Tissue and Dope

I’m not too interested in having more than one variant of each base ‘plane;
one Spitfire, one Hurricane, one ME 109, one Lancaster etc.
 
Of course that falls down because I buy something ( which goes into the stash ) 
and then a ‘better’ kit of that base subject comes out, and so I buy that new one with a view
to sell the first one - but strangely I have an inability to get around to selling anything :D
 
As I’m not the most skilled modeller and so my intention is to buy this Kotare 109 and then sell the
rather more complex to build Z M Hartmann ……..
 
But who knows what will happen by early 2025.
They say “A week is a long time in politics.” ………….

I’m not too interested in having more than one variant of each base ‘plane;
one Spitfire, one Hurricane, one ME 109, one Lancaster etc.
 
Of course that falls down because I buy something ( which goes into the stash ) 
and then a ‘better’ kit of that base subject comes out, and so I buy that new one with a view
to sell the first one - but strangely I have an inability to get around to selling anything :D
 
As I’m not the most skilled modeller and so my intention is to buy this Kotare 109 and then sell the
rather more complex to build Z M Hartmann ……..
 
But who knows what will happen by early 2025.
They say “A week is a long time in politics.” ………….

Slightly depressing to see Kotare follow the Wingnut Wings playbook, and label kits as "sold out", whilst releasing multiple kits of the same subject. Ultimately, the WNW strategy failed, and I'm not sure there are enough people willing to pay almost £100 for each multiple early 1/32 Spitfire kits? The market is only so big, as WNW discovered, especially with 1/32 Spitfires being available in multiple, cheaper options, albeit not the same quality. I'm finding it peculiarly easy to not want, or purchase, any Kotare Spits other than the 1 kit. If Kotare hope to follow the WNW model and basically scare people into buying a kit before it's "sold out", I'm not sure that's going to work? My mind keeps coming back to WNW, with it's 3 Felixstowe boxing's, 5 Fokker Eindecker versions, untold Fokker D.VII offerings,  seemingly endless Camel kits, various Albatros boxing's, etc. 
Or am I just a miserable old git?

I have done business in China off and on for the last decade, have a friend who runs one of the larger HK model companies (we used to have lunch every time I went there, but the changing economic, political and pandemic situations have prevented my going back the last few years), and have a friend who has tried to help Trumpeter improve their armor accuracy (in vain). I have also been the "Asia Hand" at Armorama and Aeroscale for the same amount of time. Throw in enough Mandarin to watch "Moana" with my granddaughter in Chinese every afternoon. All that gives me about as much insight as a one-eyed man in snowstorm.
 
I was, however, just in Beijing this past September for a week on vacation with my daughter, and came away with a sense that, unlike 20-30 years ago, the Chinese simply don't give much thought to the West now. They have gone from relative poverty to in some cases crazy amounts of money. They have their own Uber, but you have to be signed up to one of THEIR social media money apps like Weibo to charge a ride (I ended up paying in cash whenever I needed a taxi). Same with ATMs: I had to hunt down one that would take my cash card; the majority only use Chinese bank cards. The machines aren't jingoistic, they just don't take a foreigner's needs into account. The hotel we stayed in was a 5-star Marriott property, yet the majority of the staff spoke little or no English.
 
My sense is this isn't a "they don't like us," so much as they have evolved a huge internal economy and their manufacturing decisions seemed to be based on what Asian consumers will purchase-- hence the popularity of "fiddly" kits with lots of small bits and bobs. Domestic photo etch is available (Voyager for AFVs and ET Model for tanks, trucks, Pontos for ships), but interestingly, no domestic manufacturer for airplane AM upgrades.
 
How does all of this impact 35 vs. 32? Who can say. Clearly Border has decided 1/35th is the key to their future.

I won’t start buying 1/35 ……. not because of ‘scaleophobia’,
but because I’m TRYING to cut down on what I buy for my long lease tenants Mr and Mrs Stash,
and the first 1/35 kit I’d buy would just be the thin end of the wedge, and more would inevitably follow.

I won’t start buying 1/35 ……. not because of ‘scaleophobia’,
but because I’m TRYING to cut down on what I buy for my long lease tenants Mr and Mrs Stash,
and the first 1/35 kit I’d buy would just be the thin end of the wedge, and more would inevitably follow.

For those not on Fb:
 

 
Hmmmm!  

Hmmmmmmmm ………. Jadlam again have the E/F at £225.99
 
I MUST resistance 
I MUST resistance  I MUST resistance I MUST resistance ……

As far as the 1:32 Lancaster goes, built it, sprayed it with the window open, sold it. Funds the hobby

A few weeks ago Jadlam had the E/F on sale at a VERY low price ( under £240 iirc )
and I was extremely tempted, but realised that it would probably stay in the stash for ever,
and looking at yet another huge box in the stash would add to the albatrosses around my neck,
unusually for me somehow I managed to resist buying it.

A few weeks ago Jadlam had the E/F on sale at a VERY low price ( under £240 iirc )
and I was extremely tempted, but realised that it would probably stay in the stash for ever,
and looking at yet another huge box in the stash would add to the albatrosses around my neck,
unusually for me somehow I managed to resist buying it.

A few weeks ago Jadlam had the E/F on sale at a VERY low price ( under £240 iirc )
and I was extremely tempted, but realised that it would probably stay in the stash for ever,
and looking at yet another huge box in the stash would add to the albatrosses around my neck,
unusually for me somehow I managed to resist buying it.

They also have the Grand Slam Lancaster offered at a similar price.
 
I already have the HK BI/III ( with clear nose included) in the stash as well as the initial Border Lancaster.
 
Maybe I should try and sell the HG Lancaster and buy (swap?) the B17,
in that way the stash is no larger and the amount of ££££££ invested in 
1/32 four engined bombers is not too depressing?
 

A few weeks ago Jadlam had the E/F on sale at a VERY low price ( under £240 iirc )
and I was extremely tempted, but realised that it would probably stay in the stash for ever,
and looking at yet another huge box in the stash would add to the albatrosses around my neck,
unusually for me somehow I managed to resist buying it.

A few weeks ago Jadlam had the E/F on sale at a VERY low price ( under £240 iirc )
and I was extremely tempted, but realised that it would probably stay in the stash for ever,
and looking at yet another huge box in the stash would add to the albatrosses around my neck,
unusually for me somehow I managed to resist buying it.

I salute your forbearance T&D!

Decalcomania - it’s an 18th century thing. 

Decalcomania - it’s an 18th century thing. 

I'm still waitin' for the 'Basic' kit just to see what the price difference is.  ...
 
                    
 
cheap cheap cheap
 
                    
 
 

If you look at the shades of green and brown in the top left and bottom right photos, they are different, so many factors: film stock, lighting, quite possibly different paint stock, at the end of the day, it's always best to go with what you feel is right, but respect others who have a different view.

Mike - Does that price in Japan include any sales taxes?
In the U.K. you have to add 20% VAT
and in the USA most states have varying amounts of sales tax.

I’m sure that Bader’s celebrity would help create a commercial success for Kotare,
but apparently he was a deeply unpleasant man, and in particular 
his treatment of his orderly Alex Ross in Colditz was truly appalling.

Another chance for a sale price: https://www.kotare-models.com/products/k32001-132-spitfire-mkia-mid

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27998/lot/306P/1943-vickers-supermarine-spitfire-mark-ix-single-seat-fighter-chassis-no-mh415/
 

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27998/lot/306P/1943-vickers-supermarine-spitfire-mark-ix-single-seat-fighter-chassis-no-mh415/