Airfix has been making plastic model kits in the UK since 1952, and in 2026 their range is stronger than ever. New toolings, re-releases of beloved classics, and an expanded Starter Set range mean there's never been a better time to build Airfix. Here are our five picks for the best Airfix kits in 2026, covering every skill level from absolute beginner to serious enthusiast.
1. Airfix Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Ia Starter Set — Best for Absolute Beginners
Scale: 1/72 | Skill Level: 1 | Parts count: ~50
If someone asked us to pick a single kit to hand to a complete beginner, this would be it. The Spitfire Mk.Ia Starter Set includes the kit, glue, and a small selection of Humbrol paints — so you're ready to build straight out of the box. No extra shopping required.
The 1/72 Spitfire is one of the most refined kits in the Airfix range. Moulded in light grey plastic, it goes together cleanly with minimal fuss. The panel line detail is sharp, and the included markings give you several authentic RAF options.
More importantly, it builds like a proper plastic model kits — not a toy. When you complete it, you'll feel like you've actually built something. That first finish is what keeps people in this hobby.
Tip: Use all the Humbrol paints that come in the box before adding more to your collection. Learn how they behave first.
2. Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk.I — Best Step Up for New Builders
Scale: 1/48 | Skill Level: 2 | Parts count: ~80
Once you've completed a 1/72 Starter Set, the natural next step is a 1/48 single-engine aircraft — and the Hurricane is one of the best kits Airfix produces at this scale. The newer tooling (post-2018 re-release) is noticeably sharper than older versions, with excellent surface detail and a more refined cockpit interior.
The Hurricane is also historically fascinating — arguably more important than the Spitfire to the Battle of Britain, and often underrepresented in collections. Building one feels like making a small historical statement.
At Skill Level 2, there's enough complexity to develop your technique — painting the cockpit before closing the fuselage, masking the canopy, handling a more complex landing gear — without being overwhelming.
Tip: Paint the cockpit interior completely before closing the fuselage halves. You can't get in there afterwards, and the detail is worth the effort.
3. Airfix de Havilland Mosquito FB.VI — Best Mid-Range Twin
Scale: 1/72 | Skill Level: 3 | Parts count: ~130
The Mosquito is a perennial favourite, and Airfix's 1/72 FB.VI is a genuinely excellent kit. The "Wooden Wonder" is a complex shape — twin engines, distinctive rounded nose, unique wooden construction detail — and Airfix has captured it well.
This is where you start dealing with more complex assembly sequences. Twin-engine aircraft need symmetry; both engines and propellers must be aligned properly. The undercarriage is more involved than a single-engine kit. But if you get it right, the result is one of the most striking models you can have on a shelf.
The decal sheet includes multiple squadron markings across different theatres, giving you some interesting choices for your paint scheme.
Tip: Fill and sand the engine nacelle seams carefully — this is the most visible join on the kit. Take your time here and it pays off dramatically.
4. Airfix Short Sunderland Mk.I/II — Best for Serious Builders
Scale: 1/72 | Skill Level: 4 | Parts count: ~250+
Now we're getting serious. The Short Sunderland is a large, complex flying boat — a four-engine maritime patrol aircraft with an enormous wingspan (over 50cm in 1/72). This is not a quick build.
What you get in return is one of the most impressive display pieces in the Airfix catalogue. The Sunderland dominates a shelf. The interior detail is extensive, and the kit rewards careful research — these aircraft were crammed with equipment, crew positions, and operational gear. Getting the painting and weathering right on a maritime patrol aircraft is a genuinely satisfying challenge.
This is a kit that takes weeks, not weekends. But experienced modellers know that a longer build is often a better build.
Tip: Build the hull in sections and test-fit everything before gluing. The sheer scale means misalignment becomes visible quickly.
5. Airfix Avro Vulcan B.2 — Best Statement Piece for Enthusiasts
Scale: 1/72 | Skill Level: 5 | Parts count: ~130 (but complex geometry)
The Vulcan. There's nothing else quite like it. The distinctive delta wing, the massive presence — even in 1/72, the Airfix Vulcan is an impressive model with a wingspan approaching 60cm.
Skill Level 5 here comes from the geometry, not necessarily the parts count. Getting those leading edges and the underside panel work right requires careful preparation and masking. The undercarriage bays are complex. The surface finish on a Vulcan — typically anti-flash white for the V-bomber era, or camouflage for later marks — demands clean masking and smooth paint application.
But there's a reason the Vulcan is a grail build for many UK modellers. It's an iconic British aircraft, it looks extraordinary when finished, and it's a genuine achievement to complete well.
Tip: Prime in light grey before committing to white. White over bare plastic never looks right, and on a large model like this, surface prep is everything.
The Airfix Range in 2026
What makes Airfix special — beyond the heritage and the British connection — is the breadth of the range. From 10-part Quickbuild kits for younger builders through to large-scale multi-hundred-part subjects for experts, there's something for every stage of the hobby. The re-tooling programme over the past decade has also brought many classic subjects up to modern standards.
Browse our full Airfix collection — we stock the complete range including new releases, starter sets, and accessories. If you're not sure which to tackle next, we're always happy to advise. We've been Airfix fans here since before most of our customers were born.