All aforementioned kits overmodelled? Well, maybe. I don't see that as a bad thing though.

I'm certainly not the most exceptional modeler here. To the contrary, I consider myself to be a mere novice compared to most guys/gals here. I see the whole plethora of any given subject a plus. Within each subject, no two are exactly alike. To me, it helps point out different choices and options available- not to mention maybe an idea or two that I haven' considered before.

I or one, welcome this "overmodelling". Besides, I find that most of the moe common builds here are what I'm interested in building in the frst place!

I "dabble" in all things fixed wing, but a major focus of mine seems to be 20's - 40's. 

I think the 109 is most over-modeled.  Followed by the F-4 (seems to be more of that than P-51) but as I indicated, I don't follow jet trends as closely.

On my shelves are more Luftwaffe, Italian and Russian aircraft, followed by US Navy and FAA.  Frankly it's because I like camo schemes -- the more colors the better.  I've shyed away from the over-modeled, except of course for the 109.  I once determined I could make 100 109s and still not have two that were "identical" (ignoring individual markings).

GS

Im a newbie, but I dont think any kit/type is over-modeled. Yes, we see tons of 109s & P-51s, but maybe its because of the plethora of markings, decal options and paint jobs you can do. Same for the phantom. You dont see much variance in paint jobs with the IJN/IJA birds, even the spitfire is somewhat limited in what you can do. Why do people prefer german tanks? Maybe the paintjobs are more interesting that OD.

finally, there is the issue of whats offered for sale... quick search in Greatmodels (1:48) scale:

P-51s - 29 different kits

Bf 109s - 53

all spitfires - 39

now lets look at the "lesser" ones:

stuka - 5

bf 110 - 5

mosquito - 6

ALL yaks - 11

buffalo -4

well, you get the idea.

point is, "Over-modeling" is a function of what is offered...  german armor, japanese ww2 ships, 109/P51s.

 

 

...only when every last one is built, will I be satisfied!

A million mile road paved with completed Messerschmitt 109s would be sliver of a fraction of the monument in my imagination!

Build on!

richs26 wrote:

Let's get more specific.  B-17G, B-26B's (Flak Bait), early B-17F models (Memphis Belle-everyone thinks that the Belle was the first to reach 25 missions in Europe: Not.  Hell's Angels was the first from the 303rd BG.  It just had a documentary and a movie going for it for PR purposes.), P-51D's, P-40E's, B-24J's, B-25J's, late P-47D's (bubbletop).

I don't think B-26s are over-modeled by any means.. Ain't that many kits of them out there.  I have two Monogram Marauders (one indeed, is "Flak-Bait" waiting for glue, but they aren't in production anymore, haven't been for years.  Although I purposely stayed away from bombers in the scope of this thread, since overall, there aren't as many kit-types of bombers as there are fighters and attack aircraft.

Overall, "Over-modeling" is a thing that comes from the manufacturers... They build what sells and there's no reason to change that.  I love building the old stand-bys from WW1 and WW2, but they definately need to push farther into the "Golden Age" era, in my not-so-humble opinion... The US Army Air Corps alone is thick with aircraft types during that era...

 

Really, and not to take this in another direction, but why isn't there a B-18?

 

Hm... "builds outside the 'regular' stuff"..... Pretty much sums up... EVERYTHING I build!  Which is why I do it- Everyone's seen a Bf 109.  How many have seen a Polikarpov I-1?  Or a Tupolev TB-3?  Or a Short Stirling?  Or an SSW R.VIII?  Therefore, why not build it!

JMart wrote:

there is the issue of whats offered for sale... quick search in Greatmodels (1:48) scale: P-51s - 29 different kits Bf 109s - 53 all spitfires - 39 now lets look at the "lesser" ones: stuka - 5 bf 110 - 5 mosquito - 6 ALL yaks - 11 buffalo -4 well, you get the idea. point is, "Over-modeling" is a function of what is offered>

Do you mean over modeling is due to which kits are made and availability? Because I would then have to ask why would these kits be made at such a higher rate than the others? Because I think the answer to that is due to their popularity. They are over modeled so demand is high, the variation in supply might increase because of this.

For example, an after market company would make much more money off of 109s than they would off of Buffalos. Unless one starts taking into account the "specialty product"/rarity side of things, where those people that enjoy building the Buffalo would be really interested in after-market- and end up willing to pay more for a rare update, than a bunch of modelers that know there is an equally wide range of 109 aftermarket which would drive the cost down...

Main point was I don't think it's fair to say people over build because of over availability. I think it's a "which came first? Chicken or the egg?" kind of issue.

Just my .02c

Okay... Easy, Killer.

This is a modelling website. You posed a question and I answered.  You found fault with my answer and I was accused of "lecturing." I responded.  Let's keep this in perspective.

bondoman wrote:

Really, and not to take this in another direction, but why isn't there a B-18?

 

That is a good question, it is really surprising since there have been some short run kits of similarly obscure aircraft.