Why are plastic models so expensive
Discussion
Stevemr said:
Just looking at the Tamiya 1/35th AFVs, I used to model as a kid, Tiger tank around £30, seems a lot of money, the costs must be in the research and moulds, the cardbox and plastic, must cost pence? The moulds were I assume made a long time ago, so how come so expensive?
Some of the recent stuff they have released is new tooling, and the quality kit manufacturers like Tamiya have finely detailled moulds, which are expensive. Don't forget they have to import them too. People are always willing to pay a premium for quality, so...why not?It gets worse, £150 I have currently in the 1/48 Tamiya Lancaster kit with all of the extra Eduard kits that are available for it and it's sat in my stash waiting to be built.
I also have two 1/12 Fujimi R32 Skyline GTRs that have cost me over £250 each as they are discontinued, quite rare and had to be imported so I was charged Import duty.
But to compare, how much do people generally spend on a night out on the lash...?
I also have two 1/12 Fujimi R32 Skyline GTRs that have cost me over £250 each as they are discontinued, quite rare and had to be imported so I was charged Import duty.
But to compare, how much do people generally spend on a night out on the lash...?
On the whole, I would say kit prices (with certain exceptions) have kept pace with inflation. A basic Airfix Series 1 kit will still be under £10 (usually priced £5.99 to £7.99) which is broadly equivalent to a packet of 20 fags.
The same holds true for Revell kits.
I have always equated Series 1 equivalent kits with a packet of 20 ciggies.
The same holds true for Revell kits.
I have always equated Series 1 equivalent kits with a packet of 20 ciggies.
Just to show the effects of inflation over an (almost) 40 year period.
Back in 1975, as a teen, I splashed out and bought the Tamiya 1/12 Scale Ferrari 312B Formula 1 kit (a lovely model by the way). It cost me about £8.50 back then - which was a lot of money for a school goer.
Tamiya have recently re-released this kit (with some upgrades) and it now retails at around £160.
Back in 1975, as a teen, I splashed out and bought the Tamiya 1/12 Scale Ferrari 312B Formula 1 kit (a lovely model by the way). It cost me about £8.50 back then - which was a lot of money for a school goer.
Tamiya have recently re-released this kit (with some upgrades) and it now retails at around £160.
Eric Mc said:
On the whole, I would say kit prices (with certain exceptions) have kept pace with inflation. A basic Airfix Series 1 kit will still be under £10
I have always equated Series 1 equivalent kits with a packet of 20 ciggies.
I remember as a kid the basic Airfix 1;144 kits of aircraft in a plastic bag they must have been about 2/6 in old money I have always equated Series 1 equivalent kits with a packet of 20 ciggies.
What you say Eric am I about right
Depends on when you were a kid
In the mid 60s, when I made my first ever kits (Series 1 Airfix - what else) the price in Ireland was 2/6 (12 1/2p). In the UK I think they retailed for 2/- (10p) at that time.
When Matchbox launched their Series 1 equivalent range in 1972, they sold for 23p each.
I am sure you are referring to the bagged 1/72 kits. Airfix's 1/144 Skyking airliner range were always boxed and were always a lot more than 2 shillings.
In the mid 60s, when I made my first ever kits (Series 1 Airfix - what else) the price in Ireland was 2/6 (12 1/2p). In the UK I think they retailed for 2/- (10p) at that time.
When Matchbox launched their Series 1 equivalent range in 1972, they sold for 23p each.
I am sure you are referring to the bagged 1/72 kits. Airfix's 1/144 Skyking airliner range were always boxed and were always a lot more than 2 shillings.
Eric Mc said:
Depends on when you were a kid
I am sure you are referring to the bagged 1/72 kits. Airfix's 1/144 Skyking airliner range were always boxed and were always a lot more than 2 shillings.
You could be right on the 1:72 ME 109 , Spitfire , that sort of thing , pretty basic kits but a good place to start I am sure you are referring to the bagged 1/72 kits. Airfix's 1/144 Skyking airliner range were always boxed and were always a lot more than 2 shillings.
yes mid -to late 60's
The money is in the moulds and tooling up for mass production. The moulds themselves cost from 10,000 to 50,000 to produce. Injection moulding machines are on the order of 200,000 pounds.
I used to know someone who worked for matchbox. The mould to make the plastic windshield for the car cost over 20,000 pounds.
Injection moulding is not cheap.
I used to know someone who worked for matchbox. The mould to make the plastic windshield for the car cost over 20,000 pounds.
Injection moulding is not cheap.
Eric Mc said:
Roy Cross was the artist. His paintings were the best of their era.
Although I have to say that the new Airfix artwork by Adam Tooby is pretty much as good.
Hmm not so sure about the new guy , Roy Cross somehow created an atmosphere a little story you had running around in your head as you built them or was that just me Although I have to say that the new Airfix artwork by Adam Tooby is pretty much as good.
That's not what Hornby are saying. They are laying the blame firmly in the direction of China. They state production difficulties with a Chinese supplier and unexpected foreign currency fluctuations.
And none of it appears to have much to do with the Airfix division of the company. It seems it's more connected with the model train area. Last year they also had to write off a lot of unsold stock connected to the London Olympics so some management decisions seems to be coming home to roost.
And none of it appears to have much to do with the Airfix division of the company. It seems it's more connected with the model train area. Last year they also had to write off a lot of unsold stock connected to the London Olympics so some management decisions seems to be coming home to roost.
Lost soul said:
Eric Mc said:
Roy Cross was the artist. His paintings were the best of their era.
Although I have to say that the new Airfix artwork by Adam Tooby is pretty much as good.
Hmm not so sure about the new guy , Roy Cross somehow created an atmosphere a little story you had running around in your head as you built them or was that just me Although I have to say that the new Airfix artwork by Adam Tooby is pretty much as good.
I will agree that I've noticed the price of kits going up, but no doubt for the reasons that have already been mentioned here. As a kid at the height of my pocket money receiving days (ended late 90's I reckon) I was getting £5 a week, which allowed me to get a new kit each weekend. It was mainly the Airfix and Revell kits that I could afford, and there were plenty to choose from. Bigger kits were bought with birthday, Christmas money.
I stopped building kits for around twelve years whilst I was in the RAF, but restarted a year or two ago and I'm finding that those type of kits I was buying as a kid have increased to between £5-£10, whilst nicer (and the stuff I'd generally buy now) like Tamiya kits are £30-£50 for a tank or similar.
I remember Humbrol paint being about 50p a tin, now its creeping up to £2 in most places local to me!
Its just the way it is I guess, inflation, the Chinese market and all.
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