Hasegawa

[ChernayaAkula]

Well, Hasegawa's New Item Previews (SAMPLE) clearly label "decal only" new releases with a DC for "only decal changed new item". And why shouldn't they list them as new items or be included in upcoming lists? They are, after all, new versions. And some buyers are grateful to get decal versions not available before and appreciate being informed of their release. Shouldn't Revell have listed their Tigermeet RF-4 or F-16C as new releases? The plastic wasn't changed from earlier releases of these kits, but with the new decals, they're very much new versions, aren't they?

Regarding the aftermarket stuff, yes, a lot has been done by the aftermarket guys and quite often in better quality. But there are still lots of schemes only available in Hasegawa's boxings.
There's hardly any aftermarket stuff for JASDF planes. Before DMX Decal, there were no aftermarket decals for JASDF F-15J Aggressors or Mitsubishi F-2 special schemes, leaving you dependent on Hasegawa. Of the host of JASDF special schemes, only a few were released by aftermarket guys.
There are loads of USN and USMC squadrons available only in Hasegawa's boxings. The aftermarket guys seem to concentrate on the "big shots" such as VF/VFA-103 Jolly Rogers, VF/VFA-31 Tomcatters or certain Aggressor outfits. Or something that strikes a decal guy's personal fancy. But for most of the "oddball" schemes, you're left with Hasegawa. They also seem to have a particular hang for all USN Pacific Fleet stuff.  
Just a few of the ones I'm pretty happy about: the F/A-18C in VFA-146 Blue Diamonds markings (American flag nose), the F/A-18E in VFA-105 CAG colours, the F/A-18E in VX-31 colours, the VFA-97 Warhawks 2006 CAG, F-15 in various ANG markings, the various JASDF markings, the AV-8B+ in Italian Navy markings (there was an aftermarket sheet by some Italian outfit, but it's long OOP), F-14 in low-viz VF-102 Diamondbacks scheme...

Some argue that Hasegawa's ripping off their customers by releasing the same kit over and over again with only new decals. You could also say that Hasegawa cares about their customers by not offering the same old markings over and over again.
Actually, I kind of wonder where they supposedly rip someone off. You get a complete kit with decals. No promise made that isn't kept. In case of their F-4, F-14, F-15 and F/A-18E/F, they're still the best kits around. Their F-16 is only surpassed by the Revell offering and their F/A-18A-D still build into good replications of the aircraft, on a par with the Fujimi kits and only second to the Academy kits.

In related news, Hasegawa is to release an updated (not just new decals  ) version of their 1/72 F/A-18E. CLICKY! Looks like they changed the moulds to replicate the "bard pipe" ECS vents between the vertical tails.

[Maverick]

Mortiz, I have no issue with Hasegawa releasing kits with decals if they specify that.  I've seen plenty of ads for these kits, however, where they've been listed as 'new', not a re-release with updated decals.  I got bitten buying their F/A-18D with VMFA(AW) markings specifically for that reason, only to find their rather deplorable (IMO) F/A-18A/B with a couple of bits & bobs, a pair of nice figures (altho bereft of NVGs, but I digress as at least they've got figures there) and a rather nice decal sheet.  The decal sheet & pilots were great stuff, but I'm afraid I'm no fan of the legacy Hornets and was disappointed that they didn't attempt a new mould.   They've also released other genuinely ancient kits with other decals, but what irks me moreso is that, if you're lucky, you might get two decal options.  On occasion, you get the original kit's decals as well as the re-release which is quite generous, but I still think warmed over kits of debatable quality don't justify new decals at the same price as a newly released kit.  I notice that these prices don't reflect this particular fact which I think is a valid case for anyone feeling 'ripped off'.

As for JASDF markings, perhaps you've missed those by Two Bobs, JD Decals & Afterburner Decals, all of whom produce a plethora of F-2 decal sheets in various scales?

As for whose markings are released, that goes back to 'marketing' that we're always told is a primary motivator.  Builders buy & large seem to want VF-103, 41 or whoever for their Super Hornets, Tomcats and the like.  The lesser known squadrons would be a 'financial risk' for a given company and Hasegawa is able to take this risk by releasing a kit using mould already available.

Regards,

Mav

[Howard of Effingham]

Yes there are two different lengths for the ALQ-184. Short and long are the official designations.
The first Hasegawa release was the short pod.

cheers jim!

[ChernayaAkula]

So you got bitten buying an F/A-18D. When was that? And, erm, why didn't you check beforehand? I mean, it's been known for ages that they re-release their old kits with new decals. A new tooling by Hasegawa would have generated more hoopla than just a "new" next to the name of the kit.

And why is this rip-off thing mostly levelled at Hasegawa? Just about every manufacturer does that. Revell continues to release Italeri's (really deplorable!) 1/72 F/A-18C with new decals and they also want the full price for it. Actually, most of Revell's new releases are re-releases of older kits (theirs or others).
In some cases manufacturers re-release their old kits without even updating the decals and still charging full price for it.

