Was chatting to Airfix and Revell staff at SMW 2024, and badgered them about the kits I wanted to see. Learned a few things off them.
They tend to avoid kits of singular one-offs (such as the prototype Spitfire). They prefer a kit that can be periodically reboxed with different decals, to stretch out the initial up-front cost of the tooling. So don't expect too many "Love this one-off" ideas to make it through.
Revell have looked at reviving their 1:25 bikes range, but a) have lost the old tooling along the way, and b) found that the tooling costs were surprisingly high for what is effectively a low-budget kit.
Revell seem mostly unaware of the big WWII Wunderwaffen cult and the endless whiffy kit fodder out there. This despite their 1:72 Arado E.555 being among the more popular kits. With luck, I might have nudged them into looking around for more.
Darn forgot to ask why they can't just press button B and get CAD data for three different scales out of the same research.
I am hoping this thread will throw up some more awkward/promising questions for 2025.
I spoke to the chaps at Airfix and begged them for a Hindustan Marut. Showed them the Fantasy Kit World box and they said 'niche.' I was hoping to grab Paramjit, but he was leaving just as I got to the stand, and he seemed to be in a hurry, didn't want to delay him. He might have thought differently. :-\
Would Airfix count the Scimitar as a 'niche' model?
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 29, 2024, 01:18:49 PMWould Airfix count the Scimitar as a 'niche' model?
They might well do. Perhaps we should talk to Sword about the Scimitar then?
Gondor
Quote from: Gondor on November 29, 2024, 01:38:14 PMQuote from: PR19_Kit on November 29, 2024, 01:18:49 PMWould Airfix count the Scimitar as a 'niche' model?
They might well do. Perhaps we should talk to Sword about the Scimitar then?
Gondor
think you'll find they did the Xtrakit Scimitar for Hannants
In the list of 'why hasn't anyone built one of those in plastic yet' must be getting shorter so the Avro York and Lincoln must be on their way within the next five years which should give me plenty of time to save up and buy my own 3D printer with a scanner so I can create my own even if it's just the fuselage.
Quote from: Thorvic on November 29, 2024, 01:51:50 PMQuote from: Gondor on November 29, 2024, 01:38:14 PMQuote from: PR19_Kit on November 29, 2024, 01:18:49 PMWould Airfix count the Scimitar as a 'niche' model?
They might well do. Perhaps we should talk to Sword about the Scimitar then?
Gondor
think you'll find they did the Xtrakit Scimitar for Hannants
Ah, not so good an idea then. Freightdog perhaps then?
Gondor
Quote from: McColm on November 29, 2024, 09:10:55 PMIn the list of 'why hasn't anyone built one of those in plastic yet' must be getting shorter so the Avro York and Lincoln must be on their way within the next five years which should give me plenty of time to save up and buy my own 3D printer with a scanner so I can create my own even if it's just the fuselage.
The Avro York is done by Mach 2
Quote from: steelpillow on November 29, 2024, 12:04:51 PM...why they can't just press button B and get CAD data for three different scales out of the same research?...
That's the real question.
Zoukei-Mura (SWS) seem capable of doing it.
Airfix must be kicking themselves for not making their Phantoms 1/48.
Quote from: steelpillow on November 29, 2024, 12:04:51 PMDarn forgot to ask why they can't just press button B and get CAD data for three different scales out of the same research.
When the scale changes, this changes:
- how much detail you can include in the model. This changes the part breakdown, so your CAD model has to be split up into parts differently. Do you make a fuselage with all of the lumps and bumps integrated, or do you inlcude those as separate parts?
These stay the same:
- moulding constraints: minimum thickness for walls and sprues. Scale your CAD from 1:72 to 1:48, and you have to go over every part to make the walls thinner, to avoid having thick planks. Go the other way, and the parts have to be made thicker to avoid moulding failures, weak spots etc.
- moulding constraints: maximum size of a mould. This changes how you lay out your sprues.
- minimum size of features (lumps and bumps, panel lines). If you just scale down the panel lines, they may become too small to be cut by the mould maker, or too small to be visible in the moulded part.
The research gets you the surface shape, and that can be reused. Converting that into a model that can be produced (and this applies to every production process from injection moulding to 3D printing) is different for every scale.
I keep pressing for a 1/72 Manchester, but I fear I will be out of luck. With its interesting variations and actual service it would have been produced by many manufacturers if it had been Luftwaffe.
Will Special Hobby ever issue their "future release" Albacore?
Quote from: Hobbes on November 30, 2024, 03:42:16 AMQuote from: steelpillow on November 29, 2024, 12:04:51 PMDarn forgot to ask why they can't just press button B and get CAD data for three different scales out of the same research.
When the scale changes, this changes:
- how much detail you can include in the model. This changes the part breakdown, so your CAD model has to be split up into parts differently. Do you make a fuselage with all of the lumps and bumps integrated, or do you inlcude those as separate parts?
