Developments in the hobby...or lack thereof

Here we go again...

I suppose you did not see the recent Revell 1/48 Ventura, or the new 1/48 PT-17 Stearman?

Go get 'em, stik!!   

I am getting ready to put the Revell Stearman on the bench.  That kit is beautiful. If you were satisifed with the old LIndberg release, fine.  Most of us have been crying for a PT-17 in 1:48 that is up to modern kit standards, and Revell answered our cries.  It is beautifully molded, the engine detail includes the accessories behind the engine that will be pretty much hidden once installed.  The thing that gets me, in these days of 100 buck kits, is that the kit cost me 19 bucks!

It has always bugged me that people are so quick to denigrate the likes of Revell and Monogram.  If spending five times more for a shake-n-bake kit that you simply assemble makes you feel like a true modeler then so be it.  For the most part, it takes someone with only a fair level of modeling skills to build a Revell/Monogram kit.  This is what separates the "model builders" from the "assemblers".  

Those kits, like any other, require a wide variety of skills.  I've always felt that those who are so quick to put down these kits are those who simply don't have the skills needed to build them.  They've been spoiled by overpriced kits that fall together and build themselves.  I feel that sanitizes the process and takes away the feeling of craftsmanship.

Revel/Monogram definitely fills a niche and appeals to a particular demographic in the modeling community.  Don't go slamming such companies (and by extension, those who enjoy their products) simply because they don't serve your purposes.  If you want exposed avionics bays, then please feel free to purchase those kits which feature them.  Otherwise, please feel free to use your modeling skills and scratch-build them on your own.

Eric

Hi guys,

Before I respond to the thread, I want to remind everyone involved that we can disagree about subject matter, manufacturer quality, or the price of kits. However, on the FSM Forum, we do not draw distinctions between modelers. We are all here to share our knowledge and love of our hobby. Let's all remember to observe this nicety.

As for developments in the hobby, there are many new developments. In the last few years, we've seen a huge boom in World War I aviation, and now we're seeing WWI armor warming up too. On the sci-fi, fantasy, and pop-culture front, Pegasus and Moebius are both minting very cool licensed products in a segment that languished for far too long. We've seen many new manufacturers come on the seen with extremely detailed kits, and the level of building skill has increased too.

As far as the same subjects being produced: We have a saying around the office - Shermans and Germans, they sell. Model companies, just like all companies, exist to make money. If Tiger and Sherman tanks sell, then that's what they'll make. The more esoteric subjects don't have wider appeal, so it often doesn't make sense to tool up to make them--until the market changes, and then everyone will be all over them. I think we're in just such a time with the WWI subjects.

Cost can be an issue. I build wooden ships, and they have always been expensive. However, the way I look at it, if I really want a $450 kit but can't afford it right now, I put  away what money I can each month and pick up the kit when I've got the cash. On the other hand, the number of affordable kits on the market right now is staggering. Airfix has a beautiful range of 1/72 scale kits with lots of detail for around $10 each. You could fill a shelf for $100 and never build the same plane twice. Revell and Revell Germany are doing their part to keep prices low too. Plus, RG is producing some very unique kits (though, perhaps not popular in the U.S.). So, not everything is priced out of reach.

There are companies that are trying to bring back manufacturing into the U.S., but, the truth is that China became the world's factory floor. As the Chinese middle class grows, working conditions improve, and wages increase, companies will move on to find cheaper places to manufacture--Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos. However, we are seeing some companies choosing to move to Europe, or, indeed, back to the U.S. It's selective right now, especially in the hobby segments, but it's happening. This is the ebb and flow of business, and a discussion of economics and protectionism is better left to elsewhere on the internet.

Doomsaying surrounds every hobby. Lately, it's been circulating around R/C because the industry is in the doldrums right now. It swirled around the hobby games industry for a long time (video games were going to kill board games; so were CCGs; so were intramural sports) and now that is coming back stronger than ever. We see a lot of products come through the FSM offices every week. And, in fact, the amount of product is growing. The hobby doesn't show any signs of slowing down, and, from my vantage, looks to be vibrant.

