Where are the 1/48 Helo's ??!!

I second, plus, how in the world no one sees we really need a mainstream company to produce a Mi-8/17 series in 1/48. I just can't understand this, just imagine the multiple boxing oportunities! CIA, South East AF, Eastern Block, Small Airforces, Africa, civilians, police, unconventional birds (I have an Air Forces Monthly on unconventional Hips that waters my mouth every time I see it).

These birds have seen, if not more, at least the same amout of use the H-60 family for crying out loud.

Also, a Mh-6/MD-500 series a'la Dragon in 1/48 wouldn't hurt. Academy's are fine for a fun build but are lacking a lot, specially if you are in for a SOAR bird or the latest 530 series.

Rant mode off but keeping my fingers tightly crossed

Joe 

yes, we're still missing a lot of 1/48 helos - I agree with your list, especially the H-34, H-37, and CH-54.

Others I think need to be done in 1/48:

• OH-6A Loach
• OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
• Lynx family

we keep dreaming..... 

steve

They won't get made because they don't have GUNS, BOMBS or ROCKETS. Destruction sells best for the model companies and just like the media stations, when they own the information they can present it anyway they want.

Chief Snake 

Chief Snake wrote:

They won't get made because they don't have GUNS, BOMBS or ROCKETS. Destruction sells best for the model companies and just like the media stations, when they own the information they can present it anyway they want.   Chief Snake

No offense, Chief Snake, then why can't we get a good 1/48th AH-1G

While I tend to agree with you we have others like the CH-53E and the Ch-46 that got the attention of Academy and they carry as much "destruction" assets as a Hip ;). I'm no t asking nothing more than that.

 BTW and since we are on the topic, we also lack a Kiowa Warrior in 1/48... or a resin conversion for that matter :( C'mon Chief you know we want it!

   Who said Hips dont carry enough "destruction" assets?

I want these two bad boys in 1/48 and 1/35 scale:

and Ka-27/29

Andy

AH-1 series is being explored by a major manufacturer. Three iterations starting out with G model. All will be based on US Army used airframes. No release date.

 Chief Snake

intruder_bass wrote:

Who said Hips dont carry enough "destruction" assets? I want these two bad boys in 1/48 and 1/35 scale:   and Ka-27/29 Andy

I agree, but the bean counters who approve the projects are not convinced. Their numbers don't support the output to develop the kit, they get their numbers from buyers who distribute the models. Things with fixed wings, propellers, jet propulsion and missiles/bombs sell. Plus they don't know the difference between a CH-46 and a CH-47. They see a big body with two sets of blades and consider it the same thing. Now that applies to airplanes too, but the airplanes have the considerable position of being the bulk of sales and there lies the money.

Chief Snake 

Helo_Joe wrote:

While I tend to agree with you we have others like the CH-53E and the Ch-46 that got the attention of Academy and they carry as much "destruction" assets as a Hip ;). I'm no t asking nothing more than that.  BTW and since we are on the topic, we also lack a Kiowa Warrior in 1/48... or a resin conversion for that matter :( C'mon Chief you know we want it!

Lots of folks want lots of things, but I'm one person struggling to keep things operating. Given what I just went through with sales problems, I'm not in the position to just jump into whim production. Some things just don't generate the sales, particularly when they are already available in existing scales.

Chief Snake 

Helo_Joe wrote:

While I tend to agree with you we have others like the CH-53E and the Ch-46 that got the attention of Academy and they carry as much "destruction" assets as a Hip ;). I'm no t asking nothing more than that.  BTW and since we are on the topic, we also lack a Kiowa Warrior in 1/48... or a resin conversion for that matter :( C'mon Chief you know we want it!

Those two projects had a champion pushing for them. Since they were released they sold to specific interested modelers but did not cross the lines very far into attracting other builders. As such the returns, although not negative, were not the "cash cow" we helicopter fans think they are. The manufacturer isn't jumping for joy. We spend over $100 dollars to put two kits in our collections but that doesn't compare to the sales generated buy the buyers of fixed wing models who may have  4, 5 or 6 of a particular model because they have 10 sets of decal choices to catch their eye and drive their impulse. Now, the manufacturers are a bit more cagey in accepting suggestions. They have to be really sold on the idea based on their perceptions AND it has to nearly overwhelm them with the promise of continued sales.

Chief Snake 

Chief Snake wrote:

AH-1 series is being explored by a major manufacturer. Three iterations starting out with G model. All will be based on US Army used airframes. No release date.  Chief Snake

I find that very interesting, thanks Chief Snake