DocRob Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 13 hours ago, Wumm said: Ironic... Petrochemicals from prehistoric life, re-imagined and formed into plastic models of prehistoric life. We will all go the way of the Dinosaurs. We are all Sein-zum-Tode. Don't wish away life longing for what might never be... Enjoy what you have. True, we will be part of future petrochemichals and are determined for the ever (maybe not) lasting circle. Personally I don't see an end to our hobby during my lifespan, even though it seems to last for some decades , stash is full beyond my composting and meanwhile there are enough temptations with new and existing kits. The market for the companies is not too shabby in the moment. Hobbyists in their second half of existence tend to spend a lot in kits and AM. I think, that money per kit with added AM seriously increased over the last decades. Twenty years ago nearly nobody would have spent let's say 300 Euros for a 1/32 Mossie with all the galore. The Hobby is changeing with only us 'old guys' buying, there is a tendency in following marketing leads like Star Wars and of course Gundam and Anime related stuff mostly for the younger ones. First tendencies of slow deterioration of the LS-Market may can be seen in less mass kits from mass companies in the market. Maybe stashes are overcrowded with the usual suspects, but the specialists provide us with exotic stuff like never before. Among other hobbies, I have another one which is really petrochemical related, it's vinyls. I have some thousand and still buy new and old stuff. The more than once buried black disk is resurrected and the only physical recording medium with raising market shares. Of course, it's not mass market, but vinyl found it's niche and is more alive than at any time in the last twenty years, even with all the streaming. Even younger people get attracted, because vinyl is hip and on the other hand is retro in a positive way. No digital rights management, just the needle and the vinyl, and its adaptable to the modern world via USB port. Why I state this should be obvious, there are lots of chances to develop modelling into the future. That future might not be the umpteenth 109 K4 with a scratch on the left side of the canopy and 0,2 bar less tyre pressure in it's left wheel. The biggest challenge of the market will be, how the mayor companies will react to those changes to attract younger people or even women. To me the modelling future is bright, as I'm not bound on historical correct scale reproduction. Don't get me wrong, I like to build my P-47 or FW-190, but I enjoy to look for other modelling horizons, be it steam punk, sci-fi, or whatever will attract my ever searching mind . Cheers Rob 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 I remember way back................. wwaaaaay back in the day, the 'experts' said plastic models will go away as oil is running out and they need oil to make plastic............. huh.... lots of plastic in the world now eh?? most of it in the ocean , they tell me.... huh...... and I have a feeling plastic models will be around for a LONG time, just due to the fact we will have more oil than we know what to do with , after ALL you guys do as they want you to do and buy electric cars, THEN we will have LOTS of new 1/32 kits to build..... as they will have lots of surplus oil...... to make plastic models with......... But on a side note, with Airfix investing in some big kits again, and the WNW guys doing their thing, and HK, and others.... maybe it's not a thing of no more, maybe it is or I'd like to think it is, more of the fact that today's model builder 'demands' a much higher detailed accuracy, and the companies are taking a little bit longer to produce and much more accurate detailed model? As an example, I look at those ZM kits, and 10 years ago detail like they have was unheard of, at least in my little part of the world.... could that be why nothing much is slated for release in the short term? maybe not, but it could be, as I'm sure those company guys read what we all post to get a feel for the market.....wouldn't they? This is only a random thought for possible further discussion, but FWIW that is what I'm hoping..... and I have to keep in mind buying very expensive models is a 'want' rather than a 'need', so today's old guy model builder, to the new young brilliant kids that turn out master pieces, maybe the model companies want to get it as right as they can.... with our all the air frame corrections and fit issues rather than spit out inaccurate ill fitting kits as was the norm of the past due to old school design techniques and old style molding equipment..... just a few random thoughts...................... rebut if you like and please correct me if I'm off on some tangent that is silly.... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted May 13, 2019 Administrators Share Posted May 13, 2019 Well put, Rob. I've been on this rock long enough to know that the Industry serves the market. Simple consumer demand is what decides what the industry will produce. Nothing more. yes, there will always be the small outlier who bucks the trend and meets a niche demand for a certain small segment, but for the most part, industry responds to consumer demand. If the small outliers suddenly become super successful, industry will eventually notice and respond to the new demand. In models, a case in point could be made for Tamiya. They started their High End 1/32 "Super Kits" a couple decades ago, and now, due to their success, we have multiple high end 1/32 kitmakers. Same goes for the newish trend in anime and those Gundam thingens. WE may not understand it, but young people buy that stuff in droves, so if trends continue, it'll continue to grow. The hobby's not dead or dying, instead, it's shifting. up and comers may not have a passion for our creating ultra high level historical miniatures in plastic. They may take a fancy to other things in miniature. I once saw a really decent model of an Egg McMuffin