Eduard - leaflet for distributors

[MiG-Mech]

46 minutes ago, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

Nothing new on the (supposed) 1/72 Bf 109s... it looks like Eduard has abandoned major new releases in the scale?

 

What was the last big line of 1/72 kits that they developed, the late Spitfire marks if I am not mistaking? Those were released between 2013 to 2017, right?

In that time also MiG-15, Fw 190, Avia B-534, MiG-21 ?

[Ventsislav Gramatski]

3 minutes ago, MiG-Mech said:

In that time also MiG-15, Fw 190, Avia B-534, MiG-21 ?

 

You're correct on the MiG-21 and -15, I overlooked those.

 

The B.534 is a lot older kit, it was released about the same time as the Hellcats (c. 2006?), and I believe the the FW-190 line started around 2008.

 

Still, compare the amount of versions they have for each type in 1/48, as well as the availability, to 1/72.

 

Maybe 1/48 brings a bigger profit margin than 1/72?

 

[hopkp]

5 hours ago, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

 

Maybe 1/48 brings a bigger profit margin than 1/72?

 

I suspect that the answer is possibly that more 1/48 kits are sold these days than 1/72 kits, just going by what I and the other modellers that I know are buying. Only two still buy/have any interest in 1/72, everyone else is working almost exclusively in 1/48, with occasional diversions into 1/32. How typical that is, I don't know..... 

Edited April 18, 2021 by hopkp

[ptarmigan]

On 17/04/2021 at 01:50, Scooby said:

... Eduard added a thick clear coat. Which modelers soon discovered could be stripped, but it is a risky process that could result in tears or decals lifting. Too risky IMHO.

 

On 17/04/2021 at 06:12, Sturmovik said:

Besides of what was said above, Eduard's non-Cartograf decals don't let you move them after they're in the model's surface, something that doesn't happen with Cartograf decals.

 

I agree that Eduard's decals behave differently than Cartograf ones. But I do not agree they are harder to work with - just a different kettle of fish. What works for Cartograf decals may not be optimal for Tamiya or Eduard decals. One just have to adjust his process accordingly (maybe adding more water when applying the decal?) Stripping the carrier film is not needed at all. However for those who wish to do so, it is not difficult or too risky, if you practice beforehand on some spare decals.

 

The last model I have finished has been Eduard's Razorback in 1/144 (Platz plastic) with decals printed in 2021. I had absolutely no problem moving the decals to place, and the extra clear film does not show at all after a single layer of top-coat is applied. Which mirrors my experience with Eduard decals in the 1/72 scale (I do not build anything bigger).

 

 

[manuel]

On 17/04/2021 at 22:54, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

 

You're correct on the MiG-21 and -15, I overlooked those.

 

The B.534 is a lot older kit, it was released about the same time as the Hellcats (c. 2006?), and I believe the the FW-190 line started around 2008.

 

Still, compare the amount of versions they have for each type in 1/48, as well as the availability, to 1/72.

 

Maybe 1/48 brings a bigger profit margin than 1/72?

 

You forgot Z-37A Čmelák and Kunkadlo. The series of Mig-21 is a good production. When I look at what I get for the price I paid, is good value.

Could you remember when Hasegawa, Revell, Heller put same quality for such low prices. Today Tamiya is very expensive with minus quality, Airfix same thing.

On my table I have Z-37A, P-51 and Spitfire and very satisfied with Eduard.

Longue vie pour Eduard.
 Manuel

[Piotr Mikolajski]

On 4/17/2021 at 6:43 PM, Thomas V. said:

but from both buyers and sellers viewpoint, releasing five Mk.I/II kits in half a year-not smart

 

I'm afraid you're overlooking Eduard's breakdown of the market by audience years ago. Here is full list of their Spitfire releases:

• 2020-08 - 11143 - I (Early) & Ia - The Spitfire Story: The Few - Dual Combo Limited edition
• 2020-10 - 82151 - Spitifre Ia - ProfiPACK
• 2020-12 - 11146 - IIa & IIb - The Spitfire Story: Tally Ho! - Dual Combo Limited edition
• 2021-02 - 82153 - Spitfire IIa - ProfiPACK
• 2021-04 - 82152 - Spitfire I (Early) - ProfiPACK
• 2021-06 - 82154 - Spitfire IIb - ProfiPACK

