How to tell what is a new tool kit?

[MackemPete]

The question is in the title really...
The reason is that the 1st build I did was a Spitfire gift set, now I'm building another mk1a and the detail and the fit seem better.I'm guessing this new one is a new tool kit but what do I look for next time I go a shopping??
Cheers
Pete

[MerlinJones]

The brand new Airfix 1/72 Spitfire Mk.1 should have the number A01071A on the box and, currently, the same artwork as this;

http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/a ... a-a01071a/;

Regards,
Bruce

[MackemPete]

Yep thats the one, but how do I tell when I go for a new kit?
Cheers
Pete

[JamesPerrin]

At least Airfix now reserve "New" for new tools and "New this year" for re-releases - check out their website and catalogues. Of course next year these distinctions will be lost.

Only Airfix and Revell have a habbit of putting (v) old kits in new boxes - basically as they are the only ones who have a large number of old moulds.

Read forums, read magazines. There is no way to know other than research really

[Obi-Jiff Kenobi]

Only Airfix and Revell have a habbit of putting (v) old kits in new boxes - basically as they are the only ones who have a large number of old moulds.

Not strictly true, as all model companies do it to some extent. Hasegawa, for instance, recently released a 1/72 Battle of Britain 'dogfight double' style pack of Spitfire I and Bf109E - I understand the 109 was tooled/retooled in the 1990s, but the Spit dates back to the seventies, has no gull wing, raised panel lines etc, and the set was over £30 rrp!

This is not a dig at Hasegawa, by the way, I'm just using them as an example.

[JamesPerrin]

There's always an exception But there are not many makers who have access to 50 year kits.

[MackemPete]

Thanks guys, I was hoping there was going to be an easy answer, like the code numbers or somthing.
Guess thats me just looking for an easy way, as usual!!!
Cheers
Pete

[Stamford]

Google Airfix xxxxxxx review and you usually find out whats in the box. Some of the older ones are still pretty godd by the way, although granted some are not!

[jssel]

A cruise through our own "In-Box reviews" can help you out also Pete. And there is an archive to the old site for good measure. As Merlin states that the kit numbers with the letter A at the end is an indicator but beware of that because the Hurricane Mk1 has the A and it is the old kit with new decal sheets.

It can be very confusing in short order.

[MerlinJones]

Thanks guys, I was hoping there was going to be an easy answer, like the code numbers or somthing.

Read my post again...properly...and make note of the CODE NUMBER!

A01071A

Think USS Enterprise, in reverse!

[AndrewR]

Think USS Enterprise, in reverse!

That would be 6-VC or 56-NVC then?

[PaulBradley]

The Enterprise in reverse? Didn't realise it's gearbox had a reverse.....

[PaulBradley]

Pete, don't forget you can always ask on this board if you ever have any doubts about the provenance of a kit. Most of us are quite helpful......

[AndrewR]

The Enterprise in reverse? Didn't realise it's gearbox had a reverse.....

It has the praw drive for reverse...

[bassman]

Revell sometimes give it away with very small print under barcode. This small print sometimes gives the origins of the kit (Hasegawa or made in Japan, etc.) But as Paul already said: ask on this forum.
And with the new tool Spitfire: don't forget to shorten the locating pins of the fuselage parts.
Henk