If Revells P-51 is a all new tooling I'm in

[AdamR]

So, I applaud Revell in what they are doing. Big Bang for not a lot of cashola! My question is this, why isn't Tamiya, Hasegawa, and ZM not doing something similar? Yes, Hasegawa's A6M5 Zeros are nice and cost less than the Tamiya's, but they could be doing it better cost wise for the modeler. So, Hail Revell!!! Keep it up boys, show the Asian manufacturers up with great models at a great price!

To me, Hasegawa hits the "sweet spot" pretty well with its new-tool 1/32 kits. They are a bit more expensive than Revell's newer '109 and Spitfire, but their quality makes them well worth it to me. Now, if they would just do a new Hellcat...

[LSP_Mike]

Or Thunderbolt. And a razorback while they're at it. That said, let's keep in mind we're discussing model kits here, not world peace. Dial back the rhetoric a bit. Each will give the go/no go on this kit, but I don't like to see the pinging going on.

 And for the sake of the conversation, I'm good with a RoG , depending on some certain individuals comments. Otherwise, I still have 45 WNW kits, and TWO Felixstowes.

[Out2gtcha]

I think each to their own when it comes to kit "markets".  I think ZM and Tamiya (and to an extent HK) are in the high end highly detailed market, and the likes of Revell and Kitty Hawk are in the more price conscious, less detailed markets. 

 

 

I think there is room for both, but each probably need to stick to their own niches.  For some its about the uber kit, and extreme detail, for others, its price, and a good overall look.

With the 51s popularity, Id say there probably IS room for another one, as long as Revell sticks to their niche, and does an accurate rendition..........they should sell nicely.  

[alaninaustria]

If Revell offers us a decent, accurate and well detailed P-51D - I would be very happy!

[R Palimaka]

I agree with most of what's been said so far. The Mustang is my favourite aircraft, and although I would have preferred a Mustang III (P-51B/C to our American cousins) a decently priced and accurate P-51D would make me happy too.

 

I have a couple Tamiya Mustangs for those examples on which I want to expend the time and effort to take advantage of all that the kit offers. They are nearly perfect kits but require a commitment of time...and money. If Revell can provide an accurate and relatively inexpensive P-51D that is not too complex I think they will have a winner. I don't always want to spend a lot of time on highly detailed interior structures, gun-bays and the like. If the Revell kit can have a decent cockpit, accurate gear wells and dropped flaps as Patrick suggests above, then that will serve a somewhat different market niche than the Tamiya kits are aimed at...I think...

 

Sometimes I just want an accurate and a not too involved model as a canvas for the markings of a pilot or unit I'm interested in. If they can deliver that at an attractive price then I think the Revell marketers got it right. I do empathize with those who have a favourite aircraft that has been ignored in 1/32 so far, but hopefully these kind of "staple" kits will help those dreams come to light. It's been pretty good for LSP modellers the last few years.

Edited January 3, 2017 by R Palimaka

[David Hansen]

I am not as emotionally invested in the P-51D as others are, so i don't really have a dog in this fight.

 

I haven't built the Tamiya P-51D but i have considered doing so. I characterize it as " A model I'd really like to build...for someone else".

 

Why?

 

Well, in order to really do these models justice, you need to take your time with them. So many parts. My first Tamiya Corsair took a year to build, the second one a year and a half. I fear it would be a similar story with a P-51D, lovely though it is.

 

A LOT of countries flew the P-51D, so i can see it's international market appeal for certain. Also, there are a metric crap-ton of interesting markings schemes for the P-51D, which means there are some people who would in all likelihood buy the kit in multiples if the shapes are good and the price is right.

 

You can't exactly do that with a Tamiya P-51D kit.

 

I don't have proof of this, but i suspect the Corsair has been a better seller than the Mustang, largely because i think people are scared of bare metal finishes. The lower price of a Revell tooling might encourage people to venture outside of their comfort zones and take more risks.

 

Now, i think everyone will hold their metaphorical breath and wait to see how the shapes look when the test shots are revealed. Since the plane was effectively designed by a German, i hope Revell does a better job of it than the Spitfire, which i suspect was machine-gunned with those rivets just to annoy the British. Besides, Flieger Werke in Germany had been building P-51D replicas so Revell may have access to more research materials than we know.

 

Having said all that, i'm not a Mustang guy. I'm a Corsair guy and i stick to my knitting.

 

david

[LSP_K2]

Indeed, in the Netherlands specialised kitretailers have almost dissapeared but if you go to toyshops like Intertoys or Bart Smit you can find Revell kits very easily.

Cees

 

Same here. I'm a big fan of Hobby Lobby, and make almost a monthly pilgrimage there. Lots of Revell, but very few (if any) Tamiya, Trumpeter, Z-M, HKM, etc.

 

[gingerbob]

Oh how boring and unimaginative- I imagine I'll buy one!  (and yes, I do have a Tamiya D)

 

I must say I'm amused by the explanation "Oh, I can't afford a $100 Tamiya kit, but if these are $33.50 a piece I'll buy three!"  And I bet most of the people who "can't afford" a Tamiya kit have a large stash, too...

 

Now, if you don't want to deal with the perceived complexity or "too good engineering = boring build", that I can understand.

 

But I do hope they get the basic shape right, and don't cover it with rivets.