I think it is worth looking at the sales results before describing the sales policy as "not smart". Well, the results are that Eduard had to hire additional companies to inject sprues, because their own capacity is too small. Limited editions with novelties sell out in a flash. The ProfiPACK line sell very well, Eduard had problems supplying enough not only Spitfires but also Mustangs or Bf 109s. There are no sales results yet for the refreshed Weekend line, but with prices kept at the old level it is hard to suppose that sales will be bad.

 

Yes, new Spitfires come out every two months, but this is due to changes in the production schedule that had to be made after the fire. Just look at what the pre-fire release schedules looked like for the Mustang:

• 2019-08 - 11134 - P-51D [Chattanooga Choo Choo] - Limited edition
• 2019-10 - 82101 - P-51D-5 - ProfiPACK
• 2019-12 - R0020 - P-51D Mustang - Royal Class
• 2019-03 - 82102 - P-51D Mustang - ProfiPACK
• 2020-08 - 11142 - Very Long Range: Tales of Iwojima - Limited edition
• 2020-11 - 82103 - F-6D/K - ProfiPACK
• 2021-01 - 82172 - P-51D-5 - Weekend
• 2021-05 - 82104 - Mustang Mk.IV - ProfiPACK

 

And here we come back to market sharing. Eduard releases models in three main lines, each dedicated to a different audience:

• Dual Combo Limited Edition - for people who want the kits quickly and are prepared to pay more for it, but also get a bit more than in two separate ProfiPACK boxes - unique variant, painting scheme, some resin etc.
• ProfiPACK - standard edition for those who want a complete kit, with masks and photo-etched parts.
• Weekend - cheaper edition, for people, who want to pay less for the kit and therefore are willing to wait a little for it.

This is perfectly illustrated by the Spitfire, of which Eduard has so far released only four versions: I (Early), Ia, IIa and IIb.

 

If you have the money, want to buy all variants quickly and actually at the best value for money, you buy the Dual Combo Limited Edition. Only two boxes were released, four months apart, and they are selling perfectly well.

 

If you can't afford the more expensive one-off purchase of the DCLE or want to choose single versions, you have the ProfiPACK line. Normally these models are released less frequently, as can be seen with the Mustang (once every six months), but even releasing them every two months is not a flood, because these models do not disappear from the shelves and you do not have to buy them immediately. On the other hand, releasing them regularly reduces the cost of promotion, because the subject is still hot and people look for other versions.

 

If you don't have the money, want single models, aren't interested in masks or photo-etched parts, you have the Weekend line. You have to wait for the models, but you buy them cheaper and, as of this year, no longer with two boring paint schemes, but with four, so there is some choice.

 

On 4/17/2021 at 6:43 PM, Thomas V. said:

There are definitely no huge investments in any tooling, that was 20+ years ago

 

The price of a project depends on:

• the working time of the research, analysis and data processing team,
• complexity of the project,
• amount of details in the project itself,
• the number of versions and variants (de facto boxes) that are planned.

And this is still the cost before the moulds start to be drilled. The cost of mould manufacturing is more or less fixed, but their number depends on how many versions there are to be, how much detail there is to be in the model and so on.

 

On 4/17/2021 at 6:43 PM, Thomas V. said:

no matter where and who took on tooling manufacturing

 

On the contrary. There is a very big difference in who makes the moulds. The difference in the quality of the work of different companies is enormous, even when it comes to specialised Chinese companies, which are the market leaders.

 

Eduard produces its moulds on site, so it has full control, but at the same time it is unable to speed anything up by spreading the work over a dozen machines. A set of moulds for a project the size of a Bf 109 can be produced for more than a year and that time costs money too. So yes, a large and complex project can be a huge investment.

