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Tamiya F-16C Thunderbirds

Guest The Southern Bandit

By Guest The Southern Bandit
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Guest The Southern Bandit

Guest The Southern Bandit

Posted
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This is another kit (along with HK B-25 glazed nose Mitchell I've missed out on) I know nobody knows Tamiya's release or re-release plans, but would really like this one, have the CJ, but this kit is a bit different and has a great in flight stand too.

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Tony T

Tony T

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I'm surprised Tamiya haven't re-released it grey plastic as a regular Block 32 F-16C. But Tamiya like re-releasing and re-re-releasing things in exactly the same "nostalgia packaging", so what are the chances of a specialist subject like the Thunderbird coming out again?

 

It would be interesting to learn what the Tamiya re-release experts say about any patterns that exist, and whether or how many moulds appear to have been swallowed up by the great Tamiya basement carpet monster.

 

Tony

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Zero77

Zero77

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Yes that's very strange. It's a totally different kit than the CJ, with light landing gear, Pratt & Whitney engine and NSI intake. A shame these moulds are kept unused for so long.

 

For the HK B-25 glass nose, i'm pretty sure the kit will repop in a near future.

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thierry laurent

thierry laurent

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I don't know what was the situation in the US but in Europe, the Thunderbirds kit was really a bad seller. I got two kits with a huge discount in two different shops as they did not know how to get rid of them... And this was not an isolated case. So, I am not too sure the kit will be soon re-released as such. However, I have yet to understand why it is not released as an Agressor bird as they did for their 1/48th kit...!?!

 

It is true I stopped trying to understand Tamiya release policy many years ago... :-(

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ziggyfoos

ziggyfoos

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I wonder if it's some issue with the Thunderbirds licensing/approval preventing it from being re-issued? If so, I'd much rather they just release it as a "normal" F-16 block 32 kit anyway with pylons/ordnance and skip the T-bird stuff.

 

I have one in the stash for a Desert Storm planned build but I'd pick up another kit probably if they were available again.

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Guest The Southern Bandit

Guest The Southern Bandit

Posted
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That could be the case Ziggy, hope not? I'm pretty sure Tamiya maximised profit towards the Thunderbirds in 1/48 and 1/32.

 

With Tamiya, I think its a case of high hopes? high expectations as well, but-its always nice to wish.

Part of me is perverse and I collect as much as I build, have the Tamiya (I thought was out of production) total light n sound Zero, the plated Mustang as well.

I hope Tamiya give this kit another pop, for the poster who said HK might do their first Mitchell glass nose again, OMG I pray that's true, I really missed out on that boat and its in my Ebay watch list until I get one :)

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Guest The Southern Bandit

Guest The Southern Bandit

Posted
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I just finished this one. I had a hard time finding one, but I am happy with it and it looks great displayed on the stand. I hope they re-release it, I'd buy another.

 

 

Love to see your build JD.

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Guest The Southern Bandit

Guest The Southern Bandit

Posted
Posted

I don't know what was the situation in the US but in Europe, the Thunderbirds kit was really a bad seller. I got two kits with a huge discount in two different shops as they did not know how to get rid of them... And this was not an isolated case. So, I am not too sure the kit will be soon re-released as such. However, I have yet to understand why it is not released as an Agressor bird as they did for their 1/48th kit...!?!

 

It is true I stopped trying to understand Tamiya release policy many years ago... :-(

 

 

Can you sell one, since you have two?

 

Please :)

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timvkampen

timvkampen

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I have 3 and am building them (as we speak one is underway). And if you see a Thunderbirds kit pop up they go for 150-250 USD!!!

The kits are great as a basis for the A/B (MLU) versions that fly around Europe and Israel. 

 

I also do not understand why this one is out of production, but it may be people are not all keen on doing the Thunderbirds rendition...so....

...Tamiya should remarks this baby into a proper Block 25/32 offering. I know a company preparing a conversion for the C-version to make an A/B, but it leaves open room still for Tamiya to also tackle that part of the Viper market. Why they are not doing it (haven't done it so far) is a complete riddle to most of the modelling community.

 

The same discussion applies to the Dual-seat version. Tamiya = no show, Academy listen and = F-16D...oh well.

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thierry laurent

thierry laurent

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Can you sell one, since you have two?

Please :)

Well some of my friends will tell you I am naive and optimistic but I never buy a kit "just in case". If I spend my money, it is with a specific modelling goal in my head and I am not a collector. Last, even if I would be willing to resell one the p&p would be a killer to send this overseas...

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Viper Enforcer

Viper Enforcer

Posted
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I don't know what was the situation in the US but in Europe, the Thunderbirds kit was really a bad seller. I got two kits with a huge discount in two different shops as they did not know how to get rid of them... And this was not an isolated case. So, I am not too sure the kit will be soon re-released as such. However, I have yet to understand why it is not released as an Agressor bird as they did for their 1/48th kit...!?!

 

It is true I stopped trying to understand Tamiya release policy many years ago... :-(

 

In the US the Tamiya 32nd Thunderbird kit sold quite well according to the reps. It and the full built an painted release sold even better in Japan,  The production runs were about 30% less than the CJ version, which continues to sell well. You would think with the huge success of the 2 Tamiya 32nd Viper kits, Tamiya would expand the range to Block 30, 42, and 52, in aggressor and other unit markings; just like they did in 48th. 

 

I wonder if it's some issue with the Thunderbirds licensing/approval preventing it from being re-issued? If so, I'd much rather they just release it as a "normal" F-16 block 32 kit anyway with pylons/ordnance and skip the T-bird stuff.

 

I have one in the stash for a Desert Storm planned build but I'd pick up another kit probably if they were available again.

 

The licensing doesn't really "run out", though it can be revoked for not meeting contractual requirements and I have not heard of any issues like that. Besides, if that were the case, then their 48th scale F-16 Thunderbirds kit would have also been OOP at the same time.

 

Much agreed; I would rather seen standard Block 25-42 releases myself; as well as the D model variant; which I know they have all the data for it. Hell, I even saw the sprue layout in 48th for the D model parts back in 08. Something that makes us all scratch our heads.

 

Mike V

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