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Last weekend at the annual Modelfest in Ventura, CA, of all the models on display, there were only 4 fighter jets on display, 1 1/48th F-16, 1, F-4E, and 3 1/72nd models, 2 Jaguars and a F-4F.

There wasn't a lack of models in other popular categories, plenty of cars, figurines, armor and at least 25 single engine prop warbirds.

But practically nothing when it came to modern jet fighters. The three 1/72 jets not only were from the same modeler, but barely squeaked in under the cutoff time for judging.

I've seen the decline in modern jet fighter models in the past few years at a few shows, my "decent" 1/72 DT-38A was one of only 2 jets in the contest a couple years ago, and won 2nd place by default. I've barely seen a Hornet, Tomcat, F-4, A-6, A-7, anything of the sort at a show for years, let alone any foreign makes.

So, my question is, why the decline in modern jet fighter modeling? Or is it just unique to the shows I've been going to?

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I think some of it may be cost, with the ecconomy in the state that it currently is in it is a wonder anyone is still building models. From what I have seen both in LHS and online Jet models seem like they tend to run a little more expensive than the other subjects that you mentioned. You also can not factor out the posibility that the selection is representative of the people in your area's tastes in model building.

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maybe its cause props are alot cheaper ? ive been picking up a bunch of hasegawa 1/32 FW-190D's for 15 bucks a pop. Ive noticed a decline at Kick Off classic too in terms of jets. In fact one year i remember seeing 2 1/32 F-4J's......marked the same........built by the same guy.......who used the wrong grey for the 32nd category. maybe there was a tamiya f-16 also or something too

on another note, are you guys going to Valleycon?

Edited by g0_command0
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Well, not sure why the low turn out there, but all I'm building are modern jets! My B-1 is progressing nicely, I've got a mudhen for the next one and then to find a F/A-18F, all in 1/48th.

Sort of the same topic, but where do I find out about local clubs and events?

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From the relatively few model shows that I attend and display at here in England, there seems to be a very good mix of old and new both prop & jet on the display tables.

Apart from a couple of C130s' a Harvard and a couple of An-2's my entire built and stash collection is of jets. I don't enter competitions, so I can't really give an accumulative comparison between prop and jet in these, but from what I have seen (for example at Scale Model World, Telford each year) the mix is pretty equal and the quality very high.

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I participated in a local IPMS show in Richmond, VA last weekend and the 1/48 Jet category was huge.

Both single and multi-engine jets were well represented. Last year I participated and in the multi-engine category and there were only a handfull. When I arrived this year, anticipating to be competetive, I was suprised at the number of entries. There were 2 x 6' tables displaying a number of modern jets. That said, I did however notice a bit more of the lower end kits being used. For example there were Revell Super Hornets ($25) vs. Hasegawas Hornets ($70+)

In the 1/32 Jet categoty, both single and multi-engine, there was not one entry.

Edited by Rhinolover
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The shows I frequent with my dad down here in da Bayou tend to have ALOT of 1/48 & larger jets, heaven only knows why . . . :thumbsup:

Ves :worship:

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I would venture to guess it is a combination of preference, price and availability. I like 1/72 jets myself but the price for many of the high quality kits is very high compared to something like a P-51 of a BF-109 in a similar scale. Aftermarket goodies are far more common for props too. To top it all off, WWII just offers infinite diorama possibilities in comparison to modern jet aircraft. The stuff is closer together and we have a better idea of what the people are doing. Granted you can pose an F-15E however you wish but generally the maintenance is more organized and the auxiliary equipment is far more expensive. Nobody will ever hang an engine off of a tree to get it inside an F-15 but I heard a story about guys doing it to a fighter in WWII.

I go to very few shows but I did see some jet fighters at the last one I was at.

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Looks like we had 29 Jets and 51 props at our last show in November.

Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for the types aircraft entered,

It's kinda like a raffle, the luck of the draw.

Curt

Desert Classic XIII

Aircraft; Biplanes, All Scales and Types 2

Aircraft 1/72, Allied Prop 9

Aircraft, Axis Prop 4

Aircraft, 1/72 Jet 13

Aircraft 1/48, Allied Single Engine Prop 11

Aircraft 1/48, Axis Single Engine Prop 16

Aircraft 1/48, Multi-Engine Prop 5

Aircraft 1/48 Jet, Medium 9

Aircraft 1/48 Jet, Large 3

Aircraft 1/32 Scale and Larger, Jet 4

Aircraft 1/32 Scale and Larger, Prop 4

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Sort of the same topic, but where do I find out about local clubs and events?

Brett, check out your local hobby shop. I'm sure they'll be able to help you and point you in the right direction as the saying goes. I am not a member, but that's the advice I was given. Also check their website:

www.impsusa.org

Aaron

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Interesting. I've just seen the jet category at our little show dwindle over the past couple years while other categories have remained steady, if not flourished. The lowrider/custom division is always well represented as they is a very active club in the area. (They even have T-shirts. Pretty cool). It's funny, a lot of people were buying jet after jet in the swap meet area, but I guess props rule out in the contest.

Indeed, some of it may be the economy, although with the stashes many of us have, there's modeling for years sitting in the closet. And while the overall numbers are down I'd say like 15% from previous years, there are still decent numbers in the other categories. Just though I'd see what everyone's opion here was.

I haven't seen the awards yet, but there's some pretty impressive stuff every year.

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