These stay the same:
- moulding constraints: minimum thickness for walls and sprues. Scale your CAD from 1:72 to 1:48, and you have to go over every part to make the walls thinner, to avoid having thick planks. Go the other way, and the parts have to be made thicker to avoid moulding failures, weak spots etc.
- moulding constraints: maximum size of a mould. This changes how you lay out your sprues.
- minimum size of features (lumps and bumps, panel lines). If you just scale down the panel lines, they may become too small to be cut by the mould maker, or too small to be visible in the moulded part.
The research gets you the surface shape, and that can be reused. Converting that into a model that can be produced (and this applies to every production process from injection moulding to 3D printing) is different for every scale.
Of course. Button B would have to be smart enough to do the donkey work of applying those rules, and to offer options for combining smaller parts and perhaps for smoothing over vs. widening out a borderline groove or whisker. Design to your largest planned scale (say 1:24 or 1:32), then go click the button for the smaller scales and tidy up any remaining glitches. Given the sophistication of today's software, that is just a question of applying it here.
As
Zenrat says, Zoukei Mura appear to be going down that road.
Bizarrely the original Airfix 1/72 TSR2 master was made in 1/48 scale. You'd have thought that when they did the 1/48 scale model it would have been a doddle as they already had the master.
But no, they did a new master, and got it WRONG! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
To be honest i dont expect too much from either Revell or Airfix in 2025, Revell have recently poached the Airfix researcher, so thats not likely to bare fruit untill 2026 at best.
Airfix efforts appear to be soley focused on its 48th aircraft types, virtually abandoning 72nd bar for the odd one probably where the leg work was done in previous years and their basic noddy kits for the airshow market. Revell & Italeri will also be doing larger scales like 32nd. Heller are supposed to be back, but their new Hawkeye announced in 2023is now a 2025 release with no sign of test shots as yet.
Hasegawa and Fujimi dont appear to be doing much new stuff just reissues and revamps of older kits, Fine Molds are doing some nice jets, but mainstream US/Japanese types. Tamiya are doing some superb F-35s with all three versions in 48th, yet their 72nd F-35B was only tooled for VTOL mode, so not sure if thats going to be it or we'll see a 2nd CTOL mode F-35B next year. Expect to see a nice F-35C in 72nd from them, but again it may be tooled for just a single pose, such as folded or ready to launch.
With the Czechs, AZ/KP seems to be revamping exsisting kits, with the odd new one, s|pecial hobby are doing the same or releasing stuff in development over the last few years, Sword have pulled back from their more unusual farye and focusing on US Navy types and 48th boxings.
Ukraine seem to have the more exciting 72nd kits in the works but with the ongoing war development can be slow and again efforts are more 48th.
China, always the chance of something interesting, although more likely to be a vehicle in 35th or warship kit.
So not expecting much or real interest to get excited about, but always hope for some surprises, but the anticipation of Airfix/Revell schedule announcemnet of past years is now just alot of social media hype with very little substance worthy of a pre-order
It's all getting rather humdrum and almost boring. We need something affordable or completely off the wall, like a 1/35 Brabazon, a selection of hovercraft, or even the kit(s) to convert a simple Churchill tank into one of eleventeen different varieties of Percy Hobart's funnies to liven up the market.
I'm not expecting much from either the aforementioned Airfix or Revell. The former is a master of hype over substance as, it's last few release programmes have shown and, as for Revell, I'm not expecting anything other than a rehash of previous kits. For sure, their most recent release list simply repeats this pattern albeit some of the rehashes are welcome.
I do however expect Airfix to continue their focus on 1/48 to the detriment of their 1/72 range and, to continue to ignore the many and, frequently repeated kit requests. Avro Manchester and Lincoln anyone?
I don't buy the "niche" argument. I think this is just a excuse by manufacturers to cover a serious lack of imagination. What is "niche" anyway? What are the parameters used to determine" niche"?
Surely any and every kit fits into a niche of some kind? I'm not getting my hopes up for anything in 2025.
To be honest, I'm turning to companies like Takom, Mikromir, A A Models and, Modelcollect because they are willing to tackle the "out of the box " types (no pun intended) that other companies ignore as they continue to churn out ever increasing numbers of the same, done to death already kit types.
Quote from: Gondor on November 29, 2024, 01:38:14 PMQuote from: PR19_Kit on November 29, 2024, 01:18:49 PMWould Airfix count the Scimitar as a 'niche' model?
They might well do. Perhaps we should talk to Sword about the Scimitar then?
Gondor
Pun intended? Maybe they could do a Cutlass, a Douglas Stiletto, a Delta Dagger and a Sabre.
I can't understand why the Scimitar keeps getting ignored. I mean, the nay sayers bleat about one user and one scheme but then Airfix did the Swift, which is the same one user, one scheme,
TBH, it matters little to me anyway. I have a very full loft, there's very little I actually want or even need* right now.
*Except two stage Merlin Mosquitoes. I have a wide ranging requirement for those due to lots of nice real ones I want to do. 618 Sqn alone could keep me busy for a while.