 

Happy new year,

bob

[oyoy5]

I wish someone knew the top model Executive at HobbyLobby. I to love that place but if they would order more Revell Germany kits I think their sales go up I saw a C 54 there last time I was in which is a start. I wonder if Revell Germany kits cut into the profit margins to much when the 40% coupon is used?

[Out2gtcha]

But I do hope they get the basic shape right, and don't cover it with rivets.

 

 

Definitely. Otherwise the point would be completely moot. 

[CANicoll]

Having just built the OLD Revell P-51B/C (with Malcom Hood) even with some of the fit issues it was a fun (and cheap) build.  Especially if you are not into super-detailing the engine (or even just detailing the engine) and doing a fair job on the cockpit which more people see, a cheaper Revell option would be a lot of fun.  I get a kick out of the external painting and weathering so getting there quickly is a plus for me.  I was surprised at much detail the old kit had anyway.

 

On the argument of do we need another Mustang? I'm probably not the best person to weigh in:  I'm looking at my display case and I already have nine in there from 1/72 to 1/32 and in the closet there is another Tamiya D that I want to build as Duchess Arlene.  At this point I like building specific aircraft (Lou IV, Big Beautiful Doll, Duchess Arlene, the Polish Mustangs, Tuskeegee planes) hence the quantity.

 

I have as many B/Cs as D's but most of them are 1/72 and 1/48 scale.  Having a good 1/32 Malcom Hood version at a reasonable price would be a great base for a lot of different airplanes.

 

Chris

[CANicoll]

I agree with most of what's been said so far. The Mustang is my favourite aircraft, and although I would have preferred a Mustang III (P-51B/C to our American cousins) a decently priced and accurate P-51D would make me happy too.

 

I have a couple Tamiya Mustangs for those examples on which I want to expend the time and effort to take advantage of all that the kit offers. They are nearly perfect kits but require a commitment of time...and money. If Revell can provide an accurate and relatively inexpensive P-51D that is not too complex I think they will have a winner. I don't always want to spend a lot of time on highly detailed interior structures, gun-bays and the like. If the Revell kit can have a decent cockpit, accurate gear wells and dropped flaps as Patrick suggests above, then that will serve a somewhat different market niche than the Tamiya kits are aimed at...I think...

 

Sometimes I just want an accurate and a not too involved model as a canvas for the markings of a pilot or unit I'm interested in. If they can deliver that at an attractive price then I think the Revell marketers got it right. I do empathize with those who have a favourite aircraft that has been ignored in 1/32 so far, but hopefully these kind of "staple" kits will help those dreams come to light. It's been pretty good for LSP modellers the last few years.

 

I missed this page when I made my comments.  But completely agree - there is a middle market Revell can easily address.  The Tamiya kits are lovely, but they really do require a big commitment in time and effort.

 

Chris

[LSP_K2]

I must say I'm amused by the explanation "Oh, I can't afford a $100 Tamiya kit, but if these are $33.50 a piece I'll buy three!"  And I bet most of the people who "can't afford" a Tamiya kit have a large stash, too...

 

Happy new year,

bob

 

It reminds me of the story where a guy orders a pizza.

 

"Would you like me to slice this into six pieces or twelve"?

 

"Oh, six, I could never eat twelve".

[bdthoresen]

Oh how boring and unimaginative- I imagine I'll buy one!  (and yes, I do have a Tamiya D)

 

I must say I'm amused by the explanation "Oh, I can't afford a $100 Tamiya kit, but if these are $33.50 a piece I'll buy three!"  And I bet most of the people who "can't afford" a Tamiya kit have a large stash, too...

 

Now, if you don't want to deal with the perceived complexity or "too good engineering = boring build", that I can understand.

 

But I do hope they get the basic shape right, and don't cover it with rivets.

 

Happy new year,

bob

 

 

It reminds me of the story where a guy orders a pizza.

 

"Would you like me to slice this into six pieces or twelve"?

 

"Oh, six, I could never eat twelve".

Well, being that I made the original statement (which I have since deleted), it was more of a "one could buy three for the cost of one" kind of thought. But as far as my stash, it is quite small. The "elitist" attitude of this thread that is starting to leak out says everything I was trying to say earlier.

 

And no I cannot afford the prices of the Tamiya kits......period.

 

Take care all-

 

THOR         

[gingerbob]

Well, I'm no elitist, and I wasn't (intentionally) responding to any particular individual.  More like playing with the "logic" that many of us- myself definitely included- display.  I wonder how many who fantasize about building multiple P-51s in 1/32 actually do so.  For that matter I now consider my stash (mostly 1/48, but an alarming (to me) number of 1/32, also) and think, "Hmm, if I actually built all these, would I like the look of the crowded display case?" 

 

I bought the Tamiya D because I thought, "Well, if I ever do a P-51D in 1/32, this is obviously the kit to use."  As I said, if the Revell one is pretty decent, I'll probably get one just because it isn't that expensive and I like to compare different kits.  And I wouldn't feel as bad doing a not-so-brilliant job on it versus the Tamiya.  Heck, if I could get what I paid for it out of the Tamiya, I'd probably sell it on at this point.

 

One thing is that I don't like open engine bays, etc, so I'd be quite happy with a basic closed-cowl Mustang, and the first thing I'd do with the Tamiya is figure out what I did NOT need to put in.  I am not, however, very forgiving of a ham-fisted attempt at a "scale" model such as Revell's Spitfire Mk.II- and yes, I bought one of those too, because the Spitfire's my obsession.

 

bob