Airfix Saturn V: when did the tooling changes take place?
- Thread starter Treadwell
- Start date
That's an awesome resource, thank you!
However, it doesn't (at least in this case) document the minor changes that most modelers would not think significant but are to us. Folks here have pointed out certain details on the stage halves needed for X- and Y-Wings occurred sometime between the 70s and when we started analyzing the kits for SS purposes here around 2001 or so.
However, it doesn't (at least in this case) document the minor changes that most modelers would not think significant but are to us. Folks here have pointed out certain details on the stage halves needed for X- and Y-Wings occurred sometime between the 70s and when we started analyzing the kits for SS purposes here around 2001 or so.
Thanks to that site, I've narrowed it down a bit.
I have the 1994 release, and I noted at the time the differences were reported (I'm a little fuzzy now just what those differences are), that they were present on my kit. The site shows only one release between 75 and 94: 1981, "with new parts". That could mean a new sprue and not necessarily changes to the existing ones. So the only question remains is if this version reflects the changes or not.
I have the 1994 release, and I noted at the time the differences were reported (I'm a little fuzzy now just what those differences are), that they were present on my kit. The site shows only one release between 75 and 94: 1981, "with new parts". That could mean a new sprue and not necessarily changes to the existing ones. So the only question remains is if this version reflects the changes or not.
dug up from my old research on this topic from another forum years ago:
"The kit started out life in 1969 as Sk911 and was available continuously until 1980. The kit was then re-tooled into a Snap'n'Glue kit with the addition of large lugs within the body halves. This happened in 1981 (09173) and was then available sporadically (as 09170) until 2004. Under Hornby ownership in 2009 the original CSM and its associated parts and structures were replaced, as they were undersized, with a new sprue of correctly sized parts (renumbered to A11170). This new 2011 A11150 issue has all the parts of the previous A11170 plus an additional sprue of parts to replace the lunar S-IVB stage to Skylab."
One thing not mentioned is the stand changed. I think all the releases thru the 81 re-tool had the square base. Then it went to the round one. I don't know what base the redbox versions (2009) have.
As I recall there are a couple of other small changes over the years that make the vintage ones preferable for a few specific parts (details on the CM for example). The changes for the "snap and glue" added pins for press fitting. Many are invisible when built. But not all. And even the invisible ones can leave visible sink holes from the molding process.
Don't consider this definitive. It's all a bit confusing.
"The kit started out life in 1969 as Sk911 and was available continuously until 1980. The kit was then re-tooled into a Snap'n'Glue kit with the addition of large lugs within the body halves. This happened in 1981 (09173) and was then available sporadically (as 09170) until 2004. Under Hornby ownership in 2009 the original CSM and its associated parts and structures were replaced, as they were undersized, with a new sprue of correctly sized parts (renumbered to A11170). This new 2011 A11150 issue has all the parts of the previous A11170 plus an additional sprue of parts to replace the lunar S-IVB stage to Skylab."
One thing not mentioned is the stand changed. I think all the releases thru the 81 re-tool had the square base. Then it went to the round one. I don't know what base the redbox versions (2009) have.
As I recall there are a couple of other small changes over the years that make the vintage ones preferable for a few specific parts (details on the CM for example). The changes for the "snap and glue" added pins for press fitting. Many are invisible when built. But not all. And even the invisible ones can leave visible sink holes from the molding process.
Don't consider this definitive. It's all a bit confusing.
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I am of the opinion that the changeover was 1994. All my pre-1994 kits make great Y-Wings, and after that not so much. I have about 30 of these kits, but you should still consider this anecdotal evidence, as I actually forget what the differences are since I'm so focused on the Falcon right now...
It very much depends on what parts you need. Attached is one example of a change that happened in '81. With the added pins. I'm working on a number of SS subjects that use the square stand and it was driving me nuts trying to figure out when that changed. Again, turns out this was in 81. BTW the square stand actually returns in some later kits, including some versions of the Airfix Vostok of all things.
Also here are some notes from one of the old 1999 forums by Chris Trice who has probably forgotten more about SS Airfix kits than most of us will ever know, pointing out how the snap-and-fit re-tool made other, albeit subtle, changes. Again it largely depends on what parts you need and/or if the small changes bother you or not. Study the reference well.
Also here are some notes from one of the old 1999 forums by Chris Trice who has probably forgotten more about SS Airfix kits than most of us will ever know, pointing out how the snap-and-fit re-tool made other, albeit subtle, changes. Again it largely depends on what parts you need and/or if the small changes bother you or not. Study the reference well.
bwayne64
Master Member
N
Now ya tell me, ; )
Le shrug. Missing meetings doesn't only mean missing cake, you know... sometimes we talk about important-ish things.
An additional thought- the quality of the kits, and this may sound odd, is better on the older kits. There's quite a different read on the volumes and finer details as the color was slightly different too, but in general... yeah, in this case older = better. For a volume of parts or detail, esp at 65/pop on Amazon these days, you can't beat the cost of the newer... but you may have to bite the bullet and shell out for a vintage or a few of them. That, as with all other, will also take time.
bwayne64
Master Member
Yea I know. Cake is the best part, ; )
The cake is the happy, but not knowing about the kits is the sad... life goes on, Indy.
Satazius (as a Season 1 fan and The Last Enemy... hubba hubba in spaaaace- nice choice on the name)- if I had the means, I'd be getting older AFX left and right. Met Mat Irvine a few years ago and we talked about how you can tell where a production was run from by the donors, and it occurs to me that you can tell some of the 'when' of a production too.
Older has shorter!
bwayne64
Master Member
Thanks, I think my kit has the longer nips. I'll have to dig it out, and ck my nips, lol.
