Model Maker Reports Apparent Fascination With German Designs

Airfix, an established name in model replica kits of all sorts, said current buying trends show German WWII kits have taken the lead over their counterpart Allied forces kits. German replicas have captured 55 percent of the market, reversing a decades-old sales pattern.

"It does seem slightly odd that the German kits outsell the Allied ones. It certainly doesn't mean that lots of modelers sympathize with the German cause," International Plastic Modelers Society vice president John Tapsell said.

Of this year's total Airfix kits sold, 1.4 million were German replicas, compared to 1.1 million Allied kits, the UK Telegraph reported. And five of their top-selling airplane kits were German warplanes.

Still a perennial favorite, the Supermarine Spitfire led the way in airplane kit sales with 45,000 sold, followed by the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, the De Havilland Mosquito, the Focke Wulf 190D, the Avro Lancaster, the Junkers Ju87 Stuka, the Hawker Hurricane, the P51 Mustang, the Dornier Do17, and in tenth place, the German Mistel.

Other types of kits confirm the trend, with German Panther and Tiger tank models outselling Allied Sherman and Churchill tank models three to one. The best selling ship replica is the German battleship Bismarck, outselling its real-life rival the HMS Hood by almost two to one.

"I think it might be something to do with the typical British fascination with the loser and also an interest in German engineering. British soldiers in the war were in awe of the Tiger tank, for instance, and that sort of interest has remained," Tapsell said.

Airfix spokesman Darrell Burge said, "Across the hobby, there is no doubt that the German models now sell more than the Allied ones. German subjects are far, far more popular and that is increasing. There is a mystique about so many of their war machines that has translated into increased sales."

To keep up with the increase in demand, Airfix is adding several new kits to its product line, including the Messerschmitt 110, a new version of the Me 109, the Junkers Ju88, and a U-boat.

FMI: www.airfix.com