MESHER Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I was just thinking the other day that Tamiya has not released very many 1/48 prop kits in the last 8 or so years. I look back from 1995 to 2003 and in this 8 year span they released so many kits like P-51B/D, Mosquito's, Beaufighters, Corsairs, ME109, Me262, FW190, P-47's just to name a few. I think there is a kit total of over 30 prop kits in 8 years and now since 2003 not too many at all. Would be so nice to see them do a Typhoon, ME109G series, a nice new proper FW190D-9 and I am sure the wish list goes on. Now I assume in the next 2 years we will see a few shrunk down 1/48 variants of the Spitfire's as per their spectatular 1/32 Spit. Maybe 1/32 is starting to take over, they say it is the biggest growing/selling scale but I think that is great but a bit of a shame for the classic 1/48 guys that have been supporting this hobby and these companies for decades now and many of us have way too much invested in 1/48 to make the switch to 1/32. Any how, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the subject and open it up for discussion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moeggo Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I believe that Tamiya's Aircraft designer has been ill for a while in the past, before returning and working on the Spitfire project for the last 2 years... I would think we will see some more releases soon from Tamiya's aircraft section... There will be some scaled down versions of the spitfire from the new 32nd tooling for sure. I doubt they will release a newly tooled Fw190D-9 and there is nothing really wrong with the one they have... Plus Eduard is releasing theirs very shortly too. A Tamiya Typhoon/Tempest or a P-38 series would be very cool in my books! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jholt Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 As I peer into my crystal ball I see a 48th P-38, Me-109G's, F-16B's and possibly a B-17 from Tamiya Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Boy, do I wish I had a nickel for every Tamiya B-17 rumor that's been floated since, oh, about 1993. I'd be retired. J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jholt Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Boy, do I wish I had a nickel for every Tamiya B-17 rumor that's been floated since, oh, about 1993. I'd be retired.J The real question is what would we all do if tamiya puts out a 48th scale B-17? When they do I say start the rumor mill up with a Tamiya 1/48 B-29 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve N Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Personally I'd love to see some more of thier 1/48 kits scaled down to 1/72...particularly the P-51B/C and the G4M1 Betty. Hasegawa has gorgeous new-tool kits of the late model Bettys in 1/72, but their early one is an ancient relic of the late '60s. SN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gotarheelz14 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 WOWWW!!! A Tamiya quality P-38 in 48th would be awesome I don't know if its me but I feel that the market is lacking as far as the P-38 in that scale. There is an old Hasegawa with raised panels, same for revell. Academy has a couple kits. Tamiya needs to step in and show 'em how its done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Modelmkr Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 WOWWW!!! A Tamiya quality P-38 in 48th would be awesome :huh: I don't know if its me but I feel that the market is lacking as far as the P-38 in that scale. There is an old Hasegawa with raised panels, same for revell. Academy has a couple kits. Tamiya needs to step in and show 'em how its done. Actually, Hasegawa have had several P-38 variants out all with fine engraved panel lines and nice detail. I've heard the fit is a little tricky. I have their 1/48 P-38J Lightning kit (JT1) and it is quite nice. Later, M. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TuveB Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I hope Tamiya makes a P-47N series before takling the Spitfires. Griffon Spits! Griffon Spits! And then a 48 Whirlwind! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I was kind of hoping for a 1/32 Corsair.... any variant so long as it is up to the standards of their Zeros and Spit. I'd be first in line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MarkoZG Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 It is also strange that it has been a while since Tamiya releeased its last 1/72 a/c kit. There is still a plenty of good stuff waiting to be scaled down that would be more than welcomed in 1/72nd scale. Just to name them: Gloster Meteor Fairey Swordfish P-47M Thunderbolt Fi 156 Storch Regarding this scale, other Japanese manufacturers also act strange: Fujimi completely ignores airplanes in last decade, Fine Molds didn't come up with next Zero version this year and for some unknown reason didn't reissue their old Ki-61-II bubbletop version at all or proceed with Kayaba Ka-2 for instance. Hasegawa unexpectedly stopped their single engined aircraft range although there was still much left to be desired like PZL P-11, Bloch MB.152 or futher versions of existing kits, like British and Dutch Buffalos, more Fw 190 versions etc. Their latest big aircraft new issues are still full of potential (why don't we see more B-26 versions, then there is so much left to be covered by Ju 88, will we ever see Hasegawa do Do 17Z, CANT Z.1007, Halifax, Stirling and other important machines in this scale tool?). