Richard Bartrop Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 45 minutes ago, Greg Myers said: No one said that. It looks pretty much exactly like what you said. You opine that we're done with new car kit releases for a while, you're presented with a load of releases coming from foreign companies, and then decide that those really don't count.
Matt Bacon Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 On the other hand, I never thought I’d see an injection moulded Metro 6R4, and yet... I’m not finding any difficulty finding new tool kits to spend money on. Mind you, I have zero interest in 30s - 70s Americana and hot rods or dragsters born thereof, so I’m not missing out... best, M.
stitchdup Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 We've also got lots of stuff coming from the aftermarket resin and 3d print places. It was pretty much certain that the big companies wouldn't put out a mk3 vw vento/jetta or wagon but the aftermarket have so I have them. I'd count them as new tools.
Dave Van Posted October 5, 2019 Posted October 5, 2019 24 minutes ago, stitchdup said: We've also got lots of stuff coming from the aftermarket resin and 3d print places. It was pretty much certain that the big companies wouldn't put out a mk3 vw vento/jetta or wagon but the aftermarket have so I have them. I'd count them as new tools. Bingo!! There is more stuff coming in the aftermarket than I can afford. I just found Hobbitime for resin and been buying lots of Indycals......AND building too!!!! Indycals GTP Ford
aurfalien Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 Well, a 935K3 is out soon as is a killer 911 RS SC. However, did any one catch Scale Motorsports new website and new Ford GT detail kit yet?
Force Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 17 hours ago, mikemodeler said: Well in the good old days the model companies could spend money on tons of new tools because they knew they would sell those kits to all different kinds of retailers and end users. Today, that isn't the case and considering it is likely a $100,000 + investment for a new tool, they have to be careful as the market is limited and profits are thinner. Be glad that we are still getting model kits and even if they are modified re-issues, it beats having nothing. A modified reissue is better than nothing, but how many of the same basic kit do one want...a new tool kit now and then keeps the interest up at least for me and if there were only reissues available in the future my buying will for sure drop to nearly zero like it has with AMT/MPC, I only buy what I wanted but missed the last times the kits were out and it gets less and less.? The problem with deminishing sales at hobby shops and other retailers today is that we customers are too lazy to go there and buy what we need, we do our shopping online instead because it's easier as we don't have to get out of the house to do it, that's one big reason to why retailers stop carrying model kits and supplies, they woun't carry merchandise that don't sell and lies on the shelves for months and months, we complain but don't do anything about it until it's too late, another reason is that kids today have little interest of building models, they prefer computer games and such. Where I live there is only one shop that carry model kits, it's a toy store and they have only a small selection, the sales volume are so small so I'm afraid they will stop carrying model kits alltogether...then we don't have any other choice than to get everything online or mailorder. Back in the 70's and 80's, well before the digital era, many stores carried model kits and I think we had at least ten shops and stores we could go to and get kits and supplies in my town...now we have one...not a good omen. So we can't blame any other than ourselves. 16 hours ago, Classicgas said: Sheesh Revell is issuing a brand new tool. The Land Rover. Just because it's not a new tool of YOUR type of model doesn't mean they aren't making new tools. Even if it's a brand new tool it could have been in the works before the new owners bought Revell. So time will tell how many new tool kits they will do in the future, I hope they will.
SSNJim Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 20 hours ago, Dave Van said: The hobby shop I visit today, one of two left in West Virginia, orders in 2 and 3 kits at a time....not cases. And they have to come from a out of state seller....none in WV any longer. Where was the hobby shop you visited in WV yesterday? The two I know of is one in Teays Valley, and the other is in Nitro, though I haven't been to the one in Nitro lately. I'm getting ready to go through WV on I-64 soon, and like to make sure I see everything there is to see.
Dave Van Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 28 minutes ago, SSNJim said: Where was the hobby shop you visited in WV yesterday? The two I know of is one in Teays Valley, and the other is in Nitro, though I haven't been to the one in Nitro lately. I'm getting ready to go through WV on I-64 soon, and like to make sure I see everything there is to see. WV Hobby in Teays is my 'local' shop. The store in Nitro is owned by the same guy and is a smaller version of the main store. The Teay's store is worth a stop.
