Hornby Hobbies develops, manufactures and supplies hobby and toy products for a global market. With a collection of truly iconic brands spanning model railways, slot racing, die-cast models and plastic model kits.

 A Brief Hornby Hobbies History

Hornby Hobbies’ journey began back in 1901 in Liverpool. When founder Frank Hornby applied for a patent in 1901 to protect an invention he called Improvements in. Toy or Educational Devices for Children and Young People’. This became Meccano, and in 1964, Hornby and Meccano bought by a rival company, Tri-ang. Hornby Railways became independent again in the 1980s. And has continued it's legacy as one of the most iconic companies in Britain.

The Beating Heart of Margate

Hornby has been a famous fixture in Margate, Kent, since 1964 when Tri-ang acquired the company. The impressive Hornby factory site at Margate constructed by Lines Brothers Limited in 1953 as a purpose built. State of the art model production facility for Rovex Scale Models Ltd and their world famous Tri-ang Railway system. The new factory housed the technical, experimental and development departments of the company. In addition to a limited manufacturing capacity for their brand of Tri-ang model railways.

Hornby Hobbies’ Most Iconic Brands

Hornby is a household name and is famous as the UK brand leader in the model railway hobby.  The company’s founder was Frank Hornby. (1863 - 1936) who applied for a patent in 1901 to protect an invention he called. ‘Improvements in Toy or Educational Devices for Children and Young People’.  Nobody then could have imagined how this product would influence the model railway hobby that we know today. Frank Hornby, granted his patent and soon put the invention into production under the name ‘Mechanics Made Easy’.

Now simply called "Hornby", the company justifiably retains the position it has held for more than 50 years. As Britain’s leading model railway manufacturer.

Scalextric is the ultimate motor racing system

Scalextric is the ultimate motor racing system for all ages. Where miniature cars race against each other on special track. Getting their power from a slot in the middle of each lane (you will sometimes hear Scalextric called slot racing). Invented, Fred (B F) Francis, the very first Scalextric, made in Havant, Hampshire in 1956. In 1968, Hornby Hobbies acquired the company and was instrumental in shaping it into what you see today.  

Airfix is the oldest UK manufacturer. Of scale plastic model kits and has been producing kits for the mass market since 1952.  Air-fix produces a wide range of kits aimed at all types of scale modellers with subjects such as.

military aircraft

civil aircraft

ships

galleons

cars

space

figures

dioramas

military vehicles

Airfix founded in 1939 by Nicholas Kove

Airfix founded in 1939 by Nicholas Kove, a refugee from Hungary who originally manufactured rubber inflated toys. After trading hands and designs many times. In 2006 Hornby Hobbies Ltd bought both the. Airfix and Humbrol brands and have dedicated to their revitalisation ever since.

Founded in 1919 as the Humber Oil Company, Humbrol initially supplied bicycle oil for Hull's growing army of cyclists.  In 1935, however, the company asked to produce paints for renovating cycles and came up with Art Enamel. Since Humbrol, founded in 1919 the brand has been under several owners. In November 2006, the Humbrol and Airfix brands were acquired Hornby Hobbies Ltd. Where they sit alongside some of Britain’s best-loved toy and hobby brands.

Hornby model railways

Scalextric slot racing

Corgi die-cast models

Corgi's famous model vehicles captured the imagination of millions of baby boomers and, what were once simply toys for boys. Now highly sought-after in the expanding collectables market. The Corgi brand created the Mettoy Company of Northampton which first started to produce colourful, pressed metal toys in the 1930s.  It bought Hornby Hobbies in 2008. Today, the majority of Corgi cars, trucks and buses produced as once-only Limited Editions. And often sold out within weeks of release. 

Hornby Hobbies Present

Today, Hornby Hobbies ltd is home to 15 collectible and scale model brands. The company has had the opportunity to expand internationally. Working with brands from France, Germany, Spain and Italy and partnering with stockists all over the world.

Hornby Hobbies has prioritised its accessibility, ensuring that our much loved and loyal community has been able to grow into online spaces such as. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and our forums, to continue connecting over their shared passion like never before.

