Scale and quality question

[Guest]

:gooddoggy:Hi all here is a question for the masses, why is it that more model manufacturers don't do aircraft i 1/24 or 1/35 scale, the reason iam asking is that have nearly completed the old Airfix 1/24 scale mustang and the molds are so bad nothing fits as it should. I have used enough masking tape and filler to bankrupt a small country, now if Tamiya or revell etc did aircraft in these scales the moldings would most likely be hyper acurate?

scott

[PJP]

Different scales

By coincidence, I was in my local model shop today considering a kit for the Group Build.

Part of the conversation concerned different scales and apparently (or so I am told) 1/24th, 1/32nd and 1/72nd are Imperial scales most common in UK made kits. 1/35th & 1/48th are metric and so are more common from foreign manufacturers.

In terms of the quality of the fit etc., I can only assume that standards are going the same way as British motorcycles did in the 1960's!!

[Guest]

Simple answer is cost and the ability to get the public to part with their cash. However, Tamiya may be bucking the trend as their 1:32 Spitfire has been so well received in the modelling community. It initially came in for some flak as it costs around £89 which initially sounds a lot. However, to get the same level of detail on any other kit, a huge investment in photo etch and resin would possibly make any other build around the same price. The real benefit of the Tamiya kit though is the sheer quality. and innovation. The magnets that build into the kit to enable the engine covers to be fitted without glue so that the super detail Merlin can be shown off is very nice as they are invisible to normal viewing.

The scope for third party super detailing for this kit could take it to another level if anyone wants to but I doubt it needs it. From what I have read on the kit, there are unused parts which hint that another Mk will be released at some point sharing the basic sprues. No one knows if Tamiya can corner a market with other releases in the same scale and quality but if they can make them so good with such high detail and lack of need for third party add ons, they will be onto a winner. The obvious kits to follow up would be a P51 and an ME109. After that, the Pacific aircraft would be welcomed, especially if they release new paints to go with them as they did with the Spitfire. Producing three new colours for the two greys and the green show a real commitment to me.

Not sure if any other manufacturers have the nerve to try something similar as they would have to be just as good. Don't forget the Airfix new Mosquito which retails in a lot of places at £132, making the Tamiya Spitfire quite cheep. For me, the big issue is not so much the cost, not because I can afford them easily because I cannot but the Tamiya Spitfire realistically is only the price of a couple of the newer Tamiya Armour kits. The real problems for me is storage, If I built them, I would have no where to display them.

Not sure

[stona]

For aircraft 1/48 and armour 1/35 scales became most popular,I believe,because they gave the best compromise between price,size and detail. This has led to a cornucopia of kits in these scales. As far as aircraft go 1/32 scale seems to be growing in popularity. My completely unscientific explanation is that as the average modeller becomes older he needs some bigger bits to play with. I'm speaking for myself there! It also gives more scope for the super detailing fraternity (not me this time).

I believe those early Airfix 1/24 kits were scaled up from other scales. I guess any errors or inaccuracies got scaled up as well. The only one that even vaguely fitted together was the Stuka. Those molds are also very old now.

Steve