SSNJim Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 Agreed. I always stop at the Teays store on one of the legs of the trip - well worth it. I've only been to the Nitro store once or twice. Thanks for your reply.
TonyK Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 I emailed Revell of Germany to tell them I really like the updated version of their Sprint Car and they need to come out with more and I'll buy every one of them. Was surprised to get a reply which sounded promising that they will release more but couldn't tell me what they would be. So it appears they're listening. Don't hesitate to contact them if you've got something to say.
Bugatti Fan Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 An earlier post mentioned the troubles at Revell USA and their previous owner before the German arm bought them out. The American market in auto kits as I see it has been in its heyday mainly Muscle Cars, Rods, Customs and NASCAR that have been supplied for many years by Revell and AMT in the main, and tended to be a bit parochial as the US was their main key outlet for these kits. However things have moved on and the Germans look more at a world wide market, so F1 cars, rally cars and exotics like Ferraris and Lamborghinis tend to take the new tooling orders. That is not to say that American subjects will be ignored, but just given lower priority for new tooling in future. Look at the offerings of Revell GMBH, Italeri, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Heller, Aoshima, Fujimi, Belkits, Ebbro et al to see where they see their markets. Also their main scale of preference is 1/24th as opposed to 1/25th. Revell it must be remembered get their bread and butter from Aircraft and Military subjects. Airfix, Tamiya and other manufacturers have issued very large scale aircraft kits frequently because there is a market for them. When was the last time we saw a 1/16th or 1/12th scale car kit released? (And I am not talking about Model Hiro kits that only modellers with fat wallets can afford.)
tim boyd Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 There are new projects underway at several of the domestic companies.....when they will be formally announced and then break the light of day I do not know, but from my perspective the interest in pursuing new projects has done a complete 180 vs this time 12-18 months ago. For the first time in a long time, I'm pretty encouraged. TIM ////
Rodent Posted October 6, 2019 Posted October 6, 2019 I was impressed by the ROG 1/16 Porsche 356 that HPIGUY built recently. I don't build Porsches and I don't build 1/16, but I think I want one. Is it a new tool?
Deuces Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 57 minutes ago, tim boyd said: There are new projects underway at several of the domestic companies.....when they will be formally announced and then break the light of day I do not know, but from my perspective the interest in pursuing new projects has done a complete 180 vs this time 12-18 months ago. For the first time in a long time, I'm pretty encouraged. TIM //// Thank you Tim..... That's good news.... ??
Bugatti Fan Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 Looks like Tim has his ear to the ground with regard to American company projects, so besides my observations about world markets, these firms should be able to satisfy the desire for US auto related subjects. More power to their elbow to give modellers more diversity.
Mr. Metallic Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 On 10/4/2019 at 9:06 AM, Greg Myers said: With the demise of Revell USA, is there any hope of seeing any NEW kits being developed? With their very popular '30 Model A Coupe being a doubtful return much less any further look at other Model A bodies, it really seems like we're done for awhile. On 10/5/2019 at 9:05 AM, Greg Myers said: So many Snarky reply's on this thread.? Well perhaps the reason you're getting "snarky" replies to your question is because the thread started with questionable rhetoric? (and I don't read them as snarky, but it is hard to tell sometimes) Revell USA is not dead, at an end, and has not failed. Yes, all the NEW tooling projects that were under the Revell USA banner while Hobbico owned it have apparently seen the light of day now. We need to give the staff at the "new" Revell USA time to get things up and running again. There was zero activity going on with regards to research and development between the shutdown of Hobbico and the hiring of the new staff. That dormancy created a time lag between new product, which is what we're in right now. I'm not trying to beat you up, because you asked an important question. It was just the way you asked it that may have brought on what you perceive as snarky responses. And with regards to the 30 A specifically, there has been confirmation from Ed Sexton himself that the 29 and 30 A's are coming back, with the 29 returning in the first half of 2020.
