AIRFIX
FROM PLASTIC PARTS
TO MODELING ICON
Airfix was founded in 1939 by Hungarian businessman Nicholas Kove, and originally manufactured rubber toys until pivoting to injection-molded plastics in 1947. Kove came up with the name “Airfix” only because he wanted a name ending in “fix” and believed it would come up first alphabetically in trade directories if it started with an “A”. After the end of World War ll, Kove switched production to pocket combs and became the UK’s largest comb manufacturer. Airfix really took off in 1949 when they were commissioned to produce a model of the Ferguson TE20 tractor, learning that it's much more costly to hand assemble products rather than selling in kit form. This is what paved the way to Airfix’s success and first construction kit in 1952, the “Golden Hind", a model of Sir Francis Drake's ship.
AIRFIX THROUGH THE DECADES
When the following year came around, Airfix launched its first aircraft model, a 1:72 scale of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk l. Exploding in popularity, the Airfix brand became a household name in the UK, selling and expanding their products throughout the 1970’s. However, by the time the 1980’s rolled around, the Airfix brand went downhill. In 1981, Airfix went bankrupt and had to work under brands such as Humbrol and Borden for the next couple of decades until being bought by Hornby in 2006. Although the Airfix efforts fell through, its legacy still lives on through the Hornby brand, producing sets for beginners, all the way to highly detailed modern tooling releases.
