Homebee Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2925044454214488&id=736521713066784 Quote Kitty hawk for the next couple of months Kitty Hawk & Panda will be closed For the Covid 19 Virus in the world around, most of the retailers stopped ordering from us. We have production capacity, but there are not enough orders to maintain factory to release more new kits. We will release Mirage 2000D/N this week, but following new kits, such as MH-60s, FJ-3 and so on will not be released till orders start coming in.Thank you for your support. V.P. Edited January 13 by Homebee 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Bryon Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 Bummer. I'm ready for an FJ-3 as soon as it's released. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 probably better so... there will be more changes coming... all the best to the team at KH and Panda! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Homebee said: but following new kits FJ-3 and so on will not be released till orders start coming in. Well Ive waited for 30+ years now why not wait a little longer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc72 Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 This will spread unfortunately. We cannot expect the production of model kits to continue when major car manufacturers across the globe shut down their assembly lines. Let's hope production of the really vital stuff will continue (and I am not referring to Tamiya masking tape...). 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 2 minutes ago, Doc72 said: This will spread unfortunately. We cannot expect the production of model kits to continue when major car manufacturers across the globe shut down their assembly lines. Let's hope production of the really vital stuff will continue (and I am not referring to Tamiya masking tape...). Amen to that Brother. I hope that everybody could come through this OK but, if not, that they are few and don't suffer. Dark Days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbolt Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 5 hours ago, Doc72 said: This will spread unfortunately. We cannot expect the production of model kits to continue when major car manufacturers across the globe shut down their assembly lines. Let's hope production of the really vital stuff will continue (and I am not referring to Tamiya masking tape...). Lots of things are "vital" maybe not to the end user but certainly to the people that rely on the jobs in these companies. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinistervampire319 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 While you are all down for those couple of months, it will give you guys time to brainstorm. Maybe some ideas for more 1/48 aircraft and helicopters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 (edited) New communication Source: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2926341894084744&id=736521713066784 Quote Kitty hawk To all our friends; Thank you all for your attention and support. Considering the spread of the Covid 19 virus globally, in order to protect the health and safety of all our employees and agents at home and abroad, and follow the recommendations of WHO, after careful consideration we have decided to slow down the production progress until the epidemic slows down world wide. At the same time, the factory will not be closed, and our staff will provide service when you need it. Let us pay tribute to all the heroes who have contributed to this fight against this epidemic, and look forward to the early end of this virus. we call for humanity to work together to overcome this epidemic.thank you again. from the staff @ Kitty Hawk, Panda Models & Q'MEN V.P. Edited March 19, 2020 by Homebee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted March 24, 2022 Author Share Posted March 24, 2022 (edited) KH molds taken over by Trumpeter/HobbyBoss? Source: https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/92819-trumpeter-buys-kh-pm-molds/ Not a real surprise as the guy who was supposed to be the KH boss, M. Song Wang, worked once upon a time as designer by Trumpeter/HobbyBoss and was also once rumoured being a brother in law from one of the Trumpeter boss (having married his sister). I expect the KH kits being reedited under the I Love Kits label, the new model company from Yatai Electric Appliances Co., Ltd, the group owing Trumpeter & HobbyBoss. V.P. Edited March 28, 2022 by Homebee 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 1 hour ago, Homebee said: Taken over by Trumpeter/HobbyBoss? Source: https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/92819-trumpeter-buys-kh-pm-molds/ V.P. Yep, KAGNEW is Glen Coleman, one of the people behind Kitty Hawk/Panda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 This is fantastic news as they had some great kits in the product line. Some overlap but not much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 That means I can have a 1/48 F-35C. I know, the Kittyhawk F-35s were challenging to build, but it's all there is ... for now ... in that scale. To get the Trumpeter 1/32 F-35C, I'd have to cut back on groceries ... that includes cat food. When kitties ain't happy, the whole house is in turmoil. Ain't havin' that! 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 A logical step, and definitely mire logical than Kinetic buying their stuff... Still, product philosophy is totally different, apart from sloppy research in certain areas like markings, weapons, variants .... I did not see KH oriented towards the Chinese market that much e g. Wonder if they'd change plastic type etc.. and how that then works with the KH tools! Their Su-17 series is a major overlap unfortunately.... KH with bad fit but great shape, especially around the canopy, Hobbyboss exactly the opposite With the extensive Flanker series on both sides this is similar.. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cema_ga Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Hope to see F-101 series available again! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMA131Marine Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 7 hours ago, exdraken said: Their Su-17 series is a major overlap unfortunately And the Su-34; not sure which is better but I know the Trumpeter kit has shape issues around the nose. Kitty Hawk had a number of unreleased kit that they had box art for, so I assume the tooling was at a fairly advanced stage when the company shut down. These include: 1/35 UH-1 series 1/48 Ka-52 Hokum (which is a topical subject these days) 1/48 Su-25 Frogfoot (will this make it to market before the Zvezda kit) 1/32 Fw 190A-5 - this will fit in the existing Trumpeter range well KH were also working on 1/48 kits of the F6U Pirate and F7U Cutlass and it would be nice to see these, or at least the Cutlass, come to fruition. Hopefully the FJ-3 Fury will be one of the earliest reissues. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 3 hours ago, VMA131Marine said: KH were also working on 1/48 kits of the F6U Pirate and F7U Cutlass and it would be nice to see these, or at least the Cutlass, come to fruition. You can count on my vote for the Cutlass! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masinissa Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 On 3/25/2022 at 8:04 AM, VMA131Marine said: And the Su-34; not sure which is better but I know the Trumpeter kit has shape issues around the nose. Kitty Hawk had a number of unreleased kit that they had box art for, so I assume the tooling was at a fairly advanced stage when the company shut down. These include: 1/35 UH-1 series 1/48 Ka-52 Hokum (which is a topical subject these days) 1/48 Su-25 Frogfoot (will this make it to market before the Zvezda kit) 1/32 Fw 190A-5 - this will fit in the existing Trumpeter range well KH were also working on 1/48 kits of the F6U Pirate and F7U Cutlass and it would be nice to see these, or at least the Cutlass, come to fruition. Hopefully the FJ-3 Fury will be one of the earliest reissues. Zvezda Su-25 is already out! I have one that will be arriving from Aviation Megastore in just 4 days. You can also order the Frogfoot from Lucky Model (which may be the least expensive option). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 5 minutes ago, Masinissa said: Zvezda Su-25 is already out! I have one that will be arriving from Aviation Megastore in just 4 days. You can also order the Frogfoot from Lucky Model (which may be the least expensive option). I got the email but didn’t order one in time, I have a feeling it will be a long period of time before the next batch will cross the border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 On 3/25/2022 at 9:04 AM, VMA131Marine said: And the Su-34; not sure which is better but I know the Trumpeter kit has shape issues around the nose. Kitty Hawk had a number of unreleased kit that they had box art for, so I assume the tooling was at a fairly advanced stage when the company shut down. These include: 1/35 UH-1 series 1/48 Ka-52 Hokum (which is a topical subject these days) 1/48 Su-25 Frogfoot (will this make it to market before the Zvezda kit) 1/32 Fw 190A-5 - this will fit in the existing Trumpeter range well KH were also working on 1/48 kits of the F6U Pirate and F7U Cutlass and it would be nice to see these, or at least the Cutlass, come to fruition. Hopefully the FJ-3 Fury will be one of the earliest reissues. Hopefully the kits are easier to obtain under the Trumpeter label and at a lower price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyK Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 On 3/26/2022 at 3:13 AM, SAT69 said: You can count on my vote for the Cutlass! If this will be a continuation of the "Kitty Hawk standard" then I hope not as I'd prefer an accurate Cutlass... KH had a few gems but the majority just had so many accuracy issues. And Trumpeter/HB are not exactly known for accuracy as their strong point either. J 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I have to assume that if they have duplicates such the Su-34 they could sell those molds to someone else but I don't know if that would make business sense for them or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 The kits will have new instructions and box art but Trumpeter won't fix any of the issues , they'll cost more as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas V. Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Stephen said: The kits will have new instructions and box art but Trumpeter won't fix any of the issues , they'll cost more as well. Issues definitely wont be fixed but highly doubt they can charge more, since main reason why KH went bust was overpricing and in corelation very poor sales last few years . Aside from lower price can see another benefit of this takeover-quality, KH used low end styrene thus many parts were warped or did not have sufficient integrity, that ( even if some problems are inherent to tooling itself)can be remedied with better quality of plastic, we will see... Edited March 28, 2022 by Thomas V. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomjw Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 This is great news 👏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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