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Harm
Netherlands
41 Posts |
 Posted - 03/03/2016 : 07:13:58
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Is it just my feeling or is the current wave of Model Factory Hiro kits slowly killing off the smaller scale? Lots of things going on in the field of 1/12, look at the Miniwerks project forum. Builders/ finishers who used to be active in 1/43rd seems to be concentrating on 1/12, not surprisingly perhaps because of this wave of interesting subjects. I also notice that MFH is not bringing out 1/43rd kits anymore, although this might be temporary. Tameo has slowed down a bit its seems.
What do you people think? |
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moriaan
Netherlands
510 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2016 : 10:46:49
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| its temporary.Kits like the 1:12 MFH are fascinating, and most builders do different scales. At the moment I still see lots of interesting models being made, Minerva, modelart are just a few examples. I do think the world of handbuilts is changing. Collectors are getting older, and the demand for high end models (artisans) is bigger than ever. an average bbr or looksmart is not as popular as it used to be. And F1... well lets not get started, its not interesting at the moment.. reguations and budgets have killed the competition, so modelwise, the interest is getting less and less.. |
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christian
Austria
443 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2016 : 11:37:18
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1/43 is nearly dead, killed by 1/18
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F1-Wolfgang
Germany
1884 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2016 : 15:47:29
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Not only is 1/43 scale dead, also 1/20 specially MFH F1 kits been history.
1/18 and 1/12 has taken over the market.
Being a collector and builder of high quality F1 models for many years, I keep hoping that this is only a temporary situation.
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swbobsessed
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2016 : 16:02:52
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| Guys can I ask is BBR still currently producing any vintage 1/43 Ferrari or are their available models pretty much left over? Thanks! |
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Cloud 9
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2016 : 17:20:29
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| 1/43 for life....:) |
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43king
Hong Kong
40 Posts |
Posted - 03/03/2016 : 21:57:20
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| IMO.Mfh targeted retirement people.They have more time and affordable for the kit price.1/12 need less craftmanship and more friendly for their eyes.It was the similar reason why factory go for 1/18(easier to assemble).some builder's 1/43 can kill 1/12 or even Amaglam too. |
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dark star
Spain
413 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2016 : 01:21:29
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Luckily, I have still many,many old kits in 1/43 scale to build.
I bought my first models when I was 11 years old in 1959, and they were a wonderful (for me at least ...) Norev made of plastic, in 1/43 scale, of course.
I don't know what is the market policy from the manufacturers that survive today, but they are not going to change my modeller patterns .
I love 1/43 !
jerry |
Edited by - dark star on 03/04/2016 01:23:33 |
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rossocorsa
Portugal
346 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2016 : 03:08:40
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I'm not a collector any more, but as a builder I can say that 1/12 and 1/18 models are very eye catching, and as a kits also, do not forget that most of this kits will never be built, most of them are collected as kits. Some of them never go out of the box.
But only the collector can decide, there are so many old and new kits available to build, and today we can start with a regular kit and made a very high end model, in any scale. If 1/43 is going to die or not, only collectors can decide.
Ricardo |
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Stas
Czech Republic
36 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2016 : 04:21:40
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Unfortunately a lot of people prefer to think bigger = better. And big models also look impressive on the shelf and on digital photos. So it's no surprise that its popularity is growing among collectors.
I am miniaturist by nature and any model bigger than 1/43 just feels too big. The biggest thrill is to look at the beautifully crafted model with "omg it is impossible!" feeling.
1/43 scale may die from the lack of demand and interest from collectors, not because of the marketing strategies of producers. I hope this will not happen for a long long time.
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moriaan
Netherlands
510 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2016 : 08:47:15
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bigger is not allways better.
Its a different kind of model and requires different skills for a builder. I can build a reasonable 1:12, but in 1:43 I simply suck!
to small, to tiny and fiddly for my hands and talent.
There are collectors and there are people that buy a few "big" ones as showpieces, most homes are not suited for a large number of big models. different approach and different way of collecting.
BBR and other companies making series in 1:43 are struggling, thats why they turn to 1:18. The topbuilders will allways have work.
The "artisans" make art, and like painters, the good ones will allways be appreciated, a showcase with 100 bbr's is never as good as a case with a few top pieces.
Its not dying its changing. Longtime collectors will eventually collect art, and man I love my artpieces! |
Edited by - moriaan on 03/04/2016 08:49:16 |
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christian
Austria
443 Posts |
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Carlo
Switzerland
19 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2016 : 00:07:58
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I don’t think that 1:12 are killing smaller scales. The improved technologies, specially coming from Japan, continue to bring great 1:12 models on the market and it makes sense that the well-known builders are very excited to propose these models to collectors. That doesn’t mean that the 1:43 scale is dead. In my opinion a scale cannot kill another one. Each scale has unconditional enthusiasts.
E.g. in the last years, we noticed a huge growth of 1:18 models. This didn’t influence me. Opting for a scale depends on the theme and the emotion you get with your collection. Imagine the time and the space you will need to gather all produced Ferrari cars in 1:12 or 1:18 at home. I collect mostly 1:43 models but nothing prevented me to buy in the past any 1:12/1:14 as “side dishes” because this scale is simply impressive. I never thought to replace my 1:43 with 1:12 or 1:18 models.
Wishing a long life to all scales!
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Dave G
Netherlands
58 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2016 : 07:17:40
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| I am looking for a decent Looksmart 288 Evolution for quite a while now, with no luck unfortunately... Funnily enough Looksmart plans to build a 1/18 version. This does not change my plan, I still want the 1/43 version. I think leading is what your collection is about. |
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daniel
Germany
30 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2016 : 03:54:19
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I think it's not killing 1/43. The hype about 1/12 is there at the moment that is true but if you look closely it's only MFH bringing out 1/12...ok Profil 24 has one available also. I'm active in another modeling forums and it's clear to see people go crazy on 1/12...why ? maybe the size or the fact that there weren't any 1/12 kits available in the past. OK MG Models and others had some but they were really bad compared to MFH. And as long as people go crazy about 1/12 MFH will produce them and make a lot of money. Development of 1/12 and smaller models are nearly the same but they sell for around 3 times more and whitemetal and resin is not that expensive.
Another thing that is important to mention. MFH is not allowed to make any Ferrari subjects in 1/20 24 so it is abvious they had to concentrate on other things.
About the available handbuilds I also think 1/12 are way easier to make money. I personally build mainly superdetailed models in all scales so far (I will not show a link to my models since I don't know if I'm allowed to. I will only post a link if Mike says it's OK).
I must say making a superdetailed kit in 1/12 is by far the easiest and most of the detail parts are easily available...OK painting and polishing takes more in 1/12 ;-)
I think as a modelbuilder the times are amazing at the moment with so many amazing kits available. And that is not bad for the collector either... |
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SAMLAMBO
Singapore
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2016 : 08:14:27
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| I guess nowadays there are many more younger collectors that can't afford to pay so much either and they want more for less money. Also the bigger models look more impressive to them, not to me. Hence the shift from 1/43 to bigger scales. So will these new breed of collectors eventually learn to appreciate 1/43 scales? I hope so. |
Edited by - SAMLAMBO on 03/13/2016 08:16:05 |
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Topic |
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Is 1/12 killing off 1/43?
