I want something else, how about you?

Mr. Metzner:

I'm not certain if I missed seeing your name and title at Polar lights when I first read your posting or if its the recent edit noted to your posting. If I missed seeing it, I sincerely appologize for not acknowledging it sooner.

Its wonderful to have another manufacturer on this thread with us. :-)

I havent built any Polar Lights related kits yet as they are a bit difficult to find in my area so far, but as soon as I get the opportunity to pick on up I'll certainly give it a shot.

I like a lot of what I see from your company as it seems to diverge from the seriousness of "real world" subjects and nut and bolt accuracy that dominates the current trends in model kits today. Your product line represents the more intangible element of fun that should be part of every hobby, regardless of what it is.

Has the element of fun in kit building taken a back seat to an obsession with ultra real details? Somedays I trully wonder.

Thank you once again Mr. Metzner for joining us here and letting us know you're out there and listening. I hope to have the opportunity to build one of your company's kits soon.

I'm glad you like what we're doing at Polar Lights.
We drive "rivet counters" nuts Try counting rivets on the Jetson's Space Mobile, The 1960's comic book Batmobile or the Scooby Doo Mystery machine
I've always thought that model building was supposed to be fun
I'm an old Aircraft and figure modeller and was a 25 year IPMS member.
I went to IPMS shows to compete in the contest and learn from better modelers. I 've judged IPMS contests at every level except the Nationals. As an IPMS member I tried to avoid the "rivet counters" and self appointed experts because all most of them ever did was complain and I never learned anything usefull from them.
I love looking at real quality work, and have always believed that quality workmanship is much more important that the kit a guy started with.
Some of the best work I've ever seen was based on some pretty mediocre kits. Matt Waki's 1:32 Revell Fw 190-D-9 at the Milwaukee IPMS Nats is one that comes to mind. And the diorama of the Aircraft carrier with a Frigate and a Fleet Oiler doing a replenishment at sea at the Dayton IPMS Nats is another. The best models I've seen over the years were wonderful because they were beautifully built not because they originated as a super detailed and hyper accurate kits.
Really exceptional models are the product of exceptional model builders not exceptional model kits.

I believe that the variety of kits, the level of detail and quality available today was un imaginable when I started in the hobby (40 years ago)
I think that there have always been modelers obsessed with details and thats not bad. Some of those detail obsesed modelers have built some of the neatest stuff I've ever seen.

I do think that some complaining regarding the merits of various kits on the "serious" modeling forums gets a bit nasty at times. I find that to be regretable, but that element has always been there, it's just more available on the net tody than it was in the old days . (Some times I kinda miss the old days.) And yes I do wonder if those guys remember that it is just a hobby and is supposed to be fun!

Dave

That is so true.

Workmanship on the modeler's part is crucial to the end result, thats a lot of the reason I'd like to see some of the old Matchbox kits make a comeback, they were usually a bit scant on internal details but they all had good acurate outlines and contours. I saw someone do a really beautiful 1/32 Dauntless dive bomber from an old Matchbox kit, believe me, there was more modeler than of model in the finished product. The outlines were right, the modeler took care of the rest.

It was good to see that Polar Lights has announced a kit of the new starship Enterprise NX-01 for later this year, I was wondering if we'd see one at all. I'm not a rabid enough fan of the Star Trek galaxy to be properly termed a "Trekker" but I enjoy it and I like the design of the latest Enterprise enough that I'd certainly build a model of one if I saw it.

I've probably lost count of the adjustments and rectifications I've made in the past four years that I've been working on my 1/32 Revell MiG-21 but I'm glad I got the Revell kit, despite its few deficiencies there's enough research material out there that a modeler could compensate for them. Trumpeter must be complemented for their high quality moldings and detail, but the flip side of that is that their prices almost cause my wallet to spontaneously combust.

Detail in kits is one of those two edged sword things sometimes, it can save you a lot of scratchbuilding work but I've found it can also severely limit the flexibility of a kit, especially if the kit is engineed in such a way that you have to use everything in just such an order to get it to work out right. I like instructions as a guide to my building, not a manifesto of sorts.

I like some workability and flexibility in my kits, if that compromises detail, so be it. If I want that detail, leave it to me.

