Reasons to be Cheerful ??

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

As you all probably aware, I have left the hobby alone for a few months whilst I was preparing and revising for my promotional exams.

In that intervening time – whilst I wasn't trying to regurgitate the exact definition of Long Shore Drift, learn the advantages & disadvantages of the Rapid Response Search Plan (and plot one within 10mins) and draw a cross-section of a fully developed weather front – I did some serious thinking about the current, general state-of-the-hobby and in particular the number, frequency and quality of the releases that are hitting the shelves these days, that are particularly attractive to us as 'What Iffers'

Note:
Before we go any further, these are just my own ramblings, I'm not trying to speak for everyone or preach to anyone !

I'm going to look at stuff that appeals directly to me – a few 1:72 but mainly 1:48 jets and props. Value for money... one word... Revell. For me this started with the 1:48 F-86D & F-15E that they released a few years back, then the 1:72 Hunters & MiG-21F, the magnificent 1:48 & 1:72 Weapons Set that included a free Eurofighter kit and the same 'gimmick' was used with their Rafale's and Super Hornet's. Each a beautifully engineered, physically impressive kit with a vast array of things to hang underneath them and, even today, change from a £20.00 note !!

Academy have exhibited a similar approach in more recent years. Excellent kits in their own right, such as the 1:72 SB2C, IL2, F-8's and in 1:48 the P-38 when it was re-boxed with all the versions, The P-47's and even their F-16's – All with (very) full weapons/decal options at very reasonable prices. Hobbyboss and Airfix appear to have looked at what RoG & Academy are releasing and following them quite closely. The Hobbyboss Rafale, that I'm building atm, simply oozes quality, has a very acceptable price (IMHO) and a good cross-section of 'things' to stick underneath it. I also have recently built their Mirage III & MiG 17F both stunningly detailed and easily built.

But at the risk of sounding like a Sales Rep' I have to come-back to Revell. For sheer quality and value for money, the more recent releases – as opposed to Hasegawa/Italeri/Matchbox re-issues – have been simply stunning. Today I stripped-down the 1:48 Typhoon that I'd started four years ago. I'd not seen inside the cockpit since then – It's superb, simply excellent. Similarly the Hunter's; wonderful little kits that regardless of whether you're building them as What Ifs or R.W., will fall together over a weekend or a couple of evening sessions with the minimum of filler/  sanding and look superb. I'm not being arrogant or elitist when I say that it is almost impossible to build these kits badly – they really are that good !

So in summary, how can I put this... From my very personal perspective, it seems that we are in a wee bit of a 'golden age'  just now in terms of frequency, number, quality and variety of kits coming to the market, (let's be honest, did we really imagine that there would be 1:32 EE Lightnings, Crusaders and MkIX Spitfires just five years ago, with Intruders and Jaguars to follow....) – not that I can afford (in space and money) any of those particular monsters, but in the more 'realistic' scales, I cannot recall a time when there was so much 'good stuff' coming out.

Long may it continue !

Ian

[pyro-manic]

I'm inclined to agree, to be honest. Lots of very cool kits being released, and companies like Revell and Airfix seem determined to keep their prices very competitive. Eight quid for a new-tool Sea Harrier? Fantastic!

[PR19_Kit]

I've been impressed with Revell's offerings for some considerable time now, and it doesn't get any worse for sure.

For RW stuff I make a number of 1/144 airliners and Revell are the class of the field. Ever since they took the trouble to re-hash their 747-400, the original issue of which had some quality problems, they've just got better and better. Their An-124 is almost unbelievable, and the price doesn't have any bearing on my judgement. Taking the price into account it's a LOT of quality plastic for the money.

I've got all three of their 1/32 scale gliders too, and their Ask-21 is just like 'being there'. I've flown the one in my gliding club a number of times and the model almost SMELLS right........  

Mind you, the full size one is plastic too!

[Daryl J.]

Even though things ebb and flow a bit, I think we're living in the best of times......ever.   

And then to top it off, we have this site.   




Daryl J., who thinks there should never be an end to whiffed Canberras

[Captain Canada]

I'd raise a cheer for Revell as well...some beauty stuff of late ! Their big Antonov among them....

[NARSES2]

Got to agree with you there Ian. Despite the recession, or maybe because of it, things are looking good (touching wood). I was musing with a trader at "Udders over this and came to the conclusion that modelling has held up in the recession mainly because people are staying in more rather then going out ?

As you say Revell are proving exceptional value for money at the moment and Airfix has definately risen like a phoenix from the ashes 

[PR19_Kit]

Daryl J., who thinks there should never be an end to whiffed Canberras

There isn't........ 

Can you imagine a Revell Canberra, oooooohhhh?

[kitbasher]

Daryl J., who thinks there should never be an end to whiffed Canberras

There isn't........ 

Can you imagine a Revell Canberra, oooooohhhh?

I wonder what the promised Italeri B.6 will be like? 

[Howard of Effingham]

Daryl J., who thinks there should never be an end to whiffed Canberras

There isn't........ 

Can you imagine a Revell Canberra, oooooohhhh?

I wonder what the promised Italeri B.6 will be like? 

i bet my revell [nee who?] canberra B.8 is unsaleable now.......

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

i bet my revell [nee who?] canberra B.8 is unsaleable now.......

Nee FROG, I think.....

Ian

[Brian da Basher]

Another reason to be cheerful is that these new kits with all the bells and whistles might lead to an increase in older now "sub-standard" kits able to be had on the cheap. I don't know about you guys, but I find older, simpler kits to be perfect whiff fodder!

Brian da Basher

[BlackOps]

Ian, these all sound like great reasons!

I'd like to add that with my current stash, I could probably be productive for quite some time even without new kits. Sometimes I need to remember to appreciate what I already have set aside. Now if I could actually get a free moment to sit down at the workbench I would be quite happy.