Editing Airfix (section)

=== Expansion ===
[[File:Airfix 57.jpg|thumb|right|Airfix models from 1957]]
During the 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded as the hobby grew. The range expanded to include vintage and modern cars, motorcycles, [[model figure|figures]] in both {{frac|1|76}} and {{frac|1|32}} scale, trains, model railway accessories, military vehicles, ships, rockets and spaceships, as well as an ever-increasing range of aircraft, most created at the scales of {{frac|1|72}} for small and military aircraft and {{frac|1|144}} scale for airliners. The growth of the hobby launched a number of competitors such as [[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox]] and introduced new manufacturers from Japan and the US to the UK. During this period the Humbrol company also grew, supplying paints, brushes, glue and other accessories as an alternative to Airfix's own range. Airfix also launched a monthly modelling magazine, ''[[Airfix Magazine]]'', produced by a variety of publishers from June 1960 to October 1993. During the 1970s, an ''Airfix Magazine Annual'' was also produced; and Airfix books on classic aircraft, classic ships and modelling techniques were published by Patrick Stephens Ltd.

In 1963, the Airfix [[slot car racing]] system was introduced. Airfix produced cars with front-wheel [[Ackermann steering geometry|Ackermann]] steering and, later, conversion kits so that normal Airfix {{frac|1|32}} kit cars such as the [[Ford Zodiac]] and the [[Sunbeam Rapier]] could be raced. The first set had Ferrari and Cooper cars and an 11-foot figure-of-eight track: it cost £4/19/11d. Always in the shadow of the [[Scalextric]] range, the Airfix version attempted to progress with the higher-end Model Road Racing Company (MRRC) range but eventually the venture was abandoned.

Most of Airfix's older range of military vehicles, though sold as [[1:72 scale|{{frac|1|72}}]], are generally accepted as [[OO scale|OO]] or {{frac|1|76}} scale - the subsequent introduction of a small number of true [[1:72 scale|{{frac|1|72}}]] vehicle kits to the Airfix range created controversy regarding the exact scale. Hornby's new packaging shows {{frac|1|72}} or {{frac|1|76}} as appropriate.

In late 1962, the acquisition<ref>{{harvnb|Knight|1999|p=7}}</ref> of the intellectual property and 35 moulds of [[Rosebud Kitmaster]] gave Airfix its first models of railway locomotives in OO and HO scales and its first motorcycle kit; the [[Ariel Leader#Ariel Arrow|Ariel Arrow]] in {{frac|1|16}} scale. The '60's also saw the introduction of an extremely popular line of boxed {{frac|1|72}} scale military figures.

In the mid-1970s, larger scales were introduced, including detailed {{frac|1|24}}-scale models of the Spitfire, [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]], [[Hawker Hurricane]] and [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier|Harrier "jump-jet"]]. The mid-1970s were a peak time for Airfix. Releasing as many as 17 new kits a year, Airfix commanded 75% of the UK market with 20 million kits per annum.<ref>''The Boys Book of Airfix'' p 134</ref> Series 20 was limited for several years to the 1972 {{frac|1|12}} scale kit of the 1930 Supercharged [[Bentley 4½ Litre]] car, with 272 parts and the option of a 3-volt motor. In 1979 four motorcycles in {{frac|1|8}} scale were added to this series. The company also introduced an addition to the very popular [[toy soldier|plastic soldier]] boxed set line with a {{frac|1|32}} scale version.<ref>[http://www.airfixtoysoldiers.com/ Airfix Toy Soldiers]</ref>

During this period, as well as model kits, Airfix also produced a wide range of toys, games, dolls and art & craft products. It was still producing other plastic products such as homewares at this time. Airfix Industries acquired part of the failing [[Lines Bros|Lines Brothers]]' Tri-ang toy business, then in voluntary liquidation, giving it the [[Meccano]] and [[Dinky Toys]] businesses in 1971. This made Airfix the UK's largest toy company.