why dont most japanese kits come with engines?

[drugsarebad420]

its something strange ive noticed, most japanese cars ive done were curbside, even if there was some engine bay detail! (CBC AE86 from aoshima) i love the quality on them, but i dont like how so many are curbside.

[sidcharles]

they are skilled enough not to need a kit engine?

 

 

[Cool Hand]

Cant answer your question. As I have no idea.

But I have built many Aoshima kits and it doesnt bother me they are curbside. 

For me personally engine and chassis detail is a waste of my build time. Once they go on the shelf for display those details are never seen again. 

Although I have put in the effort to install an engine in a curbside. 

🤷‍♂️

Why does it matter.

Edited yesterday at 09:35 AM by Cool Hand

[stitchdup]

does anybody want to make black spaghetti?

[Bugatti Fan]

I would think that the answer is fairly obvious.   To keep the cost of the kit down and thus sell more units.

We are enthusiasts, but the majority of kits probably get sold to Joe Public who are not concerned about engine details.

Edited yesterday at 06:58 AM by Bugatti Fan

[Cool Hand]

2 hours ago, sidcharles said:

they are skilled enough not to need a kit engine?

This gentleman is another very skilled builder.

 

[Fat Brian]

Most Japanese kits started out more as motorized toys than model kits, you can still see some vestigial parts in older kits from the big three companies. I think the Japanese market just got used to curbsides because the space was used for electric motors and batteries. While Tamiya specifically does put engines in some of its modern kits it's certainly not all and there doesn't seem to be any local market pressure to change since the other companies still primarily release curbsides.

[sidcharles]

5 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

. . . engine and chassis detail is a waste of my build time. Once they go on the shelf for display those details are never seen . . . 

Why does it matter.

this statement could be the start of a great philosophical thread along the lines of "why do we build models?"

not to sidetrack this thread further, but if anyone wants to start another, i'll follow along.

i predict 13 pages easily. 

[stitchdup]

11 minutes ago, sidcharles said:

this statement could be the start of a great philosophical thread along the lines of "why do we build models?"

not to sidetrack this thread further, but if anyone wants to start another, i'll follow along.

i predict 13 pages easily. 

the longest so far is 74 posts, most die out around 50 posts

[meechum68]

I usually build "American" stuff, and they all have engines, but since I have been a member here, I do look forward to working on my Aoshima's, Fujimi's and Tamiya "curbside" stuff to learn better weathering techniques, interior detailing, etc.  Since I won't be concentrating on the engine and driveline details.   

I do like the cost of Imports being considerably lower than most of my Revell's AMT/Ertl, MPC stuff, so for me price and the look of the car are huge factors for purchase. Plus if I decide to do something wild kit bash style, I really have to step up my crafting game.

 

 

Edited 15 hours ago by meechum68

[Cool Hand]

3 hours ago, sidcharles said:

this statement could be the start of a great philosophical thread along the lines of "why do we build models?"

not to sidetrack this thread further, but if anyone wants to start another, i'll follow along.

i predict 13 pages easily. 

Or it could be "why do we build models and what is the purpose of participating on this forum" 🤣

[drugsarebad420]

4 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

Most Japanese kits started out more as motorized toys than model kits, you can still see some vestigial parts in older kits from the big three companies. I think the Japanese market just got used to curbsides because the space was used for electric motors and batteries. While Tamiya specifically does put engines in some of its modern kits it's certainly not all and there doesn't seem to be any local market pressure to change since the other companies still primarily release curbsides.

explains why some of my kits had battery boxes lol

[drugsarebad420]

Just now, Cool Hand said:

Or it could be "why do we build models and what is the purpose of participating on this forum" 🤣

we build because we like making cool stuff, duh

[sidcharles]

1 hour ago, Cool Hand said:

Or it could be "why do we build models and what is the purpose of participating on this forum" 🤣

i can work with that.

start it (new thread) and i shall follow.

[StevenGuthmiller]

12 hours ago, sidcharles said:

this statement could be the start of a great philosophical thread along the lines of "why do we build models?"

not to sidetrack this thread further, but if anyone wants to start another, i'll follow along.

i predict 13 pages easily. 

Oh, it’s nothing new.

This subject has been hashed over so many times, it’s basically like beating a dead horse.

Some people see no need to spend time on things that will “never be seen”, while others feel that the engine and chassis are integral pieces of an automobile and should be represented in a scale reproduction.

I have some models that I’ve built within the past few years that I can’t imagine being without the engine bay detail.

I think of it a little like walking past a 1961 Chrysler 300 with the long ram intake at a car show with the hood closed, and not being able to view that glorious conglomeration.

The engine, and sometimes chassis or engine bay details, can often be the most interesting part of a car.

Why wouldn’t I want to depict those details?

 

 

Steve

[sidcharles]

1 hour ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

Oh, it’s nothing new.

This subject has been hashed over so many times, it’s basically like beating a dead horse.

Some people see no need to spend time on things that will “never be seen”, while others feel that the engine and chassis are integral pieces of an automobile . . . . 

objective perspective, but muddled with too many disassociated thoughts.

and i don't see this addressing neither the OP query, nor my (quoted) statement. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, sidcharles said:

objective perspective, but muddled with too many disassociated thoughts.

and i don't see this addressing neither the OP query, nor my (quoted) statement. 

Okay. 
 

 

Steve