11:01AM, Sat Jul 14, 2012

New Model Army: Hoard Of Pristine Airfix Kits Could Fetch Thousands

By Ruth Holliday Location: Westerhope

Thousands of Airfix and other model kits found at a house in Tyneside are expected to fetch up to £6,000 at auction.

Auctioneers Anderson and Garland believe it to be the largest collection of unmade Airfix construction kits ever sold.

Compiled by an avid owner over decades, the plastic scale model kits are all housed in their original, sealed packaging and include aeroplanes, military vehicles, cars and bikes.

The most unusual include makers like Zvezda, Pavla, Unicraft and Pegasus.

The owner was a shipping engineer working on the Tyne Docks with a passion for kit modelling.

Today owned by Hornby, Airfix was founded in 1939 and building the models up grew in popularity as a hobby during the 1960s and 1970s.

Despite the passing of time, demand for Airfix model kits remains high.

Fred Wyrley-Birch from Anderson & Garland said: “This is an unusually large collection of Airfix model kits and the sheer breadth of products that have been produced by the company is quite remarkable.

“The fact that the kits are in untouched condition substantially increases their appeal.

"There is something here for budding model makers and veterans alike – and with prices ranging from just a few pounds up to hundreds of pounds, there is something to suit every pocket too.”

For more information on the lot going up for auction click here