I don't know if this belongs here or not, but I'll bring it up anyways... I made a couple posts earlier on this thread and thought I'd get back in a little bit. From what I understand here, most everyone's been picking on the kit manufacturers. What about the aftermarket guys? I build 1/72 airplanes and I have to honestly say I'm very pleased with the kit subject availability. I'd like to see a couple new kits to replace some things that date back to the late sixties, but I can fix those old kits if necessary. My biggest complaint over the last 3-4 years is that 1/72 is largely being ignored by the aftermarket decal people. Superscale used to lead the way in 1/72 decal sheets but the last few years they have not released one sheet in 72nd. Aeromaster was pretty bad about this too, but since ownership changed a while back, they've gotten a lot better. Ditto for Eagle Stike, who used to advertise that they had not forgotten 1/72 and 1/32 aircraft modelers. I've gotten to the point now where if I want something pretty bad, I buy the 1/48 decal sheet in hopes that I can find someone with an old ALPS printer and reduce/print the sheet for me.

Pat

I'd say that is fair commentary.

I've sort of drifted away from aftermarket stuff int he past few years so I really haven't been watching trends there too closely.

It certainly seems strange in my mind that 1/72 aftermarket decals would be given a miss as you describe by their manufacturers. I know a lot of modelers who wouldn't touch 1/72 or smaller with a 10 foot pole, but for those who will build it, I think a good range of aftermarket decal options should certainly be available to them.

The problem seems to be that some modelers of larger scales make the occaisional sarcastic comment about smaller scale stuff. Well not everyone has the room or economy for a 1/48 or 1/32 miniature airforce. Prices on 1/48 and 1/32 aircraft kits have been on the rise, but from what I've seen the price on 1/72 has seemed fairly stable in the meantime.

There should be options in this hobby to suit anyone that cares to join it, regardless of the size of their homes or wallets, that includes aftermarket things too.

I just looked at this topic today, and while I don't to claim to have read every line of every post I do see a common thread. Most people seem to be aircraft or armor modelers. Don't get me wrong, I love doing 1/32 & 1/48 aircraft (1/72 is too small for my HUGE fingers) especially naval aircraft. My one try at armor was a disaster.

I have always had a preference towards ships. So much so that I joined the Navy as soon as I graduated from high school. During the 9 years I was in I realize that I wanted to model each ship I was on. Two Spruance class DD's (the Stump DD-978, and Caron DD-970), the Guadalcanal LPH-7 and the Suribachi AE-21. I try to work in 1/350 or larger. The 2 DD's aren't a problem at all. Kits are available on e-bay (I've got one now, and will have the other tomorrow). And all I have to do is change the name and hull number.

But the other 2 have no kits available in any scale. I once saw a Guadalcanal model about 20 years ago, it was old then, with a Gemini (I think) capsule on deck. It was either 1/700 or box scale, anyways it was small. My point being that not all American ships are available as models as stated in one post.

I know I should be scratch building them, but I don't have that kind of skill. But one could say that if that was the answer then this whole topic is a waste of time (it isn't).

I've found some obscure ships in resin but they are basicly special order or wait on a list till they produce another run. I guess I'm rambling, but my point is that us ship modelers are in the same boat (pun intended) as everyone else. And I'm just as tired as everyone else at seeing the same old kits on the shelf. That includes aircraft and armor.

Tim H.

QUOTE: Originally posted by upnorth The problem seems to be that some modelers of larger scales make the occaisional sarcastic comment about smaller scale stuff. Well not everyone has the room or economy for a 1/48 or 1/32 miniature airforce. Prices on 1/48 and 1/32 aircraft kits have been on the rise, but from what I've seen the price on 1/72 has seemed fairly stable in the meantime. There should be options in this hobby to suit anyone that cares to join it, regardless of the size of their homes or wallets, that includes aftermarket things too.

