What if

General Modelling Forum => General Modeling topics => Topic started by: seadude on February 18, 2022, 07:11:31 AM

Title: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: seadude on February 18, 2022, 07:11:31 AM
Just for fun, I got to thinking, what if a model manufacturer made a model kit of one of your what if models (from these forums) to sell to the general populace?

A few questions:
1. Which what if model that you have built would you allow or like to see made as a mass produced kit to sell?
2. What scale would it be in?
3. What model manufacturer would you wish to have to make the kit?
4. What other accessories would be included in the kit? Resin, photoetch, 3D parts, etc.?
5. What price do you think your kit would be worth and what would people be willing to pay?
6. What do you think the box art might look like?
7. Would the kit be easy to put together or difficult?
8. Would you want your what if kit to be manufactured as a resin kit, 3D printed kit, plastic kit, or vacuformed kit?
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Pellson on February 18, 2022, 07:42:29 AM
Quote from: seadude on February 18, 2022, 07:11:31 AM
Just for fun, I got to thinking, what if a model manufacturer made a model kit of one of your what if models (from these forums) to sell to the general populace?

A few questions:
1. Which what if model that you have built would you allow or like to see made as a mass produced kit to sell?
2. What scale would it be in?
3. What model manufacturer would you wish to have to make the kit?
4. What other accessories would be included in the kit? Resin, photoetch, 3D parts, etc.?
5. What price do you think your kit would be worth and what would people be willing to pay?
6. What do you think the box art might look like?
7. Would the kit be easy to put together or difficult?
8. Would you want your what if kit to be manufactured as a resin kit, 3D printed kit, plastic kit, or vacuformed kit?

That as a shedload of questions.. :o

1: I THINK I'd prefer one of the ships. Or rather - a "multi option" ship kit of the Battle-class RN destroyer of 1944-1945 vintage. Magnificently beautiful ships that - theoretically - could have been modified to helicopter destroyers, Ikara destroyers or even guided missile/Sea Dart destroyers. With a stretch. Parts for these different versions in one kit would be nice.
Or a similar kit for the slightly later and larger Daring class DDs.

2: my ship scale is 1/700. Period

3: Skywave/Pitroad, preferably. Or, if must be - Dragon.

4: none. I hate them. Styrene is the poo-poo!  :thumbsup:

5: a 1/700 FFG or DDG will set you back around £25-£30, and I guess that's where it has to be.

6: like Airfix old HMS Devonshire County-class DDG. What a box art!  :wub:

7: many small parts, but good engineering and great fit. And a one-piece waterline hull (lower hull available as option)

8: injection molded. Obviously.  ;)
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: PR19_Kit on February 18, 2022, 12:56:07 PM
No contest, my Armstrong Whitworth Meteor PR19a, that's original model I built, but which was the second of the three versions in the backstory.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/6442/ldCljf.jpg)

2] 1/72 of course, is there any other scale?

3] Airfix, it's a Brit aircraft and should have a Brit model company produce it.

4] It shouldn't need any if Airfix do a good a job on it as they've been doing in recent months.

5] £15.00 or so, not as much as £20.00

6] It'd be a PR19 seen from underneath, contrailing against a very dark grey sky.

7] Easy, no sense otherwise.

8] Injection moulded styrene, the only way to go.
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: scooter on February 18, 2022, 04:27:07 PM
1) F-106G/H (aka the F-38A/B Phoenix) (here (https://www.deviantart.com/scooternjng/art/Not-your-daddy-s-F-106-2-50479891) and here (https://www.deviantart.com/scooternjng/art/Not-your-daddy-s-F-106-50479516))
2) 1/144, 1/100, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 (ALL THE SCALES! ;D)
3) Either: Tamiya, Hase, Trumpeter, Kinetic, or Revellogram (and not in the soft soapy plastic their 1/48 106A comes in)
4) Photoetch and 3D
5) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
6) A variation on:
  (https://www.f-106deltadart.com/piwigo/upload/2012/12/13/20121213045330-c94558ed.jpg)
7) Easy-ish.  Shake and bake for the casual builder, but able to give Thomas a challenge - but in a good way
8) Injection or 3D printed
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Old Wombat on February 19, 2022, 12:51:45 AM
Quote from: seadude on February 18, 2022, 07:11:31 AM
Just for fun, I got to thinking, what if a model manufacturer made a model kit of one of your what if models (from these forums) to sell to the general populace?