<...>
As for JASDF markings, perhaps you've missed those by Two Bobs, JD Decals & Afterburner Decals, all of whom produce a plethora of F-2 decal sheets in various scales?

<...> The lesser known squadrons would be a 'financial risk' for a given company and Hasegawa is able to take this risk by releasing a kit using mould already available.

Plethora? Hardly so! TwoBobs had three F-15J Aggressor sheets in 1/48, one 1/48 F-104J Aggressor sheet and the F-15J White Dragon in 1/48 and 1/32. Nada in 1/72. Same goes for Afterburner, who don't do 1/72 period (because sales of USAF F-15 Aggressors bit them in the rear). They have two absolutely gorgeous F-2 sheets (have both, even though 1/48 ain't my preferred scale). JD Decals? Is that Platz? Yes, they have quite a lot of JASDF stuff, but for the F-2, they have a generic stencil set and the F-2 with the yellow sworls.
For most of the JASDF specials, you're still very much dependent on Hasegawa.

I don't blame the aftermarket guys releasing stuff that's commercially viable to them. In the same vein, I can't accuse Hasegawa of ripping off customers when they're the only ones who release certain schemes.

[kitnut617]

tick, tock: tick, tock: tick, tock

[Maverick]

Mortiz, I'll agree to disagree.

Mav

[ChernayaAkula]

Then I'll agree to, erm, agree to disagree.

[Maverick]

Hasegawa have a few upcoming, including the F-16E from the UAEAF.  Hopefully, it will be styrene for the 'extra bits' rather than resin as has been the case for some of the more esoteric of this company's releases.

Regards,

Mav

[Maverick]

An interesting idea, that I don't think has caught on, but one which deserves to is the 'dual boxing' that Hasegawa has availed themselves of on occasion.  Sometimes, it two related types, others it two of the same or similar with decal options.  Obviously Dragon has done similar but within 144th only.

http://ipmsdeutschland.de/FirstLook/Hasegawa/Hasegawa_Spitfire_MkVIII_combo/Has_Spitfire_MkVIII_combo.html

Regards,

Mav

[The Wooksta!]

Aye - and have you seen the price of that?  £35 quid for two kits that aren't even worth a tenner apiece?  Someone is having a laugh and it isn't the modeller.  For the same price, you could have four Airfix IXcs plus the conversion bits and the decals.  Robbing ... (rest of anti Hasegawa diatribe deleted on legal advice)

[Maverick]

I have to agree Lee.  The concept is a nice one, but price-gouging or the like is definitely off.

Regards,

Mav

[albeback]

Wouldn't touch Hasegawa( orTamiya,Trumpeter,Academy) now even with someone else's bargepole.!! I don't care HOW good they (allegedly) are! For example, I recently bought 3 x Revell Lancasters (£44.97 total cost). Cost of just ONE Hasegawa Lancaster - £44.99!! I believe the full r r p is now around £55? They may be thrice the price but, are they thrice as nice? I doubt it although, I admit that is entirely in the eye of the beholder.

As I only work part time, my budget is severely limited. I doubt however if my self imposed boycott will make any difference. Maybe declining sales will force a change in pricing? I don't know. I'm not an expert in these matters. Certainly, the staff in my local model shops have described extremely poor sales of Hasegawa & Tamiya in particular. As a consequence, they are ordering fewer.

[The Wooksta!]

The Hasegawa Lancaster isn't as detailed as the Revell one but it's a better build.  Plus Hasegawa had tooled for all the BI/BIII variants and there are spare bits for certain types on the sprues (the Village Inn AGL gizmo, ASR camera fairing and tropical filters).  And if you're lucky, you can get them for about £20 on ebay.  I bought a fair few about a year or so back.

Boycotting Hasegawa kits sadly won't have much of an impact.  It's the importers who are doing the gouging, not to mention the duty too.

[NARSES2]

I don't normally get involved in these critical discussions working on the basis of "one man's meat" etc, but I do have to agree with Lee that the majority of these Hasegawa "multi boxings" are to my mind a tad cheeky. The one that really sticks in my craw is the He 51 "Legion Condor Special" boxing. £23.48 at Hannants for 2 kits which are possibly almost 40 years old ? The real problem with any of these "re-releases" is that newcomers buy them and think they are modern toolings, the possible disapointment could turn them off modeling for ever. I have absolutely no problem with old kits being re-released as long as the origional age of the tooling is somewhere on the boxing.

Interestingly my old He 51 floatplane which is the origional boxing (I think) includes a stand, tube of glue and swastikas on the transfer sheet 

Chris

[Maverick]

Chris, I think the idea of a 'year of original release' noted on a boxtop would be an excellent idea.  Truth in advertising for a change!  Don't know how well it'd go being pitched at the various big wigs of the corporations tho.

Regards,

Mav