Model Rectifier Corporation

Ahh. A simple search (like, duh) shows me that MRC aparently owns Academy. Anyway, what's the concensus around here on MRC or Academy in general? Seemed like decent prices on kits, anyway.

MRC is a parent company. They don't make the models, Academy does. At one point MRC was the parent company of Tamiya.

Academy kits range from second rate knock offs of 70's and 80's Tamiya kits to very good kits on their own.

I've built a few Academy kits. The 1/72 scale ones I've built have been decent kits, generally a bit thin on cockpit detail, but overall very nice. Their 1/48 scale kits are about the same, though I didn't like their decals in either scale.

I did notice, at least in the 72nd kits, that if the date of manufacture was from the 80's or early 90's, the quality was not quite as good.

But the newer stuff I've built- (72nd P-40N and Hurricane IIC, 48th P-40C) has been a good buy. And I have a 48th scale -109G-14 in the stash that looks nice. 

Rich.Carpenter wrote:

Anyone ever done business with Model Rectifier Corporation? Anyone know anything about them? I bought my Tiger I early from them on eBay. Shipping was a bit slow, but overall it was a pretty good experience. They have a decent selection of Academy kits (don't know how people feel about Academy - don't seem 'em mentioned much around here) as well as Italeri, Easy Model, Tristar and others.

They sell direct on Ebay? That ought to make their stocking dealers happy! 

Well, I guess it was actually sold through eBay by MegaHobby.com. It just has the MRC labels on the box. My mistake.

m1garand wrote:

Isn't MRC authorized distributor of several lines of hobby products?  From what I understand, Academy place MRC marking on kits that are being exported to the U.S. Market.  Academy is owned and operated in Korea.

I believe this is correct. I have several kits and some are marked differently.

They do distribute there own line also. 

I personally really enjoy Academy's kits, especially their own molds/releases. Their 1/48 Spitfires are such a gem to build. And I have enjoyed several of their 1/35 armor kits as well. The lines that MRC imports seem to be more pricey when they partner up (especially Italeri and Academy) when compared with their previous importers,  but that just may be coincidence.

stikpusher wrote:

I personally really enjoy Academy's kits, especially their own molds/releases. Their 1/48 Spitfires are such a gem to build.

{Looking through the stash closet....}

Academy Spitfires..... don't have those......

Must..... get...... more....... Spitfires.......