With our long history of embracing change, promoting creativity and connecting with you. We are very much looking forward to another 100 years. The best is yet to come.

Hornby Railways is a British model railway brand. Also owns Airfix and Humbrol.

Modiphius Entertainment is a British games and entertainment publisher partnering with creative talent to develop unique brands as tabletop games, merchandising and more.

​We publish roleplaying games, boardgames, miniatures, novels, cool accessories and more. Our aim is to inspire those who read, play or encounter our work with tales of heroism, adventure and courage.

As well as our own IP: Achtung! Cthulhu, Modiphius Entertainment has also published other major licensed properties from. Star Trek Adventures the roleplaying game. The forthcoming Fallout Wasteland Warfare wargame. Free League's Tales From The Loop and the DUST Adventures RPG based on Paolo Parente’s DUST universe. To Thunderbirds and the introductory Airfix Battles Wargame.

Built on strong principles

Modiphius is built on strong principles of good business practice working fairly with freelancers and staff.

Modiphius is the brainchild of gaming entrepreneur Chris Birch who founded the business in 2012. With his wife Rita before launching the successful Achtung! Cthulhu gaming universe via Kickstarter in early 2013.

Chris and Rita well known for personally leading their projects and have worked hard to build a great reputation. For excellent customer service and a strong family atmosphere in the company. Modiphius Entertainment built on strong principles of good business practice working fairly with freelancers and staff.

The word 'Modiphius' was the name of a solar system in a world that Chris Birch worked on with long time collaborator Stuart Newman. (they co-wrote FATE Sci-fi game Starblazer Adventures together) and came from the verb 'modified' which defined as:Make partial or minor changes to (something), typically so as to improve it or to make it less extreme.Transform (a structure) from its original anatomical form during development or evolution.

Idea of transformation

CHRIS: I loved the idea of transformation - through inspiration we encourage people to transform, to evolve into something more. My own life evolved in 2012 with my marriage to Margarita. The development of Modiphius and finally the platform to develop the creative projects spinning around in my head. I've always been a fan of Greek Myth, and those epic tales of Odysseus, Perseus. And others weren't just great action stories but meant to educate, to inspire and teach the young men and women of Greek times. So that old star system name popped into my head when I was dreaming up a name for our venture and I suddenly imagined this old warrior. His bones aching from the years, resting in the sunshine on the steps of a crumbling temple whilst the children pleaded for just one more story.

Modiphius' laughed as the children sitting around him

​"Wait wait wait!" Modiphius' laughed as the children sitting around him on the crumbling steps screamed for this story or that story, already told a hundred times but never tired in their minds. He gripped the old battered spear leaning against the pillar and levered himself up into a more comfortable position. Arched his back, stretched his arms and took in a breath of the sea air. Still more little minds burning hot with anticipation joined the crowd and the voices grew to a crescendo. He smacked the tip of the spear against the ruined wall three times and then all was quiet. For they knew this meant a new story...His gravelly voice echoed around the fallen temple. I was once sent on a perilous quest. Against a foe that threatened to consume our world, the task so fraught with danger that none who went before had returned. The looks on their faces, eyes agog, imaginations spinning more than made up for the aches and pains of old age. For he could see in each and every one of them a seed of greatness.

To my wonder

To my wonder, a new friend, Elias from Greece, saw this story and told me about the "Argyraspides" (in Greek:"ΑΡΓΥΡΑΣΠΙΔΕΣ"). Or 'Silvershields', where the name for our community team came from. Not so much known about them, veterans of Alexander III's Great Army who over sixty years old. (imagine their training, experience & formidability), who held in high honour him. So you see perhaps there was a Modiphius living in Ancient Greece. Or perhaps they'll be a Modiphius a million years in our future sitting amongst the ruins of our world, but I know he would enjoy telling every single story to inspire those around him.

I hope our worlds and stories inspire you, to create, to imagine to transform & to grow.

Chris BirchPublisher, Modiphius