I have both. The Gecko is a much better kit except for the awful tyre seams. The Airfix is a more simple easy build but be prepared to fill injector pin marks in the cab at minimum. Gecko instructions don't have colour callouts during the build so watch some vids for the detail colours. For me the photo etched parts, the option of stretchers in the down position and the various extras was a clincher on the two otherwise perfectly good kits
@frontlinemodelhobbies653 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the heads up and the pit falls for either kit. Its interesting to see peoples different interpretation of each kit. All the best and sorry for the late reply
@EMTBonsai2 жыл бұрын
Love that the airfix manager or person who over looks the development is not to amused with the Airfix kit himself! Blackdog have done a nice resin blanket and first aid bag set for the Airfix kit it's actually really nice so went n ordered a box for my Gecko kit now it's finished the blankets n cusions included could be better but they are there that's the main thing!
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
No I don’t think they are too happy with Airfix offering. I was talking to someone the other day and it seemed a rush job to get theirs out before Gecko kit. Yeah black dog stuff is awesome you can’t go wrong with their stuff👍👍
@yakidin63 Жыл бұрын
Sometimes when you have 40 or so unfinished kit’s sitting all over the place you need a kit with few parts that you’ll actually complete. That’s why I bought the Academy /Airfix kit and won’t buy the Gecko. On another day if I wanted a detailed kit I might have bought the Gecko. It’s always great to have the choice.
@tiggywigmonster2 жыл бұрын
It constantly baffles me how some modellers simply judge a kit by how many parts and or how much etch is supplied in the box. I bet if both kits were built and painted to the same standard it would be difficult to tell them apart without having to do a close inspection. It is the relatively simple build and minimum etch that attracts me to the Airfix kit over the Gecko one, but I would not rubbish the Gecko one. Each offers a different experience to the modeller and it is good that there is that choice available.
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
You know what, I’m sticking to my review. Tbh I totally understand that both kits are buildable and that the Airfix one is easier to build, but the detail in the Gecko kit including surface detail is nothing compared to the Airfix kit for one. Secondly the price, if the Airfix one is easier and less in detail, why is not cheaper by more than what I have seen. The PE parts in the Gecko kit are not exactly hard to bend and place onto the kit, 90% of it are box sections and are meant to be flat like the wiper blades. The interior is much nicer in the Gecko kit, so with the doors open, the detail shines through, it is not like a Zoukei Mura kit where majority of the parts cannot be seen. So for those reasons the Gecko kit shines. Also to mention that Gecko were forced to reduce sales, of which I cannot go into for legal reasons, of which I think that is shit, if you knew you would understand.
@jchinuk2 жыл бұрын
I think you are right Martin, the Airfix & Gecko kits are aimed at different markets and I would wager a small sum (though I'm not a betting man) that the Airfix kit will outsell the Gecko one. The Airfix K2 is No.3 in Hannants sales 'hit parade'. There are people who only buy Airfix kits.
@tiggywigmonster2 жыл бұрын
@@jchinuk Hi John. Over on the Interesting Modelling Co one of the guys summed it up perfectly. He said looking at both kits he would marvel at the Gecko kit but buy the Airfix one.
@MrFish1968 Жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed the Airfix one, but I think I'll also buy this now..
@frontlinemodelhobbies653 Жыл бұрын
Yeah the Gecko one is a great kit and with various options available. All the best and sorry for the late reply
@NigelsModellingBench Жыл бұрын
Having built the Airfix kit I can say that it goes together beautifully. The decals didn't need a white "undercoat", in fact I toned them down as they were so bright. As a lover of PE I can understand where you are coming from regarding the quantity of PE in the kits, but really, does the extra PE,(other than the radiator grille) really add to the kit? These days we have kits coming out with more and more PE, but really, sometimes it's overkill. Add to that the fact that the Gecko grille is the wrong shape for a wartime K2. I have the Gecko kit, and have done a comparison video, and no.. I am not an Airfix fanboy but I really feel for the average modeller the Airfix kit is the better bet. If only the Airfix version had better detail regarding the canvas back end?