Things I'd love to see from model manufacturers in 2025:
1. New tool 1/350 scale of the USS Long Beach CGN-9 cruiser in 1980/1990's fit.
2. Modelcollect has been promising a 1/48 scale A-12A Avenger II for quite a while. Where the damn hell is it?! :banghead: I want one..........or two.
3. A 1/350 scale plastic model kit of the USS United States CVA-58 would be nice.
4. I generally don't build cars. But I'd love it if a plastic model kit were made of the late 1940's Tucker Torpedo. PLEASE!
5. Enough damn Enterprises already! :banghead: Why can't somebody make plastic model kits of the Akira, Steamrunner, Norway, and Sabre class starships from Star Trek?
6. A 1/72 scale kit of the B-21 Raider bomber. Somebody is probably already working on this. But will it be available for 2025? Who knows?
7. A 1/72 or 1/48 scale plastic kit of the shuttlecraft from the original Battlestar Galactica tv series.
There's tons more items I could list. But I won't otherwise this post will be excessively long.
Quote from: seadude on December 19, 2024, 10:00:53 AM6. A 1/72 scale kit of the B-21 Raider bomber. Somebody is probably already working on this. But will it be available for 2025? Who knows?
A 1/72 model off the B-2 would do for a 1/48 kit of the B-21 I reckon. ;D
Speaking of which, what happened to the B-2 - B-19? There must be an awful lot of Whiff potential hidden in that range!
Quote from: steelpillow on November 29, 2024, 12:04:51 PMDarn forgot to ask why they can't just press button B and get CAD data for three different scales out of the same research.
Because it doesn't work that way. The kit design and mould engineering is very different for each scale.
Fuselage wall thickness designed in 1/48th would be too thin for 1/72nd, go the other way from 1/72 to
1/48 and it's too thick. The applies to every part of the kit.
Quote from: PR19_Kit on December 19, 2024, 10:36:36 AMQuote from: seadude on December 19, 2024, 10:00:53 AM6. A 1/72 scale kit of the B-21 Raider bomber. Somebody is probably already working on this. But will it be available for 2025? Who knows?
A 1/72 model off the B-2 would do for a 1/48 kit of the B-21 I reckon. ;D
Speaking of which, what happened to the B-2 - B-19? There must be an awful lot of Whiff potential hidden in that range!
Well, I do have plans to convert the old Testor SR-75 Penetrator kit into a B-3 hypersonic stealth bomber. But you may have to wait a looooooooong time before I start on it.
Hi,
Off the top of my head I can think of;
- A Mk V * or Mk V** WWI era tank
- A 1960s era HMS Ark Royal, Eagle, or even Bulwark, Hermes or the like
- A 1/350 scale Leander Class Frigate, or maybe even a Type 21, Type 22, or Tribal class frigate *
- A modern HMS Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier
- Maybe a modern motor yacht
- An M10 Booker
Regards
Pat
Quote from: jcf on December 19, 2024, 10:46:28 AMBecause it doesn't work that way. The kit design and mould engineering is very different for each scale.
Fuselage wall thickness designed in 1/48th would be too thin for 1/72nd, go the other way from 1/72 to
1/48 and it's too thick. The applies to every part of the kit.
There is software around which adjusts all that accordingly. I don't think it's branded "Button B", but it's there for the asking.
Quote from: PFJN on December 19, 2024, 01:21:18 PMHi,
Off the top of my head I can think of;
- A Mk V * or Mk V** WWI era tank
- A 1960s era HMS Ark Royal, Eagle, or even Bulwark, Hermes or the like
- A 1/350 scale Leander Class Frigate, or maybe even a Type 21, Type 22, or Tribal class frigate *
- A modern HMS Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier
- Maybe a modern motor yacht
- An M10 Booker
Regards
Pat
There already is a M10 Booker available.
https://squadron.com/1-35-magic-factory-m10-booker-us-combat-vehicle-plastic-model-kit/
Quote from: Beermonster58 on December 19, 2024, 03:51:09 AMI don't buy the "niche" argument. I think this is just a excuse by manufacturers to cover a serious lack of imagination. What is "niche" anyway? What are the parameters used to determine" niche"?
"Niche" is EXACTLY what the Airfix reps at SMW muttered when I showed them the Fantasy Kit World boxtop of my weekly demand, the Hindustan HF-24 Marut. :banghead: Why am I the only one who believes it's sellable? :banghead: India is predicted to have the world's largest middle-class in the next few years, and there are already a lot of modelers there. The last aircraft designed by Kurt Tank, which would be well-received by the Luftlovers. WHY NOT?! :banghead:
Quote from: The Wooksta! on December 19, 2024, 06:16:58 AMI can't understand why the Scimitar keeps getting ignored.
You and a million others. It seems so obvious.
Quote from: PFJN on December 19, 2024, 01:21:18 PMHi,
Off the top of my head I can think of;
- A Mk V * or Mk V** WWI era tank
Regards
Pat
Along similar lines, 1/35 TOG 2. I mean FFS, the last land dreadnought is sitting in Bovington.
