Artful69

1/24 is niche ... I'm guessing that they won't want to shoot themselves in the foot by doing something that has been done well (or at all) by someone else ... the market isn't that large and they'll want it to sell well. My guesses would be ... * A corsair (they already have the power egg!) * A Hawker Tempest (same reason as above) * Either a later or earlier Mk Spitfire than the IX (a 1a or Vb) * An accurate Bf.109 F or G ... a random left field idea ... A Bristol Beaufighter (I mean - they did a Mossie so it's not an awful shot!) Rog

Maybe the Italian version of 007?? Rog

Dunno why this thread was merged with the other one from last year since it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!! SMH Rog

Yes sir! … That’s how I managed to reserve my copies … the local hobby store pre-ordered a good stack of them … I didn’t have the cash at the time and wanted to make sure I secured a couple … there’s still quite a few around globally from those stores who preordered a bunch. Rog

The ‘original release’ is, in fact, the special addition … if you are a collector it would be wise to hang onto at least one of these “Siegfried Schnell” special additions unopened as no more of these will be made … otherwise it’s the same kit with different markings. I just paid Y 30800 for 2 on preorder from Volks Japan (I’m in Australia - so $327.68 at the time) … Including shipping to my PO Box upon release - they are cheaper than buying them retail here even with free shipping! I just hope the packaging survives transport!!! according to ZMs list, the next Fw-190 to be released is the A-3 which is slated for “Basic” configuration … of course there could be a kit or two released prior. I wouldn’t expect a drastic decrease in price - though it should be enough to attract some interest from those on the periphery - wanting an accurate model without the in depth assembly. From what I can see from drawings there aren’t that many differences between the A-3 and A-4 so my theory is that there will be some substituted sprues with whole parts that would otherwise be sub-assemblies on the A-4 kit. It will be interesting to find out! Rog

Just to Clarify ... I indicated "Standard" release ... as opposed to "Special Release" - not "Basic Series" To celebrate their 10 year anniversary ZM announced 2 "Special Edition" releases. The Bf.109G-14 "Eric Hartmann" and the Fw190A-4 "Siegfried Schnell". These kits were to be made available by pre-order only ... there was no limit on the pre-order but once the pre-order was finalised there will be no more re-issues as it is, as the name specifies a "Special Edition" ... A while after the kit is released a "Standard Edition" is released ... this is the kit that will not be determined by pre-orders and will continue to be produced from time to time. Rog

Finally the standard release boxing of the Zoukei-Mura Fw190A-4 is up for preorder … https://www.zoukeimura.co.jp/en/ Rog

Easy ... Do-17z Ju-52 BPD Rog

Have you thought about messaging John at AIMS … he did rudder conversions when the A-1 was the only kit to work with … Just an idea … Rog

Ali ... Probably good at this point to bear in mind that the "metal" landing gear that HKM traditionally uses is the crappy SAC stuff ... just go ahead with the brass gear, I reckon ... there will be customers chasing it - preferring to use kit plastic over the SAC stuff ... or any other replacement metal. Rog

They could move on to a G.10 Erla ... the Revell kit is not readily available and was done with a few shape errors to boot ... and since shape accuracy and detail is likely to be Kotare's bag moving forward - with the Erla G.10 having some very subtle shape designs, not a terrible guess! Rog

Nope ... completely skittled with that one! TBH I'm not really all that bothered to know what they are aiming at either - I'll probably buy it regardless ... Surprises are nice sometimes! I had absolutely no interest in WNW until the Lancaster was announced - Not in my wheelhouse subject wise ... But I saw everyone raving about them. I know these guys like Spitfires and other than the Tamiya 3 we have no detailed and accurate representation in '32 scale (with the possible exception of the Hasegawa / Revell kit from WAY back). So early or late ... I'll buy as many as they make ... extras too, considering the values that some of the WNW kits were fetching on e-Bay! They could release a RNZAF Skyhawk for all I know ... More than likely to be subjects that NZ have operated at some point I would have thought? ... ... Or (like the Brian Lane Spitfire) subjects that are allied focused? The 109K is a welcome addition ... and looking forward to the rest Rog

Same ... In fact I'm pretty sure I saw a Q&A where Members of the Kotare Team said that they will focus on subjects that they like - subject to them having the capacity to be earners ... and that it did not specifically include or exclude any particular era or type ... excepting that WW1 Subjects were fairly well covered already (for those hoping that they'd head back into WNW territory) Rog

Me too! I grabbed a couple back in the day after I got my MDC Typhoon ... I wasn't feeling secure about internet purchases (outside of eBay) at the time, so I made a phone call to Paul in the USA to talk to him before I sent the cash through - Lovely guy! ... Conversation went for about 30 mins ... awesome guy! I understood why everyone was harping on about the difference between vac form, IM and resin when they arrived too Rog

A few days out of the loop and Kotare's announcement hits! ... Typical ... Checking in daily for months and not a whisper other than gossip ... Turn my back for five minutes and this happens! Left field choice ... but a good one I feel. The 'K' hasn't been done properly in this scale ... The only real competition is the Hasegawa kit (still pretty good for it's age) ... which is not readily available now. From memory it wasn't as scale accurate as other Hasegawa 109's in the range? Kotare's '1 wood' is scale accuracy ... so we're likely to get a good rendition! Even though an 'E' would make more sense given the Spitfire Mk.Ia (dogfight competition wise) ... there is a recent release of a very accurate 'E' already out there. For any average Joe wanting to buy an 'E', The Cyber Hobby re-pop through Hobby 2000 represents a much cheaper option. Should sell well, since it will be a while before ZM's 'K' makes an appearance ... and I'll be getting one for sure! Rog