Quick! List all the kits you want right now!

No, don't... Do this instead:

List five kits that you think need to be done now--but also list three sound reasons WHY ("just because" doesn't count).

Sound business reasons would count the most. Think about the market, its trends and also where there are still gaps.

I'll start with one:

Bergpanther.
1. Its German and German is always popular.
2. Its a recovery vehicle and they also have a broad appeal.
3. Other than the old Italeri kit, it has never been done (properly).

Pat
MMiR

I'll post kit number 2 needed in 1/35 scale (resin, never plastic):

1. AML 60 and/or 90 armored car.

REASONS: 1. Been around over 4 decades and operated by at least 30 countries. 2. The decal possibilities are endless. 3. Local modifications to the vehicles well documented. 4. It's been operated on the African, Asian, Central and South American continent, profusely in the Middle East, Europe, etc., in the quantities listed...

ALGERIA 44, BAHRAIN 48, BENIN 22, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA 12, BURKINA FASO 15, BURUNDI 18, CHAD 50, COTE D'IVOIRE 16, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (Zaire) 60, DJIBUTI 24, EL SALVADOR 10, EQUADOR 27, FRANCE 700, GABON 24, GUINEA 2, IRAQ 10, IRELAND 47, KENYA 72, LEBANON 70, LESOTHO 10, LIBYA 10, MALAWI 13, MALAYSIA 140, MAURITANIA 60, MOROCCO 230, NIGER 125, NIGERIA 180, PORTUGAL 40, RWANDA 12, SAUDI ARABIA 235, SENEGAL 57, SOUTH AFRICA 118, SUDAN 6, TOGO 10, TUNISIA 35, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 50, VENEZUELA 22, YEMEN 185, and ZIMBABWE 20.

TOTALS: 2829 vehicles!

Did I make my case?

French AMX-10P IFV
1.One of first IFV's produced.
2.produced in resin,never in plastic.

Argentine TAM tank.
1.Important South American vehicle.
2.neat subject that has been requested but ignored.

Good question Pat !
I know WWII German stuff will always sell but I'm not going to list any which goes against, "sound business reasons".
#1: A new tooled M113 with motor & interior.
a) lots of variants, a new version could be released say every 2 years provided the foundation is a sound one.
b) Cold war kits seem to be getting hot now.
c) New tooling is needed.

#2 An Abrams M1
a)Start at the beginning with once again, an accurate foundation. Make it so the base kit can be modernized with a new sprue or two.
b) The market is or will be saturated with current Abrams
c) Interiors & motors are always nice !

#3 A M-8 Howitzer
a) A new kit is needed !
b) A foundation for a new Stuart series.
c) I'm hung up with interior details....

#4 A M-41
a) A new kit is needed !
b) (Early) Cold War is warming up.
c) Used by many countries. So a broad international appeal coupled with each counties modifications. Think Dusters also !

#5 The 2.5 ton DUKW
a) A selfish want of mine
b) I'd turn it into a civilian waterpark version much like the Wisconsin Dells version.
c) Many more would build it as designed, WWII.

Also, all wishes in 1/35th scale.
Tom

Here I will make it quick and very simple!!!


A NEWA NEW M-113!


I'm talking to you AFV club, Trumpeter, Hobbyboss, Meng, Tiger Models, Bronco, Riich

And it doesn't have to be every variant to start, just give us a nice platform to runwith and we'll be good! put bold text here

Reasons why:
1. There hasn't been a new mold created in well over 20 years. Tamiyas is still from the 70s. Academy has added sprues and gone as so far to upgrade it to an A3, but again the molds are old and dated. Vision blocks are still one solid piece
2. It was by far the most popular and most used APC among NATO and other countries around the world.
3. Its not a hard mold to produce, its a rather boxy vehicle that doesn't have a lot of intricate details on the outside

The kit:

A 1/35th scale plastic Austin K2/Y ambulance with full interior, reasons:

1) I don't think it's ever been done in plastic at that scale before, i can only recall the old Airfix 1/76th one that formed part of the RAF Emergencyset.

2) It was used by British, Commonwealth and US forces, and by all arms, i.e. Army, Airforce and Navy, at least by the British, so could have wide appeal, potential and interesting colour/marking schemes.

3) It could also lend itself to civilian options and post WW2 options, e.g. Korea.

Happy modelling.

G

1941 Ford staff car in 1/35th scale

- So far only done in 1/48th and 1/25th (sort of)
- Many command level limos now being done but no bread and butter staff car.
- Tamiya already has the digital tooling files for the 1/48th kit just scale it up and roll!

Ok, I'll bite.

I second the request for the M8 HMC.
1. With new molding technology, the kit deserves an update.
2. It was widely used and provides potential for many marking options.
3. Tracks, suspension, other parts would be interchangeable with the M3/M5 tank series.

I will add the need for a new M3 light tank, which would have the same three reasons as listed above. Add that it was used by the Soviets, captured by the Japanese and Germans, and it becomes the most widely used tank in WWII.

M18 Hellcat.

1. Wide usage in WWII on both US fronts, plus use by allies.
2. Old kits lack detail and aren't holding up. Mine was covered in sink marks and flash.
3. A new release would be popular and is always included on wish lists.

M10 tank destroyer.