Quote from: seadude on December 19, 2024, 02:13:10 PMThere already is a M10 Booker available.
https://squadron.com/1-35-magic-factory-m10-booker-us-combat-vehicle-plastic-model-kit/
Thanks ,I hadn't seen that.
Pat
I'm hoping that Mach2 will do their version of the Avro Lincoln, they have the Avro York and my experience has been to replace the wings, engines and landing gear.
The BAe Nimrod MR.4A in plastic with the Breguet 763 Deux Ponts both in 1/72 scale although the Deux Ponts does come in 1/144 scale.
Given the costs of tooling runs to hundreds of thousands, they need to be sure of a market.
The Flet Air Arm was alway ignored, so no change there then, where are my Fireflys??
Funny thing is, Airfix used to do lots of unique beasts with no scope for reboxing - Fairey Rotodyne, Bristol Freighter, SR 53, a whole range of warships, etc. and Revell did too - X-planes, funny cars, windjammers and so on. Various of these have been refreshed and pumped out again today, no discernible change to the decal sheets. Reboxing was never part of the plan, just reissuing.
Meawhile Luft'46 stye "Wunderwaffen" projects, such as the Revell Arado 555, are good and persistent sellers. Talk about niche!
So those arguments against, say, the Scimitar are just excuses to cover blind prejudice and ignorance.
But what does matter is current buying fashions. And here it's all large-scale monoplanes and AFVs. Nothing smaller than 1:48. And it's true - my branch of IPMS is dominated by these bloated monsters and you won't get a model of the month vote if you are not one of them. And all the popular/trending stuff on ScaleMates and elsewhere is the same. The tooling cost for these huge boxfuls of ludicrous detail and sprues the size of Hampton Court Maze must be horrendous, no wonder the manufacturers have to play money-grubbing games to get by.
But a 1:72 plane a few inches across, where the research was all done decades ago? Oh, come ON guys: affordable tooling, a market gagging for "niche" and anything different, when would a prototype Spitfire or a cult spaceship ever go out of fashion?
Quote from: steelpillow on December 19, 2024, 01:23:41 PMQuote from: jcf on December 19, 2024, 10:46:28 AMBecause it doesn't work that way. The kit design and mould engineering is very different for each scale.
Fuselage wall thickness designed in 1/48th would be too thin for 1/72nd, go the other way from 1/72 to
1/48 and it's too thick. The applies to every part of the kit.
There is software around which adjusts all that accordingly. I don't think it's branded "Button B", but it's there for the asking.
Umm, no there isn't, every change in one
thing knocks on to another and then another and on and on.
Also the parts count for different scales is
going to be different every time.
Out of curiosity have you ever done much
in the way of CAD and 3-D modelling?
This seems to be turning into a bit of an "I wish they would make ..." thread, so I'll add my own. :wacko:
1/350 HMAS Sydney (I) (or a generic Chatham sub-class of the barely pre-WW1 Town-class)
1/350 SMS Emden (or Revell to re-release a batch of their SMS Dresden/Emden kit)
1/350 Black Swan class ASW sloop
My eternally vain hope;
1/35 CH-53D/E (with the drop tanks, rather than the big fat sponsons)
Quote from: Old Wombat on December 20, 2024, 02:06:47 AMThis seems to be turning into a bit of an "I wish they would make ..." thread, so I'll add my own. :wacko:
1/350 HMAS Sydney (I) (or a generic Chatham sub-class of the barely pre-WW1 Town-class)
1/350 SMS Emden (or Revell to re-release a batch of their SMS Dresden/Emden kit)
1/350 Black Swan class ASW sloop
My eternally vain hope;
1/35 CH-53D/E (with the drop tanks, rather than the big fat sponsons)
I would add a 1/350 Type 12L Leander, this has lots of possible versions and re-boxing opportunities.
Gondor
Must admit I do find this constant knocking of Airfix a bit of a pain as I'm just glad they are still around and producing new tool kits, whatever scale they are in, especially as it was only a few years ago they were just about ready to have the coffin lid screwed down on them.
Why can't people just be even slightly happy that we have a hobby which is probably more robust and vibrant then it has been in a long time, and yes I know a lot of that is down to the smaller manufacturers, but their ranges get larger and larger and whilst some may fade away others are becoming the "new mainstream".
As a Moderator I very seldom say anything at all when it comes to this type of thread, as I just read them and make sure no blood is being spilt, but just every now and then I feel almost compelled to say my piece, and this was one of them. So if anyone gets the hump please forgive me and remember it will probably be another year or two before I get involved again.
Chris
Quote from: NARSES2 on December 20, 2024, 06:21:01 AMWhy can't people just be even slightly happy that we have a hobby which is probably more robust and vibrant then it has been in a long time, and yes I know a lot of that is down to the smaller manufacturers, but their ranges get larger and larger and whilst some may fade away others are becoming the "new mainstream".