@frontlinemodelhobbies653 Жыл бұрын
Thats fair enough, the kit was not built but on the backing paper looked a bit opaque, but obviously not. My gripe about Airfix was the price compared to gecko and the fact that the gecko kit is way more detailed and accurate compared to the Airfix version. So different interpretation in everything i suppose. Sorry for the late reply
@petesmodelcarcustoms5842 жыл бұрын
Great comparison. I'm glad I've bought the gecko kit. It wins ,the level of detail is vastly superior and after all the time of Airfix hype plus waiting time has been wasted by releasing theirs. Have fun building them and best wishes from jolly old Norfolkshire 👍😎Pete 🤓
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
Hi Pete, thank you for the kind comments. Yeah it is a shame about Airfix, but I am glad you have got the Gecko one, money well spent. Hope you have fun building yours and all the best👍👍
@petesmodelcarcustoms5842 жыл бұрын
@@frontlinemodelhobbies653 I glad I hung on before buying. My brother,Bob of Greybeard Models ,has both, but got discount on airfix as he'd ordered it two years ago 🤷♂️. Airfix really aren't on the ball,but maybe the airfix kit will appeal to younger or less experienced modeller. I'm busy looking for Sylvia Simms for a starring roll😉
@orwellboy1958 Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate that was really interesting and just what I was looking for, I had not come across Gecko before so a side by side comparison was very useful. I am old school though and not a huge fan of P E and from the retailers I use the Gecko kit is slightly more expensive. So it's Airfix for me.
@frontlinemodelhobbies653 Жыл бұрын
Hi Dave That’s no problem, some people are going to be put off by the PE. At least you got something from the video. All the best👍
@stevemercer9522 жыл бұрын
We do e on your video. It doesn't surprise me that the Gecho kit is far more complex than the Airfix. I'm not defending Airfix, but I would suggest that their kit is aimed at a different market. The Gecko kit is high quality for the very experienced modeller, whereas Airfix caters much more for the beginner as Airfix always has. The comparison is interesting but I think you're comparing apples with oranges
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
Well if Airfix is catered for the beginner why is the price not reflected this way. I don’t think that the Gecko kit is that of a harder kit to go together, but when I get the report back I will do a follow up.
@randytaylor125817 күн бұрын
That's your only argument -- more detail for the price. While the Gecko kit may seem to offer more detail, it doesn't work if average modellers are afraid to tackle it.
@ScaleModelIncLIVE2 жыл бұрын
'which one would you rather buy' - the one with the best results, for minimum fuss. looking at these two kits, the airfix wins in that catagory. The Gecko looks a nice kit, but too many parts for me, and most of the modellers i know. I woould guess they're aimed at different markets. Besides, the 'airfix' one, is actually an Academy tool, for reasons that beat me. The decals arent really an Issue, i spent 2 hours watching ice cold in alex and taking notes on all the peculiarities of Katy in the film, the wagon they used is battered and beaten up, so they need weathering anyway
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
Good point with the weathering, that always seems to sort things out. And i am unsure why Academy is doing the molding, but that is for Airfix, I have tried to not mention a lot about why things are done, because unless we know exactly there is no point in guessing. I am still wondering why (but i probably know why the cost is so much, outsourcing to a company that may charge more, probably), Airfix could have charged less for this kit, if it is so more buildable than the Gecko kit then it could have been more for the beginner and a much reasonable cost, say between £25 and £30, then i probably wouldn't have had so much a problem with the kit. Not to mention that the Gecko kit looks more appealing in detail and should build into a fantastic kit.
@jchinuk2 жыл бұрын
@@frontlinemodelhobbies653 It's an interesting historical point, but I don't think Airfix have ever produced a 1/35th themselves, all their 1/35th kits, right back to the Bedford QL, were re-boxings of other people's kits. Perhaps Airfix don't have a suitable ruler for 1/35th scale?
@randytaylor12582 жыл бұрын
@@jchinuk Airfix produced a Crusader III -- in 1:32 scale. Nice kit too, but off-scale for the market, like Monogram (1/32) and Revell.(1:40).
@EMTBonsai2 жыл бұрын
Leave the roof vents off the Gecko one till the decals go on they don't have the cut out like Airfixs! What a fantastic kit though the step can be built folded out alot of builders are complaining you can't do it like Airfix but you can I've done mine perfectly!
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the heads up Charlie that’s good info for people building the kit, thank you👍👍👍
@jchinuk2 жыл бұрын
The Gecko kit appears to include parts on the sprues for further releases, like the early style roof vents.