Thanks, for the comment, Upnorth. My interest in 1/72 is not driven by wallet or space, but by subject availability. I doubt you'll ever see a B-36 or C-5 in 48th. As for sarcastic remarks from modelers of larger scales, I have not experienced that. My best friends do 1/48 airplanes and 1/35 armor. I do, however, believe that many manufacturers believe that way. I had a nasty exchange of emails with Accurate Miniatures a couple years ago or so when I had sent them an email complimenting them on the quality of their 1/48 kits and asking that they consider subjects in 1/72. Their answer to me was none too friendly.
I know that kits can be very expensive to tool and maybe 1/72 doesn't sell like it used to. Please forgive me if I'm being ignorant here, I'm not in the business. It seems to me that once the artwork is done, costs for reducing aftermarket decals in size for smaller scales would not be that bad. As for me, I cannot find too many 1/72 decal sheets in hobby shops. I have to go to ebay or Hannants for what I want/need. Thanks for listening to my rant!

Regards,

Pat

Yea, I like armor and aircraft too but I think subjects like Tigers, Panthers and Bf 109's have been done to death. I hope this doesn't offend anyone but it is how I feel. More WW1 subjects would be neat and the stuff in the smaller scales is great, too.

The last model I completed was a Diamond Reo with Peerless logging rigging. I made a miniature chainsaw and threw it into the jockey box, and hung some rusty chains from the headache rack. It looks pretty good, I think. Maybe I'll build a diorama of a "logging show" or something like that.

Logging equipment would be a neat venture, I think. But that's just my opinion, O.K.?

I'd like to see some R/C tanks in 1/35 scale...there are some, but not many to my knowledge. I can only find on and thats an abram. I'd give anything to have an RC Tiger or a sherman in 1/35, but with most being 1/16, and costing $900 + ...well, lets just say that won't be happening...for a looooonnggggg time.

I dunno, maybe there are heaps of 1/35th kits, and my hobby stores don't stock them. But either way, i'd like to see more variation in Rc kits - subject and scale wise.

Cya

O.K.

On the matter of the reduction in size of larger scale decals down to smaller scales, it should be cheap enough, but it really depends on if the particular manufacturer does the artwork in house or farms it out to an outside designer. Either way, these days there's no excuse not to have the artwork totally on computer and with the simplicity of a key stroke move the scale up or down as needed. I currently work within the printing industry and I do know the basics for preparing artwork for press. Once the artwork is done, there shouldn't be any exorbidant costs afterward.

I've never built an Accurate Miniatures kit so I really can't comment on them, but if what you said about your unfriendly exchange with them is any indication of what their general attitude was toward modelers, well perhaps its just as well they went out of business.

On the matter of ships, well I've never been too into them, but I certainly do see that, in general, ship models of any scale seem to make up the smallest degree of stock in any hobby shop I've been in. I'm not certain why that would be the case, but as long as there are people out there wanting and willing to to build scale ships, there should be the variety in both subject and scale to satisfy them.

Logging Equiptment, indeed any civilian industrial or agricultural machinery, is fair game for scale subject in my book. Right now my city is covered in snow, so every couple of days we see the big Caterpillar road graters coming around to clear the streets for us, I'd love to see someone crank out a 1/35 scale model of one of those. There's all kinds of equiptment and all kinds of makes of civilian industrial and agricultural vehicles that could be made in scale: John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Komsomolyets, Mitsubisi, Hitachi.... The list goes on. I believe they also have their place in injection form on our hobby shop shelves.

I'd love to see some hovercraft models in 1/48 scale. I've seen footage of the Canadian Coast Guard using hovercraft for ice breaking work in Canada's arctic region. After seeing a diorama in the latest Great Scale Modeling where the modeler has used parafin wax to simulate frozen water, I've got this idea stuck in my head for a diorama featuring one of those hovercraft doing their ice breaking work. I've got the wax, I just need the hovercraft and I don't have time to scratchbuild one. :-(

More ground crew sets available in 1:48 would would neat. You could make an entire British WW2 era Airfield with all teh kits available from Airfix in 1:72 but that scale is far too small.
Agreed with Normie1 about the Me109s, but however, being one of my favourite aircraft of all time I never get sick of seeing newer kits of this aircraft appearing from different theatres of war.

I've seen several other posts sort of on the same subject, but I'll echo it and re-emphasize it in mine.....

I've lately gone on a binge of purchasing, with every intent to build, aircraft from countries one wouldn't ordinarily think of....I'd be thrilled to see a Wirraway (hope I spelled that right...wife is sleeping and my reference is on the table next to the bed!) more easily available. Saab produced a couple of neat looking aircraft during WW2 that I can't find represented at any scale, at least from the mainstream producers.

