Gary Needham

My mate and I have just ordered one and with shipping and UK VAT added at source, it comes out at £119.00 / $US 156@ for UK customers. Of course it may be cheaper where you live subject to shipping and tax variations. Gary

So in essence Paul and to summarize by your informed understanding of the subject and enjoyable explanation, neither kit represents accurately what is, in effect, a complete 'what if' project and model company best guess assessment. In many ways it is as futile a serious debate or assessment for model building purposes as arguing 'what if' German Army Panzer 1946 camo colours or AFV projects. As you say, only the single seat version actually exists in any meaningful format to invite critical assessment against a model kit. Both the Takom and ZM kits will satisfy most modelers who simply want a superbly detailed nice fitting kit and a subject platform that will allow them to have a free camo palette just like 'fantasy' painters have with fantasy model figures i.e. you can't be wrong within (reasonable) camo parameters. Thanks for the explanation of a little known subject and I will happily build my (cheap as chips!) Takom 2 seat 'night fighter' kit in the full knowledge that it has as much accuracy and reality as a Star Wars 'AT-AT' or 'X-Wing' model kit. Gary

Agree and subjectively, better value than the 1/48 offering and it should be spectacular when built and painted. Following with interest. Gary

Yes I was aware of these 2 kits and was on about a new IM one straight from the box by a premier company and as you say, that won't need a load of AM throwing at it as the other 2 kits seem to do to correct them. Gary

Looks like the 1/48 is already "out of stock" (sold out?) on the Temp Model website and whilst granted it is a limited run kit, there must be a mainstream market for this subject in IM. Perhaps GWH may like to have a go at a SU-34 in 1/48 and then who knows....1/32 perhaps? Gary

Yes a IM Grippen would be well appreciated and long overdue in 1/32 as would a Rafale and a Eurofighter; the latter this time done properly and which actually fits. Gary

Plus 1. It is nothing short of an enigma why such an important (and multi-operated) subject is so badly served in 1/32. Exactly the same with the MIG -15. I can't ever recall seeing anything other than Korean War aftermarket decals in 1/32 for this subject and so good luck tracking some down if they are out there. Gary

Heaven spare us from that! What we need is a new state of the art kit (and one that fits) from someone like Tamiya, Z-M, HKM or GWH. Probably never happen in 1/32 mind. Fabulous looking decals and someone should print these and in 48 too. Gary

I agree with much of what Gary (Recap 1960) says about the situation and future for the hobby.. With possibly the singular exception of WNW which was a famous billionaire modeler's 'boys own adventure' and utterly luxury indulgence, every other kit company that has ever existed has done so with one single priority and raison d'etre and that is to turn a profit. It is up to them to determine how they do this and they will use practical subject and scale(s) choice consideration as to where they believe that demand and profit can be found . Like it or not, they clearly see a currently profitable (or the potential for it) market in 1/35 aircraft and so, they keep producing them as they would not do so if there was no market and profit to be found. Surely anything which sells plastic kits and takes the hobby to a wider audience to try (possibly forlornly I suspect) and allow it to continue and progress with the younger generations beyond, say, GEN Y who were the last generation preceding the widespread computer and gaming age, then surely this has to be welcome. I also paint figures and the 'historical' customer side of the hobby i.e those painting ancient Romans & Greeks, Knights, Napoleonic soldiers etc. is in truth dying (quite literally!) as those interested in that genre age and so figure companies have since adapted by now giving priority of their product range to the 'fantasy' market where the next generation of modelers and for them customers are to be found; they having been introduced to the hobby painting things like the 'Warhammer' range of kits and figures. Maybe plastic kit companies are experiencing the same demographic changes with their targeted customer base, I don't know, and so maybe someone working in the plastic kit industry could elaborate for us on a fully informed basis? Irrespective, I suggest there is enough existing subject choice and scales for everyone not to argue about and let's be honest here, we are (all) going to most likely leave a huge and existing kit stash behind us when we die and your pride and joy or baby aka 'the stash', this will be seen as nothing more than an inconvenience and irritant when our non-modeling family members get the task of moving it all on or simply even disposing of it gratis to the local charity shop....including that elusive bucket list kit (insert the subject & scale) you keep screaming for on this very site..! Gary

(QUOTE) Whatever you do, do not waste money on SAC white metal legs. They are made from very soft metal. PLUS 1 - and I am astounded they are still around.

In which case, isn't it about time they dropped their "Limited to 500" advertising on all their kits because it is subjective false representation causing people to buy them (and pay top dollar) thinking they are getting something 'exclusive'. I have no doubt the Drakken 'Limited to 500' and which I also have on order will also now be re-popped in the future and simply sold with a different box art and new decal options. As Matt said, I wonder if a new cash injection is the driver behind yet (another) run of Viggens and one thing is now pretty much assured, given that will be 2000 kits (and counting) they will have sold of the 1/32 Viggen, then it really limits or even negates the chances (now) of an IM one ever being tooled and released. The time to have done that was when the first 500 flew off the shelves showing how popular a subject it was but I think that ship has now sailed given this latest announcement. Gary

That is certainly a subject and scale I would be interested in. Thanks for the update. Gary

These ICM 1/32 kits are just superb. Their I-16 was a cracking little build and I am just finishing their YAK-9 which likewise is tremendous. Looking forward to this latest kit. Gary

Unless a post has been deleted, where has anyone said here prior to your comment " I HOPE X Y or Z do a model of a A,B or C....?" All that was said was Eduard who (have) already announced a 1/32 range of early P-51's (may) bring one out as part of that range and Z-M may or may not be doing one. Gary

Strange isn't it how the concepts of 'want' and 'need' in this hobby bear no correlation to pragmatism or sensibilities. One will come along eventually I'm sure and haven't Eduard announced a new model line in 1/32 of early P-51 Mustangs which may well include this variant and if they do, it will doubtless be a far superior product...and much cheaper too. Gary