1/48 Lancaster Canopy Needed

I bought the same kit at my local hobby shop in CT. I have a few pieces missing. That is partly why it is on hold at the moment. Tamiya recently released a new Lanc a couple of years ago. See if you can get the same parts ordered from them, the few pieces I need I am waiting until I purchase some resin to duplicate them. They are only the small ones for the props and I would like to have four not two engines.

Tamiya is usually pretty good about sending replacement parts right out....I was missing a canopy piece from my Beaufighter, and they sent one they had laying around right out. They may have replacements for your kit as well....

Tamiya only seem to care if you are in the USA or Japan
I was looking for a replacement canopy part for my Dinah and was told that they would only deal with requests from Japan and the USA.
Nice kits but their attitude sucks !

If that is true and I don't doubt that it is I find that appaling. It is not fair to discriminate you if you live in Ireland. Or anywhere other than Japan or the USA.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

I called Tamiya America looking for the canopy, but they did not have it on hand. They explained that their replacement parts inventory comes from returned damaged kits, and it is a hit and miss situation at best. They told me to keep trying as they never know which damaged kits would come in. So, I guess I'll keep trying.

Ted

Hey, you still looking for a canopy for that Lanc? i have an old one, in fairly decent shape. bulged side panels are gone,but i have the flat ones.you are welcome to it.Just get me a n address to send it to

QUOTE: Originally posted by oggy4624 Tamiya only seem to care if you are in the USA or Japan I was looking for a replacement canopy part for my Dinah and was told that they would only deal with requests from Japan and the USA. Nice kits but their attitude sucks !

I think the reason is that Tamiya has offices/branches and staff in BOTH those countries, but is NOT represented in others.

The same applies to ALL makers, try getting hold of PL, Monogram parts or similar from japan and you will hear the same story.
The new trend now has become that companies like Tamiya, Aoshima et all now also sell replacement parts/sprues in addition.

Best method for damaged parts is to take it back to the shop and get the shop to replace the kit and than the shop deals either with his wholesaler or the maker directly.

Many companies like Tamiya will allow you to order replacement sprues for any of their kits, problem is this involves payments, accounting, etc and thus this service is only available in countries where they are officially represented.

As for free replacement, many companies are starting to shy away from it as they have no way of verifying that the part was factory damaged, missing or messed up by the modeler who now might try to avoid paying for a part that he mucked up but should be ordering a replacement part.
Hence Tamiya USA will only send part of kits that they have lying around as they are already considered "waste" and written off.

My LHS will take back locally manufactured kits with flaws or missing parts, at times they will rip the boxes open, repackage each sprue indiviudally and sell each for a buck or two in a bargain bin. They also do the same with Kits that have damaged boxes, etc.

exbluesix: Thank you very much for offering the canopy ! Please contact me at oz1998@msn.com and I will provide my address.

MadModelFactory: I can't go to my LHS on this one, I got it off of eBay. Given the fact all the parts are still factory sealed in their bags, the great condition of the box, and how well it was packed, I have to give the seller the benefit of doubt on this one. Besides, I got a good price on it. Seems ashame to send it back just for the canopy. As far as Tamiya goes, "free replacement" doesn't exist with them. They told me the Lanc canopy will cost me between $4.00-$6.00, plus about that same amount for shipping. I went through this with them a couple years ago when I was looking for a replacement piece for my 1/700 Scharnhorst. They do not sell the individual parts, you have to take the whole tree the part is on. And then, it's only on a first come, first serve basis. What a racket that is. They should open up a parts division. They'd clean up.

MMF, I understand that point you made about the compaines not accepting that some parts are damaged as is, but what about the guy who buys it from ebay or the way I got mine, in a store that used to purchase items that come from auction, estate sales or even tag sales.

It just dosen't seam right to deny these types of items from their just due. I think I know what you are thinking but I disagree.

I bought two planes from that same estate sale I think this aforementioned Lanc from Tamiya and Monograms B-29, both boxes were in very bad shape but the kits are ok. The decals on the other hand are shot beyond recognition.