Firm eyes troubled model-maker Airfix

Hobby firm Revell today said it was keen to make a move for model-maker Airfix whose parent company went into administration last month.

The news that the future of Airfix was in doubt was greeted by an outpouring of nostalgia for the plastic kits of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers which enjoyed their heyday in the 1960s and 1970s.

Thirty-one staff were made redundant at its owner Humbrol at the end of August after it went into administration due to “severe cash flow pressures” and also a disruption in supplies from its principal manufacturer in France.

Fans were concerned this could signal the end of the brand, although administrators said they were looking for a buyer.

Humbrol, which also owns Plasticine and Young Scientist, has suffered trading losses for several years.

German-firm Revell, which makes Kick-O-Mania footballers, today announced a restructuring of its business. Its European businesses have been bought out by the management team and split from its north American businesses which it said puts it in a better position to make potential acquisitions, such as Humbrol assets.

Tom Randrup, Revell country manager, said: “The announcement of our independence strengthens further Revell’s position in the European market. As Europe-wide leader and number one supplier of plastic kits and accessories to the UK toy and hobby market, we can confirm we have registered an interest in certain assets of Humbrol.”

Airfix has its origins in a company founded in London in 1939 by Hungarian-born Nicholas Kove, which manufactured cheap rubber toys filled with air.

Its first model kit was the Ferguson Tractor in 1948 and the Spitfire was introduced in 1953.

Due to its massive popularity, Airfix became one of the first toy companies to have its own magazine in 1960 and it gradually expanded through acquiring a number of other companies, including Meccano.

Its range grew to include vintage and modern cars, motorcycles, trains, ocean liners and spaceships, and children spent hours making the models which were famously difficult to assemble.

As its model kits became less popular, Airfix went into receivership in 1981 and was bought by Palitoy, part of the American General Mills toy group, and production moved to France.

In 1986 it was taken over by Humbrol, but has suffered from falling sales as children became hooked on computer games and television.

A recent survey commissioned for First magazine found youngsters spend an average of 25 hours a week in front of either TV or games console screens - rising to 42 hours a week during the school holidays.