What would you pay for Ken's X-15 professionally printed?

[dansls1]

Originally Posted by Retired_for_now

Sticker shock on the comparos - working the current Race (Back) to the Moon and found reference to a $55 Lunar Prospector resin model. Works up to one page and 23 parts in card so far and you don't have to paint it.

So, my point (and I DO have one) is you can price at a quarter to half of plastic and still be a great value - but, how do you pull in that new audience to try it?

Yogi

Well, like anything it takes exposure. Major exposure of paper models in either brick and mortar hobby stores (which may not even do it since they are going by the wayside), or a big deal with one of the book stores - including brick and mortar store displays with models. Ultimately Mark Crowel has it right in that you need to start with the kids too.

[Retired_for_now]

Agree Dan - and the more things you can get into the hands of your local school system (watch out - preachin' agin') the better. Demand here for anything space or recent aviation as well as demonstration gear like the stomp rocket and straw rocket launchers - but the teachers are also very busy so you have to raise the issue yourself (and have a "gift" in hand as an example).

$10 and your time can put a rocket launcher (and some paper model "projectiles") in the kids' hands.

Yogi

[kenlwest]

I just found this thread and I will throw in my 2 cents. (please remember that I speak from the perspective of the US market)

First, thanks again for all the kind comments on the X-15.

As far as paper vs plastic; here are my thoughts... I went to a plastic model shop last Sunday with a friend of mine. I haven't been there for several months. The prices have sky-rocketed out of control! IMHO, there are 2 primary reasons for this:

1. The falling dollar against other currencies (of kit producing countries), and

2. The price of oil-based plastic resin.

I see this scenario getting much worse in the future. There is a reason that paper model designing and building started and developed to perfection outside of the US. Plastic models were cheap, produced and available here in the US. But I believe that in the future, paper modeling could easily become a popular venue vs plastic. There are 2 elements that seem to be lacking (at least in the US) that is holding back the growth of the paper model market. First, the market itself... I remember as a kid, EVERYONE had a collection of models; mostly built and painted. Today, it's XBOX, computers etc... There are exceptions, but for the most part, it's not models they are into. Secondly, our hobby lacks effective marketing. 3 years ago, I never heard of card models; and I had built plastic models for over 40 years!

As the global economy continues to take its toll, we may find that card modeling becomes a popular hobby simply due to affordability - it just needs some effective marketing and sales channeling. Some time ago, someone mentioned IPMS and Fine Scale Modeling magazine as a way to get the ball rolling. EXCELLENT idea! When beef gets too expensive, people buy pork! The best way to get plastic modelers to consider card models is to set up camp in their own back yard.

Ken

[cgutzmer]

So Ken, what would you say is a fair price?

I agree that now is the time to get the marketing out there for card modeling, hence this idea!
Chris

[kenlwest]

Chris,

If I saw this particular kit in a hobby shop, with a professional package that illustrates the product well, I could see it go for $19.00 to $23.00. Just guessing... But compared to a plastic counterpart, that would be a bargain.

The reason I think packaging is so important, is because the terms "card" or "paper", gives the uninitiated potential customer the idea that somehow paper is substandard to plastic. BUT, to market these effectively, the advantages of paper need to be pointed out. No painting, pre-weathered graphics, lightweight (therefore not as delicate), relative low cost, challenging, rewarding.... etc. All these attributes must be pointed out on the packaging.

Ken

[cgutzmer]

yeah - I am not to that point yet hopefully sometime soon!

[shawnr5]

The consumer of plastic models these days demands more detail and better fit than in the past. This means several more sprues in each kit. The tooling for these sprues adds greatly to the cost. This cost still has to be recovered.

As for the benefits of paper models, listing them on the packaging will be of little use unless the consumer can actually see a finished piece. The common perception of paper seems to be that it is flat and white. Even if viewing sheets of parts, many people lack the ability to visualize a completed 3-dimensional object.

To attract the uninitiated, paper models would have to be cheap enough to be purchased on a whim, not just cheap in comparison to the equivalent in plastic. The 'papering' of America would require a long term plan and concerted effort from several designers. Start people out cheap and relatively easy. Maybe even publish a few kits in Fine Scale Modeler and other similar magazines. Start with diorama accessories and get increasingly more detailed and difficult.

All that said, I would love to see paper models more widely available and would pay $10-$15 for the X-15.

[B-Manic]

It is not a subject that interests me but, given the level of detail and evident quality of this kit I believe somewhere in the $10-15 range is not unreasonable.

[buffalowings]

then again, 15-25 bucks could get you a plastic model kit, few people actually buy plastic models and even fewer would buy a paper model kit

[shawnr5]

15-25 bucks wouldn't get you a good kit. It will barely buy Monogram/Revell's old tooling anymore. For a Hasegawa, Tamiya, Trumpeter or any other new detailed kit, it would be $40-$50+.