TEXANTOMCAT Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 Whilst taking on board all the above this might be a tad unfair on Italeri. I too built some of their stuff in the 80s -including, oddly for me, a couple of their Truck kits.But of late one mustnt ignore their innovations in for example 1/35 MTBs and mini-subs - their 1/32 Tonka and F-104s seem well regarded overall if expensive - they've even done a 1/32 F-35 - as well as more of their large scale car kits which, again, seem a bit pricey but are packed with detail. On the bog standard 'normal' side perhaps they dont make much money from 1/72 -and per above they can lob out things like the Horsa and Hadrian from the 70s because no-one else does them and they are reasonable serviceable kits., In those days they were chucking out some really obscure stuff which in some cases remain unique. It seems they are the don of the large scale truck builder at any rate - its not my field but I can't think offhand of anyone else who does the volume they do. TT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 40 minutes ago, Giorgio N said: The matter regarding the various Italian subjects from Chinese companies is simple: how many copies do Takom and the likes need to recover the tooling costs and make a profit ? And how many do Italeri need ? In a different thread running at this same moment there's talk of Kinetic issuing a relatively little known subject with an expectation of selling 4-5,000 units and so recovering the development costs. Can Italeri do the same or do they need a higher number ? If they need a higher number then clearly subjects that can expect to sell in that range will be no-limit for Italeri and this is rumoured to be a reason why a number of often requested subjects have never been kitted by the company. I often hear similar comments regarding the various Italian WW2 fighters issued by the likes of Sword and Special Hobby: yes, Italeri could have made them but these were from companies that expected to sell at best 3,000 units per issue with tooling costs that could be easily recovered with part of those 3,000 units. A company like Italeri (but the same can be said for others) would never touch a 1/72 WW2 fighter that would only sell around 3,000 pieces, makes no financial sense Why would the tooling costs be higher for Italeri, I believe they have long ceased doing their own tooling. There are only a handful of companies doing tool design and manufacturing nowadays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Giorgio N said: The matter regarding the various Italian subjects from Chinese companies is simple: how many copies do Takom and the likes need to recover the tooling costs and make a profit ? I'd add to that the following: with a larger catalogue of various subjects it is somewhat easier to balance the occasional smaller-ROI kit because that is offset with the PzKfw /M4xxx product ranges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFM148 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 After reading some replies and comments I have some thoughts to share regarding Italeri and some industry trends. - High prices. I think almost every European manufacturer has risen prices. 1/72 Airfix Buccaneer, Revell's Tornado 1/72, Heller reissues...Every kit you look at is more expensive regardless if it is a reissue or not. When somebody says X or Y 1/72 model should cost 10-12 pounds I don´t know what they are talking about. Prices are higher because there is more expensive and less lot production due to less demand. Get used to it. And they will be more expensive in the future. If you still want that old Heller kit? BUY IT NOW or you will pay higher (collector's) prices in the future. That's a fact of life. European standard of living is not 20th century level anymore. - Lower Quality. Yes, I've notice lower overall quality not only on Italeri kits, but also on many "high quality" manufacturers. Could it be petrol prices/supply? So it is not an isolated issue here. Don't blame one single company, blame almost the entire industry. -Reboxing kits over and over. Yes. It will be like that. Congratulations if you already have that kit twice, but many of us don't. Actually manufacturers need to provide the opportunity for many new comers to get that old but really nice ESCI 1/72 F-5A/B kit...and yes, with awesome decals from Italeri, please. You don't like that? Think about other modellers. Have empathy. Manufacturers are making money with that kit in order for you to have your new (favorite/rare) kit. - Raised panel lines vrs. Recessed panel lines. Somewhere between 1985-1990 we've got pampered with fine recessed panel lines and everybody now think kits SHOULD have recessed panel lines as a standard, but not all companies can pull out that trick. Airfix 1/72 kits are a good example. That is why many great kits with raised panel lines are gone and mainstream manufacturers are scared (FOR GOOD FINANCIAL REASONS) to EVER release them again. Revell/Monogram 1/72 F-105 masterpiece is just one example. Many 1/48 Monogram kits (now on Revell AG hands), Italeri and Heller great kits with raised detail are nowhere to be found for that reason. Italeri has great kits with raised panel lines , and many modellers do not know how to apply weather on raised panel line kits. That's a fact. - Italeri should do Italian rare subjects. It depends on the market, not your stash preferences. There is a higher probability an Asian company will produce some WWII Italian Navy's ships than say Italeri. Why? There is more Asian market demand and volume for scale ship models. That is why you see a million Spitfires in many scales from Airfix or other European manufacturers. So, Italeri IS NOT to blame for not releasing Berlusconi's Limousine in 1/12. Hope this helps the debate. Now let's wait for Italeri's releases 😉. Cheers ! 