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Flj8AV9j.gif&hash=ba2270d5aff0e4cb99cbd1cf37813e327a9bee16)
Quote from: NARSES2 on December 20, 2024, 06:21:01 AMMust admit I do find this constant knocking of Airfix a bit of a pain as I'm just glad they are still around and producing new tool kits, whatever scale they are in, especially as it was only a few years ago they were just about ready to have the coffin lid screwed down on them.
Why can't people just be even slightly happy that we have a hobby which is probably more robust and vibrant then it has been in a long time, and yes I know a lot of that is down to the smaller manufacturers, but their ranges get larger and larger and whilst some may fade away others are becoming the "new mainstream".
I'm 100% with you on this, Chris.
QuoteThey tend to avoid kits of singular one-offs (such as the prototype Spitfire). They prefer a kit that can be periodically reboxed with different decals, to stretch out the initial up-front cost of the tooling. So don't expect too many "Love this one-off" ideas to make it through.
That's pretty much the philosophy of most manufacturers. Most (but not all) model companies, at least in my view, are too afraid to take risks with offering new subjects that nobody has ever heard of or seen before. All they care about is repackaging the "same old, same old" subject because that's what makes them money. REAL historical subjects is what sells. Not weird, crazy, or unusual stuff.
Model companies (and maybe some model builders around the world) aren't going to be satisfied until they've done every concievable version and variant of the Spitfire, Tiger tank, Yamato battleship, etc. in every scale imagineable, every decal variant, etc., etc., etc.
But ask them to come out with German WW2 concept H44 battleship for example and they'll say NO WAY! There's no profit in it.
If people want the odd and unusual, they have to 3D print it themselves, or hope that somebody has made a resin/garage kit of the subject.
Not Airfix bashing now - they're producing excellent kits these days - but I remain surprised they've not replaced their 1/72 Anson and Lysander kits in recent years.
The 1/48 Anson is a lovely-looking kit, ditto what I've seen online and in print of the new Lysander, but wrong scale for me.
That said, the most enjoyment I've got out of an OOB build in the last 12 months has been building an Airfix 1/48 Hurricane. Lovely kit and the build was a tiny bit personal. I do now regret not getting a copy of the first boxing of the 1/48 Anson as one of the subjects is a very personal one. Hey ho.
But back to Airfix in general. They're not a charity and they can't please all of the punters all of the time. Not all of their kits appeal but they're quality items and I wish them continuing success in their endeavours.
Quote from: seadude on December 20, 2024, 11:51:07 AMREAL historical subjects is what sells. Not weird, crazy, or unusual stuff.
When I see the number and variety of Star Wars, Thunderbirds and Star Trek kits in the shops, and hear of the success of Revell's Arado 555, I must beg to differ. It's all about the following that's out there, not what some dude wrote in an encyclopedia. And fashions change with the wind.
Quote from: jcf on December 20, 2024, 01:32:12 AMQuote from: steelpillow on December 19, 2024, 01:23:41 PMThere is software around which adjusts all that accordingly.
Umm, no there isn't...
Out of curiosity have you ever done much
in the way of CAD and 3-D modelling?
Enough. Please stay on topic.
Quote from: Old Wombat on December 20, 2024, 02:06:47 AMThis seems to be turning into a bit of an "I wish they would make ..." thread, so I'll add my own. :wacko:
1/350 HMAS Sydney (I) (or a generic Chatham sub-class of the barely pre-WW1 Town-class)
1/350 SMS Emden (or Revell to re-release a batch of their SMS Dresden/Emden kit)
1/350 Black Swan class ASW sloop
My eternally vain hope;
1/35 CH-53D/E (with the drop tanks, rather than the big fat sponsons)
Hi,
That reminds meof something I forgot to add to my wishlist - I'd really like to also see some larger scale injection molded models of any sort of WWII era light/medium warships like the Black Swan, Hunt, Castle, and River classes (or similar). I know that some of these ships have been kitted in various scales (and/or in resin) but I'd really be happy to see maybe a 1/144 scale Castle class to go along with Revell's 1/144 Flower Class, etc. And I'dreally like to be able to show a flight Iand flight II version of the Hunt class side by side to be able to display the differences in beam, and outfit of the two variants.
Pat
A new 1/72 Lockheed Neptune from Airfix or Revell. Both have kitted the Shackleton, a Neptune would sit nicely alongside them.
Bags of scope for repops covering multiple versions, decal options, etc.
Surely a new Neptune is long overdue? The only Neptune to date is the Hasegawa kit - now over half a century old!
I'm sure there's also a shed-load of aftermarket possibilities, including the Kawasaki P-2J.
EDIT: and Airfix please repop your 1/72 Canberra B(I)8 and put out new 1/72 bubble canopy Canberras. Pleeeease.
Quote from: kitbasher on December 21, 2024, 01:13:50 AMEDIT: and Airfix please repop your 1/72 Canberra B(I)8 and put out new 1/72 bubble canopy Canberras. Pleeeease.
AND the PR9 too!
