Why do similar kits vary in prices? For instance, Tamyia’s Navy 1:32 F-4J is $30 cheaper than thier 1:32 Marine Corps F-4J. I have also noticed similar price gaps in Hasegawa F-16s, F-14s, F-18s, and EA-6B kits.
i always just buy the cheaper kit[:D]
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to that question. Sometimes it is a totally different kit, even though it is the same subject. Sometimes it is a re-release that they think is more costly to produce or maybe includes some extras like PE or resin detail parts. Sometimes there is no logical explanation other than the company wants to make more money. [alien]
I don’t know about the specific kits that you are refering to but often the price difference is a reflection of the age of the kit. If a kit has been out for a long period of time it is usually no longer state of the art and therefore less desirable to builders. Therefore the manufacturer who has hopefully already recovered all his costs for production is willing to sell it at a cheaper rate than the new kits (or rather, charges more for the newer kits and leaves the older kit at the same price). Often, instead of producing the exact same kit in a newer mold the manufacturer will will do a slightly different variant (the F4 marine vs. the F4 Navy for example) so that they can continue to market the older version.
Not sure of the difference in the Tamiya kits, but as an example, Hasegawa tooled the 1/48 F-4 twice. The original release had raised panel lines & was missing some detail. The re-tooled kit has recessed panel lines, a superior canopy & a little better detail. The cheaper kit is the old tool, the more expensive is the newer & more desireable kit. The same is true for several other Hasegawa offerings. They have two 1/72 F-14 kits that are completely different toolings at considerable higher price for the newer tool. At least they do update some of their more popular offerings when the old tools become obsolete.
Regards, Rick
That’s a good question. At my local hobby shop, there are close to 20 different Hasegawa Bf 109 kits and something like 10 different prices. Example: the K-4 in “JG-53” markings is more expensive than the K-4 “Red Tulip.” Same plane, box,etc. Only difference is the decals and that extra little page of b/w instructions for application of paint and said decals. i always just chalked it up to supply and demand. I think the only K-4 boxed as “JG-53” that I’ve seen was in his shop, (And I think he knows that.) hence the higher price. I saw a Hasegawa Bf 109T going for 32.95 at a differnt shop! But, you know what, that’s the only kitted “T” by Hasegawa I’ve seen. Personally, I never like to spend more than $12 for a Hasegawa 109, and that’s where the swap meets come in. [;)]
A lot of the prices outside of Japan are dependent on a variety of factors(shipping, wholesaler prices, markup, etc).
FYI, All japanese kits got the Japanese Yen price marked on their boxes(some kind of law methinks), the kit cannot be sold over that price unless under special conditions but are quiet often sold 10~20% lower in japan.
Now the same cannot be said for the same kit being sold overseas where nobody controls the retail prices of those kits and thus prices will vary greatly between releases and shops…
I recently bought 2 RAF Phantom FGR 2 kits in 1/48
One was by Tamiya at around 30 pounds (sorry,the pound sign on my keyboards broke) & the other a Revell at 22.99.
Both kits,bar metal undercarraige in the Tamiya & slightly different squadron on the decals) are identical!!
So it just shows that as a lot of makers are “shareing” moulds,the cheaper option can be the best.
Merv
Add to the mix, regarding kit price variations, the effect of the currency exchgange and customs duties. At any given moment the exchange rates for the Yen (Chinese, Japanese, or Korean), the Euro, the Pound Sterling, and the US or Canadian dollar, can fluctuate widely.
In the case of the F-4J, the Marine aircraft has more items, in the form of air to ground ordinance. The Navy F-4J had only air to air missiles ( and the wrong AIM-9’s at that ). You are paying more for the Marine Phantom because there are more parts supplied with the kit.
This puzzles me, too. Hasegawa is a great example. Their 1/72 WWII fighters vary from under $10 to near $20. All for similar versions of the same kit. At a local hobby shop, I recently picked up an F4U Corsair for $7.50. Right next to it were other Hasegawa F4U Corsairs going for twice the price-check Squadron or GreatModels’ websites. Since I’m using aftermarket decals, I just went for the cheap one. I could understand different parts, special decals, etc, but for run-of-the-mill kits, why the variance?
What amazed me the most , dealing with price differences , are those of 1/48 Hasegawa F16 and F18. It is not due to the size difference; can someone tell me if the F18 has SO many more details and extra parts than their F16 ?