  

On 4/17/2021 at 6:43 PM, Thomas V. said:

in 2021 they did not announce single new tooling, we already knew about Sopwith Camel and S-199, and even S-199 is pushed most probably for early 2022

 

Well, let's look at the Eduard's own new tool kits for the last five years (2016-2020):

 

1/48:

2016 - Bf 109F/G/K
2017 - Fw 190A (Early)

2017 - SE.5a

2018 - Tempest V

2019 - P-51D/K

2020 - Spitfire I/II

1/72

2016 - Spitfire VIII/IX/XIV

2018 - MiG-21

2019 - Fokker D.VII

 

 

Really, 1/48 scale is not the only one.

 

Eduard announced that they will be releasing models in 1/48 and 1/72 scales alternately. As competition in the 1/48 market is fierce, they released several models in 1/48 in a row, but this was at the cost of huge criticism from the 1/72 market. They had to buy two external designs (VBŠ Kuňkadlo and Zlin Z-37 Cmelák) and had to produce them in a different technology than the one currently used as standard, so that some new models in 1/72 would appear at all soon. All this was done to reduce, at least for a while, the criticism from the Czech market, where they sell a significant part of their production.

 

It is not reasonable to complain about the lack of new products, when for the last few years new 1/48 kits were released every year. With that said, there are still more announcements in 1/48 than in 1/72 scale. Camel, Tempest II, Bf 109G-12, Avia S-199 and Zlin Trener family vs Bf 109F/G/K family.

 

On 4/17/2021 at 9:54 PM, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

Nothing new on the (supposed) 1/72 Bf 109s... it looks like Eduard has abandoned major new releases in the scale?

 

Family of Bf 109s will be released, tooling for production is being manufactured. Some speculate that the Avia S-199 will arrive this autumn, but a 2022 launch is more likely. Again - all because of fire and covid.

[exdraken]

9 hours ago, Piotr Mikolajski said:

1/48:

2016 - Bf 109F/G/K
2017 - Fw 190A (Early)

2017 - SE.5a

2018 - Tempest V

2019 - P-51D/K

2020 - Spitfire I/II

thanks,

yes, that was my feeling as well.... I do currently have not a single one of them.... interested in an early short nosed FW 190 though

 

I am more of a jet guy, and have/ had nearly every boxing of their fantastic MiG-21 and Mirage III series ... I am still hoping for a follow up here, like a Mirage two-seater, or the missing MiG-21 family members! (early F13!!!! and two-seaters of course) i do not get the point of not following up with the early MiG-21s, as it was widely used in the Czechoslovakia and even license produced!!!

 

I would also hope for someting new here.... MiG-15 , MiG-17, MiG-19 series... all were used a lot in the Czechoslovakian Air force.....

 

but why no L-39? or is there an agreement with Special Hobby?

 

going further and less likely..... MiG-23 series and a Gripen? would guarantee sales with me

 

 

[Shorty84]

I guess Eduard is reluctant to make a new tool for the MiG-21F-13 (funny, considering they've tooled almost any variant of the Bf 109 which required a few new fuselages). It just seems the MiG-21 topic is closed for Eduard, and they move their attention to other subjects which are good sellers (Spitfire, Tempest, Mustang).

I guess as long there are other manufacturers (recent) toolings are available (MiG-23/27, MiG-19) it is makes more sense for Eduard, from an economical point of view, to rebox them, throw some resin parts in and be done. In the end, you have to compare that to the costs of a complete new tool, potential market and expected sales (not everybody is crazy about accuracy, and it stands to discussion if this argument alone sells enough units to justify these expenses).

Modellers often expect manufacturers to be so idealistic and sink a lot of money into creating a new tool just because they are not happy with the current rendition of a subject. But I guess the cold reality is that the majority of modellers is happy with what is available (faults or not) and the potential market for the "die-hard" accuracy modellers is often not big enough to justify a complete new tool of some recently tooled subjects.

 

Of course, others beg to differ...

