Did Nichimo go belly-up (at least at one point in time)? What is their current status as a model manufacturer? Under new ownership?
I ask because I'm sort of a neophyte fan of Nichimo models but am currently experiencing a dearth of availability of anything besides the exalted (and improved) 1/200 Yamato. I am an admirer of their 1/200 "Identical Scale Series", namely the WWII destroyers and the later JMSDF DDK and DDG's but it seems that all that is available are old stock or "used' kits on ebay. I had read that Nichimo was in fierce competition with Tamiya in the 1980's, especially in regard to their RC car lineup and that Nichimo had not fared well.
I've seen several versions of their company name; Nichimoco and Nichimaco, the latter of which may be their current moniker. They have no web presence aside from what looks like a news page which may or may not be official: http://www.alpha-net.ne.jp/users2/nichimo/
Here is a list of 1/200 scale ships that I've been able to compile:
Yamato
Shiranui
Kagero
Type IX-B
Type IX-C
I-19
Hatsuzuki
Akizuki
Takatsuki (JMSDF)
Minegumo (JMSDF)
Natsugumo (JMSDF)
Kikuzuki (JMSDF)
Asagumo (JMSDF)
Amatsukaze (JMSDF)
There may be more kits; maybe someone can add to the list? Further research shows that there appear to be newer releases of the WWII IJN destroyers (perhaps current) that feature genuine brass display stand supports and possibly the elimination of the motorization feature.
Maybe someone can shed some light on this venerable old manufacturer...