New Tamiya kits announcement at Nuremberg toy fair in February 2023

[vppelt68]

59 minutes ago, IanC said:

Tamiya are certainly getting plenty of value from their Panzer IV chassis. 

Just like the Germans did back then . V-P

[TheKinksFan]

4 hours ago, nheather said:

I’d speculate that 1:72 is becoming a problem for manufacturers.  It used to be the case that 1:72 kits were much simpler, less detailed, less parts than 1:48 and therefore could be produced and sold more cheaply.

 

But the new 1:72 kits (of all makes) have come on to such a degree that I doubt that there is much difference in the cost of producing a a completely new 1:72 compared with the the same aircraft in 1:48 (particularly for the smaller aircraft).  But the public expects to pay significantly less for a 1:72 - so I think that manufacturers would prefer to go with 1:48.

I think there's much truth in what you say. It's obvious that 1/72 kits sell less than before. There are many modelers who used to build 1/72, but have switched to 1/48. And of those who build 1/72, for some of them one main reason to buy 1/72 is that they have been traditionally cheaper than 1/48. 

This mindset  that a 1/72 kit should automatically be considerably cheaper is part of the problem, in my opinion. Also comparing the pricing policies of different companies is pointless. Contrary to what some may think, in this business the price increases are not caused by greed. 

If Tamiya would release a 1/72 P-38, it probably would be one of the most expensive 1/72 kits. But I'm sure worth the price. 

[IT_Man]

Interestingly (or probably not for most here), there are four recently added kits on Scalemates - the Jagdpanzer mentioned above, plus a new set of 1/35 German Infantry figures and a couple of cars (1/20 Porsche 935 Martini and 1/24 Gordon Murray T.50)

[IT_Man]

5 hours ago, nheather said:

I’d speculate that 1:72 is becoming a problem for manufacturers.  It used to be the case that 1:72 kits were much simpler, less detailed, less parts than 1:48 and therefore could be produced and sold more cheaply.

 

But the new 1:72 kits (of all makes) have come on to such a degree that I doubt that there is much difference in the cost of producing a a completely new 1:72 compared with the the same aircraft in 1:48 (particularly for the smaller aircraft).  But the public expects to pay significantly less for a 1:72 - so I think that manufacturers would prefer to go with 1:48.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Yes I agree with this.

 

The one probable exception to this is the larger aircraft, bombers etc, where 1/72 is probably winning out as being more practical (and 1/48 and larger are probably deemed as bring cost prohibitive for the majority of customers). My measure is Hobbycraft - the boxes on the shelves are in many cases the same sort of size, so you get lots of 1/48 fighters, 72 bombers, 144 airliners. 

 

Think there's also that modellers expectations are a lot higher nowadays, in part due to the efforts by the likes of Eduard and Arma, but also with the internet/social media - kits are being scrutinised in so much detail and "written off" based on 3D renders.

 

One of the Revell reps once told me that they get so many (angry) complaints from modellers based on placeholder images they provide in January that they've asked retailers to add a note saying that it doesn't necessarily reflect the version, markings etc included in a kit.

[IanC]

44 minutes ago, IT_Man said:

Interestingly (or probably not for most here), there are four recently added kits on Scalemates - the Jagdpanzer mentioned above, plus a new set of 1/35 German Infantry figures and a couple of cars (1/20 Porsche 935 Martini and 1/24 Gordon Murray T.50)

 

The late war German infantry will be good and doubtless very popular, but after the recent German and US sets, which are excellent, I was rather hoping for some British/Commonwealth figures - either infantry or tank crews. Maybe next time...

[ElectroSoldier]

3 hours ago, IT_Man said:

Interestingly (or probably not for most here), there are four recently added kits on Scalemates - the Jagdpanzer mentioned above, plus a new set of 1/35 German Infantry figures and a couple of cars (1/20 Porsche 935 Martini and 1/24 Gordon Murray T.50)

Bang goes one of my nest eggs then  

[themcgarvie]

I'm returning to the hobby, due to space limitations I'm only interested in 1/72 so hope there are a few new ones

With the exception of an odd tank (about to build Tamiya's King Tiger), but in general, for me 1/48 etc take up too much space.

 

[Ventsislav Gramatski]

9 hours ago, TheKinksFan said:

I think there's much truth in what you say. It's obvious that 1/72 kits sell less than before. There are many modelers who used to build 1/72, but have switched to 1/48. And of those who build 1/72, for some of them one main reason to buy 1/72 is that they have been traditionally cheaper than 1/48. 

This mindset  that a 1/72 kit should automatically be considerably cheaper is part of the problem, in my opinion. Also comparing the pricing policies of different companies is pointless. Contrary to what some may think, in this business the price increases are not caused by greed. 