A few questions:
1. Which what if model that you have built would you allow or like to see made as a mass produced kit to sell?
2. What scale would it be in?
3. What model manufacturer would you wish to have to make the kit?
4. What other accessories would be included in the kit? Resin, photoetch, 3D parts, etc.?
5. What price do you think your kit would be worth and what would people be willing to pay?
6. What do you think the box art might look like?
7. Would the kit be easy to put together or difficult?
8. Would you want your what if kit to be manufactured as a resin kit, 3D printed kit, plastic kit, or vacuformed kit?

Really difficult questions! :o

I have 5 models I'd like to see converted into kits in several scales, some requiring resin & PE parts/options others not.

I'll stick to aircraft for this (it's the most popular subject on this site, by far) & there are 3 on the list.

1.a. Grumman FB-2G Grebe
1.b. CAC CA-14A Sea Wallaby (but with the FW190 Sea Hurricane or Hellcat undercarriage instead of the Boomerang undercarriage I used)
1.c. North American B-27A

2. Both 1/48 & 1/72

3. Eduard (1/48) & Airfix (1/72)

4.a. In 1/48: Turned-metal (t-m) undercarriages with full up or down options, t-m gun barrels, resin engines with PE details, weighted resin wheels, resin & PE cockpits
       (possibly just for the ProfiPACK versions, with the Weekend Editions just having limited PE)
4.b. In 1/72: Nothing, Airfix seem to be doing a pretty good job as is in this scale

5. I have no idea but the lowest price possible without making them nonviable to manufacture.

6. Not going into detail here but something "active" or "exciting"

7. The easier the better, without sacrificing important detail

8. Styrene

1.a. Grumman FB-2G Grebe
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Grumman-FB-2G-Grebe/i-vRQRVfr/0/311b4ef0/S/DSCN4530-S.jpg)

1.b. CAC CA-14A Sea Wallaby
(https://photos.smugmug.com/CAC-CA-14A-Sea-Wallaby/i-mk5PdmP/0/b1dbfada/S/IMG_2406-S.jpg)(https://photos.smugmug.com/CAC-CA-14A-Sea-Wallaby/i-V5RxWD6/0/080f0739/S/IMG_2395-S.jpg)

1.c. North American B-27A
(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-WHJPG4b/0/71c3e8c8/S/IMG_2329-S.jpg)
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: zenrat on February 19, 2022, 02:59:09 AM
I'd like A Model to do a 1/72 version of my Метательное Копье MeКo 7c.  It would be moulded in greasy brittle styrene with a cloudy canopy and the box would contain a PE fret seemingly intended for a different kit.  The instructions would be written in English by a 5 year old before being translated to Chinese, to Polish, and then back to English.  All using Google Translate.
Price would be slightly more than any right-minded person would pay and box art would look like this;

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4646/27607890899_9e355fb763_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J4BE7X)Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 19a (https://flic.kr/p/J4BE7X) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr

Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: DogfighterZen on February 19, 2022, 06:36:19 AM
Hum... interesting questions...
Although i haven't built the "Perfect form" or final design as i idealize them i'd love to see my F-16W and the AH-1Z with a Fenestron tail rotor.

I have the F-16W build in progress and i believe this one will come out at least, closer to my vision of it's "Perfect form", which i think i'll also be able to achieve with either the 1/48 Kittyhawk or the 1/72 Dream Model's AH-1Z Viper.

F-16W
(https://i.imgur.com/fUvpB2w.jpg)

AH-1
(https://i.imgur.com/Qv1KAAU.jpg)


Scale and manufacturer:
Both could be in 1/48 by either Tamiya, Kinetic or in 1/72 by Special Hobby. I guess Revell could be a choice for a cheaper 1/72 model but seeing that they rebox Special hobby kits with different decals, maybe their edition would have Cartograf sheets but that would make it more expensive than SH's boxing. They would also have pilot figures in styrene.

Extras:
For the F-16W, Styrene CFTs (and avionics spine for twin seat variant) would be optional, extras could be in the form of 3D printed cockpit decals, canopy and wheel masks and a stand for an in flight display option.
For the AH-1, turned brass for the cannon and the 3d cockpit decals and canopy masks would do.