I know it comes down to making sales, but even offering more decal options would be a plus! I've noticed that some manufacturers are getting better at that sort of thing...what a thrill it would be to be able to get decals for the Mongolian Air Force (a facetious example, to be sure, but it would be different!).

A final thought, and then I MUST get to bed...someone mentioned early on this thread their wish to see a Gato or Balao class submarine....amen! Choose any US (or allied, for that matter) class of submarine from WW2 and I'd be thrilled! Nothing against U-boats, except that they're over-represented (IMHO, of course). If someone were to offer up a 1/72 S-class, etc, well, I'd buy it, at least! Not sure how I'd keep the toddlers away from it, but I'd find a way!!

Can't argue with any of that.

on the matter of SAAB aircraft, I think Marivox of Sweden produced models of both the SAAB 17 and 18 in 1/48 or 1/72 but I don't know who you'd have to go through to get your hands on them. There was also the SAAB 19 which was a post war twin boom fighter that was made in both prop and jet variants, years ago Heller made the prop version in 1/72. Heller also made a 1/72 SAAB 29 Tunnan that I'd love to see come back in a reissue, it was great and a real easy build, not much fuss for a decent representation, you got both gun and camera nose options in that one.

On the matter of smaller, less covered airforces, I totally agree, the superpowers shouldn't be the only ones to see coverage in kit decals. I was overjoyed when I opened up Hobbycraft's 1/48 DeHavilland Vampire FB.9 and found decal options for Mid 50's Iraqi and Early 80's Zimbabwe airforce markings. I'm the happy owner of a 1/48 Zimbabwe airforce Vampire :-)

With ships, my comment from the last page stands, there needs to be more variety all around, and I 'll say, as I do with all things, more civilian content is also needed. You can't sell an aircraft carrier to someone who's after a cruise ship just as you cant sell a fishing boat to someone who's after a destroyer.

There has to be a happy medium somewhere in all this. If we don't have a lot of people joining the hobby, that simply means there's something missing. When fun takes a back seat to detail, It's a problem. When a beginner unwittingly pick up a kit aimed at the advanced modeler (which more and more kits seem to be these days) and gets so overwhelmed by hundreds of parts, hundreds of decals (every little stenciling) and instruction leaflets that could nearly qualify as novels in length and complexity, what's going on?

is the fun slipping away? Has nut and bolt accuracy taken such a priority that manufacturers have forgotten that every modeler has to start somewhere and they won't get far if they can't find a kit that they can handle. I started this hobby when I was 7, I'm 30 now. I didn't have near the attention span then as I do now, I'm thankful for things like the old Monogram Snap Tite 1/72 F-4 Phantom that was my first kit.. Yeah, its basic, maybe even laughable by todays standards, but a shudder to think if I was tht 7 year old today, staring down things like Promodeler, most of Tamiya's line, my God talk about intimidation. and thats not counting the prices.

what's missing? Whatever it is, lets figure it out and do something about it, modelers and manufacturers together.

Know what you mean about ships, Upnorth... A few years ago I built the Minicraft 1/350 Titanic (my grandfather helped build the 1:1 original) and really enjoyed the experience. So much so that I started searching for other ocean liner kits. A perfect companion to the Titanic is the 1/350 Lusitania, which I believe may still be in production by Gunze Sangyo in Japan. Both were originally from Entex. Searching still, I came across a S.S. United States by Glencoe. A reissued kit from the early 50's, it was absolutely hideous and I dropped that one like a hot potato. The only other options I have are the reissues of old Revell kits. Not bad and MUCH better than that Glencoe thing!

As for the fun slipping away, you make a valid point. I built my first model when I was about 5. I could get kits from Aurora and Lindberg for 29 cents and some from Hawk were 50 cents. All my friends built these models as well. Those snap-tite kits are still around and I would like to see kids building them. Simple glue-together kits are still here to in the form of reissues of the kits I had. A kid today could build a small air force from the Airfix reissues alone. I suspect, however, that any models a kid is likely to have these days are those pre-painted built up things. This is were clubs come in. The last club I was a member of had lots of activities aimed at getting kids into the hobby. Not only "make-n-take" at our annual show, but we reached out to Boy Scout troops and other kid-oriented organizations and provided support to their modeling activities.
I'm sure those of us that are parents (I'm not) will try to pass our interest in this hobby down to our kid(s). For all of us, I would think that clus activities is the way.

Regards,

Pat

Regarding the under-representation of civilian type craft (autos excluded...that's all I can find locally, but that's another story altogether), I wholeheartedly agree!

Back when I was younger, some 15-20 years ago, I can remember modeling a civilian aircraft. Can't recall for the life of me what it was, but it was a push-pull prop job, pretty decently detailed interior (for the time) and it was more of challenge for me than most military aircraft of the same scale were...at the time. With the explosion of AM parts and whatnot, the sky's the limit anymore, and I think we all agree on that point.

Regarding the other comment on the increasing complexity of kits, I've noticed this trend as well. Revell has the right sort of idea with their rating system, but I sometimes wonder if they couldn't expand the range on it a bit more, say 1 to 5, rather than 1 to 3. In this same vein, I also can't help but wonder if perhaps model manufacturers couldn't borrow a concept from the wargame industry (Avalon Hill and the like). Include all the parts for a super-detailed kit, but include 2 or 3 different sets of instructions- one for a simple, minimal detail build that would be good for novices that would still make a good looking model; and another set of instructions to add all the bells and whistles, so to speak. Perhaps an intermediate range between the two would be desirable as well.

FWIW, my kids are very interested in daddy's hobby. Their little toddler hands and curiousity and need to touch everything usually means I let them enjoy the box rather than the parts! When they get older, I'll start them off with a snap-tite type of kit. Hopefully they'll enjoy the experience and want to share it with their friends....that'd be great!

The skill ratings printed on the box, I think were a real breakthrough. I believe Airfix has a ratings system from 1 through 5, but any manufacturer willing to do such a thing is to be complimented on it.

I seem to recall a few years back seeing a cruise ship in one of Airfix's catalogs, the boxtop art had it with Sydney Harbour in Australia as the background and I think the ship was called the S.S. Canberra. I would have liked to have given that one a shot, but I could never find it around here.

Its always refreshing to me when I look at the FSM Reader Gallery and see Civilian subjects modeled, especially when the model came from a kit rather than the modeler resorting to scratchbuilding, it means there are manufacturers, however few, willing to put some degree of the civilian world into scale beyond cars. Military subjects aren't for everyone, but thats no excuse to exclude such people from this enjoyable hobby by not providing in kit what would appeal to them.

I also think the make-and take idea was a real stroke of genius by whoever came up with it, to have an experienced modeler guide kids through their first modeling experience, begining to end is a real boost to the future of the hobby. Like so many other things, its important to get of on the right foot when starting hobbies. I've tried several different hobbies, some have stuck some didn't last, the ones that stuck were the ones that I got off on the right foot with, usually because I had the guidance of more experienced members of the hobby to help.

While I'm still thinking of ocean liners... I want to thank Minicraft profusely for the retooled Titanic. Now that's customer service! The one I mentioned above was the original release of the kit and I have purchased the new deluxe version, which I will be starting very soon. I left my built-up Titanic on display at a hobby shop in Texas before I moved to Michigan. If you're reading this, Minicraft, You guys RULE!!!

Regards,

Pat

I never built the Minicraft Titanic, but I heard it was good. I tried the old Revell one several years ago, but the fit problems were more than I could deal with at the time and I had to give up.

I put a posting on the Ships section of the forum a few days back inquiring about hydrofoil and hovercraft models and it seems someone has heard word that Airfix may be reissuing its old 1/144 SRN.4 Hovercraft kit later this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that its true and if I see one on a shelf at my local hobby shop, look out, cause I'm jumping for it! :-)

I'd like to see some hydrofoil and hovercraft kits out there. They're certainly unorthodox enough as watercraft go that they'd turn as many heads on a hobby shop shelf as real ones do on the water. Military or civilian wouldn't matter, they're just one more "Something else" I'd like to see approached by the manufacturers.