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 YB-49 for me please. Don't care if it's rough or raised or what. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiampieroSilvestri Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 5 hours ago, Giorgio N said: The matter regarding the various Italian subjects from Chinese companies is simple: how many copies do Takom and the likes need to recover the tooling costs and make a profit ? And how many do Italeri need ? In a different thread running at this same moment there's talk of Kinetic issuing a relatively little known subject with an expectation of selling 4-5,000 units and so recovering the development costs. Can Italeri do the same or do they need a higher number ? If they need a higher number then clearly subjects that can expect to sell in that range will be no-limit for Italeri and this is rumoured to be a reason why a number of often requested subjects have never been kitted by the company. I often hear similar comments regarding the various Italian WW2 fighters issued by the likes of Sword and Special Hobby: yes, Italeri could have made them but these were from companies that expected to sell at best 3,000 units per issue with tooling costs that could be easily recovered with part of those 3,000 units. A company like Italeri (but the same can be said for others) would never touch a 1/72 WW2 fighter that would only sell around 3,000 pieces, makes no financial sense You are absolutely right. For the non Italian modellers it may be interesting that the company from Bologna has the rights for all insignias of the Italian armed forces.In theory no other company can release anything with Italian markings. Saluti Giampiero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 4 minutes ago, GiampieroSilvestri said: In theory no other company can release anything with Italian markings. Someone forgot to tell a certain F-104 kit manufacturer then. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElectroSoldier Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 47 minutes ago, alt-92 said: YB-49 for me please. Don't care if it's rough or raised or what. Not only that but the RC-135V, EC-135C, KC-135R KC-135A and all the others like the F-15E with ground crew and thats before we get to some little gems like the 1:35 Sd.Kfz.385 and a decently priced Maultier... The back catalogue of Italeri is simply staggering. I wish I had half the tooling those guys have. Personally I think Italeri are a great company with some really good kits. Sure they have a problem or two with releases, but I would rather that than nothing, which is the alternative. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 A simple thing like somehow still missed in my stash and shelves so far, the Do 217E, please make a short reincarnation of it... cheers J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiampieroSilvestri Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 25 minutes ago, alt-92 said: Someone forgot to tell a certain F-104 kit manufacturer then. Yes or maybe they did not know?🙂 Saluti Giampiero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted January 21, 2023 Share Posted January 21, 2023 (edited) On 1/20/2023 at 4:34 PM, GiampieroSilvestri said: You are absolutely right. For the non Italian modellers it may be interesting that the company from Bologna has the rights for all insignias of the Italian armed forces.In theory no other company can release anything with Italian markings. Saluti Giampiero While in reality they all do, latest being the Horizon Class DDG Doria and Duilio from Takom. And Italeri is just holding the chips, their situational awareness is abysmal. Edited January 21, 2023 by Robertone139 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share Posted January 27, 2023 (edited) The Italeri kits reeditions announced by Platz in 2023. See also the 2022 reeditions here: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235104262-italeri-2022-catalogue-new-reissue-repop-rebox-etc/&do=findComment&comment=4320251 - TPA-26 - 1/48 - Boeing EA-18G Growler - US Navy - VAQ-129 "Vikings" - Naval Aviation 100th Anniversary Sources: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10913405 http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11721.html - TPA-27 - Boeing EA-18G Growler - US Navy - VAQ-131 "Lancers" - Misawa 2022 Sources: https://www.1999.co.jp/10955562 http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11883.html - TPA-28 - 1/48 - Fairchild A-10A Thunderbolt II - AFRES - Desert Camouflage Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11949.html https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10973830 - TPA-29 - 1/48 - Boeing EA-18G Growler - US Navy VAQ-131 "Lancers" - 2020 Rovidge Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11911.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/10980420 - TPA-30 - 1/48 - Grumman F-14A Tomcat - US Navy VF-21 "Freelancers" - Atsugi Air Base Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11912.html https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10980424 - TPA-31 - 1/48 - Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II - European One Camouflage Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11971.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/11000784 - TPA-32 - 1/48 - Grumman EA-18G Growler - US Navy - VAQ-137 Luke Sources: https://1999.co.jp/eng/11001046 http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11967.html - TPA-33 - 1/48 - Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23MF "Flogger-B" - Soviet Air Force - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11973.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/10999477 - TPA-34 - 1/48 - Grumman F-14A Tomcat - US Navy - VF-111 Sundowners - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11974.