Years ago in my college days, some of the brain-cells that managed to survive tell a tale of advertising targets, and how consumers can be grouped into various categories. One category firmly jumps out today: The Early Adapters. This group can’t wait to pounce on the latest and greatest (Phones, TVs, computers, etc.) regardless of cost/need. In today’s example it’s Tamiya’s new 1/48 F-4B Phantom.
Do I need it? No.
Should I get it? Probably not
Did I buy it anyway? Of course
Do I already have a shelf full of ZM and Academy Phantoms? Ph-u-ch yeah.
Could I really afford it? Sure!..For what I told my wife I spent for it…
And judging by the stashes I’ve seen posted on this site I am not alone in this. Is it FOMO, is it poor impulse control, is it just wanting to have the latest/greatest? Tell me!
Your post is right on time. Not 5 minutes ago I got off the phone with one of the club members asking if I wanted one of these. Of course I said yes. I also have the ZM Phantom but the new kit temptation was to much to overcome.
A friend got one weeks ago with his Tamiya connections. He said the kit is pure heaven. Even better than the Tomcats. I have the 1/32 Tamiya Corsair coming soon. That’s been called the greatest achievement in plastic molding. I’m certainly looking forward to building the Phantom.
I’m going through the same thing with the new Tamiya model of the Marder 1 kit. I already have built model of gosh I can’t remeber who did it, ICM, Alan?, and I got a Panda kit of one a few years ago. Ugly vehicles, but the Tamiya box art is very appealing. I’m a sucker for that. That’s what got me to do their Elephant, and already did 2 Dragons (with and without zimmerit), and a couple of Italeri kits, a long time ago. Oh well, that is a common plastic modelers problem. I’m still thinking about the Tamiya new KV 1 vs my Trumpter KV 1 kits.
I’m not even done with my ZM Phantom, have the Revellogram “Pharewell” 1/32 version from a HobbyLobby sale in 2015 unopened on the shelf, and I have my eye on one too.
You are not alone.
My name is OldREtiredEngineer. I also am a compulsive F-4 kit buyer/builder. Despite having a bunch of unbuilt 1:48 Phantom kits (Hasegawa – FGR.1, RF-4E Revell – FGR2, Academy- B and C, ZM – J, E, EJ Kai Special) and recently completing two ZMs – 366TFW D and -114 J, I popped for the new Tamiya kit as soon as Sprue Brothers showed it for pre-order. It should arrive this afternoon. It’s a stormy day in St Louis, I’m up to date with chores, so I plan on a quiet unboxing. The Tamiya may jump to first in line after I complete my Kitty Hawk F-101B.
So don’t feel bad. Don’t think of it as “buying another Phantom kit” think of “upgrading your readily available models to reflect contemporary advances in design and technology”. There are others out here with the same malady. One solution is to build your way out of the Phantom stash. I should live so long.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I’m also waiting on the soon to be released ZM F-4EJ Kai which I prepurchased.
Repeat after me: “Another Phantom kit doesn’t actually do any harm”.
Feel Better?
From an old Phantom Phixer, I have the Revell offerings in 1/32 of the RF4C, E and G, Tamiya 1/32 C/D, several in 1/48. Haven’t fallen prey to the new Tamiya or the ZM’s yet. Most likely just a matter of time.
Just got notified mine’s on the way.
I see myself getting rid of a bunch of my Hasegawa and Academy kits now that Tamiya and ZM have jumped into this fray.
Sounds like they’re going fast. Literally fying out the door!
Get 'em while you can, folks. (I have learned to not procrastinate on matters such as this.) Mine was shipped yesterday, and no, I’m not gonna tell her what it cost!
Would I like one of the new Tamiya F-4Bs? Certainly. Will I pay the retail price or anywhere to close to that for one? Hell no! I don’t care how nice of a kit that it is. If I happen to find a good deal on one, and have the spare change at that time, I’ll jump. But it’s no “must have” for me.
Dora: “Have YOU bought the latest keet of sometheeng, because it is supposed to be the best one ever, but you already have a closet full of older ones?”
Mine showed up a couple of hours ago, and I’m glad I got one. I have sold off or given away most of my kits, and just have ones that I want to build. I also have been selling most of my armies, and investing the money in Tamiya kits that I want.