The most purchased, but least built kits

MJames70

One that comes to mind is the Monogram 1/72 B-36. The kit has been pretty continuously issued since its 1980 introduction, meaning it must still sell well. But rarely do you see one built. 

I can believe it.  I'm the second owner for the one that's in my stash.  The original owner bought it when it was first released and ended up giving it to me about 10 years ago.

And no, it's still not built...

I have three 1/32 p-38s that I'm eager to build but I never get started on them. The P-61 suffers the same.

tigerman

I'll go on a limb and say that rare hard-to-find kits that modelers "collect" more then they build, because they're expensive or they just "want" it, because they are speculating. I can't say i have an examples, but old Aurora armor commands pretty steep prices considering there age and lack of detail. True with the Bandai 1/48 line as well. i can't recall seeing any examples of completed ones in the forums.

You just have to know where to look for the Bandia builders. Track48 is a website dedicated to 1/48th scale armor modeling. The discussion forum and assembly line forum often have works in progress of old Bandai kits. http://www.track48.com/shop/ 

The gallery used to be full of Bandai kits, but with the recent releases in the past decade, Tamiya and Hobby Boss kits have taken over. The store portion also carries upgrades and conversions for many different 1/48 scale kits.

jschlechty

By far the oldest kit in my stash is the 1/48 Revell/Monogram B-17G.  It still sits in the box, fuselage is done, but wings are unattached.  This is due to exactly one reason - I don't have the space to display it IF I put it together!  I'd guess that others are in the same boat . . .

The second-most numerous copies of the same kit for me as well in Aircraft..

First Place goes to... Eleven Monogram P-51Ds and six B/Cs..

Five total 1/48 Forts- 4 Monogram B-17Gs/1 Revell B-17F

4 Monogram P-61s

3 Monogram B-29As

3 B-24Js-1 B-24D

3 B-25Js

3 A/B-26 Invaders

2 B-26 (Marauders)

2 C-47 Skytrains (with 1 AC-47)

All 1/48 Monogram kits..

Armor, I got too many 1/35th Tamiya and Italeri Shermans, too many Tamiya Pz and StuG IVs, and a couple Tigers that may or may not get built.. And I got GOBS of 1/4-tons and Kubelwagens..

Thing with armor though is that, being a diorama builder, I can pretty much add a 1/4-ton or Kubelwagen in any or all of them...  I've done six "Bill Mauldin" dioramas, all with the Italeri or Tamya 1/4-ton as the only vehicle...

But the most of the above-named aircraft kits, well.. The 8th AF had a LOT of different paint-schemes, and I'm always thinking that I'll start that diorama-collection of "Mighty Eighth" stories...

Add a smattering of doubles of 1st Generation jets from Monogram, too...

However, I'm startin' to aquire more and more 1960's 1/32 Revell fighters... Thanks, Ebay..

I can't answer that one. My collection is more esoteric subjects: Don't really like mainstream, Don't have a P-51, F-16, f-15, F-14 in my collection.

By far the oldest kit in my stash is the 1/48 Revell/Monogram B-17G.  It still sits in the box, fuselage is done, but wings are unattached.  This is due to exactly one reason - I don't have the space to display it IF I put it together!  I'd guess that others are in the same boat . . .

Sherman M4 variants ? Lots and lots of kits issued of the Sherm . Some get built but many of the kits get put in the stash for future builds that dont happen .

I do have to add my two cents on this one.I still have an F-15.You remember the REVELL 1/32 version?Well,I built one for the WAL-MART store in my neighborhood many moons ago.I liked it so much ,I bought one for myself.Self hasn,t gotten around to building her yet and now,there are space constraints(very serious ones) OH WELL, someday    TANKERbuilder

Manstein's revenge

I'm guessing the Dragon 1/35th rail gun kits of a few years back...and maybe second would be the Revell 1/72nd U-boat...

I'll go on a limb and say that rare hard-to-find kits that modelers "collect" more then they build, because they're expensive or they just "want" it, because they are speculating. I can't say i have an examples, but old Aurora armor commands pretty steep prices considering there age and lack of detail. True with the Bandai 1/48 line as well. i can't recall seeing any examples of completed ones in the forums.

I'm thinking those Dragon kits with hundreds of parts crammed into the stuffed box. They fly off the shelves, but I don't see as many built at shows, although when you do see them, they are beauties. I think it could be due to the complexity of the kits; very involved builds that are time consuming.

I also think the intimidation factor sets in, so many parts, such a nice kit, such a high price, that so many folks don't want to "ruin" the kit by messing up the build.

DoogsATX

 But seriously, who doesn't have a P-61 languishing in their stash?

Me!!!

I do have a pair of 17s though, and they are among the oldest in my stash.

Londo

   I have a one-month policy: if I still want the model kit after one month I buy it. But this is not the case with gifts.

   Case in point, my uncle bought me a 1:48 scale Phantom jet plane many moons ago. It's still sitting at the bottom of my pile. It's just that I don't have the time or skills to build it! 

