What kind of new models to expect from the big names.

[Beermonster58]

I'm not expecting much from either the aforementioned Airfix or Revell. The former is a  master of hype over substance as, it's last few release programmes have shown and, as for Revell, I'm not expecting anything other than a rehash of previous kits. For sure, their most recent release list simply repeats this pattern albeit some of the rehashes are welcome.

I do however expect Airfix to continue their focus on 1/48 to the detriment of their 1/72 range and, to continue to ignore the many and, frequently repeated kit requests. Avro Manchester and Lincoln anyone?

I don't buy the "niche" argument. I think this is just a excuse by manufacturers to cover  a serious lack of imagination.  What is "niche" anyway? What are the parameters used to determine" niche"?

Surely any and every kit fits into a niche of some kind?  I'm not getting my hopes up for anything in 2025.

To be honest, I'm turning to companies like Takom, Mikromir, A A Models and, Modelcollect because they are willing to tackle the "out of the box " types (no pun intended) that other companies ignore as they continue to churn out ever increasing numbers of the same, done to death already kit types.

[kitbasher]

Would Airfix count the Scimitar as a 'niche' model?

They might well do. Perhaps we should talk to Sword about the Scimitar then?

Gondor

Pun intended?  Maybe they could do a Cutlass, a Douglas Stiletto, a Delta Dagger and a Sabre.

[The Wooksta!]

I can't understand why the Scimitar keeps getting ignored.  I mean, the nay sayers bleat about one user and one scheme but then Airfix did the Swift, which is the same one user, one scheme,

TBH, it matters little to me anyway.  I have a very full loft, there's very little I actually want or even need* right now.



*Except two stage Merlin Mosquitoes.  I have a wide ranging requirement for those due to lots of nice real ones I want to do.  618 Sqn alone could keep me busy for a while.

[seadude]

Things I'd love to see from model manufacturers in 2025:
1. New tool 1/350 scale of the USS Long Beach CGN-9 cruiser in 1980/1990's fit.
2. Modelcollect has been promising a 1/48 scale A-12A Avenger II for quite a while. Where the damn hell is it?!    I want one..........or two.
3. A 1/350 scale plastic model kit of the USS United States CVA-58 would be nice.
4. I generally don't build cars. But I'd love it if a plastic model kit were made of the late 1940's Tucker Torpedo. PLEASE!
5. Enough damn Enterprises already!    Why can't somebody make plastic model kits of the Akira, Steamrunner, Norway, and Sabre class starships from Star Trek?
6. A 1/72 scale kit of the B-21 Raider bomber. Somebody is probably already working on this. But will it be available for 2025? Who knows?
7. A 1/72 or 1/48 scale plastic kit of the shuttlecraft from the original Battlestar Galactica tv series.
There's tons more items I could list. But I won't otherwise this post will be excessively long.

[PR19_Kit]

6. A 1/72 scale kit of the B-21 Raider bomber. Somebody is probably already working on this. But will it be available for 2025? Who knows?

A 1/72 model off the B-2 would do for a 1/48 kit of the B-21 I reckon. 

Speaking of which, what happened to the B-2 - B-19? There must be an awful lot of Whiff potential hidden in that range!

[jcf]

Darn forgot to ask why they can't just press button B and get CAD data for three different scales out of the same research.

Because it doesn't work that way. The kit design and mould engineering is very different for each scale.
Fuselage wall thickness designed in 1/48th would be too thin for 1/72nd, go the other way from 1/72 to
1/48 and it's too thick. The applies to every part of the kit.

[seadude]

6. A 1/72 scale kit of the B-21 Raider bomber. Somebody is probably already working on this. But will it be available for 2025? Who knows?

A 1/72 model off the B-2 would do for a 1/48 kit of the B-21 I reckon. 

Speaking of which, what happened to the B-2 - B-19? There must be an awful lot of Whiff potential hidden in that range!

Well, I do have plans to convert the old Testor SR-75 Penetrator kit into a B-3 hypersonic stealth bomber. But you may have to wait a looooooooong time before I start on it.

[PFJN]

Hi,
Off the top of my head I can think of;


• A Mk V * or Mk V** WWI era tank
• A 1960s era HMS Ark Royal, Eagle, or even Bulwark, Hermes or the like
• A 1/350 scale Leander Class Frigate, or maybe even a Type 21, Type 22, or Tribal class frigate *
• A modern HMS Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier
• Maybe a modern motor yacht
• An M10 Booker

Regards
Pat

[steelpillow]

Because it doesn't work that way. The kit design and mould engineering is very different for each scale.
Fuselage wall thickness designed in 1/48th would be too thin for 1/72nd, go the other way from 1/72 to
1/48 and it's too thick. The applies to every part of the kit.

There is software around which adjusts all that accordingly. I don't think it's branded "Button B", but it's there for the asking.

[seadude]

Hi,
Off the top of my head I can think of;


• A Mk V * or Mk V** WWI era tank
• A 1960s era HMS Ark Royal, Eagle, or even Bulwark, Hermes or the like
• A 1/350 scale Leander Class Frigate, or maybe even a Type 21, Type 22, or Tribal class frigate *
• A modern HMS Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier
• Maybe a modern motor yacht
• An M10 Booker

Regards
Pat

There already is a M10 Booker available.
https://squadron.com/1-35-magic-factory-m10-booker-us-combat-vehicle-plastic-model-kit/

[The Rat]

I don't buy the "niche" argument. I think this is just a excuse by manufacturers to cover  a serious lack of imagination.  What is "niche" anyway? What are the parameters used to determine" niche"?

"Niche" is EXACTLY what the Airfix reps at SMW muttered when I showed them the Fantasy Kit World boxtop of my weekly demand, the Hindustan HF-24 Marut.    Why am I the only one who believes it's sellable?    India is predicted to have the world's largest middle-class in the next few years, and there are already a lot of modelers there. The last aircraft designed by Kurt Tank, which would be well-received by the Luftlovers. WHY NOT?! 

[The Rat]

I can't understand why the Scimitar keeps getting ignored.

You and a million others. It seems so obvious.

[scooter]

Hi,
Off the top of my head I can think of;


• A Mk V * or Mk V** WWI era tank

Regards
Pat

Along similar lines, 1/35 TOG 2.  I mean FFS, the last land dreadnought is sitting in Bovington.

[PFJN]

There already is a M10 Booker available.
https://squadron.com/1-35-magic-factory-m10-booker-us-combat-vehicle-plastic-model-kit/

Thanks ,I hadn't seen that.
Pat

[McColm]

I'm hoping that Mach2 will do their version of the Avro Lincoln, they have the Avro York and my experience has been to replace the wings, engines and landing gear.
The  BAe Nimrod MR.4A in plastic with the Breguet 763 Deux Ponts both in 1/72 scale although the Deux Ponts does come in 1/144 scale.