at an IPMS show. The same show also featured a very realistic model of a beef taco. I guarantee you, if enough people in this world get onboard with taco modeling, Tamiya, RoG and others will produce them. Right now, men in the last half of their life on earth have disposable cash and have spoken in large enough volume to move a segment of the market to very high end 1/32 aircraft and large scale armor. In the early 90s, it was Accurate Miniatures in 1/48. Remember THOSE groundbreaking models? Before that, it was Monogram with their 1/48 Century Series jets. They set some serious tongues wagging back in the day. 25 years ago, 1/32 was for all intents and purposes, a small niche market filled with toy kits that needed major scratchbuilding to bring up to snuff. Then guys like Verlinded and Mr. Rutman came along and started releasing bibs and bobs in resin to make the job of upgrading them easier, and even brought out a few all resin kits that set the world afire. Then Revell of Germany dropped a Hawker Hunter on us.......... If you want to see an industry in REAL trouble, look at Model Railroading. They went ultra high end just like we did, but with them, even a freight car in HO costs an easy $40.00. then you need 30 or 40 of them on a train, plus 2 or 3 $300.00 locomotives to haul it, a Digital Control system to control it, and a layout that can set you back 10s of thousands of dollars for a decent sized HO home system, plus at least one room in your home. that bunch has REAL problems. Ask me, I used to do that stuff. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Here is my take on the show... Am I a little disappointed? A little. But I look at it this way, I budget about $200 a month to kits and supplies, I have no problem blowing that budget. Last count, I had over 200 kits, some doubles, and even 10 P-40's (9 are started, can you guess my obsession?). I am still playing catch up trying to buy the kits that have been released in the past few months that were announced last year. SO while I am always hoping for a 1/32 Val or Kate, I still have plenty of kits to build, including the 15 that are in some state of progress, not on the shelf of doom, but a few have been in purgatory for a while. I am trying to learn patience, but I still have no shortage of things to buy. Last night's auction winnings include a 1/32 Tamiya F-15J, 1/35 Dorchester ACV, and two Wyandotte Tin Toy airplanes. So, the slim 1/32 announcements at the show just give me a chance to catch up and buy a few (5) 1/35 releases that I wanted to pick up. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted May 13, 2019 Administrators Share Posted May 13, 2019 Nicely put, Mark. I dream, much like you. I see a Val and a Kate from one of the big Japanese manufacturers, and I can envision a P-38 and P-39 from ZM. The Old Man’s engineering mind must work overtime while contemplating the machinery on those two aircraft. Like you, a slowdown in new announcements allowed me go catch my breath. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1to1scale Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 LOL! That was NOT what I expected... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Except for the Japanese connection, I'm not having much luck tying the weird music video to the thread... How do you find this stuff, Martin? I find it interesting that Tamiya has released so few large scale Japanese aircraft. Even they must see that their own people aren't interested enough... While they can get those Americans to scoop up Corsairs and P-51's... and now F-14's. Yet they've passed on the Jug, Hellcat, and P-38. Is Baa Baa Black sheep partially responsible? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted May 13, 2019 Administrators Share Posted May 13, 2019 Interesting thoughts, Gazz. The lack of 1/32 IM kits of anything Japanese othwer than single seaters is a mystery to me. Now we have a neat twin from ZM, so that's cool, but no Val, no Kate, nothing from the likes of Tamiyagawa is certainly mystifying. I understand the attraction to the P-51 and Corsair, and even the Spitfire, but the Mossie? Maybe I need to check my history books, but I don't remember many Mossie actions in the Pacific War. Maybe Tamiya is just kitting what he likes? So far, I mostly like what he likes. but I like the Old Man's choices as much, if not more. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 12 hours ago, Wumm said: What...? You claim your post was censored? That would never happen Gazza... Quite frankly, I find that accusation nonsensical! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 58 minutes ago, GazzaS said: Except for the Japanese connection, I'm not having much luck tying the weird music video to the thread... How do you find this stuff, Martin? I find it interesting that Tamiya has released so few large scale Japanese aircraft. Even they must see that their own people aren't interested enough... While they can get those Americans to scoop up Corsairs and P-51's... and now F-14's. Yet they've passed on the Jug, Hellcat, and P-38. Is Baa Baa Black sheep partially responsible? I hope , you guys don't mind. I was trying to bring some giggles to this solemn topic 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnB Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 11 minutes ago, harv said: And this fits into this thread how may I ask????? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted May 13, 2019 Administrators Share Posted May 13, 2019 kinda got off on a tangent, John. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wumm Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 17 minutes ago, JohnB said: And this fits into this thread how may I ask????? It doesn't... It's nonsensical. That's the point. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wumm Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 23 minutes ago, JohnB said: Interesting thoughts, Gazz. The lack of 1/32 IM kits of anything Japanese othwer than single seaters is a mystery to me. Now we have a neat twin from ZM, so that's cool, but no Val, no Kate, nothing from the likes of Tamiyagawa is certainly mystifying I know from older Guys in the German scene, there's still a sense of shame lingering from the War. Mix that with the general apathy of the Younger Generations, and it creates a vacuum of interest in the subject. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was also at play in Japan. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted May 13, 2019 Administrators Share Posted May 13, 2019 30 minutes ago, Wumm said: I know from older Guys in the German scene, there's still a sense of shame lingering from the War. Mix that with the general apathy of the Younger Generations, and it creates a vacuum of interest in the subject. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was also at play in Japan. Except for 109s. They'll never die. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GusMac Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Yeah Gaz, and which of the usual suspects started that thread knowing exactly where it would go! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitty44 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 11 minutes ago, Clunkmeister said: Except for 109s. They'll never die. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubertB Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 At the risk of appearing to sow dissent here (hang on, maybe that’s really what I am doing ), I am not disappointed, because I am not that interested with Tamiya new releases (you know, single seats - but for the Mossie -, heavily-camoed WWII fighters, yaaaawwwwnnnn ), even though I recognise they are truly outstanding kits... Being a weird-subjects’ scratchbuilder at heart, at a definite procrastinator when to comes to painting, I am not that keen on easy-to-assemble-with-almost-no-filling-just-need-to-do-a-proper-painting-job kits. I was disappointed when HpH chose to release a C-47 rather than a DC-3, and at at a price point, with VAT, above my self-imposed (already very understanding) budget limit, I was disappointed when ICM released an O-2 rather than a Cessna 337, or when Trumpeter’s much awaited TBD turned into vaporware, but not when Tamiya San failed to release another WWII single-seater (my bet is still - since 2014 - on a 109 G-6, btw, which I got right so far, but for the scale). And I agree we are very lucky to have so many new 1/32 subjects available in-between new releases by Tamiya . Just to finish and cheer you up, some of you may know I initiated the development of a 1/32 DH-89 Dragon Rapide resin kit. Life choices and other constraints have held me from bringing the project to fruition for quite some time. You may be pleased to know that I have just struck a deal with a very competent resin-kits’ manufacturer to take over the masters, and finally release this kit. Isn’t LS modellers’ life wonderful in our times ? Hubert 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 A DH-89 would be very cool.... some opportunities there..... what do you think the price point might be Hubert? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HubertB Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Not for me to say anymore, Jeff ... It’s a big chunk of resin though ... I’d expect a price point between, say, a Fisher jet or a HPH Walrus, or more than a HK twin, and less than a four-engined one ... Before seeing the master, I was thinking of a price between 135-150 €. Not sure I’d have made any profit at this price, after I saw the (complex) masters ... Hubert 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smitty44 Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 HPH is releasing a DC-3, but then there is the price thing. I have to say heavily camoflauged isn't your problem, a lot of military aircraft yet to be kitted out there but won't be because they didn't carry anything under their wings. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaS Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 3 hours ago, Martinnfb said: I hope , you guys don't mind. I was trying to bring some giggles to this solemn topic I don't mind. I'm just amazed that you have time and imagination to find stuff like that. Rock on! 4 hours ago, Clunkmeister said: Interesting thoughts, Gazz. The lack of 1/32 IM kits of anything Japanese othwer than single seaters is a mystery to me. Now we have a neat twin from ZM, so that's cool, but no Val, no Kate, nothing from the likes of Tamiyagawa is certainly mystifying. I understand the attraction to the P-51 and Corsair, and even the Spitfire, but the Mossie? Maybe I need to check my history books, but I don't remember many Mossie actions in the Pacific War. Maybe Tamiya is just kitting what he likes? So far, I mostly like what he likes. but I like the Old Man's choices as much, if not more. Like you say, it's impossible to guess why they do what they do without actually being able to sit on a board meeting... if they have board meetings. Maybe the Mossie was an attempt to be the only guy on the block? Who knows... we're all just idle speculators hoping that our pet-want will get built by somebody. For me... Everything thing bar some WWI subjects has been done in some scale or other. But I due to my long hiatus from modelling, I missed the boat on quite a few that many people moan about. I can afford to wait a few years. GAz 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KUROK Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I won't be worried unless more than one or two years go by without any all-new mold cool plane kits. The last few years have been like another golden age if you think about all the great kits that have come out. I just need to get going on my stash but with a full time job and two kids I'm having trouble getting time to work on kits... Sure would be nice to get a 1/32 P-38 of Tamiya/Eduard/Hasegawa quality.... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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