Member Article

Unmade Airfix kits are a model collection

Thousands of Airfix and other model kits uncovered in a house in South Shields are expected to make up to £6000 at an auction by Anderson and Garland on 18 July.

Compiled over decades, the fine art auctioneers believe it to be the largest ever collection of unmade Airfix construction kits ever sold.

With models that range in complexity from the most simple to the most challenging, the sale is expected to appeal to enthusiasts both across the UK and abroad.

The plastic scale model kits are all housed in their original, sealed packaging and include aeroplanes, military vehicles, cars and bikes. The most unusual include makers like Zvezda, Pavla, Unicraft and Pegasus.

The owner was a shipping engineer working on the Tyne Docks with a passion for kit modelling but tragically died before he had the chance to make his extensive collection up.

Today owned by Hornby, Airfix was founded in 1939 and the pastime of making the kits up grew in popularity as a hobby during the 1960s and 1970s. Despite the passing of time, demand for Airfix model kits remains high.

Fred Wyrley-Birch from Anderson & Garland said: “This is an unusually large collection of Airfix model kits and the sheer breadth of products that have been produced by the company is quite remarkable.

“The fact that the kits are in untouched condition substantially increases their appeal. There is something here for budding model makers and veterans alike – and with prices ranging from just a few pounds up to hundreds of pounds, there is something to suit every pocket too.”

For more information, please visit www.andersonandgarland.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Waddington .