Best Airfix kits and models for 2023

While away the hours and take some well-deserved me-time with an Airfix kit. Once the Airfix models are built, you can proudly display your creation as a thing that will be treasured for years to come. If you're looking for a gift for anyone who loves history, cars, militaria, aircraft, spacecraft, or even just crafting, then you might like to consider getting them an Airfix kit this Christmas. Airfix kits come in at a range of different price points, but the cheaper models don't compromise on quality. Read on to discover our pick of the best Airfix kits!

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What are Airfix models?

Airfix is one of the world best-loved manufacturers of plastic model kits, and have everything from scale replicas of WWII aircraft to iconic ships, trains, figures and even mystery boxes (we love a mystery box here on Gathered). Traditionally, the kits require painting, then glueing together to create the beautifully intricate Airfix models that you often see proudly displayed at country fairs (has anyone been to the Granfer's Day tent at the Great Dorset Steam Fair?).

Airfix is the oldest UK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits and has been producing kits for the mass market since 1952.

The new range of Quickbuild kits has introduced the hobby to a new generation of builders, as these brick-based Airfix models do not require painting or glue in the assembly process. Just crack open the box, build, and enjoy. Airfix also has a range of resin models to complement your Airfix models, and help you create realistic and impactful battlefield dioramas.

Airfix has a thriving online community, and there is always someone around eager to talk about the finer details on, for example, a Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 or a Type 45 Destroyer.

Like Hoover and vacuum cleaners, the name Airfix is often used to describe generic model-building kits. But for the purposes of this article, we will only be talking about the genuine Airfix-branded models.

Buy a Humbrol A3 Cutting Mat

Protect your workspace with the official Airfix cutting mat. This A3 cutting mat is double-sided and self-sealing with markings for 1:72, 1:76, 1:32, 1:48 and 1:24 scale models. It also features 1cm square grid pattern as well as 30, 45, 72, 90 and 120-degree angle markings - ideal for fiddly Airfix models.

What size are Airfix models?

Airfix kits come as scale models. You'll see in the description that the models are listed at, for example, 1-600 scale. This means the final model will be 600 times smaller than the real deal.

Similarly, a 1-48 scale model means the model will be 48 times smaller than the real thing. The 1-48 scale is probably one of the most popular in model making and is often referred to as the "quarter-inch" scale. This is because 1/4 of an inch on the model equals 1 foot on the full-size original. You'll be familiar of course, with the 1-48 scale if you know your trains - as it's also known as O Guage or O Scale.

How long does Airfix glue take to dry?

It depends on the type of glue you're using. Model Filler is touch-dry after around 1-2 hours but takes 24 hours to dry fully. Poly Cement will be surface dry after 20-30 minutes, and fully dry after an hour. Balsa Cement is the quickest drying, taking just 20-30 minutes.

Best Airfix kits

Are you looking to buy a gift for a loved one, but don't know where to start? Or perhaps you want to treat yourself? (You deserve it!) Here is our selection of the best Airfix kits that you can buy for in 2023.

We have given each Airfix kit a skill rating from 1 to 4. Airfix kits with a 1 rating are for the beginner (or casual modeller), and 4 is for the more experienced, or enthusiastic modeller.

Editors pick - our favourite Airfix kits!

One Small Step for Man

July 21st 1969, and astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. He stepped onto the Moon's surface, in the Sea of Tranquillity, at 02.56 GMT, nearly 20 minutes after first opening the hatch on the Eagle landing craft. This Airfix kit lets you make your own lunar landing module, and even comes with 16 astronaut figures!

Mystery Box

Buy now: £22.99 - £75, Airfix website

Airfix sells a number of mystery boxes on their website, organised into categories. There is the vintage classics mystery box, aircraft mystery box, ships mystery box and military kits mystery box. So if you can't decide which to buy, the mystery boxes are a great option. You can make some good savings, too.

Titanic gift set 1:400

RMS Titanic was an Olympic-class passenger liner owned by the White Star Line and built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, NI. On the night of 14 April 1912, during her maiden voyage, the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank two hours and forty minutes later, early on 15 April 1912, with the loss of 1514 lives. At the time of her launching in 1912, she was the largest passenger steamship in the world.

Quickbuild Coca-Cola VW Camper Van

Airfix Quickbuild models are exciting, simple, snap-together models suitable as an introduction to modelling. We're completely in love with this Coca-Cola branded VW Camper Van here at Gathered - who else is dreaming of running off and starting a new life in the woods? This Airfix model also comes with a sheet of great Coca-Cola self-adhesive sticker designs - nice. And if you prefer the traditional VW camper van colours without the Coca Cola branding - head over to Amazon to pick up the blue Airfix Quickbuild VW Camper Van.

Medium Starter Set: Red Arrows Hawk

The dual control BAE Hawk T. Mk.1 is the RAF's advanced trainer and has been used by the Red Arrows since 1979. This medium starter set is a great first project as it includes poly cement, a paintbrush and the four acrylic paints you need, so you can get modelling straight out of the box.

Airfix models - cars

1930 4.5 litre Bentley

With its front-mounted supercharger, the 4.5 litre Bentley became the quintessential British sports car of the 20s and 30s. It was a stunning road car and a perfect contender for endurance racing.

