Painter tips wings to Matchbox and Airfix art aces

An artist has saluted two painters who fired generations of youthful imaginations by creating art for Matchbox and Airfix model kit boxes.

Mark Postlethwaite tipped his wings in tribute following the death of 84-year-old Roy Huxley, who was born in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and painted the aircraft images that adorned Matchbox model boxes.

Roy Cross, who created box art for Airfix and had a family link to Smallford, Hertfordshire, died in 2024.

Postlethwaite, who is also an aviation artist, said Huxley's death marked the end of an era.

Postlethwaite said Roy Huxley, who died on 18 January, first produced paintings for Matchbox in 1972 and was one of the "most recognised box-artists in the world".

Cross, who was born in Camberwell, south London, and died in April aged 100, had a 75-year career and was similarly revered.

Postlethwaite said Cross was a "legend of aviation art" and an "inspiration".

Both had lived near each other in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

"Roy Cross was Airfix, Roy Huxley was Matchbox," said Postlethwaite.

"Now Roy Huxley has died, it's the end of an era."

Cross's son, Anthony Cross, agreed is was "indeed the end of an era".

"My father was at times a little surprised he was mostly remembered for his box top art when his fine art, particularly the marine work, was the pinnacle of his artistic creativity," he said.

"I guess this is because the Airfix years recreate many happy hours spent in childhood."

• 1939 - Hungarian emigre Nicholas Kove starts Airfix in London
• 1947 - Airfix becomes the largest producer of injection moulded combs in Britain
• 1952 - First Airfix kit, the Golden Hind, Francis Drake's flagship, on sale in Woolworths, for two shillings (10p sterling after decimalistaion)
• 1953 - All-time Airfix best-seller released - the "two-bob [two shilling]" Spitfire kit, which was a 1/72 scale replica 21-part bagged model in light blue plastic, with instructions
• 1960-1970 - Range expands to include figures, trains, ships, cars and more. Sales run into millions
• 1980 - Computer games introduced. Modelling goes into decline
• 1981 - Airfix goes into receivership; bought by General Mills
• 1985 - Sold to Hobby Products Group of Borden, who also owned Humbrol
• 1995 - Hobby Products Group, including Airfix, sold to Humbrol
• 2006 - Hornby Hobbies Ltd buy Airfix and Humbrol

Roy Cross had been introduced to art by an aunt he spent childhood holidays with in Station Road, Smallford.

His son Anthony said: "It's heartening to get so many kind messages of appreciation from people for whom my father's work clearly gave a great deal of pleasure.

"No doubt this can be said too of Roy Huxley.

"Both men were talented artists and knew how to stir the blood."

Postlethwaite said Huxley, who also painted images of ships and armoured vehicles, was "renowned" for his detail and accuracy.

"Roy was very significant in the aviation art business and an inspiration to many, many artists," said Postlethwaite.

"Anyone who had Matchbox kits would recognises his paintings.

"The painting on the box was often the reason for buying the kit.

"The artist created the imagination about the plane with the painting."

Huxley's daughter, Judy Bishop, said her father was born in Dunstable, and lived in Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, for about 30 years.

She said her parents moved to Little Chalfont in 1970 and most of his Matchbox work was done from a home studio in Little Chalfont.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.