discussion Is the modelling (new models) stagnant..?

[Guest]

Good morning friends

Just a question...

These last days I was looking for a new items and ideas for a diorama. After a great idea of a member of this "house", I found very interesting items. Maybe the "problem" is..., they are made by a little and exclusive brands, of course, then the price is very exclusive as well!!.

So here is my question

Is the modelling "stagnant" ?

If you take a look at the John's shop, you can find every day more new products and paints for the weathering....

But the models...? There isn't any important brand who mades a "bet" for a new kind of models!!! Seems all ends with another Spitfire or Folke with "New Tooling", and then is all ok...

Maybe a models of vikings, astronauts or steampunks are not commercial...but have 10 Spitfire on home with a different tooling is quite bore to me...

We can take as example the Lego or Playmobil... seems they has evolved...you can find this little figures with all kind of topics!

Which is your opinion friends?

do you think the modelling (only models) are stagnant?

Regards

Polux

 

[Alan 45]

I agree Pollux mate , there are very few new kits that come out that haven't been built before and you only seem to get different variants of the popular tanks and aircraft like spitfires and shermans and if you do find a new release of something it's usually some obscure company that costs a small fortune as you say.

I think the companies are too comfortable and just knock out a new spit or tiger tank because it's easier to do that than do market research and find out what modellers want.

I find it very difficult to get figures in poses that I really want especially civilians so I have to alter what I really want to do.

Another one is cars in 1/35 scale , I find it impossible to get a civilian care from the forties to do a more authentic street scene.

 

[Guest]

I`m finding it rather boring and have to agree to a certain extent, some companies seem to do a "re-tool" or add a little more fret to their "new" kits and mark it as a new kit, Dragon and Tamiya seem to be the main culprits in doing this!

There are companies out there such as Bronco, Miniart and Trumpeter that are flying at the moment, the amount of new kits that these companies are putting out on the shelves is un-believable, I also agree that pricing on some of these kits has become unbearable to the every day modeller, and also agree that some of the companies have become too comfortable with their "new releases"

Perhaps a way forward for these companies is to have suggestion boxes/polls on their web sites on what the every day modeller would like the company to be made as a new subject/kit, I know some companies have forums etc, but if they were to listen to what the modeller wanted....perhaps things would become a little better for both parties....just a suggestion like

Alan you can get decent 1:35 civilian cars from Icm and Bronco

 

[Alan 45]

Cheers tommy I'll take a look , I've never heard of them so this is great news thanks for the info

 

[Guest]

And so it goes on, to the same old tune; companies do not "make another Spitfire" because it's easy, they do it because their core market (which happens to be the casual "walk-in" customer, who's heard of a Spitfire and wants to build one,) buys it en masse, thereby making a profit for the company (their raison d'etre.) As for research into "what modellers want," put simply modellers, on websites, represent a tiny fraction of the world of modelling, and many need to widen their viewpoint, and join the real world, with all of its pitfalls for the unwary businessman (check back on how many times Airfix foundered under various management "teams," only to be rescued, and die again, due to mistakes made at boardroom level.)

So far Hornby have produced a 1/72 Airfix Typhoon, Tiger Moth, Blenheim, 1/48 Javelin, 1/24 Typhoon (and others I can't remember,) plus new tools and paints, and this is an industry that's stagnant? When something was unavailable, years ago, it was commonplace for a modeller to have a box full of spare bits and pieces, which could be altered into a facsimile of what he/she wanted; figures would be dismembered, reshaped and reassembled into the required "person." It's called "modelling," and too many are losing sight of the potential that a kit (and the hobby - remember that word?) provides, and simply want the easy way out, without using their imagination.

 

[Guest]

I make aircraft only Pollux. That is up to now.

But found that Airfix are producing a good number of new models. The Merlin I am building is new. I have also all the Herrick (now diverting into armour etc) and all these are new. In all the Herrick group, which are new, accounts for 10 units.

Airfix are up and coming which is good news. The new stuff is very good, with a few weak moments !, and their plastic must be first use plastic which is not snappy, as some manufacturers, easy to work and to manipulate. The bends in both directions on the Merlin could not be achieved with the plastic from some manufacturers.

Cannot say for other manufacturers. There are so many of them now it is difficult for any retailer to keep more than a percentage of models manufactured in the world. Most of that percentage are for the average likes of their customers.

On the Spitfire Lancaster and German range from the second world war I think it is because they are interesting aircraft to look at on the shelf and more intricate in detail to build that manufacturers produce knowing they can sell them. I find the latest aircraft are so sleek that they seem to me boring. But then I am from an era of Spitfire and MEs. Just realised all of these are prop aircraft which in themselves give an interest as opposed to just a hole in the fuselage for a jet out let.

Laurie

 

[rickoshea52]

Stagnant? I don't think so. I agree with you on the (seemingly) endless procession of Spitfires, 109's and FW's, etc but those who are fans of these aircraft won't be complaining. Likewise, Spitfires will forever be popular as an entry level model or as a gift.

There will always be something that isn't catered for, e.g. I'd like to see modern British military vehicles (not so much armoured) in 1/72 and matching figures - the ex-JB models are good but are, quite literally, last century. I live in an area with a large military presence and see masses of new and modern military vehicles driving around.

I hear similar comments in the model railway community about the apparent lack of "new" models but the reality is that manufacturers produce what sells. Hornby and Bachmann are always releasing another loco, wagon or coach in a different livery or running number so the reboxing of existing models by the plastic kit manufacturers is not a unique occurrence.

