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I never thought they would release that...

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  • Member since
    November 2005
I never thought they would release that...
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 1:40 AM
This is not a specific topic, more a question as to what has interested you that you thought would never be released, or for that matter never considered as far as modelling is concerned.

Three releases that pleasantly surprised me as far as content were concerned were the two Northrop Flying Wings and the Valkyrie that AMT released. OK, I have no idea of the quality of the kits having never started them but I was very pleased to be able to get them (especially as I live in the UK). To a lesser extent I suppose there are the two AMT Tigercats as well.

Another interest of mine is the "fantasy" aspect. Nothing too outrageous I hasten to add. I refer to the German "what ifs" that have been releasef by Dragon (the Me 1011 I think it was called) and Revell (they must have release at least four, including the asymmetric Blohm & Voss).I suppose to a lesser extent the Gotha Go 229 by Dragon and the Do 335 by Tamiya would also fall into that category as does the Hasegawa Kyushu J7W1 Shinden (OK so Japanese aircraft as well!). To see the latter was a surprise to say the least.

Anyone else been pleasantly surprised by a manufacturers choice of release. I suppose I am really referring to injection moulded as opposed to vacform as the latter tend to go for the slightly less mainstream model anyway.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Friday, September 12, 2003 1:55 AM
The AMT Valkyrie was a nice surprise, but I was disappointed when I opened the box. You'd still need a decent amount of work to get a nice replica of that beautiful bird. But, it's better than anything that came before in term of Valkyrie kits, so let's not complain too much!

My most welcome surprise was seeing Hasegawa release some more Airbuses in 1/200. Those airliner kits are superb and well designed, and it took them soooo long to come up with the A320 series that it nearly killed me!

An even better thing would be for Hasegawa to re-release their egg-plane series...
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: United Kingdom / Belgium
Posted by djmodels1999 on Friday, September 12, 2003 1:56 AM
And then for Academy or Trumpeter to release the Valkyrie in 1/144. And the Northrop Flying Wings as well. Dreamland!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 2:21 AM
Talking of Academy the Stratocruiser was a pleasant surprise. I only recently got one, well at least I got the C-97A as it was cheaper. I then saw a Stratocruiser on ebay UK and put a bid in near the end of the auction and including postage paid £12.99 (around $20) for it.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Friday, September 12, 2003 5:16 AM
Who was expecting Trumpeter's 1/32 F-105?
Or their upcoming 1/32 Su-27?
Or the Panda 1/32 B-17?
Not I!
Glad they showed up, though!

Ah, but I guess the surprise with those releases lies more in the scale than the subject, which are all kinda top-40.
~Brian
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 5:26 AM
True. A 1/32 B-17. That must be an impressive beast.

The same could apply to the Revell 1/48 B1 and Italeri 1/48 Hercules. That B1 was BIG!!

For sheer size the Monogram 1/72 B36 takes some beating. Who would have thought a mainstream model of that would have seen the light of day.

I suppose when Airfix first announced their 1/24 Spitfire that was something of a surprise (that was a while ago now).
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Upper left side of the lower Penninsula of Mich
Posted by dkmacin on Friday, September 12, 2003 5:46 AM
Now for a 1/32 B24D-J. . .

Don
I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 6:02 AM
Acting on information received.....
A 1/48 Wirraway and Boomerang are about to be released by one of the middle European manufacturers.
I am not putting my hopes too high but if they were released I, for one would buy one or two.
Dai
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Saratoga Springs, NY
Posted by Jeeves on Friday, September 12, 2003 7:45 AM
I have seen Mistel models....they were kind of an obscure Luftwaffe project-- but I was delighted to see it....it's like 2 kits in one ;)
Mike
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by 72cuda on Friday, September 12, 2003 9:17 AM
The biggest 2 surprises where 1 AMT releasing the A-20, P-40 & F7F series, and 2 was Tamiya started doing 1/48 scale A/C series in major amount of planes, and just when you think you've seen it all AMTech comes along with a whole lot of surprises
God I love this Hobby
Ugly Butt Deadly Effective Hawgs
Cuda

84 of 795 1/72 Aircraft Competed for Lackland's Airman Heritage Museum

Was a Hawg Jet Fixer, now I'm a FRED Fixer   

 'Cuda

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 4:43 PM
How many Tigertcats did AMT release? I have the F7F-2 and F7F-3 as I mentioned. Were those the only two.

I suppose Revell re-releasing the Frog Shackleton was a pleasant surprise because the Novo model was not that easy to come by (I never found one).
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 4:55 PM
I'm still waiting on a 1/32 scale P-39 Airacobra.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Friday, September 12, 2003 5:03 PM
How about a 1/32 B-32 Dominator!!! That would really be a great looking build. Or a PB4Y-2 Privateer in 1/32? It boggles the mind.Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Posted by upnorth on Friday, September 12, 2003 5:07 PM
1/48 SM.79 bombers were a surprize to me, but now Cassic Airframes and Trumpeter have provided the hobby with them. I don't do much WWII stuff, but it never ceases to amaze me what a disproportionate amount of German and Japanese Axis subject matter there is in kits compared to Italian stuff.