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/10999509 TPA-35 - 1/48 - Saab JA37 Jakt Viggen - Swedish Air Force - Blue Peter Memorial 75th Anniversary Special Painted - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11975.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/10999512 TPA-36 - 1/48 - Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II - Memorial Painting 100th Anniversary for Maryland ANG - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11976.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/10999514 TPA-37 - 1/72 - Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon - JMSDF - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11985.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/11004976 TPA-38 - 1/72 - Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon - US Navy - HM-14 Vanguard - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/11986.html https://1999.co.jp/eng/11004983 TPA-39 - 1/72 - Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon - US NAVY - HM-14 "Vanguard" - Chimera 2017 Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/12032.html https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11019033 - TPA-40 - 1/48 - Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN "Flogger-H" - Soviet Air Force - w/Photo-Etched Parts Sources: http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/12002.html https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11019384 TPA-41 - 1/48 - Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II - 354th Squadron "Bulldogs" Source: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11035691 TPA-42 - 1/48 - Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II - 354th Squadron "Bulldogs" with PE parts Source: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11040713 V.P. Edited March 19 by Homebee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piotr Mikolajski Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 On 1/20/2023 at 10:34 PM, GiampieroSilvestri said: For the non Italian modellers it may be interesting that the company from Bologna has the rights for all insignias of the Italian armed forces. I'm not a lawyer but this piece of paper suggest another owner of insignias: https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2012/09/25/012G0183/sg/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GioCare Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 to be the owner and having the right for using is a different thing, almost in Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 When is their list of new releases out then? And if the F-5E is an Esci reissue, does that mean it’ll still have raised panel lines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted January 28, 2023 Author Share Posted January 28, 2023 (edited) Italeri Preview 2023 - source: https://www.italeri.com/en/article/816 Downloadable here: https://www.italeri.com/uploads/news/3E8SwHPWIALErYw2OPS4do00rqm0jsoh6yUiZWND.pdf Quote Dear friends, we are proud to present you a preview of our new kits that will be launched in 2023. Here the link to our website where you can find all info and the link to download the .pdf file "Model Kit Preview 2023" Compared to the previous issue (2022 - link) there's just ONE (!) new tool aircraft kit announced: - 1/72 - ref. 1469 - Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II - thread The two other new tool kits were already announced in the 2022 edition : - 1/72 - ref. 1460 - AMX International A-11A Ghibli - thread - 1/32 - ref. 2518 - Macchi MC.202 Folgore - thread -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The aircraft pages V.P. Edited January 29, 2023 by Homebee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvrle Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Well, hopefully the AMX in 1/72 does appear, that and the AC-119K are the only two I'm interested in. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czaralko Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Waiting on the 1/32 Folgore, i hope they do it justice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SprueMan Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Lovely! McLaren MP4/2 in 1/12 (Protar re-release, it was long rumoured, but nice to see it) but really new is... Lancia Stratos in 1/12!! And F-16C block 52! No need for Kinetic now 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_Man Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 1/12 Stratos.. need! 1/32 NATO Pilots still there, and detail of what should be included - 2 F-104, 2 Tornado, 1 F-35 and 1 Mirage pilot. Maybe this will be the year! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 I’m happy so see the 1/12 F-16 cockpit being re-released, been on the look out for one since I finished the F-104 cockpit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepureness Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Italeri lost a great deal of respect from me when they cancelled their 1/48 Merlin HC3 kit back in the late 2000s. The 1/32 Folgore does interest me though, hopefully they use decals for the smoke rings, but I don't bank on anything until its on the shelf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis_C Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 If only Italeri reissues their H-19 someday. They reissued their fairly decent kit 15 years ago for the last time and nothing since then. H-19 was such a prominent helicopter and all we have is the Airfix kit that was originally issued at the time real H-19 was still in production. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FG2Si Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 Great to see the 1/12 Stratos. The question now is do I bother to finish my old Doyusha one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piotr Mikolajski Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 So many kits... announced for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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