niteowl7710 Posted October 7, 2019 Posted October 7, 2019 2 hours ago, Mr. Metallic said: Well perhaps the reason you're getting "snarky" replies to your question is because the thread started with questionable rhetoric? (and I don't read them as snarky, but it is hard to tell sometimes) Revell USA is not dead, at an end, and has not failed. Yes, all the NEW tooling projects that were under the Revell USA banner while Hobbico owned it have apparently seen the light of day now. We need to give the staff at the "new" Revell USA time to get things up and running again. There was zero activity going on with regards to research and development between the shutdown of Hobbico and the hiring of the new staff. That dormancy created a time lag between new product, which is what we're in right now. I'm not trying to beat you up, because you asked an important question. It was just the way you asked it that may have brought on what you perceive as snarky responses. And with regards to the 30 A specifically, there has been confirmation from Ed Sexton himself that the 29 and 30 A's are coming back, with the 29 returning in the first half of 2020. Actually what we've seen out of Revell since it's U.S. "reconstitution" is only a part of what had already been planned for 2018. One new tool in the '68 Chevelle, and the modified reissue of the Sprint Car, '69 Mustang and insertion of new fender well inserts to make the '57 Custom into a Gasser. As we've discussed in the thread about the Chevelle there's more baked into that tool than one release and all tooling is cut at one time, so it's just a matter of waiting until you feel you've sold enough '68s to not be flooding the market with the next variation. Also model companies have their plans pretty mapped out for at least 18 months into the future - otherwise you'd never get the R&D, tooling designed, cut, test shots ran, tooling improved and have a product out in any reasonable time. So there's plenty more - at least a year's worth of releases - backed up at Revell in terms of new tooling that's already been cut or just needs to be approved to move beyond the CAD stage, plus whatever else Revell had in R&D phases that they choose to proceed forward with in 2020 and beyond.
Daddyfink Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 53 minutes ago, youpey said: Ok. What's going on with revell Are you serious?
Bucky Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 How do these companies advertise their kits? The only way I see any news is 'word-of-mouth' on the forums, and a video once a month from Round2. I remember back in my youth, ads were placed in comic books, car magazines, and occasionally issues such as Popular Mechanics. One automotive magazine even had a monthly article about scale kits that were out at the time. I just wonder if a little more widespread advertising might help sales in the long run, and generate a little spending cash for the model producers.
stitchdup Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 7 minutes ago, Bucky said: How do these companies advertise their kits? The only way I see any news is 'word-of-mouth' on the forums, and a video once a month from Round2. I remember back in my youth, ads were placed in comic books, car magazines, and occasionally issues such as Popular Mechanics. One automotive magazine even had a monthly article about scale kits that were out at the time. I just wonder if a little more widespread advertising might help sales in the long run, and generate a little spending cash for the model producers. I tend to find out here or from the hlj emails
youpey Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 58 minutes ago, Daddyfink said: Are you serious? I am
Richard Bartrop Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Bucky said: How do these companies advertise their kits? The only way I see any news is 'word-of-mouth' on the forums, and a video once a month from Round2. I remember back in my youth, ads were placed in comic books, car magazines, and occasionally issues such as Popular Mechanics. One automotive magazine even had a monthly article about scale kits that were out at the time. I just wonder if a little more widespread advertising might help sales in the long run, and generate a little spending cash for the model producers. That's a good question. Bandai has doneTV ads for Gundam, but they also sell enough to be able to afford it. It's already been mentioned many times that the model companies just aren't doing the same amount of business they were, so can someone like Round 2 even afford an ad in Popular Mechanics these days? Comic books are going through the same thing car kits are, with a readership that is both shrinking, and growing older. and the whole idea of getting your information on collected sheets of compressed wood pulp seems to be slowly going the way of clay tablets. I guess it's kind of a Catch 22. You need to ads to generate sales, but if you don't have the sales, you can't afford the ads. Generally, this is where I get my news about new car kits.
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