 

Cheers

Markus

 

 

[ptarmigan]

3 hours ago, exdraken said:

I am more of a jet guy, and have/ had nearly every boxing of their fantastic MiG-21 and Mirage III series ... I am still hoping for a follow up here, like a Mirage two-seater, or the missing MiG-21 family members! (early F13!!!! and two-seaters of course) i do not get the point of not following up with the early MiG-21s, as it was widely used in the Czechoslovakia and even license produced!!!

 

You may be in luck  Last year Mr. Sulc has confirmed that they (Eduard) are working on MiG-21 F and two-seaters in the 1/48 scale. Likely we are going to see 21F in 2022 a the U/UM/US year or two after that.

Edited April 19, 2021 by ptarmigan
updated info

[Dave Fleming]

On 17/04/2021 at 20:54, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

 

 

What was the last big line of 1/72 kits that they developed, the late Spitfire marks if I am not mistaking? Those were released between 2013 to 2017, right?

 

The initial release of the mk IX was 2016 through to 2019

 

We've since had the Fokker DVII as well.

[Web99]

I just want a MIG 21 F-13 in 72 scale. There was confirmation of it a few years ago but nothing’s came to fruition yet sadly. 

[Piotr Mikolajski]

On 4/19/2021 at 9:27 AM, exdraken said:

but why no L-39?

 

There is quite fresh (2017) kit from Trumpeter released in three boxes: L-39C (#05804), L-39ZA (#05805) and L-59 (#05806).

  

On 4/19/2021 at 9:27 AM, exdraken said:

or is there an agreement with Special Hobby?

 

In fact - yes, both companies cooperate very closely. For example Eduard reboxed in 2018 quite old Albatros from MPM / Special Hobby instead of reboxing Trumpeter. Right now both companies released Bf 109E/T family in 1/72 and kits will be sold by both companies under their own labels. IIRC Tempest II in 1/48 will be released by Special Hobby too. I'm pretty sure they will surprise us with many more such collabs in the future.

 

On 4/19/2021 at 11:29 AM, Shorty84 said:

I guess as long there are other manufacturers (recent) toolings are available (MiG-23/27, MiG-19) it is makes more sense for Eduard, from an economical point of view, to rebox them, throw some resin parts in and be done.

 

Exactly. In the case of Hasegawa Eduard buys 2000 sets of sprues, I suppose it is the same for Trumpeter or other companies whose models are reboxed. 

 

On 4/19/2021 at 11:29 AM, Shorty84 said:

Modellers often expect manufacturers to be so idealistic and sink a lot of money into creating a new tool just because they are not happy with the current rendition of a subject.

 

This is true. Modelers are demanding the release of models that companies will never release because such a model will not pay for itself in even 5 or 10 years. Companies generally won't say so directly, instead using general statements like "maybe someday" or "we're considering it", but the truth is that each proposal is dealt with pretty quickly and 99% of them fly in the trash.

 

On 4/19/2021 at 11:29 AM, Shorty84 said:

But I guess the cold reality is that the majority of modellers is happy with what is available (faults or not) and the potential market for the "die-hard" accuracy modellers is often not big enough to justify a complete new tool of some recently tooled subjects.

 

According to conversations with manufacturers, no more than 1% of modellers are staunch believers in absolute accuracy.  The rest either correct their mistakes or simplifications or do not care about them.

 

If a company releases a new, better model only a few years after its predecessor from another company, it is usually for one of two reasons - either they have been developing this model for a looooong time and just delayed it a bit, or they decided that it is profitable to develop this model and make money on it, because they have a different approach to the subject and, for example, instead of one version they will make five of them.

 

Such a release of a model is never due to those complaining hardcore modellers. They do not count in the economic calculation. A group far more important than them are those buyers who purchase a kit and put it on the pile.

[Homebee]

And the Eduard Info Vol.20 May 2021

https://www.eduard.com/out/media/InfoEduard/archive/2021/info-eduard-2021-05-enrr.pdf

 

 

V.P.

 

 

[Tbolt]

6 hours ago, Homebee said:

And the Eduard Info Vol.20 May 2021

https://www.eduard.com/out/media/InfoEduard/archive/2021/info-eduard-2021-05-enrr.pdf

 

 

V.P.

 

 

New Eduard 1/72nd P-51D kit on page 52?!

