Hunter going cheap!!

[tonymadge]

Seems like a bargain to me
https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/produc ... -fga9mk58/

[Airspeed]

That certainly is a bargain, Tony!
An awe-inspiring scale, too.
I bought the Airfix BBMF Spitfire in 1/32, and it was somewhat more than the Hunter.
I haven't dared start it yet.

[Jon.M]

The Revell 1/32 Hunter is definitely a bargain at that price. I haven't built one but it seems to be a good kit, although some say it's a bit simple for a kit in this scale. Even at full price it's pretty cheap.
The kit was first released in 1998 and soon became a shelf-sitter meaning it didn't sell well. It's often given as an example of what can happen when a company listens to vocal modelling communities demands for this or that model that they'd all buy, but then when it's produced most of them don't. It does require a lot of shelf space at 17inches in length and over 12inches wingspan.
There are regular calls for a VC10 in 1/72 for example but I'd be surprised if it would sell well enough to justify the investment.

Mike, Airfix don't make a Spitfire in 1/32. Their large scale aircraft are in 1/24. Spitfires are available in Mk.Ia or Mk.Vb flavours. There are also several Spits in 1/48 and numerous ones in 1/72.

Jon

[paulsl]

a shelf-sitter meaning it didn't sell well. It's often given as an example of what can happen when a company listens to vocal modelling communities demands for this or that model that they'd all buy, but then when it's produced most of them don't.

Jon

A very interesting comment Jon. I've never been able to understand why no-one's produced a good late RN aircraft carrier, especially Ark Royal IV. You'd have thought there was some groundswell following the Sailor TV series but nothing came of it. I know there was an Ark IV and Eagle (Fujimi et al) but although they were pretty good models in their time they were pretty hard to find. You'd think the mainstream companies would come up with something, They seem happy enough to regurgitate German WWII battleships.

Paul

Maybe they'll come up with a QE or PoW - after all they wouldn't have to worry about moulding aircraft to put on the deck!

[Jon.M]

Maybe they'll come up with a QE or PoW - after all they wouldn't have to worry about moulding aircraft to put on the deck!

Airfix did just reissue the RMS Queen Elizabeth maybe someone got confused. I'm currently building it and it's proving to be a bit of a struggle. I've got a Fujimi Ark Royal IV in the stash, I'll get round to it one day.

But we're back to what sells reliably. Ships are generally a harder sell than aircraft and military subjects sell better than civilian ones. You can't really blame the producers for playing safe. So Airfix keep their Bismark in the catalogue even though it's not a good kit, it was first produced in 1962 and the latest examples look like the moulds are pretty worn out. A guy on the Airfix Tribute Forum recently did a good build of the Bismark "as modified by the RN". Probably the best thing to do with the kit. http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.o ... 45552.html

Airfix have come up with an interesting idea with their kit starter scheme where you can vote for an out of production kit. If enough people vote for it they will make it. You have to commit to buy it when you vote. So far none of the proposed kits has got enough votes, but they are a pretty weird selection in the main.

http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/kitstarter

On the aircraft front Spitfires and Me 109s sell by the bucket load and every so often you get something unusual like a BE2c or Supermarine Swift alongside the new Stuka or Beaufighter.

Jon

[Airspeed]

Hi Jon,
My mistake, I just swung round in my chair,; it is indeed 1/24, Mk Vb, squadron code RF D