If Tamiya would release a 1/72 P-38, it probably would be one of the most expensive 1/72 kits. But I'm sure worth the price. 

 

I concur. There also seems to be a trend, particularly among older modellers, that 1/48 is "better" because there are more details, while 1/72 are more simplified, "toy"-like kits. That may have been true but over the past couple of decades I've seen 1/144 kits reach and exceed the detail level of, say, a good 1990s 1/72 kit. And same can be said for new 1/72 compared to older 1/48 kits.

 

For me, while 1/48 scale is tempting, it is still not only more expensive but takes more space, which as at premium in my small flat. And most of my models are in 1/72.

 

A lot of the newer 1/72 kits have fantastic detailing and are a joy to build.

Edited January 12 by Ventsislav Gramatski

[Tokyo Raider]

I also had 1/72 for 35years and switched 4 years ago to 1/48.  My age, easier to paint and detail, and after building 54 1/48 airplanes now, i enjoy the build so much more.  I just cant like 1/72 again after taking the 1/48 plunge.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

1 minute ago, Tokyo Raider said:

I also had 1/72 for 35years and switched 4 years ago to 1/48.  My age, easier to paint and detail, and after building 54 1/48 airplanes now, i enjoy the build so much more.  I just cant like 1/72 again after taking the 1/48 plunge.

Oddly enough I went the other way myself. I built 1/48 exclusively from 1979 until 2018. Lack of space and storage prohibits me from doing more than the occasional build.   

[Richard Humm]

21 hours ago, Tokyo Raider said:

Disappointed!  Just saw a tamiya 2023 catalog flip thru video on youtube.  No new 1/48th Airplanes!?

 

I was really hoping for at least a new version F4.  Hopefully there will be something at Nuremberg.

Tamiya's catalogues don't generally include any kits that haven't yet been released. It's very rare for them to announce something more than three months ahead of it being in the shops.

 

They also aren't that into releasing aircraft. I'd expect to see something like six 1/35 scale military. four 1/24 scale cars, three 1/48 scale military, two 1/12 scale motorbikes and maybe one 1/48 scale aircraft or 1/700 scale ship per year from them.

 

Edited January 12 by Richard Humm

[Tokyo Raider]

2 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Oddly enough I went the other way myself. I built 1/48 exclusively from 1979 until 2018. Lack of space and storage prohibits me from doing more than the occasional build.   

Dont get me wrong...  i loved 1/72, and the fact that EVERYTHING is in 1/72.

 

One day I realized the Bigger 1/48 kits would be more fun, and look more substantial.  So i tried a Tamiya Ki61 in 1/48, and had such a blast building it, that built more.

 

On average I would build 3 to 4 1/72 kits a year.  Then frustration of size would stop builds after 2months or so.

 

In 1/48, i build about 15 kits a year.  Have a really good time for 6 to 9 months a year.

 

So it shows in amounts of building.  I have more fun in 1/48.  I started in 1/48 in the 1970s, and switched to 1/72 in early 1980s because i could get models of every aircraft, and detail back then was comparable.  So I came back to 148 and todays kit quality had alot to do with it.  I love tamiya kits and the P38 series is a MASTERPIECE.  Contrary to you guys, I hope they take it to 1/32!  It would be fantastic in 1/32!  Lets go Tamiya!

 

So to me, my age, approaching 60years old moved me to 1/48 and bigger scales...

Edited January 13 by Tokyo Raider

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

2 hours ago, Tokyo Raider said:

Dont get me wrong...  i loved 1/72, and the fact that EVERYTHING is in 1/72.

 

One day I realized the Bigger 1/48 kits would be more fun, and look more substantial.  So i tried a Tamiya Ki61 in 1/48, and had such a blast building it, that built more.

 

On average I would build 3 to 4 1/72 kits a year.  Then frustration of size would stop builds after 2months or so.

 

In 1/48, i build about 15 kits a year.  Have a really good time for 6 to 9 months a year.

 

So it shows in amounts of building.  I have more fun in 1/48.  I started in 1/48 in the 1970s, and switched to 1/72 in early 1980s because i could get models of every aircraft, and detail back then was comparable.  So I came back to 148 and todays kit quality had alot to do with it.  I love tamiya kits and the P38 series is a MASTERPIECE.  Contrary to you guys, I hope they take it to 1/32!  It would be fantastic in 1/32!  Lets go Tamiya!

 

So to me, my age, approaching 60years old moved me to 1/48 and bigger scales...

No I wasn't trying to say anything negative against you. It was more along the lines of a funny coincidence that we went opposite directions for our own reasons. Yet we still enjoy the hobby. 

[DominikS]

8 hours ago, Tokyo Raider said:

Dont get me wrong...  i loved 1/72, and the fact that EVERYTHING is in 1/72.

