I could swear that I read somewhere around here, since the time I joined the forums back in December, a reference to a 1/48-scale Mitsubishi Nell kit. All I can remember was that I believe someone saw them at a show, but I don’t recall if anyone had actually been able to buy it. Is my memory even close to being correct? And if so who makes (or will make) it, and is it available yet?!?!
Sanger and Koster Aero Enterprises each make one in 1/48. I believe they are both vacuform kits. Hasegawa makes one in 1/72.
Here is a review of the Koster kit.
Diid Nichimo make a 1/48th Nell, or Bandia.
The one I’m thinking of was along the lines of a ‘long-anticipated, much-needed new state-of-=the-art release’ kind of deal. It was either expected out soon or maybe just released, and I’m prety sure the thread didn’t go any farther back than last summer. For some reason, the following scenario sticks in my mind:
The ‘designer’ of the kit was standing at a table at a show (Nationals? I don’t know) with a handful of these new kits - maybe 6 or so - and had a completed example on the table in front of him. The person making the post either got there in time to buy the last kit, or got there after the last kit was sold. It was definitely the ‘premiere’ of the kit.
I refuse to stand by the accuracy of the above scenario - but that’s what I have engrained in my head as what was described in the thread.
Nichimo made a 1/48 Nick, but no Nell.
Regards, Rick
Sounds like the Bill Koster scenario. He was there to introduce the Nell and I believe he sold out all the stock he had with him.
That’s probably it, then - thanks, Swanny!
Was that you who reported that? Maybe I read it on your website, then.
Unless vacuform kits have changed significantly over the past 15 years, I’ll have to wait quite some time before I even think about tackling that one. [sigh]
I’ve built a few vac kits over the last couple years and have to say the Koster kits are a real pleasure to build. It’s not like a Sanger, Combat or ID kit. The are much better than any of the old MPM vac kits also. The parts actually are right, fit together well with well defined and consistent engraved panel lines and Bill’s kits include resin and PE details as well as decals. Remember, Bill did a lot of masters work for Monogram and really knows how to engineer a kit.