@EMTBonsai2 жыл бұрын
I do want to see the desert box art kit inside! It does say (early war) on the other box art so it should have the round cylinder type roof vents amd no inside roof grab handles! If you look at katy in the film you'll notice she has 2 different types of roof vents early type on the front and late type on the back! So just a little accuracy thing to point out if doing one of the Katy versions in a 2WD variant! Film was a 4WD for the sand dunes in the film! See our gecko kit it a mid with late extras in box and extention for exhaust to run up the side to the roof, Love this is included! The smaller spare wheel cover behind the driver for the late is included aswell but the roof vents we have the mid to late square type not the early round type and we have the large door cut out at spare wheel this is only on the mid/late! Also so just be careful on interior colour choice it'll be more the white not the mustard in back interior colour! Not even sure if the desert war had these later k2ys?
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
Thanks again Charlie for the info on the types and variants👍👍👍
@unknownrobot28812 жыл бұрын
Legal argument reminds me of the argument between Rapido trains and Hornby over the Titfield Thunderbolt ( despite Rapido having got the rights from Studiocanal Film company ) Didn't end well for Hornby. Which company is it that owns Airfix now ....?
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
I haven’t a clue, obviously Hornby, don’t think anyone else is in charge. Must admit it was a very stupid argument, but for legal reasons cannot explain who, if it changes I will.
@jchinuk2 жыл бұрын
Without 'naming names', you only have to watch the 'fly on the wall' series about Hornby, which covered Airfix, to see that (if you believe the TV) far too much of the management decision-making is centred on one person, who, some might say, is not the best suited to hold that responsibility.
@randytaylor12582 жыл бұрын
@@frontlinemodelhobbies653 So you weren't invited to Airfix's open house for online producers? Hmm.
@randytaylor125817 күн бұрын
And you didn't attempt tp actually build either kit?
@randytaylor125817 күн бұрын
3 times as many parts doesn t necessarily make for a better model. I've spoken with many modellers who have chosen the Aifrfix kit BECAUSE it has fewer etched parts. They are much harder tp handle. Do you really need to see the radiator through the etched grill?
@keithmartland64632 жыл бұрын
I have two Airfix kits, due to a cock up in the ordering, as we were waiting , how many years? That being said, i find the Airfix kit around £15 to 20 overpriced for what you get, i will be ordering the Gekko kit. Good review BTW!
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
Oh ok, but get one free hey🤣🤣 Yes I agree, if the kit was less for the Airfix one then that would have been fine, I probably wouldn’t have made a fuss about it. It’s like reviewing cars, if you have two that are competing for the same class from two different manufacturers, and one is completely crap and is around the same price, you are going to say that. But obviously can’t for modelling lol. Thank you for the very kind comments and all the best.
@keithmartland64632 жыл бұрын
I did, they said you can send it back! but the other point was one was cheaper than the other, £27 to £33
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
@@keithmartland6463 ok that is Weird, they must have realised that the price was too high or given you a discount or something🤣🤣🤣
@keithmartland64632 жыл бұрын
Hi i think the lower price was for when it was announced then as it was ready for release the price went up!
@myk669411 ай бұрын
I suppose Airfix as usual wins on the box presentation
@valerabaranov13485 ай бұрын
Gecko models have incorrect break backing plates on all wheels. They just take from his bedford models. Airfix do all right. Possible to replace wheels with def model wheels (set for airfix), but need some custom work.
@scouseaussie16382 жыл бұрын
Gekko kit is aimed at the rivet counters
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
That is your own opinion, the Airfix kit is mainly for beginners and for people who don’t want major parts and a quick build. But you cannot argue in the cost and for what you get in the Gecko kit. Plus there are parts that are incorrect on the Airfix kit. Let’s face it both will build into nice models, but you can easily say the Gecko needs next to little or no extra details.
@randytaylor12582 жыл бұрын
@@frontlinemodelhobbies653 Again "the cost for what you get". Neither kit approaches Tamiya level pricing.
@philhitchings2 жыл бұрын
complains about the Airfix white decals as being a ball ache but thinks that having to faff about with dozens of PE parts is better! Good grief...
@frontlinemodelhobbies6532 жыл бұрын
I was stating that the decals looked opaque for Airfix. Tbh, if you can’t put some simple pieces of flat PE parts together, that need very in the little way of bending then I’m guessing your not much of a modeller. But you don’t want to complain about that the surface detail in the Gecko kit being more superior to that of Airfix, or about the price being virtually the same🤣. But you are entitled to your opinion👍 God forbid anyone slate Airfix, oh no🤣🤣. If I think the kit is inferior or over prices or just generally crap, then I am going to say that.