We all have models that we'd really like to see developed and produced, but they all may not make business sense--I think wooden model ship manufacturers should concentrate on late-19th century French ironclads. That's unlikely to happen. So, I plan for the day I scratchbuild the Richelieu using Harold Hahn's plank-on-bulkhead method.

Tim

--

WnW.

Nuff sed

echolmberg

It has always bugged me that people are so quick to denigrate the likes of Revell and Monogram.  If spending five times more for a shake-n-bake kit that you simply assemble makes you feel like a true modeler then so be it.  For the most part, it takes someone with only a fair level of modeling skills to build a Revell/Monogram kit.  This is what separates the "model builders" from the "assemblers".  

Those kits, like any other, require a wide variety of skills.  I've always felt that those who are so quick to put down these kits are those who simply don't have the skills needed to build them.  They've been spoiled by overpriced kits that fall together and build themselves.  I feel that sanitizes the process and takes away the feeling of craftsmanship.

Revel/Monogram definitely fills a niche and appeals to a particular demographic in the modeling community.  Don't go slamming such companies (and by extension, those who enjoy their products) simply because they don't serve your purposes.  If you want exposed avionics bays, then please feel free to purchase those kits which feature them.  Otherwise, please feel free to use your modeling skills and scratch-build them on your own.

Eric

I never denigrated anyone who builds Monogram Or Revell.I have complimented many builds on that ongoing thread.But why do you insist on putting down someone who happens to build expensive kits,as if it takes no talents to build a Dragon,Eduard,Hobby-Boss,Great Wall,or even Tamiya,calling us mere assemblers,as if only people who build Monogram are "true modelers"and have skills,I fill,sand,paint and weather as well as the next person.So please, enjoy your builds,whatever they are,but don't call me an assembler,or not a real modeler because I don't build Monogram or Revell,because when you do that,you sound as narrow mined as the ones who rip Revell and Monogram kits.

Anthony

Tojo72

echolmberg

It has always bugged me that people are so quick to denigrate the likes of Revell and Monogram.  If spending five times more for a shake-n-bake kit that you simply assemble makes you feel like a true modeler then so be it.  For the most part, it takes someone with only a fair level of modeling skills to build a Revell/Monogram kit.  This is what separates the "model builders" from the "assemblers".  

Those kits, like any other, require a wide variety of skills.  I've always felt that those who are so quick to put down these kits are those who simply don't have the skills needed to build them.  They've been spoiled by overpriced kits that fall together and build themselves.  I feel that sanitizes the process and takes away the feeling of craftsmanship.

Revel/Monogram definitely fills a niche and appeals to a particular demographic in the modeling community.  Don't go slamming such companies (and by extension, those who enjoy their products) simply because they don't serve your purposes.  If you want exposed avionics bays, then please feel free to purchase those kits which feature them.  Otherwise, please feel free to use your modeling skills and scratch-build them on your own.

Eric

I never denigrated anyone who builds Monogram Or Revell.I have complimented many builds on that ongoing thread.But why do you insist on putting down someone who happens to build expensive kits,as if it takes no talents to build a Dragon,Eduard,Hobby-Boss,Great Wall,or even Tamiya,calling us mere assemblers,as if only people who build Monogram are "true modelers"and have skills,I fill,sand,paint and weather as well as the next person.So please, enjoy your builds,whatever they are,but don't call me an assembler,or not a real modeler because I don't build Monogram or Revell,because when you do that,you sound as narrow mined as the ones who rip Revell and Monogram kits.

Anthony

And this is what I tried to keep from happening. We aren't arguing this out again. Model builders come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities, and skill levels. There's no hierarchy on the FSM Forum. No us and them. No this or that. 

End of discussion and this thread.