Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: maninthestreet on August 31, 2006, 08:27:43 am

Title: Airfix / Humbrol in Adminstration.
Post by: maninthestreet on August 31, 2006, 08:27:43 am

Just heard this on the news when driving into work - Humbrol (who own Airfix and Heller) have gone into administration. Checked the Airfix website, but nothing posted on there to this effect.



Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration
Post by: White Ensign on August 31, 2006, 09:10:14 am
Mits, lets wait and see. The Dead-said people even live longer. Same had happended in Germany to Märklin, Liliput, Multiplex and they all had come up again.
Even if the word administration sounds awfull, much too early to play the dead-mans-song. Could just be a reaction to fullfill a law for having some financial problems. And therefor they need to do it- but could lead to a renewal as well.
Time will tell......

But thanks for the information anyway!  :)

Jörg
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration
Post by: Daryl on August 31, 2006, 09:14:51 am
Not wishing to put another nail in the coffin but has anyone seen their new Acrylic range yet? my local model shop has not heard of it?

Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration
Post by: maninthestreet on August 31, 2006, 09:53:39 am
Apparently Heller themselves went into Administration in July - they actually make all the Aitfix kits. The French Administrators will not allow the release of the moulds, as they are an asset.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration
Post by: White Ensign on August 31, 2006, 10:44:06 am
No comment about the "Global Players", guided by the Eurocrats in Brussel. I wonder if they realise that the "Play" is not a Bl*** Monopoly-game- this is real life with men and fates behind. Though there is no "Insert Coin" when you fail in your economical-responsibility...
This leads me now back to my comment in the GOGS-thread: "What is running up my nose".   >:(

Jörg
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration
Post by: maninthestreet on August 31, 2006, 11:44:02 am
The future for Humbrol/airfix doesnt look bright, if this article is correct:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=402998&in_page_id=1770
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ambernblu on August 31, 2006, 12:26:09 pm


.... doesn't sound too good does it? My guess is (if it comes to it) that the Humbrol paint range will be split and sold as a separate lot - its too valuable a range to be lost. So if Humbrol actually does go down, I reckon the paints will certainly rise again under a different ownership - and maybe also the kits (OK so when the moulds/tooling etc can be released!)

I'm basing the above specifically on the recent Lima scenario - Hornby bought them and are this year due to release ex-Lima locos and rolling stock etc under the Hornby name (having upgraded some of the tooling in the process!) To be honest this sort of thing has been a regular routine in the model railway world with supposedly year on year falling interest etc (not so currently!) - you can trace the current Hornby heritage back to its Meccano days... and when you think that Bachmann are producing ex palitoy owned mainline locos etc and Hornby and Dapol are producing ex Airfix (remember GMR?) railway stuff....

But theres no smoke without fire though is there?  ;)
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on August 31, 2006, 12:34:54 pm
It has even made sky news ..Peter

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13540311,00.html
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: DickyD on August 31, 2006, 03:38:20 pm
Its been on the ITV news. The receivers are looking for buyers. Any offers??

                                                                                 Richard
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: maninthestreet on August 31, 2006, 03:51:55 pm
Perhaps they should put them on Ebay ????

 :D
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: cbr900 on August 31, 2006, 06:55:56 pm
Is the heller company that they are talking about the one that sells all the lights and lenses for cars...

Roy
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: GOGSAMWE on August 31, 2006, 07:34:39 pm
Nope,

Roy, the light people are " Hella"

http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaCOM/WebSite/HellaCOM.jsp

They are not related to Heller

Steve ;)
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Halley on August 31, 2006, 09:16:37 pm


I remember that there was an earlier post to the effect that Humbrol paints were going to be discontinued soon anyway - something to do with it not meeting new European Health & Safety legislation?

I wouldn't bank on them continuing under another name.  They have probably ceased production and will now call it a draw permanently?