Price:
The F-16W would probably be somehwere in between 35 to 60€. I'm guessing the prices would be close to Modelsvit's Mirage 4000 and other prototypes they make cause these would probably fall into that category. I believe that if people pay 45€+shipping for the Mirage 4000 and around the same for the Dream Models AH-1Z in 1/72, the ones interested would probably pay the same or close for these two. In 1/48, depending on distribution and seller, it could be a bit more than 60€ for the final price.

Box art:
Well, i like boxes like Hasegawa's with pics of the real aircraft but obviously, this would be a drawing of two of each, with the furthest one breaking formation banking right.
Something like this...
(https://i.imgur.com/VFsa3Xi.jpg)

Difficulty and Media:
Don't know if it would be considered an intermediate level build because of the brass parts but the F-16W should be as easy as a Revell or Tamiya F-16 kit and the AH-1 would probably be the same as Dream Models' aH-1Z.
To make it a simpler build, it should all be Styrene except for the metal and 3d bits.

So, these two would probably sell a few but i don't see them becoming a huge hit... :rolleyes: ;D
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: RAFF-35 on February 19, 2022, 12:56:05 PM
Quote from: zenrat on February 19, 2022, 02:59:09 AM
I'd like A Model to do a 1/72 version of my Метательное Копье MeКo 7c.  It would be moulded in greasy brittle styrene with a cloudy canopy and the box would contain a PE fret seemingly intended for a different kit.  The instructions would be written in English by a 5 year old before being translated to Chinese, to Polish, and then back to English.  All using Google Translate.
Price would be slightly more than any right-minded person would pay and box art would look like this;

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4646/27607890899_9e355fb763_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J4BE7X)Метательное Копье MeКo 7c 19a (https://flic.kr/p/J4BE7X) by Fred Maillardet (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156376527@N06/), on Flickr

I'd so buy that kit!!
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: McColm on February 20, 2022, 12:56:51 AM
I would like them to build a 1/72 Avro Lincoln similar to what I'm building at the moment.
(https://i.imgur.com/csTnCr4.jpeg)
The 1/72 Boeing Washington AEW.1
(https://i.imgur.com/mCnsUfB.jpeg)
The Triumph Lynx in 1/24 scale (it's the red one).
(https://i.imgur.com/8vsyywe.jpeg)
The Lockheed C-130 Flying Boat in 1/72 scale. They would use turboprops instead of four Rolls-Royce Griffons.
(https://i.imgur.com/CLdxgjx.jpeg)
The 1/72 scale Lockheed Neptune turboprop.
(https://i.imgur.com/zi4wGeH.jpeg)
A 1/76 scale Hogwarts Castle  ( this one has a few alterations from the original card kit, would be great in plastic. )
The Boeing Phalcon in 1/72 scale.
(https://i.imgur.com/D5JQeOY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5SwdJRW.jpeg)
The 1/72 scale H,P. Victor AEW.3
(https://i.imgur.com/ufi97PZ.jpeg)
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: The Wooksta! on February 20, 2022, 07:54:29 AM
I'm going against the grain as I don't want ANYONE to do kits of my stuff as that would make it commercialised, mainstream and exploitative.
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: PR19_Kit on February 20, 2022, 09:06:10 AM
I don't mind them exploiting me so long as they PAY me too.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Lost Cosmonauts on February 20, 2022, 11:06:38 AM
Quote from: The Wooksta! on February 20, 2022, 07:54:29 AM
I'm going against the grain as I don't want ANYONE to do kits of my stuff as that would make it commercialised, mainstream and exploitative.

Thankfully when I exploit you for kit ideas it is in a bespoke, niche and handcrafted manner
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: The Wooksta! on February 20, 2022, 12:44:01 PM
Different kettle of fish entirely.  I may suggest certain projects I'd like to buy - Hawker P.1103, for example.  You provide a base product and I put a unique spin on it.
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: kerick on February 20, 2022, 04:03:42 PM
My SU-22/F-105 crossover. Fujimi would be nice but probably end up Hasegawa. Plastic of course. No pe or such as it's not meant to be a complex kit. Just a decent cockpit and bang seat for once. Maybe the F-101E too.
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Old Wombat on February 20, 2022, 04:53:25 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 20, 2022, 09:06:10 AM
I don't mind them exploiting me so long as they PAY me too.  ;D ;D

Same! ;D ;D
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: kitbasher on February 21, 2022, 12:11:39 AM
Quote from: Lost Cosmonauts on February 20, 2022, 11:06:38 AM
Quote from: The Wooksta! on February 20, 2022, 07:54:29 AM
I'm going against the grain as I don't want ANYONE to do kits of my stuff as that would make it commercialised, mainstream and exploitative.