I'm not into floaty things, but a model of HMS Beagle would be nice. One of the more important ships in history, with a nicer legacy than... (stops before it gets political...) ;D
Always wondered why the Saladin/Saracen family weren't made by Airfix or more readily available. VAB/AML series. Always thought the XM808 would have been a good one. There's loads
If my marketing ideas go to plan within the London Headquarters of the Coca-Cola Group for 2025 then you should see the Revell 1/144 Airbus A380 in the traditional red and white or red and black livery or a separate sheet of licensed Coca-Cola decals sold independently.
This could encourage sales of the 1/72 Mach2 DC-9 as FIFA was sponsored by Coca-Cola for the World Cup.
Other 1/72 aircraft model kits could also be painted with the Coca-Cola decals for real world or whatifs.
I'm also pursuing the 1/72 Avro Lincoln freighter, Argentina used them to refrigerate their beef, so a possibility for a cargo transporter for zesty drinks. It's a big ask if I can get Revell on board for my way of thinking as they have connections with VW in the plastic model car, van and truck department.
All I'm asking for is 1% of the annual sales.
As it's the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain (oh no not another Spitfire kit!) All the Spitfire marks of model kits should be covered by now or at least updated. The efficient should be applied to the other aircraft that took part.
Quote from: McColm on December 29, 2024, 03:19:19 AMAs it's the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
I think there are about 5 years missing there... :unsure:
Coca-Cola painted airliners sounds cool! There's the diet red and silver scheme too. Something with a narrow fuselage perhaps. :wacko:
Quote from: kerick on December 29, 2024, 10:22:59 AMCoca-Cola painted airliners sounds cool! There's the diet red and silver scheme too. Something with a narrow fuselage perhaps. :wacko:
;D ;D :thumbsup:
Quote from: Rick Lowe on December 29, 2024, 12:23:11 PMQuote from: kerick on December 29, 2024, 10:22:59 AMCoca-Cola painted airliners sounds cool! There's the diet red and silver scheme too. Something with a narrow fuselage perhaps. :wacko:
;D ;D :thumbsup:
Surely Coca Cola airliners would have to have an area-ruled fuselage.
Quote from: The Rat on December 29, 2024, 09:23:24 AMQuote from: McColm on December 29, 2024, 03:19:19 AMAs it's the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
I think there are about 5 years missing there... :unsure:
85th anniversary sorry my mistake.
Quote from: Rick Lowe on December 29, 2024, 12:23:11 PMQuote from: kerick on December 29, 2024, 10:22:59 AMCoca-Cola painted airliners sounds cool! There's the diet red and silver scheme too. Something with a narrow fuselage perhaps. :wacko:
;D ;D :thumbsup:
Pink, yellow,black and a blue-greenie colour (turquoise).
Quote from: Rheged on December 29, 2024, 12:35:00 PMSurely Coca Cola airliners would have to have an area-ruled fuselage.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Quote from: Rheged on December 29, 2024, 12:35:00 PMSurely Coca Cola airliners would have to have an area-ruled fuselage.
;D ;D ;D
Not really expecting anything new, unusual or even imaginative. That way I won't be disappointed. If I'm wrong, it's a bonus.
Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 11, 2025, 10:29:38 AMNot really expecting anything new, unusual or even imaginative. That way I won't be disappointed. If I'm wrong, it's a bonus.
Similar thinking here.
Gondor
With the new Azur/Frrom Fairey Battle coming out, it would be nice to see some aftermarket companies turn out mods for the bazillion different engine types that it was a test-bed for, but I'm probably stretching my hopes.
De Havilland Dragon and the Rapide probably in 1/48 scale but I don't mind 1/72 as loads of countries flew them as airliners and used in the military .Potential whiffery if the wings or engines are changed.
A decent 72nd Spitfire F.XIVc highback from Airfix would suit me nicely. There isn't a good one in 72nd. Fujimi's is an ill fitting over engineered mess, the Academy one is a nice kit but an awful Spitfire and the Sword one is OOP. AZ also did one, but it was a rather meh fuselage with their 18 kit, and the wings are 18 specific with none of the features on the 14e.
Eduard are doing the short nose Merlin types from later this year, the Vb is the one I'm interested in, as all the other 72nd Vbs are either v.old (Airfix, Smer/Mistercraft) or awful (Italeri, Revell, KP (which has an odd canopy and shape issues)).
I'd like a 1/35 Avis Stalwart. I don't expect to get one though.
Quote from: zenrat on January 12, 2025, 04:31:18 AMI'd like a 1/35 Avis Stalwart. I don't expect to get one though.
Yep!
Quote from: zenrat on January 12, 2025, 04:31:18 AMI'd like a 1/35 Avis Stalwart. I don't expect to get one though.
Frankly, I'd like to see more logistics/support assets in 1/35. Or conversion sets like shelters (S-250/S-788), the mobile maintenance box (SECM), etc.
I'm expecting at least a couple from Kinetic, both will certainly be in 1/48 and one is the Fiat G.91R3/4 and the other is the Atlas Cheetah C.
The Fiat was cancelled when they first posted CAD images because it had mistakes that were pointed out by folks on Facebook and Kinetic listened. The kit is listed on Scalemates for release in 2025 so, i'm hoping this time it's actually coming out.