 

[Thomas V.]

Good catch!...although Bf 109G/K, Tempest Mk.V, P-51D/K have been mentioned in the first wave of " 72nd scale revolution" , this is first "news" or teaser in a long time.

Edited May 1, 2021 by Thomas V.

[Tbolt]

8 minutes ago, Thomas V. said:

Good catch!...although Bf 109G/K, Tempest Mk.V, P-51D/K have been mentioned in the first wave of " 72nd scale revolution" this is first "news" in a long time.

Yes it is expected but is this Eduard just hinting that this will be the next 1/72nd scale kit?

 

The box art must be something they just threw together for this video as I believe the aircraft pictured is a D-30 not a D-5.

 

It wasn't me that caught it there was a guy on the Eduard FB page that picked it up first.

[Thomas V.]

Maybe some of our Czech colleagues have insider info for 2022, unfortunately i don't, but that pic is strong indication as well as informal teaser that Mustang is in the pipeline.

[PouK9]

But the decal itself is in 48th scale.

It's this one

[Supersonic26]

Is it just me or has the leaflet been updated? I'm not seeing any scale depicted on the box on p.52. Definitely feels like a teaser, surely it would have been much easier to just grab an actual 1/48 P-51 box for that picture.

[Dave Swindell]

3 hours ago, Supersonic26 said:

Is it just me or has the leaflet been updated? I'm not seeing any scale depicted on the box on p.52. Definitely feels like a teaser, surely it would have been much easier to just grab an actual 1/48 P-51 box for that picture.

Yes, it's been updated. The 1/72 scale text in the bottom right corner of the box has been edited out. 

[Bozothenutter]

Will we get a Typhoon to go with Tempest someday?

[Wuger91]

An Jully 2021 leaflet https://www.eduard.com/out/media/distributors/leaflet/leaflet2021-07en.pdf

 

11148 WILDE SAU Episode Two: Saudämmerung Dual Combo (Bf 109G-10 Erla and Bf 109G-14/AS from JG 300 and JG 301)

2136 ADLERANGRIFF 1/72 Limited edition Dual Combo Bf 109 E

84114 Fw 190A-8/R2 1/48 Weekend edition

84130 MiG-21bis1/48 Weekend edition

82114 Bf 109F-41/48 ProfiPACK Re-release

8281 Spitfire Mk.IXc late version1/48 ProfiPACK Re-release

84169 Bf 109G-6/AS 1/48 Weekend edition Re-release

[lasermonkey]

Again, slim pickings in 1/72 scale.

Not impressed.

[Nocoolname]

Likes:

 

1/48 Weekend Ed Mig-21

1/48 HKM B-17F PE, LooK and resin

1/48 Big Ed's for Harrier GR.1 and 3 PE

1/48 Meng F/A-18E PE

 

Little baffled by the addition of just seat belts for the HKM Lancaster and the lack of a Big Ed option for the B-17F.

 

I'm still a bit wary of the 'Space' sets. They don't 'appear' to have quite the fidelity of the sets available from say Quinta but I'm limited to photos until/unless I decide to buy a set.

 

Would be good to see if Eduard can partner up with another manufacturer to produce some more special edition packages - hopefully with a generous amount of PE and resin.

[hopkp]

11 minutes ago, Nocoolname said:

Little baffled by the addition of just seat belts for the HKM Lancaster and the lack of a Big Ed option for the B-17F.

 

I'm still a bit wary of the 'Space' sets. They don't 'appear' to have quite the fidelity of the sets available from say Quinta but I'm limited to photos until/unless I decide to buy a set.

I suspect that the seatbelt set for the HKM Lancaster is just the start, in recent times Eduard seem to have taken a more 'piecemeal' approach to releasing their accessories for new kits.

 

As for the 'Space' sets, I've only got one (for the P-51D) and on the basis of that I'd put them in second place behind Quinta's efforts (of which I have a few). The ones from Kits-World - on the basis of a sample I received for the Tornado a while ago - would in my view be bringing up the rear in third place.

Edited May 14, 2021 by hopkp