Well, Upnorth, If you ever want to do a Titanic, get that Minicraft deluxe kit. Its origins are still in that old Entex kit so it still has some fit problems, but nothing you can't handle. Comes with etched brass to replace all the plastic rails and other parts. It is a very impressive model built up. As for that Airfix hovercraft, is that the one that takes passengers across the Channel to France? I rode the hovercraft from England to France and back a few years back. Impressive machines and an interesting experience.

Regards,

Pat

Yes, the SRN.4 is the channel crossing one. I've heard they aren't much longer for this world with the channel tunnel in operation. I hope thats not true.

The hovercraft is one of those vehicles that really shows off human ingenuity and creative problem solving in my mind. I rode in one once at the 1986 World's Fair in Vancouver, very interesting ride, it was nowhere as big as the SRN.4, but a great ride all the same.

Can anybody else think of any vehicles that haven't been covered in kit form? I mean in the most general of senses, not specific machines within a vehicular category, but the category itself. For myself, I've repeatedly mentioned civilian industrial and agricultural machinery, interwar aircraft (both civilian and military) and now I'm onto hydrofoils and hovercraft.

Seeing as we're such a mechanically developed species, I am left to wonder why we don't go further back in our history and cover the very machinery that made the Industrial Revolution what it was. Those things that took us from the Copper, Bronze and Iron ages, through the Agricultural Revolution and Industrial Revolution. If where we are is a result of where we've been, and its an interest in history that keeps us building models, why should we not respect the initial mechanical concepts as much as we do their descendants that we live with today?

It seems that modeling history goes a lot further back in some model categories than others: Automotive history goes back a lot further than the Model T Ford but you seldom see anything earlier than that represented, by contrast, you can easily find miniature Celtic, Roman, Viking and Samurai warriors right alongside miniatures of WWII, Vietnam and Gulf War soldiers. Why would history go further back in some categories of model than in others?

Something to think about.

Keep the replies coming!

Yep, the SRN4 Hovercrafts were retired in 2001. Have been replaced by jetfoil type of ships, so the SRN4 were not a casualty of the Chunnel, it was just old age. Rode a few times in the SRN4. Lovely and impressive machine, but boy, so uncomfortable on rough sea!

Do you know of a website where I could get a peek at one of those jetfoils that replaced the SRN.4?

Djmodels, Is that jetfoil you are referring to known as "Sea Cats"? When I was stationed at RAF Alconbury (1990 - 92) I remember something with that name but if I remember correctly there were lots of problems with them. Those SRN4's were HUGE! I didn't have a problem with rough seas, but there were the same bags you would find on commercial jetliners and some people needed them. If Airfix is reissuing that kit, I'll buy one! Always want to go through the Chunnel, but it was easier to catch a C-130 from Ramstein to Mildenhall...

Pat

I've just taken a look at the new kits coming out this year in the April FSM and I see another long time resident of the "Most Wanted Kit" surveys is coming into injection formed reality. A 1/32 production F/A-18 Hornet. Thank you Academy!

One less thing to wish for and a new "most wanted" vacancy to fill in future surveys.

I'm also overjoyed to see that Revell Germany will be gracing hobby shop shelves with a fly by of the old Matchbox 1/72 Handley Page Victor. I can't help but wonder what changes might have been made. If I recall correctly the old Matchbox issue had a recess option for the belly to fit a Blue Steel missile into, but no missile came with it. That would be a nice addition. Revised decals to cover some of the type's earlier bomber days before its tanker twilight years. Would it be too much to ask for extra parts to make an SR.5 recce variant?... I'd better stop there, I'm just happy to see it coming back :-)

This is for dmetzner, I hope you're still checking in on us here in this thread.

I was thinking about the unusual subjects I've seen in the Polar Lights catalog and then got to thinking about the old Revell "Visible Human" models and Lindberg's larger than life scale body parts models.

Is there any chance that something that different could find its way into the Polar Lights product line? A few pages back, I mentioned that I'd love to see a manufacturer attempt the "Visible Human" concept again, only bigger models made using modern medical technology to help in accuracy.

I remember trying unsuccesfully, twice to get past the fit problems in Revell's "Visible Woman" kit. I had even less success with Lindberg's larger than life eye ball kit. I still think that the human machine is a great subject from any angle. Kits like that also have an increadible educational degree to them as well. Imagine what a person could learn about how the body goes together and its parts relate to each other by building a replica of it.