The Cheetah C is because they've done the D and the Kfir C.10 and although the Cheetah C needs a new fuselage, the rest of the parts are already in production for the other two kits so i believe they'll end up doing it sooner or later.
Would be great to see a modern, more accurate A-7 family than the Hobbyboss kits, that intake is just weird...
I know there are resin conversion sets but i'd rather work in styrene... Hasegawa's 1/48 kit is only for the D/E variants so, no chance of an A-7A/B/P without a conversion set or either erase some panels and engrave new ones and drill holes for the two Colt cannons. I guess that the Fujimi kits would also be welcome re-editions, maybe Italeri or Hobby 2000 boxes.
Fujimi are supposed to be moving to rerelease most of their aviation back catalogue under their own label, rather than let someone reboot it. Why let someone else make a profit on your tooling?
Quote from: The Wooksta! on January 12, 2025, 08:16:57 AMFujimi are supposed to be moving to rerelease most of their aviation back catalogue under their own label, rather than let someone reboot it. Why let someone else make a profit on your tooling?
Oh, that's news to me... and good news they are! :thumbsup:
And i agree, if they're still in business, why let others profit from your product, right? I only mentioned the Italeri and Hobby 2000 boxes cause i believe they have a few of the Fujimi kits in their boxes. Italeri's 2019 1/72 Mig-21 is the Fujimi kit, same as the 2020 Hobby 2000 A-4 Skyhawk kits... Maybe something to do with distribution in Europe?
Quote from: Old Wombat on January 12, 2025, 06:39:05 AMQuote from: zenrat on January 12, 2025, 04:31:18 AMI'd like a 1/35 Avis Stalwart. I don't expect to get one though.
Yep!
I am obviously f**kin' psychic. Who wants this week's lotto numbers?
;)
Quote from: Beermonster58 on January 30, 2025, 12:53:45 AMWhat is "niche" anyway? What are the parameters used to determine" niche"? Surely every kit ever made is one "niche" or another?
Getting back to the Scimitar, I recall a story from another site a few years back. The Airfix rep was at Telford asking for suggestions for future kits. The word "Scimitar" was mentioned. The response apparently was an outburst of laughter .
For Airfix, anything not already on the market from half a dozen manufacturers, and which cannot be reboxed in a hundred different decal schemes, is niche. Better to do new tooling for a 1:72 scale Spitfire Mk IX, in both kiddie and expert editions and three different scales, than embark on the prototype or a floatplane Mk IX - or, Heaven forbid, a Scimitar! What I think they are really afraid of is that the East European "limited-run" folks can nowadays turn out enough to satisfy most markets, so let's not compete with them and just stick to serious mass production and eternal reissues. How the mighty are fallen!
Quote from: steelpillow on January 30, 2025, 01:12:42 AMWhat I think they are really afraid of is that the East European "limited-run" folks can nowadays turn out enough to satisfy most markets, so let's not compete with them and just stick to serious mass production and eternal reissues. How the mighty are fallen!
Whilst I wouldn't put it like that I do think you are right. Personally I think the market has settled and everybody is relatively comfortable in their place within it. Can't really think where the next set of "interlopers" come from, at least not in my lifetime :angel:
Quote from: NARSES2 on January 30, 2025, 01:44:24 AMCan't really think where the next set of "interlopers" come from
If white-ink printers come down in cost, then decal databases would flourish and the reboxing market would die. A big "If" for a market which the printer manufacturers probably see as niche. :-\
Quote from: steelpillow on January 30, 2025, 01:57:33 AMIf white-ink printers come down in cost, then decal databases would flourish and the reboxing market would die. A big "If" for a market which the printer manufacturers probably see as niche. :-\
I wish! :banghead:
Quote from: PR19_Kit on January 30, 2025, 02:13:09 AMQuote from: steelpillow on January 30, 2025, 01:57:33 AMIf white-ink printers come down in cost, then decal databases would flourish and the reboxing market would die. A big "If" for a market which the printer manufacturers probably see as niche. :-\
I wish! :banghead:
If your hand/eye is steady enough, there are some 10-packs of 1mm white ink pens on AliExpress...
All of the "white ink" printers on the market are sublimation printers used to print heat activated transfers for fabric, ceramic mugs, glassware etc.
The machines and inks are very expensive
and not at suitable for printing decals for plastic models. Well, not unless you don't mind using an iron on your model.
:wacko:
Quote from: jcf on February 16, 2025, 12:05:49 PMAll of the "white ink" printers on the market are sublimation printers.
Epson have been selling their Ultrachrome white ink for their top-range inkjets for several years now. Their current model is the SureColor SC-V7000.
There is also the Ghost white toner for laser printers.
QuoteThe machines and inks are very expensive
Quite so. You have nailed the reason they would need to come down in price.
With that printer costing £2500 + you could sub-contract a LOT of decals to a professional company for less. :o
In any case, how do you tell the printer NOT to print white over all the bits of the artwork that are clear, but look white on the .bmp file or whatever?