Jaguar 420

Buy now from: £14.25, Airfix website

This Airfix model has been unavailable for some time and has therefore become highly collectable, therefore making this new piece a worthy addition to any collection - preorder now, to secure yours before Christmas!

Medium Starter Set - Jaguar E-Type

Airfix Starter Sets are ideal for beginners. Medium Starter Sets are a little more challenging to build than the Small Starter Set range and have a few more parts. This Jaguar E-Type kit includes Poly Cement glue, two brushes and six acrylic paints.

VW Beetle

Airfix Starter Sets are ideal for beginners, and this Airfix kit Set includes glue, two brushes and six acrylic paints. Designed in the late 1930s, the Beetle was the original "Volkswagen" or "people's car". The fairly cheap, reliable small car sold well, outstripping original estimates, and it's now a cult classic.

Airfix large starter set - Mini Cooper

One of the most recognisable vehicles on today’s roads, the Mini stands out from the crowd. They come in all colours and designs, and this Airfix kit, the Cooper S, is no exception. The kit comes with decals, poly cement, a paintbrush and four acrylic paints.

Triumph Herald

This Airfix kit includes glue, two brushes and six acrylic paints. The Triumph Herald, introduced in 1959, was looked upon as being quite a radical design. Its tilt forward bonnet and unusual styling, along with all-round independent suspension were a breakaway from the traditional design theories of the era.

Aston Martin DBR 9

The Aston Martin DBR9 has proved to be one of the most successful Aston racing cars of all time, and this Airfix kit includes glue, two brushes and six acrylic paints.

Airfix models - planes

Boulton Paul Defiant Mk1

The Boulton Paul Defiant Mk1 is one of the most popular Airfix kits on Amazon - it has a plethora of five-star reviews and is a firm favourite among the community fan base.

Concorde Gift Set

On the 26th November 2003, the last British Airways Concorde G-BOAF flew low over her birth city of Bristol, before landing at Filton, where she had been built just 24 years earlier. She would be the last Concorde to fly, effectively bringing to an end the historic era of supersonic passenger aviation. Preorder the Concorde Airfix gift set kit now - it's expected in soon!

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Buy now: £48.99, Airfix website

This Airfix kit will keep you occupied for a while! The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight kit contains materials to make an Avro Lancaster B MkIII, a Supermarine Spitfire MkIIa and Supermarine Spitfire PR XIX. It also comes with a display stand, 12 acrylic paints, 2 paintbrushes and 2 tubes of Poly Cement.

Hawker Hurricane

The low price point of the legendary Hurricane MkI makes this an ideal first model for your Airfix journey. Featuring sprues and decals, this is an ideal beginner project and comes in at the easiest skill level.

DeHavilland Tiger Moth

The iconic de Havilland Tiger Moth made its first flight back in 1931 and went on to provide British and Commonwealth air forces with thousands of trained pilots for their operational squadrons, performing a similar role to this day.

Vickers Valiant

The Valiant was the first of the RAF’s V Bomber trio to enter service. This is another fan-favourite, with a plethora of five-star reviews on both the Airfix website and Amazon.

Bristol Beaufort Mk 1

Choose between two different schemes and decide how you want to put together your Beaufort!

Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vc

This is another popular Airfix kit with Amazon customers, and for many people, the Supermarine Spitfire is regarded the most famous fighting aeroplane ever to take to the skies!

Quickbuild Red Arrows Hawk

The pre-coloured pieces of this Quickbuild Red Arrows Hawk push together, without glue or paints, to build this brilliant model which can then be decorated with the included self-adhesive stickers. It also comes with a display stand to show off your handiwork!

Dogfight Doubles gift set: Spitfire vs Messerschmitt

This kit contains eight acrylic paints, two brushes, Poly Cement (glue), pieces to make a Supermarine Spitfire MkIa, and pieces to make a Messerschmitt Bf109E-4.

Large Airfix models

Looking for a more in-depth build? In addition to the 1:400 scale Titanic listed above, here are some of the large Airfix models you can buy:

Apollo Saturn V

The Saturn V was the largest operational launch vehicle ever produced, standing over 363 feet high with its Apollo Spacecraft payload, producing over 7.5 million pounds of thrust at lift-off! It enabled the crew of Apollo 11 and subsequent Apollo crews to leave the pull of the Earth's gravity and reach the moon.

HMS Victory

Profits from the sale of the HMS Victory Airfix kit go towards the preservation of Naval heritage.

Type 45 Destroyer

The Royal Navy's destroyer, the Type 45 has the most distinctive design. Her sleekly designed straight edges and superstructure free from clutter is designed to give the ship a low radar cross-section commonly called stealth features. This is reported to give her a radar signal no larger than a fishing boat!

Large starter set - BAE Harrier

Airfix also has large starter kits - these are kits that contain all you need to make the model, just more! Like this BAE Harrier Airfix kit.

We hope you’ve enjoyed browsing through all the best Airfix kits! For more gift ideas head over to our craft subscription box collection and paint by number kits which are both full of fun craft ideas.