I never Suspected a 1/32 A-7 Corsair II, but I heard that Trumpeter announced one this past year for upcoming release.

I think, to me, the most pleasant surprizes in kits in the past 5 years or so would have to be Airfix's 1/48 Buccaneers and Lightenings, beautiful kits, well above the usual Airfix standard.

One that really blew me away was AMT's 1/48 Royal Navy AEW Skyraider, I NEVER imagined that variant of the A-1 to ever be available as a full injection kit, I figured we'd always be going with aftermarket conversion kits if we wanted it.

One day. I hope to see a 1/32 F-111 series, Did you here me Trumpeter? :-)
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Back home in Blanchard
Posted by wroper11 on Friday, September 12, 2003 7:15 PM
I'm still waiting on a 1/32 C-5!!! hehehe!

wroper
USAF PRIME BEEF ENGINEERING READY...ANYTIME...ANYWHERE! HOORAH!</font id="blue">
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 10:12 PM
The main surprise I've had lately is the booming market for the "Braile-Scale" aircraft. The market is now 1/32 crazed, and I love it! We, the common modeler, now have access to museum quality kits right off the shelves! When I was a kid, the thought of a scale model measuring over 1 foot was absurd, or highly unlikely. Now, I have several kits that are almost 3ft in length, and they're only getting bigger. Who's going to be the first to release a C-5 in 1-24? That would get ya, wroper!

demono69
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 13, 2003 1:12 AM
I'm still waiting for a 1/48 F-16XL and 1/48 YF-23
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 13, 2003 5:05 AM
The recent trend for 1/32 has come as a real surprise, particularly some of the subjects - never would have expected a 1/32 F-105. I'm really tempted by this kit, just don't have space, there's always been something interesting about the F-105.

Really looking forward to the 1/48 Banshees, I think I might have to make a few of them
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 13, 2003 8:09 PM
I was thrilled my AMTech's TA153? Huckebein. A beautiful kit of a fascinating subject. Now if we can see some detail sets...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 13, 2003 8:14 PM
Hey, J-Hulk, did I read you right? Did you say 1/32 B-17. If so, where can I get one? There's no such thing as too big or too detailed.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Sunday, September 14, 2003 12:45 PM
Hi, Pav!
Yupm, Panda Models announced a while back a B-17 in 1/32. I don't know the link, but a quick search for "Panda Models" ought to reveal something.
~Brian
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 15, 2003 2:16 AM
1/32 B17. Now that sounds impressive.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 4:39 AM
Just thought of another. I think the Matchbox 1/32 Spitfire Mk 22/24 would have to qualify, though most of the Matchbox range of 1/32 were a welcome addition for subject.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 6:39 AM
The Trumpeter F-107 Ultrasabre was one of my highlights of the year.

Now how about a decent injection moulded TSR2 in 1/72?

Cheers,

Rob M.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by reluctant_wanderer on Sunday, September 28, 2003 3:00 AM
Hey Calzone4life,
Your dreams are comng true, AM Tech is releasing 1/32 P-39F and a 1/32 P-400. You can preorder them through GreatModel.com
Life is a Trainer , and God is the back seat instructor. He's their to let your spirit soar, and keep you flying straight. After you've passed, you earn earn your wings.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by 72cuda on Sunday, September 28, 2003 12:12 PM
You know what I want to see is the all the kits in 1/72 scale done in 1/48, like the rest of the B's, PV-1's & 2's, all of the C's, all of the Seaplanes, all of the axis surprise A/C, all of the US Navy's planes of the late 40's & 50's, and all the Russian planes
is that asking to much instead of going for a bigger scale why not go bigger in a smaller scale or to top it off how about a 1/48 Hughes Spruse Goose
Ugly Butt Well Hung; Hawgs
cuda

84 of 795 1/72 Aircraft Competed for Lackland's Airman Heritage Museum

Was a Hawg Jet Fixer, now I'm a FRED Fixer   

 'Cuda

  • Member since
    March 2003
Posted by rangerj on Sunday, September 28, 2003 10:37 PM
How about a 1/32 scale Lockheed Electra Model 10E (s/n NR16020), or a Lockheed Vega 3 or 5. I'd also like to see the Century series jets completed in 1/32, such as the F101, the F-102, F-106, F-100, oh well "to sleep per chance to dream"! rangerj
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 9, 2003 11:38 PM
What about a 1/24 Zero?

Any big 4-engine bomber not currently available in 1/48 (Halifax, He 177, Stirling, FW Condor, etc etc)

1/32 BP Defiant?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 10, 2003 11:12 AM
Speaking of AMtech, I was really pleased to see the announcement for a series of 1/48 scale F2H Banshees. There has been no attempt at the subject since the old Hawk (now Testors) kit. AMtech said that the Banshees are part of their new "Limited Gold Series", which includes airplanes that saw limited service and may or may not been mass produced. With this news I have hope that a 1/48 F-11F Tiger, F3H Demon, F6U Pirate and a new tool F9F Panther are on the boards.
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Friday, October 10, 2003 11:20 AM
I thought Trumpeter's 1/32 Yak 3 was right out of left field!
~Brian
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