 
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: justboatonic on September 01, 2006, 01:26:04 pm
Found this on BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/5304780.stm

Oh dear!
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Made it to 80 (25p Richer now) on September 01, 2006, 01:40:04 pm
heard on local radio station this morning the Hornby were thinking of bidding for Airfix don't know how true it was
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Daryl on September 01, 2006, 04:28:19 pm
I think it would be a good thing if Hornby did bid. In past collapses of model companies the best moulds are kept andthe rest sold off to far east or soviet bloc firms like Biek, ICM, Eastern Express. Bikek in their range has lots of old Airfix kits like the Westland Wirlwind, Henschel HS125 etc. I don't know if the bought the moulds or liecensed them. Remember the Frog carve up!

Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 01, 2006, 04:45:17 pm
Quote
Remember the Frog carve up!

Ugh! Legs everywhere....  Anyone know if the HMS Exeter kit was ever reissued. I would have liked another one as I always admired the ship after my Dad took me to see the "Battle of the River Plate" when it first came out (ulp!)
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ambernblu on September 01, 2006, 05:04:48 pm
... yep, dreadful - I certainly don't want to be reminded of the dissection of frogs in Biology lessons thanks!  ;D

But Colin's right about Exeter - a lovely warship (her sister by contrast, York, is quite ugly) I picked up the Airfix kit from a Wargames bring and buy stall - still not built it as I intended to use it to assist in building a bigger R/C model - still not done that either....  :D

Guess I know all the words in that film off by heart. (Now is that sad or what  :( ) Exeter was a Colony class wasn't she - or a Swiftsure, can't remember, but Achilles played herself as i recall. Shame about the Yankee 8" gunned Cruiser masquerading as Graf Spee - ever noticed the bit in the film where they even justified Graf Spee having the large white numbers at her bows!!  ;D Mean of the yanks not to paint them out - oh and remove a turret?  ;D
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 01, 2006, 05:12:20 pm
heard on local radio station this morning the Hornby were thinking of bidding for Airfix don't know how true it was

its true :)
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 01, 2006, 05:27:33 pm
Quote
Mean of the yanks not to paint them out - oh and remove a turret? 

Or blow it up at the end  ;D

Quite right about the Colony class portaying Exeter Brian:

- Ships used in the film:

HMS Sheffield as HMS Ajax
INS Delhi (formerly HMNZS Achilles) as HMNZS Achilles (only had 3 turrets in the film though)
HMS Cumberland as HMS Cumberland (but in her post war test ship rig with no big guns!)
Heavy Cruiser USS Salem as the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee
HMS Jamaica as HMS Exeter.
HMS Birmingham was used as a camera ship.
The supply ship Altmark was played by the fleet oiler Olna.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: cbr900 on September 01, 2006, 05:36:57 pm
This Humbrol mess must be pretty serious as it made the evening news in Tasmania over here in Australia, guess we will just have to wait and see.>>

Roy
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ambernblu on September 01, 2006, 05:43:15 pm
Thanks Colin - amazing eh!  ;)

I forgot about the Cumberland (yep, no guns if you look closely - fat lot of good then after steaming (in a-n-t-i-cipation mind you!) all the way from the Falklands  ;D

Didn't know about the Olna or HMS Birmingham either... interesting.

Most memorable bit of the film is the Commodore (or has he just been promoted to rear Admiral?) showing his Cabin blasted to bits (along with his set of golf clubs!) .... saying something like 'one Knight Commander of the Bath, and two Companions of the bath and not a bloody single bath tub between us...!  :D

You know what they say - little things.....!
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Daryl on September 01, 2006, 08:58:18 pm
The Frog HMS Exeter is being issued by a Russian firm ( Isveta I think), they pop up on Ebay regularly. My son built one last year when we saw one in a model shop at Weymouth. Hannants I beleive list it. The moulds have detereorated since the Frog days, the deck is warped along with several other fittings, lots and lots of flash, a few miss-shapen bits of plastic that may resemble fittings, and the usual fit problems. It is a challenge to build and make a good job of it.

The kit depecits Exeter after her re-fit after the Battle of The River Plate just before she set out on her last mission. To get her in the River Plate condition requires some surgury and filler which the kits needs to build it anyway! The scale is odd to and nothing like the scale on the box.

I too am afan of the film and was glad when it was realeased on DVD as by that time I had wore out 2 videos.


Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ambernblu on September 02, 2006, 07:16:19 am

Sorry guys, .... oops, just been looking for my Exeter kit and its a Matchbox 1/700th waterline model.... must be me getting old. I do remember fighting someone off at the time to get to it on the stand! Paid £2.00 for it and its all there too.  ;D  Cheers, Brian
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ambernblu on September 04, 2006, 08:22:26 am
...There is an interesting report on the Model Rail Express mag site this morning regarding Hornby's interest in Humbrol/Airfix.

http://www.mremag.demon.co.uk/hpsite/index.htm

Scroll down to Monday 04/09/06 and then to 'Airfix in Trouble'....
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: OneBladeMissing on September 04, 2006, 05:17:43 pm
It's been interesting to hear and read journalists recalling their days building Airfix kits with their dads. One recurring theme seems to be that they found difficulties putting the kits together sometimes and couldn't complete the model as shown on the box. They must be thick! It's not rocket science!
Or does a tale about glueing the propellor to the pilots' head while building a Spitfire make for a more humourous story for the punters?
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: warspite on September 04, 2006, 05:47:41 pm
Other than shooting up the damaged ones with an air rifle, some of the aircraft, most of the tanks etc still exist in the loft, some ertl trucks and space vessels are also up there, found a couple of unbuilt matchbox harriers for an aircraft carrier i was planning to build in 82 and a large puma (not the bodmoor one), funny how the best laid plans etc
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Fast Electricals on September 11, 2006, 10:42:07 pm
Back in the days of coal fires, my old or damaged Airfix planes would mysteriously crash land into the coals, where they would spectacularly burst into flames!

Neil
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: White Ensign on September 19, 2006, 08:21:49 am
Have been in two of my favourite model-shops yesterday. One is still holding the whole range of Humbrol-colours, the other one keeps colours by "Model-Master" since a view years. I asked them why: They told me that the responsible Humbrol- salesman never (or badly) answered their requests. Though they changed to Model-Master anyway.
Though the question is obvious: Was it a "bad" service which lead to a "Go-down" in business-figures? Or was it just a "matter of time", being held by a foreign company? I was distraught reading about the administration of Humbrol and airfix, as the kits had been a part of my childhood. And I think that the virus of modeling was placed by their kits.....

Jörg
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Daryl on September 19, 2006, 09:01:43 am
My local model shop had a similar tale about Humbrol, thier main complaint was that they had to order a large quantity of paint. regular smaller orders would have suited them better as if they run out of a particular colour then it can be months before they get some more as they wait for other shades to run out.

They also didn't like the range of railmatch paints as the screw top often broke on the jar, Tamiya also came in for a bit of flak in the large amount of paint they had to order, but not so much as Humbrol.

Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Shipmate60 on September 19, 2006, 10:57:30 pm
One of my local model shope tells the same story about Humbrol reps.
Shame, but he changed to Revel paints about a year ago.

Bob
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ron h on September 19, 2006, 11:28:55 pm
I only use White Ensign Model,s paint these days, ::) ::)
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: cbr900 on September 20, 2006, 05:21:11 am
I was informed by a model shop owner that there has been five companies put in prices to buy Humbrol and Airfix, So they may well survive yet...


Roy
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: White Ensign on September 20, 2006, 07:50:42 am
Ron- did I have delivered any paints to you???  ;D
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: ambernblu on September 20, 2006, 07:57:45 am

My son managed to pick up the 5 Humbrol colours I needed (3 single tinlets and two doubles) without any problems just this weekend. As I understood our local model shop, the Administrators are allowing vans into Humbrol's warehouse in Southampton to load up with the stock that is sitting there - obviously creditors still need paying in the meantime until they get a buyer. Cheers, Brian
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: cbr900 on September 20, 2006, 02:57:47 pm
The two model shops I was in today had plenty of paint in stock and both said there was still no problems buying more.....



Roy
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: justboatonic on September 20, 2006, 07:46:24 pm
I can assure everyone that all companies, not just Humbrol, make it very difficult for any store or business venture, to order in small amounts fo stock. Nearly every wholesaler has a 'minimum order' requirement and many wont ship goods where the order is less than, say, £50.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: White Ensign on September 20, 2006, 08:17:25 pm
This reminds me on a joke I have heard a while ago...

