k9

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Everyone,

I have been corresponding with Airfex re their model of the speed boat Bluebird K9

I had one in the 1950s that i put a Jetex Motor in it went like a bat out of hell!

I was asking if Airfix if they would do a reissue of the kit now that Bluidbird is rebuilt. Waterjet power would be the way to go as the Jetex and rocket motors are band in most country,s.

I am waiting on a reply from the team in charge of kits on what the outcome will be,

Cheers Hutch

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Airfix k9 kit

[Empire ParkstoneParticipant @empireparkstone]

K7 perhaps https://www.modeljetdrives.com/bluebird-k7-hydroplane.html

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Empire Parkstone,

The price is approx $ 70.00 Australian plus postage,this is just too much for a kit, that's why I have asked Airfix if they would look at reissuing their kit. And the prop drive is not want I want that's why I was thinking about a Water Jet drive, with the water pick up under the hull and the "Jet pipe" were the thrust comes from.

Cheers

Hutch

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Good luck with that, Hutch.
The cost of tooling for an injection-moulded plastic kit is tens of thousands of pounds and I have grave doubts that Airfix would commit that sort of sum for a model of such a limited appeal. Even if they did then the price of the kit would make that £35 for Speedline's version look paltry – bearing in mind that the Airfix 1/72 scale Avro Lancaster kit is now £30. These international toy companies are run by accountants, not model enthusiasts.
I recall that when Precedent Kits launched the 1/4 scale Stampe biplane kit a bloke told me that we should do a 1/4 scale DH Dragon Rapide, with its 12ft wingspan, "because I reckon it will sell well". I said that we'd likely have just the one interested customer but that even he would go off the idea when he saw the price.
I reckon Airfix will tell you much the same.

Dave M

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Dave,

One can only live in hope that they still have the dies, or even a kit in the archive.A one off from the kit would be great.

I do not think I will be buying a speed line kit any time soon. I do not have that kind of money for kits any more.

Cheers,

Hutch.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Hutch

One can only live in hope that they still have the dies, or even a kit in the archive.A one off from the kit would be great.

This Airfix isn't the same company as the 1950's one, by several subsequent reincarnations.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airfix  
I think you're dreaming, mate, but good luck anyway.

Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 19/10/2018 12:59:05

[Empire ParkstoneParticipant @empireparkstone]

Hi Hutch twas just a thought in case you had not looked as for water pick up? do the props not have to be permanently submerged internally Good luck with your quest

Ep

[Martin Field 1Participant @martinfield1]

It's K7, not K9 and I would love to see a picture of the original as I'm sure they never did a Bluebird. Jetex did a "hydroplane" for a while, but it wasn't K7 . Jetex motors haven't existed for decades and other rockets are for space rocket type things. It's claimed that the Jetex fuel formula still isn't known.

Do you have a link to a picture of the Airfix K7?

Martin

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Martin

Sorry, K7 not 9, My model I built in the late 1940s 50s Had a Jetex 50 motor with a tube fitted for making the gasses,work better

I as I said before it went like a bat out of hell but when it hit the wall on the other side of the pond it broke into piece's never to be seen again.it was a free runner not R/C back then.

Cheers,

Hutch.

[Author]

Posts