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What is the Hornby era system for model railway?
Posted in: Model Railway
24th June 2020
The era system was introduced to model railways so that modellers could easily identify what period in history a...
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What is the purpose of the regulator on a steam locomotive?
Posted in: Rolling stock
23rd October 2023
The purpose of the regulator on a steam locomotive is to control the flow of steam from the boiler to the cylinders....
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Can I get replacement tension-lock couplings?
Posted in: Model Railway
22nd June 2021
If you have an old faithful wagon, coach or locomotive that can no longer enjoy a trip around your layout due to a...
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Why are turnout frogs called frogs?
Posted in: Model Railway
16th February 2021
A lot of the terminology that we use today derives from a pre-industrial time. Before trains were the topic of...
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My PVA glue won't flow from the bottle, should I replace it?
Posted in: Troubleshooting, Best practices
4th September 2019
There is no need to replace the bottle, it is more than likely a build-up of dry glue inside the nozzle. This is a...
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What is the skill level on Airfix kits?

When deciding which Airfix kit to buy most people will understandably want to choose one that is relevant to their capabilities. To help guide you through this decision Airfix kits have a skill level printed on their packaging. But this is only half the story!

The skill level is the last little bit of fine-tuning that you need to do when selecting a model, solely relying on this information could land you with a model that is unsuitable for your needs.

The first step is to choose which range of kit is right for you. There is a quick build range which is most suitable for children under 10 years of age and simply clips together, these kits don't even require painting or gluing.

The next level up is the starter set range which is ideal for younger modellers or first-time kit builders, these do require painting and gluing but everything you need is in the box including brushes, paints, plastic glue and transfers (decals).

Finally, there is the standard range for the more experienced modeller, these do not come with paint or glue because experienced modellers will most likely have their own ideas about what they want to achieve with the model, these models will usually come with decals though.

Once you have decided on your range you can further narrow down the complexity of a model by looking at the product code on the box. The product code will start with the letter A followed by some numbers, the two numbers directly after the A indicate how complex the model is with 01 being perfect for a beginner and 06 models better suited to advanced modellers.

Only now is it time to pay attention to the skill level, it is rated between 1 and 4 with skill level 1 for beginners, 2-3 for intermediate modellers and skill level 4 for experienced modellers. The skill level is based on the number of parts in the kit. By choosing your skill level within the correct range and level of complexity you are sure to have hours of fun building your new Airfix kit.

Posted in: Kit building

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