The living world can be just as fascinating as the mechanical one. I've also mentioned Heller's larger than life insects and the old Bachman bird kits in this thread too.

Would Polar Lights ever consider adding such a dimension as these to its product line?

There is one area of modeling that I haven't seen mentioned. Most modelers do not consider it as a model or even give it much thought. That is aircraft munitions and support equipment. Hasagawa released modern weapons in 1/72 and 1/48 scale many years ago. All of these were weapons used at the time. There have been more releases in 1/72 scale, but no one has released anything in 1/48 scale sense then. There have been releases of resin bombs and precision guided munitions (PGM) on a limited scale, but that can get expensive. I have yet to find a GBU-15 in 1/48 scale. I have have to scratchbuild each one that I have displayed on my models. There are no releases of modern weapons of the type used in Desert Storm. Weapons change along with the platforms that carry them. It doesn't help much to build an aircraft used in Desert Storm, spend money on a resin cockpit, PE detail. only to put a PGM on it that is outdated and was replaced by the services many years before. I would like to see releases of up to date weapons used by the U. S. as well as other nations.

Another area is military ground support equipment. It takes a lot of support equipment to maintain an aircraft. Again Hasagawa released modern ground support equipment in 1/72 and 1/48 scale., but they stopped short. It takes more than a -60 and a mule to support the aircraft. Verlinden released carrier deck support equipment in 1/48 scale that filled a large gap. However, these resin kits are expensive. The Air Force has been using an aircraft tow vehicle, starting in the 50's, called the MB-4 Coleman. No one has released it in any scale, to my knowledge. And how about other nations. The support equipment used by them is non existent in kit form.

Just blowing off steam.

Fair game there.

While I'm not terribly big into building dioramas regularly, I think airfield support and logistics vehicles are just as important, if not more so than the aircraft.

I mentioned a few pages back of my wish for emergency response vehicles. Years ago, I saw a huge model of an airport fire engine with the huge foam cannons and so forth. I can't remember who put it out (Revell Germany comes to mind) as it was years ago that I saw it.

Whether we want them in scale with our aircraft for diorama purposes or larger scale for display in their own right, such vehicles are certainly worthy of attention.

As for the weaons, I'll have to take your word for what is and isn't out there at the moment, its been a long time since I built an aircraft with any armaments beyond its built in cannon if it had one.

A question for the model ship folks out there: A few days back, I was in my local hobby shop and I saw a rather large kit by Monogram Revell of a firefighting boat. The kit was simply called "The Firefighter" and there didn't seem to bve any specifics mentioned for the make of boat or specific city fire services decal options within it. Can any of you tell me something about this kit? I was thinking about buying it, but if its a totally generic thing that takes a lot of nautical knowhow to make specific, I may give it a reconsideration as my first ship kit in years.

Thanks in advance

Polar Lights has no plans at present to produce any kits like the Visible Man/Woman or the Lingberg Anatomical kits.
We will continue to produce Sci-Fi, ( Stat Trek, Land of the Giants, Lost in Space and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea)and Character related kits (Universal Classic Movie Monsters)as well as kits tied to other licensed properties like DC Comics (Batman) and Marvel Comics ( Spider-Man & Incredible Hulk)
Dave

O.K.

Just thought I'd ask.

On the matter of Sci-fi kits. A few pages back in this thread, the subject of Sci-fi kits came up.

I love the Mad Max series of films and the vehicles that were in them, particularly in the second film "The Road Warrior" Is there any possibilty of seeing kits of vehicles or characters from that trilogy of films coming from your company?

Mad Max would be more likely for us than anatomical kits. There is no current plan to do Road Warrior related model kits but the subject would fit into our product line.
This year we are doing the following kits:
An improved version of our Scooby Doo Mystery Machine Snap kit,
The Bat cycle,
The Bat Boat,
A Spider-Man figure kit,
An Incredible Hulk kit,
A 1:1000 scale Snap version of Enterprises NCC-1701 from Star Trek TOS,
A 1:350 scale NX-01from the TV series Enterprise
And a snap kit of The Homer, a car designed by Homer Simpson
We do lots of variety, but no P-51 Mustangs

Dave