If I only waited a month, my stash would be 3x larger than it is right now! Resisted the Revell Ju 88 and Monogram B-24J for months before succumbing in the last few weeks.

As for skills - I say crack that Phantom open! The only way to learn is to do, and taking on a kit that intimidates you can really focus your efforts.

Maybe the Polar Lights series of Star Trek spaceships in 1/350 scale.  I built one, PITA, and too big- where could you display it, except hang it from the celing?  Verboten per the Frau.

And I have another in my stash, why, I don't know.  It will probably never get built.

I built mine. It is my favorite aircraft of course and Michael's art store with a coupon makes for a very good price on the best 1/48 F-15E kit on the market. I have one more that I am going to do as an F-15I.

   I have a one-month policy: if I still want the model kit after one month I buy it. But this is not the case with gifts.

   Case in point, my uncle bought me a 1:48 scale Phantom jet plane many moons ago. It's still sitting at the bottom of my pile. It's just that I don't have the time or skills to build it! 

MJames70

One that comes to mind is the Monogram 1/72 B-36. The kit has been pretty continuously issued since its 1980 introduction, meaning it must still sell well. But rarely do you see one built. I think size and natural metal finish make this one a deadly combination. A kit that people are glad to be able to buy, but have second thoughts about building. I know I have a couple sitting around untouched.... 

My advice......... leave it "untouched".

In terms of sheer volume, it's probably the really recognizable aircraft. So...say the Revell P-51 and P-38. Probably bought frequently as presents, then never touched. 

Among us? Revell's big bombers come to mind. But seriously, who doesn't have a P-61 languishing in their stash?

Don Stauffer

A hobby shop employee who had a good memory and asked folks frequently how their projects were going said the worst for completion were the expensive wooden planked hull ship kits.  He said by far the majority that he followed up on were never completed.

Even plastic ship kits have a bad reputation, primarily the sailing ones.  Rigging a (three master) ship is a real challenge to patience.

I'm sure that is probably true. Plank-on-frame wooden kits can often take years to complete.  I've been given a number of partially-completed wooden kits over the years after the original owners got bored and /or frustrated with it. 

As far as plastic kits, the first thing that came to mind for me was the Revell 1:96 Constitution.  Gluing parts together is one thing, but rigging is an art unto itself.

Mark 

One that comes to mind is the Monogram 1/72 B-36. The kit has been pretty continuously issued since its 1980 introduction, meaning it must still sell well. But rarely do you see one built. I think size and natural metal finish make this one a deadly combination. A kit that people are glad to be able to buy, but have second thoughts about building. I know I have a couple sitting around untouched.... 

A hobby shop employee who had a good memory and asked folks frequently how their projects were going said the worst for completion were the expensive wooden planked hull ship kits.  He said by far the majority that he followed up on were never completed.

Even plastic ship kits have a bad reputation, primarily the sailing ones.  Rigging a (three master) ship is a real challenge to patience.

I'd guess this two oldies: (1) the Kitty Hawk (aka the Wright Flyer) and (2) the Spirit of the St. Louis (N-X-211). These are commonly gifts for modelers from persons, etc., etc.

cml

Do you think the more popular a kit, the more likely it's going unbuilt?

Just thinking - when you look at some stashes, you see kits that clearly the owner has an affinity for.  I myself have 3 Hasegawa F-14 kits in my stash.

I bought them all 'cause i want to build a number of different schemes/i liked the decals etc.

BUT, to be honest, i haven't built one in 4 or 5 years.  Everytime i go to my stash, i seem to pick up something else, quite often, a kit i've only got a one-off of.

So, do you think people tend to stock up on their favourite kit, but, in the end, they are the ones that end up not getting built and hence, get sold on eBay?

Just a thought.

That's why I tend not to buy multiples of the same kits. I rarely buy a variant anymore. There are so many new subjects and so little time. Why build the same kit multiple times?

Do you think the more popular a kit, the more likely it's going unbuilt?

Just thinking - when you look at some stashes, you see kits that clearly the owner has an affinity for.  I myself have 3 Hasegawa F-14 kits in my stash.

I bought them all 'cause i want to build a number of different schemes/i liked the decals etc.

BUT, to be honest, i haven't built one in 4 or 5 years.  Everytime i go to my stash, i seem to pick up something else, quite often, a kit i've only got a one-off of.

So, do you think people tend to stock up on their favourite kit, but, in the end, they are the ones that end up not getting built and hence, get sold on eBay?

Just a thought.

Interesting question. Scroll ebay and look at all the kits that pop up all the time. One that I can think of is the Tamiya  Tiger I Late. Really any of their Tigers are regularly on ebay.

I could seeing the railguns,but why the U-Boat? Subs usually have a fairly small parts count.Nowhere to put the finished kit,perhaps?

I'm guessing the Dragon 1/35th rail gun kits of a few years back...and maybe second would be the Revell 1/72nd U-boat...