FROM AL TORRE on SteelNavy 21 Occt 2008
"The Trumpeter 1/350 Repulse might hit the United Kingdom by Christmas 2008, and the Prinz Eugen some time in the second quarter, at least that was the buzz at the show. Don't know how true that is.
What does blow is that all the prices of the consortium 1/700 WL will all go up by the end of the year. If you are contemplating buying that Repulse or E class you should do so now. Fujimi is offering a mild increase (They are not members of the Consortium!)
The Aoshima 1/350th 5000t cruisers were not at the show because they were not ready- not that they were not going to happen. Myoko's too- just not ready. Aoshima noticed that if they announce they had better be ready to deliver. Sales of Aoshima products have been good- if you haven't bought a Aoshima Kongo, you should. Regarding the Shokaku and Fuso- maybe?
Hasegawa's Akagi was the star of the show. Also the major gripe of the show- It's perfect except for one inherent defect- the outrageous price. However 40+year old builders with the income may just pony up and buy it. They will also have a new ship project- what it will be I don't know. Security is tight. Death penalty for those who spill the beans.
Fujimi is still on schedule to release the Ise in December, but if you want this beast you had better buy it. Rumour is that it will be a strict limited release only. The model is excellent. The botched casemates have bitten into sales domestically, but sales worldwide are ok.
It's been said that foreign buyers don't know better. Sad if true- after all all you have to do is look at the box art and the error is obvious. Nothing on the Shokaku's, probably on hold because of the Kongo disaster.
Tamiya's reception for the Yukikaze was lukewarm. Let's see what happens next. Tamiya did good this year, and does intend to release some new 1/700 ships. They will be OTIJN, so that should be fun for you 1/700 fans.
[i]Trumpeter insists that the Repulse at the model show is not going to be what we will actually get. All breathe a collective sigh of relief. I think the Repulse might be well done. Man, the Prinz Eugen is awesome.
Lastly,
Don't let the negative fool you. Sales are good in Japan despite tightening of the belts. Sales of Robots and cars remain steady and good. All this means is that some development will inevitably slow down. But perhaps that's for the best. It might be time for us to actually build some of our stash?
Cheers,
Al "
Also from way back -
http://members.boardhost.com/Warship/msg/1198096190.html