Future of large scale models?

[sjordan2]

Here are some modeler critiques on the Aston...

http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/large-scale-cars/13516-1-8-th-db5.html

Modified builds

http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/large-scale-cars/68038-aston-martin-db5-scale-1-8-a.html

Building journal

http://www.scalemotorcars.com/forum/large-scale-cars/78989-1-8-aston-martin-db5-james-bond.html

[Quick GMC]

That definitely did not make it more clear, but I think I get what you're saying.

Large kits from Revell and other manufactures and targeted towards normal builders and younger crowds. You are lumping in aftermarket parts and kits with that same category and complaining that they are more expensive and do not offer the same quality.

The mass produced kits are made in such a way that the prices can remain somewhat reasonable. $60 for the Revell 1/12 Shelby and $300 for the 1/12 Tamiya Enzo is a huge gap, but that gap in quality is there also. Aftermarket pieces are geared towards serious builders who value their time that they spend on these pieces and I doubt anyone's mom and dad are buying them serious detail parts. I don't know how many kids build like that. Even then, there are a lot of affordable detail parts out there.

To me 1/16 is a unique category, mostly geared towards drag racing pieces. I would consider 1/12 & 1/8 large scale, 1/16 can be either or.

[sjordan2]

To me 1/16 is a unique category, mostly geared towards drag racing pieces. I would consider 1/12 & 1/8 large scale, 1/16 can be either or.

I think you will find just as many, if not more, antique and classic cars in this category --probably more.

Take a look at the typical 1/16 listings on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Automotive-/2580/i.html?_nkw=1%2F16&_armrs=1&_from=R10&_ipg=&_pcats=1188%2C220&_sop=10

Edited March 10, 2014 by sjordan2

[Daddyfink]

Most large scale kits made today are based on vintage tooling, with some exceptions, and even then they get them wrong!

With some slight updates here and there, wheels and decals mostly, they will be the same technology that was available at the time the molds where made.

The aftermarket has come to the rescue to try and help us out to try and build cars that are more unique to a look or taste. The quality ranges from super nice to really poor, but, one must remember that most of these vendors are doing it on the side and not as a full time job and in most instances, they are the only game in town!

With the advent of 3-D printing this might change and I hope some of them will be able to produce more wanted and hard to get items so that we may fix all the factory kits we have. And of course this will come at a price, as large scale is a rather niche market now that is mostly populated by guys like me, in our 40's. It is rare to see "Kids" even try to tackle something like this and I do not really expect them to considering how small the selection is in large scale kits.

Yes, I would have rather had a brand new Dragster or Funny Car in 1/16th than the large new Mustang they did, They would have sold way more of them to us niche guys.

Is there a future for it, yes, but it is shrinking

[Quick GMC]

I think you will find just as many, if not more, antique and classic cars in this category --probably more.

Take a look at the typical 1/16 listings on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Automotive-/2580/i.html?_nkw=1%2F16&_armrs=1&_from=R10&_ipg=&_pcats=1188%2C220&_sop=10

You're right, there are a lot. drag racing and classics. Some muscle cars, but they usually get turned into dragster, from what i see here anyway. I would be more attracted to that scale if the Tamiya style cars were done that way. in fact, if they focused the 1/24 subjects on 1/16 scale, I would abandon 1/24 all together.