There was this lad, joining on a Friday eve a Sex-shop, buying a gros of condoms. On Monday morning he returned, claiming to the clerk that there had been just 138 in.

"Beg your pardon, Sir", stated the clerk and passed him the 6 condoms, "I don`t have known that we spoiled your weekend...."

Well, if a shop just passes orders for 10 or 20 cans that`s obvious, but if it is a regular customer I may send him the wanted items, collecting his orders and bills together. I wonder what the problem is with that..... here it is a ususal practice for well-known customers...
Don`t make business more difficult as it use to be..

Jörg
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Aston on September 20, 2006, 08:54:00 pm
It's worth noting that if you go on the Airfix website, try the shop section and you get

The shop is temporarily closed.
The owner has closed the shop while the stock information is being updated. The site should be open again shortly. Please come back soon.  

Try the Forum and and you get

It is with regret that we are no longer able to support the on-line AIRFIX Forums.

Everything else on the AIRFIX website remains the same.

We will continue to update the site with news and new releases.  

Hope they sort it out soon, I have two of the 1:72 Severn Class Lifeboats on order that were due out in October ( latest of a long line of revised dates !)

Aston





Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Daryl on September 20, 2006, 09:14:14 pm
My model shop complained that both Humbrol/Airfix and Tamiya with their paints had a high minimmum order value/quantity and with Humbrol lost interest in thecustomer if they put in what they thought small orders and then failing to deliver on time. The constant late deliveries was a big complaint of theirs along with the apathywhenthey tried to case up the order.

Lets hope whoever takes over sorts the mess out quickly. guess we shall not see the 1/48 Canberra or Nimrod, pity.....

I take it liking aeroplanes on this forum is Heressey.

Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: White Ensign on September 21, 2006, 08:39:30 am
Hoping the best...... and expecting the worst.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: SailorFred on September 22, 2006, 11:28:36 am


OK, if Humbrol doesn't resurrect itself, what are the practical alternatives?

(Quality, consistency, range of colours etc.)


Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: George Turner Models on September 22, 2006, 11:41:22 am
We use Citadel paints for our figures which are available from Games Workshop - George actually prefers these to Humbrols.
Sharon
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Tom@Crewe on September 22, 2006, 02:16:25 pm
I may be trying to look on the bright side, but for most modelling in the uk Humbrol is the choice paint, Wont some paint company buy Humbrol?
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: SailorFred on September 22, 2006, 07:24:58 pm


Under normal circumstances a buy-out would be likely, but there have been rumours that the product doesn't fully comply with EC Regulations and would probably have been discontinued anyway?

If that is the case, it's unlikely that a buyer would come forward.

Fred






Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Daryl on September 22, 2006, 09:42:14 pm
I heard from a industry source that they were discontinuing the enamel due to the RoHS regulations and introducing their acrylic range which unlike the last time could be airbrushed. This was supposed to happen now so the formula and production line should be ready or nearly so any potential buyer should have this resource as part of the package.

My self I use Tamiya or Revell and for large areas Halfords car paint.

Hopefully things will get sorted out quickly.

I notice in the Bieck range there is some old Airfix kits like the Blom and Voss bomber the Henschel HS125 etc. I wonder if they bought the moulds or liecences them. If so I wonder if they are interested in whats left???

Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: barriew on September 23, 2006, 04:40:09 pm
Next month's MMI carries information about the launch of Humbrol's new acrylic range ;D

Barrie
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: dougal99 on September 23, 2006, 08:49:51 pm
Next month's MMI carries information about the launch of Humbrol's new acrylic range ;D

