1/32: Why So Expensive?

[smithery]

Looking at Hasegawa 109G's (available in all 3 major scales) at GreatModels, I get the following:

1/72 $15-29

1/48 $40-54

1/32 $40-60

Not a bad spread. The cheapest 1/32 kit is only about $10 more than the most expensive 1/72 kit.

[Jinro]

mmmm, maybe you found a few expensive 1/32 kits and quit looking? Here in Japan I can pick up a 1/32 Hasegawa fighter (Bf 109, P-47, J2M3, etc.) in the $40-$50 range, about 20-25% more than their 1/48 counterparts.

This is why I wish I lived in Japan :P

It seems the older kits are more decent, just a bit older and with raised panel lines. For some reason I had the hairbrained idea that 1/32 was a fairly new development and so I only saw the newer kits. That and most of the modern fighters in 1/32 are newer more expensive kits.

hb spitfire discussion look for the post by Edgar.

HB spitfire

lsp spitfire with correction

Thanks. The second one seemed to give enough info for me--seems the only issue is someone decided to mix recessed/raised panel lines. Time to learn scribing.

Edited November 4, 2011 by Jinro

[The Mikester]

This is why I wish I lived in Japan :P

It seems the older kits are more decent, just a bit older and with raised panel lines. For some reason I had the hairbrained idea that 1/32 was a fairly new development and so I only saw the newer kits. That and most of the modern fighters in 1/32 are newer more expensive kits.

Oh yeah, if you're going to look at modern jet aircraft in 1/32 be prepared to shell out some dinero. Some of these kits have part counts that are like 500+ and you're not going to get those cheap. There are deals to be had though, watch for sales at the big online retailers (I've got some really good deals in the past) and you can still find some good deals on ebay occasionally, plus model shows will have some steals once in a while too.

Edited November 4, 2011 by The Mikester

[Jay Chladek]

Interesting point, but I will counter with this. Those extra bits like exposed engines, open hoods, avionics bays, is what makes the larger scale more attractive to some modelers. I don't build too much in 1/32, but I have a few kits of a couple of favorite subjects which I want to go all-out on. To me at least, the extra large size of the details lends itself to this kind of treatment, and a 1/32 scale kit built all buttoned up is uninteresting.

So on the few occasions where I am willing to splurge on something big, I want it to come with as many bells and whistles as I can get.

I agree it is nice to get those bells and whistles. But, I WANT the bells and whistles in the kit to not become the driving factor behind me buying it. I want what I get in the box to be of good value, to where I can build the thing OOB and end up with a nice model where I don't have to go running for the aftermarket parts to correct a big shortcoming. The resin should be an option, NOT a requirement. Last kit I can recall that did that that WASN'T a Tamiya kit was the Academy F-18C Hornet. The shapes were good and what you got was most excellent. Plus, the stock cockpit looked so good when painted, one practically didn't need a resin cockpit (but two companies did resin pits for it anyway).

In the case of Hasegawa, a few years ago they sort of embraced that mentality of basic kit done to high quality with their P-47s. They didn't have the expose radial engine, they didn't have the poseable control surfaces, and they didn't have some other things. But, they were half the price of the Trumpeter kit and you knew they were likely going to fit well and not have some huge mistake in them. Now in Trumpeter's defense, I can't recall reading about any problems with their P-47 issued at the same time. But it would not surprise me at all if there was something wrong either. Does Hasegawa make mistakes? Yes they do (F-22 panels from hell anyone?). But, you usually know you are getting something good in the deck, not a wild card.

[designfriemel]

general viewpoint but definitely relevant. I think:

production number/quantity of item is the most important factor for the final shelf price of any product. Hence the high price for 1/32 kits, I think.

tooling cost is a factor, of course, but I think quantity is the real issue.

so the smaller the quantity the higher the price & the higher the numbers the cheaper it gets.

Edited November 4, 2011 by designfriemel

[CorsairMan]

& the higher the numbers the cheaper it gets.

I put it to you this way: using your method you come up with $10/unit to account for all costs and savings from volume production. And lets say you sell your entire run in 1 day at that price. Don't you think you missed out on an even greater profit? What if you determine that the market is prepared to buy your entire production run at $40 per unit... maybe not in a single day but say over a period of time that you are willing to wait. I put it to you that you would not sell at $10 per unit to 'cover costs'.

Retail price = what the market will pay; not costs of production.

[RKic]

...I want what I get in the box to be of good value, to where I can build the thing OOB and end up with a nice model where I don't have to go running for the aftermarket parts to correct a big shortcoming...

Hell, that goes for all kits of all scale.

I see what you mean though. When you pay $75+ for a kit you rather expect the accuracy and a certain level of detail to be there. Once again though, that should go for all kits of all scales.

...The resin should be an option, NOT a requirement...

That right there opens up a whole other can of worms. The accessibility of super-detailed models which has raised the bar on our expectations as a community.

It used to be that super-detailed kits were built only by those who had the time, money, tools, materials, and talent to scratchbuild detail, and the rest of us were able to live with the fact that our models weren't spot on miniature versions of real machine. When resin moulding became what it is today, the possibility of building an exact replica came within the realm of possibilities (and abilities) of far more modelers. Suddenly everybody could get AMS.

So the level of detail expected out of the box has risen for the more discerning modelers. Some manufacturers have been able to keep up with demand, others have not but still charge as if they did.

Sorry for hijacking the thread. Back to the topic at hand. 1/32 kit prices.

"Good lowd thas' a lotta money!!"