How does Tamiya do it so quick?

[Darin Bastedo]

Let's not forget that model kits are not their only revenue stream. Round 2 and Revell, both only do model kits, where Tamiya also is a major player in the very profitable R/C market. Keeping in mind many automotive kit subject by them are mirrored in their R/C line-up the licence fees and negotiations are probably done under one blanket licence. That said tooling up a new kit, is probably a far smaller risk to a company of their size compared to Revell and Round 2

[fumi]

Let's not forget that model kits are not their only revenue stream. Round 2 and Revell, both only do model kits, where Tamiya also is a major player in the very profitable R/C market. Keeping in mind many automotive kit subject by them are mirrored in their R/C line-up the licence fees and negotiations are probably done under one blanket licence. That said tooling up a new kit, is probably a far smaller risk to a company of their size compared to Revell and Round 2

Aoshima and Fujimi do nothing but model kits as well, and both of them are small companies (with Fujimi practically a family owned business) that do mostly car kits. Yet they have no problem tooling up new kits.

I think the main difference is that the Japanese model companies are trying to grow their market and gain new audiences, particularly for Aoshima. Meanwhile the American companies are more focused in keeping the existing market.

[Ace-Garageguy]

The Japanese have been pretty good at bringing out new products quickly for a long time. Look at the history of their 1:1 motorcycle industry for a convincing example. If I remember correctly, the Honda Formula One engine also went from a clean sheet of paper to a running unit very quickly.

There was a time America could do some pretty spectacular pulling of rabbits from hats too. The P-51 fighter only took six months from napkin sketch to test flight. The Lockheed U2 and SR-71 Blackbird each took less time to design and get flying (all without CAD by the way) than some widely anticipated kits of '50s cars have been in gestation.

So, why is it possible to build an all new motorcycle, or an exotic racing engine, or extremely high performance aircraft in less time than it takes to make a MODEL KIT of something that already exists and doesn't have to function ????

I think the changes in the American business model, which has become more about covering-your-backside than actually getting something done, and complicating the process with gibberish baloney like "brand cross-platform deliverables" and "redefine back-end initiatives" is largely responsible.

[Draggon]

So, why is it possible to build an all new motorcycle, or an exotic racing engine, or extremely high performance aircraft in less time than it takes to make a MODEL KIT of something that already exists and doesn't have to function ????

Maybe it has something to so with the people designing the motorcycle are the ones building it. I wonder if a kit manufacturer were to design something like the wierd AMT Showrods today, the process from inception to product would be faster.

[Luc Janssens]

On Tamiya and tanks, there are just so many.

[media=]

Tamiya lost it's edge on 1/35 armor, certainly if you look at what Tasca crancks out these days....their Sherman tanks are amazing.

Maybe they should start another scale ;^)

[Luc Janssens]

Still remember the Monogram catalogs having a monthly release plan, which was pretty much followed I seem to recall...

[fumi]

Tamiya lost it's edge on 1/35 armor, certainly if you look at what Tasca crancks out these days....their Sherman tanks are amazing.

Maybe they should start another scale ;^)

They already did. They are really big into 1/48 armour these days.