Fittings ordering problem

Great news, Don. Now if they would listen to our requests for model subjects we would be really happy.

I was talking to a guy who is in top management of Revell at the Omaha Nationals two years ago. I w as complimenting him on a recent kit that I really liked (not a ship).  He said, unfortunately, that the sales of that kit were very disappointing, and further subjects along that line were unlikely.  Those companies are in the business to make money, and they will take a flyer once in awhile, but in general they know what will sell.

One problem for folks who frequent the FIne Scale forums is that we are probably not the typical kit buyers.  Our likes may not be consistant with the likes of the mass market.  I face this at my local model clubs.  I have special interests, and like some of the offbeat stuff.  Most of the club members could care less about the stuff that is my passion.  I think model builders are a very diverse group, and it is hard for the kit mfgs to keep everyone happy.  On the other hand, I think today is a golden age.  When I got started in scale modeling the big companies were all there was- no aftermarket industry, no cottage industry catering to people wanting odd subjects.

Fortunately, since I started in the days of wood models (before plastic) I learned to carve, so am not adverse to undertaking scratch projects.  For those who want to build the oddball items, I recommend learning scratch building skills and having a go at at.  So you mess up a block of wood- the raw materials are pretty cheap.

I agree Don.

  The corporate world thinking, (no matter what the product is), simply lives by the "We're only in it for the money" mantra. I guess it's sound thinking, business wise. After all, no firm is in commerce to lose money, especially if they are  publicly traded and have stock holders. What else could explain Revell still cranking out the good old box scale USS Missouri? You are correct that there is a plethora of all sorts of plastic (and resin) kits these days. But the business model of "give 'em what sells" is a little wearisome. I hear another new YAMATO is in the pipeline, I can't wait....

As for clubs..I too am passionate about building "off the wall" stuff nobody cares about and this is bought home to me when I attend a club show...I never win with a scratchbuild ship, not because they are not "show worthy" but the group think is "I can't scratch build so your model doesn't belong here". Ergo, I usually take a drubbing by kit builders, everytime. Not sour grapes, I never complain or question the "judges" (diehard kit builders) decision.

Of course the kit builders buy all the latest stuff and build them "out of the box", and are quite content with their "build". Most do a nice job but it would be better if they would do a little research and build it in another "mod", or paint scheme, or other guise. Think outside the box, show a little initiative and build a better (more creative) model. I always do.......    

Mike

I am not sure all judges resistance to scratchbuilt models is an "I can't do it" one.  Another reason is that there are those who feel that the plastic modeling hobby should be about building what the kit gives you and aftermarket folks give you. I don't agree with that myself, but do know others who do feel that way.

That being said, I do occasionally enter "out of box" category.  For one thing, it challenges your basic skills, which I think we need to be reminded of occasionally.  Second, it is an inspiration for those novices still working on such skills and not yet into aftermarket and special techniques.

I also notice less of an appreciation for scratchbuilt ships at IPMS meets, as composed to those exclusively for ship models, as for example Manitowac or some of the East Coast shows.  On the other hand, I have seen scratch built aircraft do well at the IPMS shows and my own scratch aircraft have done better than my scratch ships.