007, 22:54

Loved making them when a kid. Never considered them in ages. Mind you fly tying is what I do now in the self creation side.

entwisi · 16-10-2007, 15:03

wasn't there a thread a while back that they had gone out of business?

Yep, here it is

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ing-23988.html

steeljack · 16-10-2007, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

wasn't there a thread a while back that they had gone out of business?

Yep, here it is

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ing-23988.html

thanks for posting the link to the earlier thread, some interesting reading , particulary Madhatters link to the Rossendale site , featuring the history of the Airfix company

katex · 16-10-2007, 17:48

Don't know whether this is of any use Steeljack, but there is quite a good one of these in the Trafford Centre.

tmc: Lobby

bullseyebarb · 16-10-2007, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

No problem with them over here. My brother has a toy shop in Padiahm and he sells them.

Ooh.....is that the shop at the corner of Parish and Church Streets? If so, I know it well. A nice, small specialty shop......but no Dinky toys - those are really hard to come by these days.

steeljack · 16-10-2007, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Don't know whether this is of any use Steeljack, but there is quite a good one of these in the Trafford Centre.

tmc: Lobby

thanks for the link , one thing is for sure the pastime is no longer a thing for little lads spending their half crowns (2/6d) over the counter at the local Woolworths for the 'new' spitfire or messerschmitt , or 5 shillings for the Hood or the Bismark, now it seems the only ones 'playing' with these kits are grown -ups who are prepared to pay serious money .

guess its a sign of the times, but I still think I got more fun out of playing with my 'airfix' kits and Meccano than todays youngsters with gameboys and x boxs,

apologies for begining to sound like a miserable owd sod , will leave that to others

jambutty · 16-10-2007, 19:20

I used to build them, ships, planes, cars and I got to 70 without a problem.

Eric · 16-10-2007, 20:08

Try "Leading Edge Hobbies" in Kingston .... You can still get them all Spitfires, Fokkers (this reminds me of a joke, see "Joke of the Day." ) Last one I bought was a wonderful model of the Yamato, 85, 000 tons, nine 18 inch guns. Looks great after you have been at it with the air brush.

Eric · 16-10-2007, 22:56

Just went out to Leading Edge to check on the model situation. They are all still there. And guess what, no kids choking to death in the model section. Came away with a neat little model of a Sopwith Camel. Now I'm hoping for some cold wet fall weather to keep me inside.