Most Wanted Kits feedback

Got my Jan. issue in the mail yesterday and noticed something lacking in the Most Wanted Kits article. There are no Autos or Sci-fi. Not sure why I didn’t notice this when I took the survey. I don’t normally build autos but have a few in the stash and really want a 1/24th TV Batmobile. I do build Sci-fi though and am pretty sure this category has been available in the past.
So what happened?
I know that most of the articles in the mag are aircraft and armor related. There have been a decent number of ship articles and a few cars. Very little (as in almost none) Sci-fi or figure related (except in a gallery pic). Come on, lets show something for all categories of kits. Please?

I agree to some extent.
But then you have to remember, the most wanted kits are based on what a lot of people expressed an interest in. For example, my interests wouldn’t count for diddly, as I am the only one who pines for a Sikorsky HH52A in 1/48th scale.
FSM is mainly into what a lot of people are building/sending in. Kalmbach has Scale Auto for those interested in Autos, and though there are people interested in SciFi, the numbers just are not up there to warrant a list, (Not to mention the numbers of kits demanded).
So, be happy your in the minority, and keep wishing. . .I do.

Don

Sikorsky HH52A in 1/48th scale. Exactly what I want only in 72nd. Ok, other than know it is a helicopter, I would have to google it to see which one but I know what you mean. There are several aircraft, helicopter, armor, patrol boat, etc kits on my most wanted list.

I know they have a different mag for Autophiles and that Sci Fi gets the black hole treatment but if FSM is presenting their findings to Industry as an example of what a small part of the modeling community wants, to not show the Industry that there is a desire for certain kits just doesn’t cut it. The new FineMolds Falcon gets released tomorrow and there are so many preorders for that it is ridiculous, especially at $190 a pop. The Polar Lights 1/350th Refit Enterprise has been another popular kit as have their 1/1000 kits but PL is gone. How do we convince RC to keep the Star Trek liscense and make some more new kits like the 1/350 original Enterprise or more of the 1/1000 scale kits. Statistics is how which is one of the purposes of this survey. The article did mention that there was a lot of interest in Star Trek kits even though there are no new shows like that was a surprise. Trek has been going for 40 years. The ships from Battlestar Galactica would sell well as would a decent sized model of Serenity from the movie and Firefly TV show. Heck, there are so many fans of this movie/series that any kit of the ship or figures would sell well and many of these have probably never built a model in their lives.

All I am saying in my long winded way is that if they had a list of the top 5 vote getting sci fi pieces, maybe one of the larger manufacturers would say “lets get that license and take a shot”. Then again, maybe not but would be nice to see.

Ok, rant off, I will go quietly back to my bench…

I too want a 1/48 Sea Guard! Let’s start a petition - yeah that will help.

Do I detect sarcasm?[:D]
Seriously, If Tamiya hasn’t done one by now I doubt if they ever will.[:(]
Too Bad, I flew alot of hours facing backwards and watching fully loaded semi’s pass on the highways below. . .going up hill.

Don

Phil,

I have to agree with the majority of your observations. I believe that if FSM were to put even 5% more emphasis on Sci-Fi modeling, the impact on mainstream model companies “could” begin to change. However, based on the trackrecord, even if Kalmbach were to come out with a 100% Sci-Fi modeling magazine, I seriously doubt manufacturer changes would change substantially…at least not very quickly.

I personally have a list of nearly 100 Sci-Fi subjects I would love to see in plastic. Many have been or are available in resin, but I refuse to pay upwards of $100 for an 6" long spaceship. I’ll revert to scratch-building before I pay that kind of money. There are plenty of Sci-Fi subjects (in addition to the one’s mentioned) that I believe would sell extremely well. Are far as I know none of the big B5 Earth Alliance warships or transports were ever produced in plastic…nor were any of the Narn, Centari, or other alien ships. As yet, none of the SG-1 ships (Earth, Gu’ald, or Asgard) are available in anything other than resin. If any or all of these were produced in plastic at a reasonable price (I won’t be buying much of anything at FineMold’s current prices), I would pick up at least one of each.

Here’s hoping the mainstream manufacturers start ramping up some additional SF subjects [fingers crossed].