Another eason to enjoy paper modelling

[MichaelS]

Over in the world of plasteak there is turmoil because some big kit maker has gone into bankruptcy. Over here we all just go placidly along enjoying "the hobby with no worries". Thanks to Nobi, Airdave, Murph, Bruno, Gerry, Brent, John Dell, Roman V and sooo many others we all have plenty to build as long as there are trees.

[airdave]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

...as long as there are trees.

Bumper sticker anyone?

[Butelczynski]

"Plenty" is an understatement of the day imho. Just in free,digital format models I have about 5 years worth of modeling and I do only some airplanes. Add to that model I paid for and I'm busy for next 10 years. Mind you I'm a rather slow pace modeler.

Btw,I think there is already a synthetic paper around,just not nearly good enough for use in paper models. Give it some time and it will be.

[KCinKC46]

MichaelS, which plastic kit company is bankrupt?

[MichaelS]

Ask Ms.Google for details. It seems to be quite complicated with multiple international companies involved.

[airdave]

Changing attitudes towards hobbies in general and the high costs of production have greatly affected the plastic model industry.

There are a couple of plastic companies that have been on the outs for years now.
Their demise has been a slow process.
No recent surprises there.

Mobius models just got sold...but thats a good thing.
The guy that owns it isn't able to keep up with the demands,
so it has been passed on to another company that can help it grow more.

Revell is going strong despite a decline in plastic kits sales and an increase in production costs.
They are focused more on promotional collaborations and simpler snap-fit kits.

Hobbico went belly up...but they had transitioned almost exclusively to RC products.
They had bought up a few plastic companies over the years, but nothing of any great significance I don't think.

So, although I agree with you Michael, I'm not sure there is any great shakeup in the plastic world at the moment.

[MichaelS]

All I know is this. Amazon has a 1/32 P-51D for $323.00 Airdave has them for $8.00. Not to mention all the paint, filler, airbrushes, extra decals, resin cockpits and not to forget the 20X magnifiers so you can count all the ribbits!

[airdave]

I tend not to compare paper to plastic in that way.
Plastic models are much simpler in their construction, but a molded construction allows for much more 3D surface detail
and a higher level of physical scale realism.

A comparable paper model can still cost you plenty if its a kit with high page count, using additional supplies, adding laser cut parts, vacuform and plastic details, etc

Lets face it, you can make a pretty realistic looking 3D model out of any plastic kit
once you figure out a few prep and painting techniques.
Paper kits will never have that level of realism, without using all the same building and finishing techniques (as with plastic kits).
Thats why I say, if you are going to putty, prime, paint and weather your models,
then choosing a plastic kit as your base is a justifiable and respectable option.
And the advantages of being already 3D molded are many.

I think it comes down to whether you want to completely "build" your model (ie paper)
or just assemble and finish a model (ie plastic).
Plastic kits are already built for you and just need to be assembled...part of the higher price.
(The rest is the costs of plastic and production).

[whulsey]

The rub is Hobbico owned Revell and Revell of Germany and GP distributors. A Germany company has bought Revell and RoG pending court approval. Been a real blow-up on the model car boards.

Here's a link to the Model Cars Magazine board thread if you have an hour or 2 to waste: Hobbico - BANKRUPT! - General - Model Cars Magazine Forum

I'm still waiting to get my hands on one of the RoG Porsche Junior tractors kits.

[airdave]

But Hobbico has been treading water for a very long time.
The actual filing for bankruptcy is something that has been coming for years and really just a formality.
To make it seem like this is a sudden death, is misleading.
Or have all these guys not paid any attention until now?

The failure of Hobbico is about the failure of their retail Hobby Stores chain
and their failure in the RC market.

Yes, Hobbico did own Revell.
Revell US has been closed.
But Revell US has been facing an evolving hobby market for a long time
All projects have been moved over to Revell Germany which is thriving.

The three smaller companies that Hobbico had bought were kept out of the bankruptcy
until the very end...I think to organize their sale and maybe because they didn't deserve to go down with the ship?.

I don't see this as anything bad for Revell.
In fact, it could help the company stay alive much longer.
On their own, they would have failed a long time ago.

And plenty of other plastic companies are doing well.
Mobius is a great example of that.

Obviously rumors don't help us understand what is really happening.
I get a little tired of all the misinformation on all these boards,
and people talking about Revell and other Plastic companies suddenly going bankrupt.
I had a Model dealer announce this to me only a few days ago. lol
These guys seem to pass around the "facts" like a game of Telephone.