Barrie

That shows how longthe magstake in preparation - hardly the daily news :(
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Pointy on September 24, 2006, 12:02:22 am
So long Airfix and Humbrol, I won't miss you at all.
There are plenty of other model companies out there doing just fine and not making excuses about playstations. Adults also like to model but Aifix so basic, nasty soft plastic, poor detail- compare to Tamyia or Trumpter kit, so much better than anything Airfix used to churn out. More toy like than model. Doesn't matter how many times you release a product in a new box- same old tired mouldings. Heller also poor- its not just the huge plastic railings in their ship kits- its basic things lilke the 1/400 Sharnhorst having the wrong dimentions for its hull. As for humbrol- nasty watery reactive stuff. To watery to paint with, to lumpy to spray! What are we paying for- the tin? Don't worry and don't get all misty eyed about the companies of your childhood- time to move on to better things!
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: rats on September 24, 2006, 01:08:43 am
 Disagree Pointy !
    Yes your right kits were not top quality but they probably made everyone on this forum into the modellers they are today good bad and in some cases absolutely brilliant ! They will be missed most of all because it was ( pocket money terms ) so cheap to buy one and find out if modelling was for you - for the life of me I could not recomend a kit to a kid that cost say less than £10 that would give as much pleasure as those pocket money kits did when I was younger !

             cheers rats
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Daryl on September 24, 2006, 09:47:22 am
I tend to agree with Pointy, my son prefers to model Tamiya or Hasegawa as they have better detail in 1/700 than the Heller/Airfix kits. I tend to read some of the on-line reviews of the aircraft kits and the underlieing opionion is that Airfix kits does contain more than their share of errors.

But having said that they did produce some unique kits, their HMS Belfast is quiete good and the only constructional  hic-up is the bridge, as per normal with the Airfix stuff out with the scalpel/ filler.

I do hope however they will continue in some form or other and the new owners invest in the moulds to improve fit etc. This I know is very costly but it is well over due.

As anyone done the maths on the Airfix TSR3, limited to a 10k production run, retailed at £15, I can't see how they covered their
production and development costs let alone made a profit. With this buisness acumen I'm not surprised they folded.

Daryl
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Pointy on September 24, 2006, 10:59:33 am
Respect to you rats but consider,

Yes, Airfix was a great introduction to modeling.....20 or 30 years ago. It would be better to introduce a new person to the hobby with a modern quality item to get them 'hooked' rather than put off when parts break easily on the spruce, melt with any excess glue or simply don't fit right- Aifix are cheap and it shows.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: cbr900 on September 24, 2006, 02:27:47 pm
POINTY,

Mate you have a good point there, as a young fellow a couple of days ago I had a good supply of Airfix kits hanging everywhere and on shelves, and I  would bet that probably 80 percent of kids from my era also started with Airfix, maybe we do not really remember whether they were in actual fact correct as  they should have been, but they served a purpose of sparking an interest, but the point you made that maybe better quality kits would serve the modern society that we have now better...


Roy
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Pointy on September 24, 2006, 10:49:19 pm
Of course its Airfix's fault it has happened.

Why were they in such a weakend state to be taken over by Heller in the first place? Shall we look at their nearest contempory Revell? They are about the same age, European and are going strong. They diversified, their kits are high quality and popular. Its poor management and its the workers who suffer- look what happened to another British company, Rover- just how many body kits could they dress up that ancient 25 in? They were given money to develope new models but how did management spend it- on a racing team for goodness sake! Is there anything we still make in this country?
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: maninthestreet on September 24, 2006, 11:07:36 pm
Some how, I wish I never started this thread.  :-\
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Pointy on September 24, 2006, 11:09:03 pm
You say "no offence" but your last post was very rude, by the way the patriotic card is a pathetic way to argue the merits of any company. You are right of course right, I am not an 'expert' on Airfix but how can anybody make any comment on anything with your line of reasoning. I am just as frustrated as you about the situation, who the hell wants to see another U.K company go down but it has and it did so because of among other things better competition.

 Insulting strangers will do nothing to change the situation psships, Moderated.

With respect

Pointy.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Pointy on September 24, 2006, 11:16:12 pm
Your childish behaviour will be reported to the moderator.

Moderated.
Title: Re: Humbrol in Adminstration ???
Post by: Martin (Admin) on September 25, 2006, 04:20:47 am



I've Moderated this thread as fairly as possible I hope!.....

I'm putting down the strong words, to the unusually warm weather at the moment, weekend beer, a touch of sun and fond or bitter memories of Airfix kits and getting glue on the bed spread..... and mum going mad.

Lets not let it get personal, we're all entitled to own opinions... no matter how wrong I am.  ::)


It's a pity to see Airfix / Humbrol in trouble, hopefully something good can come out of it.

Martin - Mayhem.