A 1/35 pre-assembled Elefant. Man I hope they don’t start expending valuable resources in this stuff. (grumble, grumble) http://www.dragonmodelsusa.com/dmlusa/prodd.asp?pid=DRR61004
It’s not the hobby they are interested in. It’s “Always” the money. Whatever it takes.
well, yeh, they’re a business aren’t they?
I can’t wait until this stuff starts appearing at contests, along with the prepainted figures and buildings…[V]
It shoud not be allowed in contests
Good point.
I’ve seen the samples of finished Tamiya kits and IMHO while those are well-done, those are not necessarily show winners out of the box. I guess if somebody wishes to use them for contests, the greatest advantage they bring would be on the time saved due to the fact that no major assembly and basic painting are necessary. Still an unfair advantage.
In all seriousness, why even call it a model if its pre built and pre painted? I mean, think about it, its a complete lie. If its already finished its a toy not a model. I dont know about you guys, but the whole point of modelling and painting, not simply opening the box.
[#ditto]-- hit the nail on the head my friend!!!— tread[:(!]
It’s a model because it’s a replica of a real object… what you’re saying is that it shouldn’t be called a model because it’s already finished, well then my friend get rid of all your “toys” (completed builds) and put the boxes of “models” (kits still on sprues) on your shelves! Dragon sucks, always will… money hungy punks… yeah it’s business, but man… I dunno I get bad vibes from them!
Huh? Why all the ruckus? This is the same noise that went behind all the fuss with the Tamiya 1/48 line.
Guys, these businesses are looking to sell and market whatever can get them market share or create new niches.
How many of you cried foul when Tamiya released the 1/16 Tiger I? Hunh?
It was a “diversion of resources” right? Not in the gold standard of 1/35 scale, right? How about Tamiya’s aircraft lines? Or their auto/motorcycle stuff? Their new releases in RC? Trumpeter’s emerging dominance in 1/32 aircraft aand 1/350 ships?
How about DML’s diversion into “battle barbies”? We take it for granted that the profits from these help spur their “renaissance” in 1/35 armor.
Do the pre-built, pre-painted models bother us so much because they approximate our 1/35 models? Then don’t buy them – they aren’t marketed at us anyways. It’s for the guy who WANTS a better looking thing on his shelf beyond a Minichamps or 21st Century diecast clunker. I figure DML is aiming at that niche (and I suspect will make a killing).
DML, with good vibes or bad, is delivering BIG TIME. Some stuff I like and get, others I pass up. It’s still only a hobby to me![:)]
Do the pre-built, pre-painted models bother us so much because they approximate our 1/35 models?
This isn’t really my point. I just wonder where we draw the line today? If someone buys this stuff, modifies and/or weathers it, then enters it in a contest, what rules are in place to prevent them from doing this? Now I’m not going to loose any sleep over this, I’m quite secure in my contest-winning modeling skills, but what about some kid who is just starting out and he sees someone plunk down a prefab diorama, what are they going to think? Let’s face it, these prefabs are better looking than a lot of folk’s homemade stuff. Once a whole line-up of these become available, I’m not going to place any bets that the judges, (at least in my local IPMS chapter), are going to be able to differentiate between prefab or kit-built, especially if they have been modified in any way. I have enough problems with the judges not being knowledgeable about my own builds, especially if it is anything outside the norm.
These prefabs surely aren’t going to Nationals, but they are going to burn some neophytes along the way. I can see it coming. It will happen.
I don’t have a problem with it if they enter in a prebuilt catagory. IPMS needs to create a catagory or class for prebuilt models. The part that would disturb me is someone entering a prebuilt kit as one they built and finished themselves. That would be a form of plagerism. Greg
I don’t have a problem with it if they enter in a prebuilt catagory. IPMS needs to create a catagory or class for prebuilt models. The part that would disturb me is someone entering a prebuilt kit as one they built and finished themselves. That would be a form of plagerism. Greg
Can’t blame them. Beside, Tamiya has gone really slow on pumping out new models lately and I believe their business strategy has gone out of course.
It wont surprises me of they are being taken over by someone one of these days if they dont do something fast.
Ben
Dragon has been producing pre-built, pre-painted models for quite some time. Their initial 1/72 scale kits were originally unassembled 1/72 scale pre-builts packaged as kits.
I don’t see IPMS/USA going with a pre-built category, from rule I.1 "All entries except chapter/group entries must be the sole work of the individual whose name is on the entry blank. Commercially built and/or commercially finished models that do not require significant additional work by the modeler will be ineligible."
My club has a similar rule.
Now, if the pre-built is stripped, modified and repainted, you are in another situation.
While I haven’t seen this in person, I have seen some of the pre-built cars. They often have that very common mold line down the fenders and on the A and C columns. The presencesof that line alone would, in most cases, put a model out of the running. Removal of the line would require very careful repainting and re-decalling in some cases.
I’d be interested in taking a close up look at that elephant to see what would have to be corrected to make it competitive. One thing that comes quickly to mind that would put it behind Dragons kits is that the pistol port towards the back seems to be molded closed.Most Elephants I’ve judged in the last couple years have had that open with the cover hanging on a chain. That added detail would, all other things being equal, put the kit ahead of the pre-built in competition.
Checking the link more closely, it indicates this is made of “die cast and plastic.” If I’m judging this and have to pull it to the front of the table I will immediately know it isn’t plastic freom the heft. It would then go directly to the back of the table and not be judged.
At most contest that I’ve been at all the judges won’teven look at die cast model and the pre built models are for more of the collector who does not have the time to build.
Capitalism at its finest…if it keeps DML financially sound enough for them to generate a revenue stream to fund new kit development efforts then I’m perfectly fine with this approach. If someone gets it as a “shortcut” vs. building it themselves that’s fine too because the end result is a happy consumer who put more money in DML’s pocket just like I do when I buy their unbuilt stuff and let it sit for a few months before I actually get around to building it. [;)]
On the contest note, it’s a sad commentary on an individual if they feel they have to take this route in order to “win” but I don’t think it’s all that common from what I’ve heard/read, but can’t really say. I agree that a lot of work would probably have to be done on it for it to be truly “contest worthy” and not be picked out by judges as a pre-fab.
I think the person who will buy prebuilt model is not the same person who will bring a model to a contest. Why participate in a contest with something you didn’t build. I mean peoples do not participate in contests to win prizes, right? It is for the recognition of others I presume.
This kind of prebuilt models is made for some collectors who are interested in having such models but doesn’t have the talent or the willing to make it themselves. I don’t think it will show up at contests.
It’s been done. Both with folks trying to pass off factory pre-built models as their own work and with master modeler-built kits. Just to win some $5 plaque.