 

One day I realized the Bigger 1/48 kits would be more fun, and look more substantial.  So i tried a Tamiya Ki61 in 1/48, and had such a blast building it, that built more.

 

On average I would build 3 to 4 1/72 kits a year.  Then frustration of size would stop builds after 2months or so.

 

In 1/48, i build about 15 kits a year.  Have a really good time for 6 to 9 months a year.

 

So it shows in amounts of building.  I have more fun in 1/48.  I started in 1/48 in the 1970s, and switched to 1/72 in early 1980s because i could get models of every aircraft, and detail back then was comparable.  So I came back to 148 and todays kit quality had alot to do with it.  I love tamiya kits and the P38 series is a MASTERPIECE.  Contrary to you guys, I hope they take it to 1/32!  It would be fantastic in 1/32!  Lets go Tamiya!

 

So to me, my age, approaching 60years old moved me to 1/48 and bigger scales...

In my hobby "career" I've built both 1/72 and 1/48 kits. However, I noticed that there's been a kind of 1/48 hype for the last few years. And, as it's been already told, many modelers treat 1/72 as "childish" and 1/48 as an "adult". And such an attitude IS childish. IMHO, every scale is ok and it depends on modeller what he likes. 

And, unfortunately, I think that Tamiya follows the "1/48 hype" ignoring 1/72. So I don't think we will see any new 1/72 airplane kits in the foreseeable future.

[ckw]

I think that 1/48 has always been more popular in the US, 1/72nd UK and Europe (not sure about far east). I'd imagine that the size of the US market is an important factor, as well as a number of the points already made. Also I think a lot more potential subjects have already been covered in 1/72nd so maybe there's more sales for a new 1/48th rather than a re-tooled 1/72.

 

I think the provision of large scale levels of detail in smaller scale kits has got a little out of hand - e.g. the Airfix 1/72 Wellington  has lots of interior detail, but the instructions effectively say "don't bother, it won't be visible". It also makes 1/72nd scale kits more difficult to build than the larger scales (esp. for those with deteriorating eyesight!). I think there are plenty of aftermarket suppliers for those that want to add the extra detail, and it seems whenever a new kit comes out, aftermarket is not far behind.

 

If I were starting from scratch I might be tempted to go for 1/48th, but I like a constant scale for my collection so will be sticking with 1/72 though it is frustrating to see this scale increasingly ignored by the manufacturers.

 

Cheers

 

Colin

 

 

[72nders]

IMHO, it is difficult to understand the change from 72nd to 48 due age and vision problems when you consider the huge amount of even smaller details that must be put on a 48 kit to make justice to the scale and make them not look like a toy ; details that , sometimes , can be ignored in 72 without interfering with the final result and the scale effect....

 

In 1/48 (and even more in 1/32) every little micro detail makes a huge difference on the final result on a magnitude much more noticeable than 1/72, things like brake lines, surface control hinges, antennae, levers, small intakes, gun cameras, gun sights, guns, landing lights, climbing handles, etc….

 

I know there are wonderful 48 kits that will make this task easier but the economical side of this migration should be considered carefully as well, not only related to the investment on the kit and it's necessary "goodies" (etched, resin, decals, etc..) but the premium space they will take in your house and the very limited choice of subjects (how many 1/48 four engine bombers can you have in your cabinet ?)

 

In the end what matters is what gives you pleasure.

 

 

 

 

 

[TheKinksFan]

37 minutes ago, 72nders said:

IMHO, it is difficult to understand the change from 72nd to 48 due age and vision problems when you consider the huge amount of even smaller details that must be put on a 48 kit to make justice to the scale and make them not look like a toy ; details that , sometimes , can be ignored in 72 without interfering with the final result and the scale effect....

 

In 1/48 (and even more in 1/32) every little micro detail makes a huge difference on the final result on a magnitude much more noticeable than 1/72, things like brake lines, surface control hinges, antennae, levers, small intakes, gun cameras, gun sights, guns, landing lights, climbing handles, etc….

One of the reasons why I prefer 1/72 , although I have plenty of 1/48 kits in my stash, is that I'm bothered my total lack of artistic talent. I very quickly abandoned any attempt to weather my models, as I felt that it made them look more like dirty toys, not more lifelike. On the other hand a clean 1/48 kit still looks like a toy. If one is not bothered by this perceived toy likeness, it's in my opinion a positive thing. I think this fear of one's models looking like toys, stems from some kind of subconscious shame. Most of the  references to scale modelers  in popular culture are said to be negative, and I think that many who were kids in the 1950s to 1970s associate scale models with childhood, and find it strange that an adult builds plastic scale models.

 

I agree that most of the 1/48 and 1/32 kits OOB are a bit like empty canvasses, very few have plenty of detail OOB. 

Enjoyment should ideally be the main thing in one's hobby. But it is sometimes challenging, when most modelers consciously or subconsciously compare their own models to those which are made by very talented and experienced individuals, who are in the minority but understandably have the most visibility on social media.