Quote from: steelpillow on February 16, 2025, 01:28:26 PMQuote from: jcf on February 16, 2025, 12:05:49 PMAll of the "white ink" printers on the market are sublimation printers.
Epson have been selling their Ultrachrome white ink for their top-range inkjets for several years now. Their current model is the SureColor SC-V7000.
There is also the Ghost white toner for laser printers.
QuoteThe machines and inks are very expensive
Quite so. You have nailed the reason they would need to come down in price.
The only white printers they offer are DTF (Direct to Film) for heat transfers, and DTG (Direct to Garment) which prints directly onto specially treated fabric which then has to go through a drying process. The printers are $19,000.
They were selling direct print to hard material printers - wood, metal, foamcore, expanded PVC sheet etc. One was aimed at the sign production segment, the other was primarily for creating printing plates. But they've been discontinued.
None of them are designed to print on regular paper or decal paper, nor could they as the
heavily pigmented white ink wouldn't work
very well with regular consumer desktop
printers. The white cartridges and the nozzles
of the tank printers evidently clog and fail
more than the other colours.
Quote from: jcf on February 16, 2025, 04:43:58 PMThe only white printers they offer are DTF (Direct to Film) for heat transfers, and DTG (Direct to Garment) which prints directly onto specially treated fabric which then has to go through a drying process. The printers are $19,000.
They were selling direct print to hard material printers - wood, metal, foamcore, expanded PVC sheet etc. One was aimed at the sign production segment, the other was primarily for creating printing plates. But they've been discontinued.
None of them are designed to print on regular paper or decal paper, nor could they as the
heavily pigmented white ink wouldn't work
very well with regular consumer desktop
printers. The white cartridges and the nozzles
of the tank printers evidently clog and fail
more than the other colours.
Really? To quote from the User Guide: "The Epson SureColor SC-V7000 is also compatible with a range of media, including rolls of paper, banners and fabric, making it a versatile printing solution for various industries."
No doubt that suggests expensive coated papers, but I see no reason to exclude decal sheet. It'll even top off with a coat of varnish, so you don't need to cut them out precisely.
Granted it says you have to tape small sheets down to stop them warping under the UV lamp.
They used to sell the Stylus Pro WT7900 which did "Fine Art, Roll Paper, Thick Media Support", dunno why they withdrew it. Can still find the white ink cartridges.
Quote from: PR19_Kit on February 16, 2025, 02:43:43 PMWith that printer costing £2500 + you could sub-contract a LOT of decals to a professional company for less. :o
In any case, how do you tell the printer NOT to print white over all the bits of the artwork that are clear, but look white on the .bmp file or whatever?
When you use a file format that supports transparency (for example, PNG), you can make the parts of the image that are intended to be transparent actually transparent. Graphics programs generally indicate this by giving the transparent area a checkerboard pattern instead of making it white.
This means the white areas and the transparent areas have different colors, and the printer will not print anything on the transparent areas.
Quote from: Hobbes on February 17, 2025, 09:42:39 AMWhen you use a file format that supports transparency (for example, PNG), you can make the parts of the image that are intended to be transparent actually transparent. Graphics programs generally indicate this by giving the transparent area a checkerboard pattern instead of making it white.
This means the white areas and the transparent areas have different colors, and the printer will not print anything on the transparent areas.
Ah, I didn't know that, thanks.
I've never used .png files before, I'll give it a go maybe.
Quote from: steelpillow on February 17, 2025, 02:02:56 AMQuote from: jcf on February 16, 2025, 04:43:58 PMThe only white printers they offer are DTF (Direct to Film) for heat transfers, and DTG (Direct to Garment) which prints directly onto specially treated fabric which then has to go through a drying process. The printers are $19,000.
They were selling direct print to hard material printers - wood, metal, foamcore, expanded PVC sheet etc. One was aimed at the sign production segment, the other was primarily for creating printing plates. But they've been discontinued.
None of them are designed to print on regular paper or decal paper, nor could they as the
heavily
pigmented white ink wouldn't work
very well with regular consumer desktop
printers. The white cartridges and the nozzles
of the tank printers evidently clog and fail
more than the other colours.
Really? To quote from the User Guide: "The Epson SureColor SC-V7000 is also compatible with a range of media, including rolls of paper, banners and fabric, making it a versatile printing solution for various industries."
No doubt that suggests expensive coated papers, but I see no reason to exclude decal sheet. It'll even top off with a coat of varnish, so you don't need to cut them out precisely.
Granted it says you have to tape small sheets down to stop them warping under the UV lamp.
They used to sell the Stylus Pro WT7900 which did "Fine Art, Roll Paper, Thick Media Support", dunno why they withdrew it. Can still find the white ink cartridges.
Yeah, and the V7000 is an $84,000 flatbed
with a 1.25 X 2.5 meter vacuum deck.
:rolleyes:
The WT7900 was specifically designed to produce printing plates.
None of these machines would be used for
what you're talking about, you could set up
a screenprinting business to produce decals
with less of an investment.