However, I had the oportunity toask someone who had been a senior executive at Heller-Humbrol, why the same mistake (hull too narrow abreast B-turret) had been made in both the 1/600 and 1/1200 Airfix kits of HMS Hood. He replied that the same pattern (master model) had been used to make the moulds for both scales. Early Airfix kits were moulded from a centre sprue. Nowadays most injection moulded kits have a sprue as a frame around the outside of the parts. Airfix would have had some parts fall off during de-moulding but their system would have used less plastic and would have fit in a smaller box but probably employed more staff...
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I think there is a misunderstanding of the production processes. I might be a bit outdated in my technology, but Plastic models require a machined metal mold and are vacuum-formed plastic sheet or molten injection. designed to produce "XXXX" number of moldings to keep costs profitably. It is 1960s technology. Certain "Die-Casts" use a Metal mold as well.
I love our scale, but it is unlikely more designs will be processed this way, especially off of older model designs. However, surviving molds can be re-utilized if in good shape.
A pantograph is a mechanical method of reducing (or enlarging) scales for a drawing or in sculpting or cutting tools.
Modern Metal and Resin cast models use a "Master" to produce a mold, often silicone, and molten metal or liquid resin is "infused" to produce "XX" of a same size model
3D models use computer programs where a reduction in scale can be programed in and individually (X)smaller scale models produced by building up of resin deposits.
Just as a quick overview of processes involved. Hope this helps the discussion. Previous Message
I had the Ark Royal and the Hood - both were great models. I am told that the Airfix 1/1200 ships were created by pantograph back in the 1970s from the 1/600 series. Hoping they produce another series. Previous Message
I once had the Airfix 1/1200 Ark Royal. It was a pretty nice little kit. Previous Message
Airfix has re-released the "Sink the Bismarck" ships in 1/1200 in the UK. There are rumors that they may produce other ships that they reduced from 1/600.
Hoping anyway.
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