The cost of models is a hot topic in the model railway world too. The two main OO manufacturers in the UK have their models made in China where, to date, labour has been cheap meaning super detailed and affordable models. Bachmann recently announced price hikes to their range that will probably drive modellers away from the hobby. China has passed new labour laws that mean wages have to double within five years. A result of this is that workers can leave one employer for another paying higher wages leaving their previous masters with no manpower.

Keep an eye on the RRP of plastic models kits made in China over the coming years.

 

[Guest]

I am quite new wth this hobby, so for me personally it's still exciting trying new stuff whether it's AFV or modern jets. Even though I only built modern stuff so far. But for you guys that's in this hobby for a long long time maybe it's kinda boring. IMHO.

But for you Polux, I think you can make any model into a magnificent built or diorama.

Cheers

 

[Guest]

You're becoming quite the agent provocature Polux!

I can't agree with your question. New & old companies are going from strength to strength. As other's have said, Airfix is enjoying a resurgence, Tamiya & Dragon are introducing new production techniques & people like Miniart, Masterbox & Zvezda are making new kits all the time.

If I built one version of every AFV, aircraft, ship & helicopter taking one week for each, I'd be 6 feet under before I'd finished! There's a plethora of stuff out there.

If you ask me, I think the question should be more about what you'd like to see being produced ...

 

[Alan 45]

I think it all depends on what you want , for me it's specific but if you only want aircraft or armour you won't see a problem , I build across the bourd so for me it's very frustrating due to my scratch building skills aren't good enough to alter figures or models so I want the companies to take that into account so the term comfort zone is why they are stagnant from my point of view

 

[Guest]

But surely Alan, if everyone's modelling needs where exactly catered for, they'd be no improvisation or kit bashing, which is the definition of stagnation.

Your current D-Day dio is a case in point. You've improvised, adapted & overcome - your skills have got better, there's more satisfaction & it looks better than something built ' off the shelf '.

 

[PaulTRose]

i find that the stuff is out there but is often made by small companies and therefore is expensive

 

[Alan 45]

But surely Alan, if everyone's modelling needs where exactly catered for, they'd be no improvisation or kit bashing, which is the definition of stagnation.Your current D-Day dio is a case in point. You've improvised, adapted & overcome - your skills have got better, there's more satisfaction & it looks better than something built ' off the shelf '.

I agree Patrick but I'm lazy so I want it all there for me maybe I'm being selfish as I'm only thinking about me personally but I think they could more

Each to their own I suppose , there's no right or wrong answer from my point of view.

 

[ojays]

Just found these sites, looks like a very interesting selection of assorted scales, plus some unusual cutaway subjects.

Not worked out the monetary conversion yet, but imagine they won't be cheap.

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Gregg

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[Guest]

Oh my God!! Not!!

Is not my intenttion to become the agent provocature!!!

Anyway is my mistake, sorry! I forget there are many kind of modellers on our family, personally I consider myself as a "diorama modeller" and I can resist about the idea to build a diorama with a battle on the sands with crusaders between horses and camels or similar!!

So I miss this kind of figures or models...

Because, what is the modelling? A hobby, isn't it? And with it we learn about the history as well, but sometimes I feel like was only topics about WWII... This is my worrie....is just there were very important wars on the history, I could like to recreate them

And please, don't understand wrong my words, I don't have anything agaisnt the Spitfire or the plane's modellers

 

[Guest]

Had a look on Cybermodeler. They list new models for the next 12 months.

Aircraft 126

Armour 85

Trucks Motor-cycles 40

Naval 29

Space Scifi figures 25

This does not include all manufacturers only those who give Cybermodeler details or they find for themselves.

For instance Airfix is not on the list.

Nice site with lots of info including colours and reviews. http://www.cybermodeler.com/index.shtml

Laurie

 

[Guest]

I find it very difficult to get figures in poses that I really want especially civilians so I have to alter what I really want to do.

Another one is cars in 1/35 scale , I find it impossible to get a civilian care from the forties to do a more authentic street scene.

I'm absolutely agree with this Alan!!

Mmm...can you imagine more civilian figures and cars we can build excellent dios

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much for the info Laurie!

You are always helping

Thanks again

 

[Ian M]

I think a thing that must be taken into account is the main stream verses the niche.

The larger firms are there to make money and thus they produce models that the know will sell in large numbers.

The cost of tooling is seriously silly and the tools themselves are also rather large. I read that the tool for one sprue in the new Eduard 109 (1/48scale) is a monster lump of high grade steel that tips the scales at 35kg.

So the major players are going to want to get their not inconsiderable investment back by way of high sales.

There are some new players that are turning out some new kits that are first time in plastic. Merit and Mirror models, for example.

The problem is that the niche manufactures have a (comparative) small market.

From a personal viewpoint, I am amazed that there are so few civilian car kits of EVERY DAY cars, like ordinary people drive in and not just super cars and the like.

A quick word about figures. MasterBox (MB) Models. do a series of multi-pose figures that can be assembled in several different poses. So one figur can be built up in four or more different poses.

Ian M

 

[Guest]

From a personal viewpoint, I am amazed that there are so few civilian car kits of EVERY DAY cars, like ordinary people drive in and not just super cars and the like.

.

Ian M

It's true Ian. And remember more of them are at 1/24 scale...

Is like something I will never understand.... Why I need a fuel truck at 1/35 if all the planes are at 1/32!!! I can not do a diorama with that