Thankfully when I exploit you for kit ideas it is in a bespoke, niche and handcrafted manner

🤣🤣🤣

Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: sandiego89 on February 21, 2022, 06:45:22 AM
I wish someone would come out with an affordable, injection-molded MAJESTIC/COLOSSUS Aircraft carrier in 1/700, depicted late in service with angled deck, larger elevators, etc.  I have scratch-built several but it would be great if we had more options for a later service BONAVENTURE, MELBOURNE, 25 de MAYO, etc.

My scratch 1/700 ex-MELBOURNE in 1982 Royal Navy Falklands service.   

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/XXWlAA.jpg) 
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: The Wooksta! on February 21, 2022, 08:25:36 AM
Not a bad idea. A sinking and burning 25 de Mayo, with either several Buccaneers circling it or a surfacing British sub would make for a good diorama.
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Weaver on February 21, 2022, 10:55:47 AM
Well probably the easiest one of mine to do would be the Me 623. Just persuade the new owners of PM Models to put out the P.1111 again, with a decal sheet based on the captured Me 163 Komet that Eric Brown test-flew. IIRC a cleverly designed bit of resin could give it intake sidewalls and a better cockpit all in one piece. Turned brass instumentation test boom and pitot tube, PE test boom fins, undercarriage doors and dash. If you want to get fancy, throw in a couple of Colin's Ruhrstahl X-12 AAMs.

Price? About £15 for the plastic, the resin cockpit tub and a basic decal sheet. £25-ish for all that plus the PE, brass and a multi-option decal sheet.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546275422_e120434380_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k1ASFh)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50546277942_627b0a2257_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k1ATqJ)
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Steel Penguin on February 21, 2022, 11:45:52 AM
my TAM alike if also fairly easy,  it is was a Tamiya Marder apc, with a tamiya Chieftain turret on top....   as both are slatwart models of the tamiya range ( the cheiftain is as old / older then me)  it wouldant be a far run, cost would be £20 -30 at a guess  simaler to the prices they go for now, and with the normal ease of assemby that Tamiya have, in 1:35 ( for display ) and 1:48 ( for wargames use).  with the box art being it in its mismatch camoed glory in a very post WW3 city scape.
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: Weaver on February 21, 2022, 03:53:47 PM
Quote from: Steel Penguin on February 21, 2022, 11:45:52 AM
my TAM alike if also fairly easy,  it is was a Tamiya Marder apc, with a tamiya Chieftain turret on top....   as both are slatwart models of the tamiya range ( the cheiftain is as old / older then me)  it wouldant be a far run, cost would be £20 -30 at a guess  simaler to the prices they go for now, and with the normal ease of assemby that Tamiya have, in 1:35 ( for display ) and 1:48 ( for wargames use).  with the box art being it in its mismatch camoed glory in a very post WW3 city scape.

Now I'm wondering whether you could make an actual TAM from a 1/35th Marder hull and a 1/48th Leo-1A4 turret...
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: NARSES2 on February 23, 2022, 06:06:28 AM
I'm not really a "cut and shut" modeller as I don't have the skills, but one of the few I've done and one I'd like a couple more of is my Westland Whirlpool. Maybe AZ/KP could tool it up ? Especially if I could provide the necessary tea stained napkin  ;)

(https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/NARSES2/Model%20Pics%20012_10.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/NARSES2/media/Model%20Pics%20012_10.jpg.html)
Title: Re: What if a model kit were made.......of your what if model?
Post by: PR19_Kit on February 23, 2022, 06:15:36 AM
Oh yes Chris, that'd be great as a kit!

It'd also provide endless Whiff-fodder for people wanting to build other 'prop-in-the-middle' projects.  :thumbsup: