Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Airfix in 1999, Arthur Ward's new book can only be described as a lavish effort. Over 190 pages detail the history of the company from it's pre-war origin's with Nicholas Kove through it's heyday in the 60's and 70's and bang right up to date with it's current life under Humbrol's ownership. 

Produced in hardback and decorated with a "weathered" dust jacket, the book is profusely illustrated in colour with old box tops, adverts and the occasional made up model. There are fascinating first hand interviews with key personal and individuals connected with the company over the years, from Ralph Ehrmann to Roy Cross. Peter Allen, Dick Ward, Trevor Snowden and more. There is also an appendix listing all the kits ever tooled or released by Airfix. 

It would be easy to go overboard with superlative for this book but the simple message is this - buy it, you will not be disappointed. Suffice to say it does for the Airfix story what the 1989 Richard Lines/Leif Helstrom masterwork did for Frog. Arthur Ward has produced a truly superb book, its nostalgia value cannot be underestimated and it's one that most modellers will not want to be without - indeed once you start dipping inside, it's hard to put it down.