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Whatever Tamiya produces in 1/32 I will buy. I'll sell half my old stash to pay for one of these Tamiya kits they are so good. Viva Tamiya! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crazydon Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Keep in mind the model division at Tamiya has been concentrating on the 1/48th armor line the past few years. A new Fw.190D won't happen, they retooled the wing and most the things the experten consider wrong with the kit the average builder doesn't know or care about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dagger00 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I hope Tamiya makes a P-47N series before takling the Spitfires. Griffon Spits! Griffon Spits! And then a 48 Whirlwind! I totally agreee with you, they have built the earlier Razorbacks ones and the P-47D, plus the "multifunction" P-47M, it would be very easy for them to change the wings...and voila!!!, a brand new N!!!!!!! B) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Whatever Tamiya produces in 1/32 I will buy. I'll sell half my old stash to pay for one of these Tamiya kits they are so good. Viva Tamiya! I'll drink to that! Hell! I'll drink to anything!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I don't think they were their Golden Years, I thing they were their Revitilization Years. They neglected aircraft subjects for so long and naturally when they started out from basically scratch they would do it with vigour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I've heard the fit is a little tricky. Yeah. And atomic bombs go "bang". :lol: J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mackie Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 (edited) Here's my 2 cents: Back in the late 70's early 80's, in order for Detroit to remain competitive, Japanese car manufacturers were pressured by American tariffs limiting the number of cars they could import here. So naturally Japan started making more expensive (i.e. more profit margin) better quality cars to make up for the lack of quantity. Japan ended up KO'ing Detroit and today the Toyota Camry is the best selling car in America making Japan a boat load of $$$. Parallel Tamiya today. They're making fewer kits, but they are premier quality, bigger and more expensive - just like the auto industry. Coincidence? The Asians really analyze this stuff. Prediction: Tamiya 1/3 scale P-51 D for $28,942.58 - you know you'd buy one! :lol: -- Cent #2: Hasagawa is now just a decal company. How many frickin' 1/48 F/A-18's in xxxxxx scheme can they sell? Edited December 25, 2009 by Mackie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Hasagawa is now just a decal company. How many frickin' 1/48 F/A-18's in xxxxxx scheme can they sell? Amen. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 I'll drink to that! Hell! I'll drink to anything!! I'm drinking right now! Waiting for Santa to show up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottD Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 I hope Tamiya makes a P-47N series before takling the Spitfires. Thats gonna happen just as I start converting mine to a M into a N.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlicari Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Thats gonna happen just as I start converting mine to a M into a N.... Well, get going on that project then, so the rest of us can have a Tamiya N! :) Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
R Tate Posted December 26, 2009 Share Posted December 26, 2009 I was kind of hoping for a 1/32 Corsair.... any variant so long as it is up to the standards of their Zeros and Spit.I'd be first in line. If you mean F4U Corsair I agree but A-7 Corsair... not so much. I have never built a Tamiya but I can tell you that what models are for sale is the problem with building them, you don't know if they will ever make what you want. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jomamoce Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Well, would it be to much to ask for Tamiya say bring out a relly good Heinkel He 100D1? Also the Heinkel He 112? I suppose not, but one can but live in hope! José César Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Modelmkr Posted December 27, 2009 Share Posted December 27, 2009 Yeah. And atomic bombs go "bang". J Well, I didn't want to completely discourage any P-38 fans out there. :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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