[TEXANTOMCAT]

Bah. They warn you but you don't listen do you til it happens.

 

After about 40 years of model building I now have to take my glasses off to do detail work! I still concentrate on 1/72 with the occasionally foray into 1/48 but rarely larger, occasionally smaller. I wondered after finishing a 1/350 Saro Princess the other year whether the only reason I did it was 'whilst I still could'.

 

1/72 still manages to be a nice bitesize and the only scale really where the super obscure stuff which trips my trigger seems to lurk - like a Desoutter MkII (thank you Dujin) or an Auster Autocrat (thank you VFR models) and remains the perfect size for the Museum dioramas I make where space is a premium.

 

When Chris Sayers  (God rest him) was running Shed Models I enjoyed a side diversion into 1/200 white metal too.

 

I fear my staying power with projects is on the wane, how people spend a year superdetailling a 1/32 or 1/24 fighter is beyond me....that said I have a part prepared 1/72 Airframe Vacform Westland Widgeon Monoplane and I really can't find the motivation to get it over the line...

 

Also I'm getting fat. And they don't tell you about the ear hair.

 

TT

 

[tony.t]

The scale issue for me is strength, and in particular a dislike of fiddly load bearing undercarriage parts moulded in soft plastic yet tooled into delicate assemblies which are all too easily broken. 

Yes, 1/48 costs can rapidly creep up, but having recently temporarily shifted down from 1/32 these costs are slightly lower, the jets I model have a smaller shelf footprint than propeller subjects of a similar real life weight, and I don't strive to compete with the showcase modellers. Priming, drawing some panel lines with a Sharpie or Gundam and airbrushing colours on top in more than one tone goes a long way. As does picking 'shinier' or metallic finish subjects which don't require multiple layers of varnish. 

Which is why a Tamiya F-4/D would likely be finished in 16473 Aircraft Gray and an F-4B/J in a post depot-resprayed glossy Gull Gray over white. 

 

Tony 

 

[Paul Thompson]

2 hours ago, TEXANTOMCAT said:

 

Also I'm getting fat. And they don't tell you about the ear hair.

 

TT

 

Aaaagh! The ear hair!

 

Mind you, I know now why they keep it a secret.

 

Paul.

[HMSLion]

I think the key to scale is that 1/48 works OK for a lot of items. 

 

I'm a firm believer in the Rule of 225 - that a model should fit into a rectangle of 225 square inches (15 x 15, or 40 x 40 cm).  Anything larger just doesn't work well.  1/48 scale works well with this rule for single-engine First and Second World War aircraft, and early jet fighters.  Second World War twin-engine aircraft push the limits...as do modern jets. 

 

The big advantage of 1/72 is that you can do the larger aircraft...though modern transports and jet bombers really need 1/144 to keep the size managable.

 

It's interesting to conjecture what might have happened if something like 1/60 had ever become a popular scale.

[jenko]

Not trying to be rude but are we getting a little off topic?

 

Does any one have any idea what Tamiya are going to announce at the fair?

 

Odds are it will be left field.  So who's been over to have a look in the left field? 

Please don't say a donkey  and a couple of goats

Dick

 

 

[TheKinksFan]

59 minutes ago, jenko said:

Not trying to be rude but are we getting a little off topic?

IMHO forums like these are mainly a platform for people - in this instance individuals who share the same hobby - to interact with each. I see forums as a part of social media. There are other sites that can provide more fact based content. For most of us these forums are not just about information, but as much or even more about entertainment. So personally I don't see it that relevant to stay 'on topic' as long as the interaction has something to do with modeling. Others are free to disagree. There are those who get annoyed when they 'have to' read content that is 'off topic'. But what is off topic is a bit difficult to determine. There are no facts, not even rumours about Tamiya's February releases. 

[IT_Man]

I think the rumours are:

 

1/35 Jagdpanzer

1/35 German Infantry figures (late war)

1/20 Porsche 935 Martini

1/24 Gordon Murray T.50

 

All listed on Scalemates but no official word from Tamiya.

 

[Rabbit Leader]

8 hours ago, TEXANTOMCAT said:

Also I'm getting fat. And they don't tell you about the ear hair.

I hear your pain.. my son started calling me “Ghandi ears” during his teenage years, now he knows why the house will be left in his little sisters name! 
 

To somehow stay on this strayed 1/72 vs. 1/48 topic, I happily build in both scales however will limit my 1/48 purchase to one and buy multiples of the same subject in 1/72 scale to depict in other paint schemes. That being said, you can purchase a still quite adequate Tamiya 1/48 Mustang for much less than the cost of a 1/72 Arma Models P-51, so it’s horses for courses at times. 
 

Cheers.. Dave