LSP_Kevin Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 Only a couple of weeks after his 100th birthday, legendary box art artist Roy has reported passed away today. I can't find anything more definitive than a Facebook post from another artist, but I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the report. For those of you who aren't aware, Roy Cross did much of the iconic box art for Airfix that many of us grew up with and were inspired by. Post your favourite Roy Cross box art below. Here's one of mine: Blue skies, Roy. Kev nmayhew, John1, JeepsGunsTanks and 17 others 8 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archimedes Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 Blue Skies, Roy. You made all of our lives a bit brighter. Thanks for letting us know Kev. Kind regards, Paul LSP_Kevin, rafju, Christa and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 Sad news, but at least he made "the ton up". Blue skies. chrish, LSP_Kevin and Archimedes 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom2 Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 (edited) Very, very sad to hear! I have bought many, many Airfix kits only because the boxart grabbed me so hard. A few examples, the B-17G "A bit O´Lace" fighting against a gang of fighters, The Wellington low down at water level, , one enginge burninig and a pair of 109´s just waiting for the final kill, The Lancaster "G" for George coming home at dawn, shot to pieces and one enginge burning, The Sunderland fighting a Condor over the sea, and many many more. Thanks Roy for all the good and happy memories from my younger years! Blue skies, Roy! Stefan Edited May 4 by Phantom2 Archimedes, Tolga ULGUR, chrish and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 I really don't know enough about which box art was done by whom, but several 1:72 Airfix kits really grabbed my attention when I was just a kid. LSP_Kevin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee White Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 Here is my personal favorite- LSP_Kevin, Archimedes and Tolga ULGUR 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 Roy's son Anthony has posted a brief obituary on the Roy Cross Fine Art website: http://roycrossfineart.co.uk/obituary Turns out that Roy passed away the very next day after celebrating his centenary. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Mike Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Thanks for the memories! There is a small group of artists that greatly influenced a generation of kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted May 5 Author Share Posted May 5 I've been thinking a lot about the impact that Airfix's box art had on me as a nascent modeller in my youth, and even continues to have today - not just through nostalgia, which is real enough, but also because Roy's artwork still holds up today, and still evokes all the same feelings that it did all those years ago. And with the hobby being such an important part of my life for more than 50 years now, to the extent that even when I had long stretches away from the hobby, I still considered myself a modeller, Roy's passing feels rather more significant on a personal level than it otherwise might, even though he was, for all intents and purposes, a complete stranger. To that end, I've decided to do a tribute build, featuring the only Airfix kit I have that features Roy's box art: the venerable Handley Page H.P 42 Heracles in 1/144 scale. I purchased this kit only recently, and now it has a purpose. My friends Graham Mahoney and Geoff Coughlin have both built this kit in recent times, so there's some added inspiration there. I'll start a build thread in the Non-LSP forum soon. Kev MikeC, Tolga ULGUR, TankBuster and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted May 5 Author Share Posted May 5 Oops, I inadvertently posted the post above in K2's Revell Bf 109F topic! Just moved it here where I meant to post it in the first place. I've just started a new build thread: Kev LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piero Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 I feel so sad about this bad news...the Airfix box art drawn by Roy Cross will always be my favorite...I have so many fond memories. Choosing my "favorites" is difficult, but among them all these stand out for me... Piero Tolga ULGUR, Phantom2, Rick Griewski and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldbaldguy Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Airfix is one of a very few models companies with box art as good as their models. For as far back as I can remember. The Sunderland always has been my favorite. LSP_Kevin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 I really don't know if these were done by Roy or not, but as a youth, these are examples of what drew me to wanting Airfix kits. Archimedes and Tolga ULGUR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted May 5 Author Share Posted May 5 Not sure about the P-38, but I'm pretty sure the B-29 was. Kev Archimedes and LSP_K2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Griewski Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Oh so that’s the man that did all the illustrations. Very sad but he lived to be 100! A great life lived. Time to start a small box collection. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now