1. Again, wide use through WWII and after, many variants possible.
2. Several companies are halfway there with the hull and suspension.
3. Those kits available currently sell, showing it is a viable product. Considering how many Tigers are coming out every year, I think a quality product that treats the subject well will be successful.

The biggest complaint I see from other modelers and have myself with WWII allied subjects is the lack of attention and detail from the manufacturers. Tamiya took the time to make a very nice M4A3E8, and it paid off very well for Tamiya and modelers.

A 1/35 FV432 series.
- Cold War a popular subject at the moment.
- Never been done in plastic.
- A solid work horse in the British Army that would lend itself well to lots of diorama possibilities.

1/35 FV102 Striker AT vehicle.
- Same reasons as above.
- Neat looking little vehicle which would make a very attractive subject.
- AFV Club already produce a Scorpion and Scimitar, so the existing chassis parts molds could be used by them to cut costs.
- Possibility of expanding rage to include a Samaritan ambulance.

1/35 Bedford MWD.
- Allied softskins becoming popular subjects.
- Airfix already possess CAD files for a 1/48. Could be scaled up with work and a little investment.
- Never produced in plastic at larger scale (although I do hear there was once a vac kit).

1/35 WW1 Old Bill Bus.

- WW1 a hugely popular subject but still lacking softskin kits.
- Airfix's pre-historic offering needs to be desperately replaced.
- Would be a fantastic diorama piece.

Really struggling to think of a fifth!

FV432 Series- starting with the basic carrier platform;

1) A signifcancomponent of BOAR and UK forces in general
2) Perfect compliment for the current(and future planned) Chieftains
3)Always appears on general wishlists and the apparent success of the Chieftains so far would seem to suggest a market( I'm assuming alot here I know)

AML60/90 Series in 1/35 -
1) For all the reasons previuosly mentioned-and the fact I don't want to spend 80squids on a resin version thanks very much.
2) I beleive the AML 90 was also used by the IDF for a short time so it would appeal to all the IDF heads out there (including me)

Rhodesian Leopard MRV
1) it was the (great)grandaddy of all of the MRAPs around today and would thus close a real and obviuos gap in the liniage
2) the mutitude of such models already available suggests a real market
3) It would also go some way to addressing asignifcant gapin the historical coverage of post-colonial African conflicts

Iknow, broken record, but. 1. M37 3/4ton a.been on want lists for years b. used for a long period in many variants. c. promised, but never been delivered. 2. D7E/ D7 and 9 Rome Plows a. unique vehicles, at least 3 possible variants, winch, ripper, and rome plow. 2. growing interest in engineer equipment. c. good potential diorama focus. Wayne

M37 has been announced by Roden in 1/35.

Cheers,

Christophe

OK I'll bite.

GT-SM tracked cargo carrier in 1/35 plastic.



1- It's Eastern Block stuff currently popular amongst modelers.
2- it's cute.
3. I love it!

Panzer 61/68 in 1/35 plastic



1- It's Swiss, the people that brought you cuckoo clocks, switch watches and cheese fondue!
2- Important in the history of tank development.
3- Great looking beast.

Unimog 404 in 1/35 plastic.



1- Good looking, important truck historically
2- Used by many countries and in many conflicts
3- Can be modeled as gun truck or specialist truck, many possibilities.

FV432 and AMX-13 variants would have been on my list but I think they'll be out in plastic soon enough...

Cheers,

Christophe

There's already a 253, do you really mean a Sd.Kfz. 252 leichte Gepanzerte Munitionskraftwagen (pardon my German ) ?

Cheers,

Christophe

Ram Mk II

1) Never kitted in styrene in 1/35
2) Over 2000 built with many serving as specialist vehicles so many variants possible
3) If there is an accurate lower hull available from an M3 Lee or M4/M4A1 Sherman, the lower half of the kit already exists


Daimler Armoured Car

1) Never kitted in styrene in 1/35
2) Saw widespread service in WW II and after


M53 155mm GMC

1) Has not been kitted sine the Renwal kit of the 50s in 1/32.
2) Can use parts from M47
3) Easy cross kit to M55 8" HMC variant.

I struggle to think of five, but here are a couple:

Challenger 1

1. It's a modern MBT, and they sell
2. The Tamiya kit has a lot of accuracy issues
3. 25th anniversary of the Gulf War

T-72/T-72A

as per Challenger 1...

M551 Sheridan

1. Very cool light tank design
2. Served in Vietnam, Europe, Panama, Gulf
3. Tamiya and Academy kits are woeful

All right, I'll bite as well:

* USMC M1161 "Growler" ITV-LSV(3) 4-Door.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dagm4/18176507440/in/photostream
- It's the only remaining modern USMC MEU(SOC) vehicle in use that has NOT been made into a kit yet. (We have 1/35 LAVs, M1A1s, MTVRs, AAVs, HMMWVs, M-ATVs, etc. Where's the USMC ITV?)
- There are new modern 1/35 2015 Marine figures now (Assault Models) so the figures have caught up in time.
- It is kind of the replacement to the M151 Jeep and Mercedes G ITV. So if any vendor wants to continue the tradition of the M151 4X4, make the M1161.
- It can double as a mortar tower, troop transport, LSV, litter carrier, and fire support vehicle...multiple kit purposes (and fits in the V-22).

* USSOCOM General Dynamics Flyer 60 or 72 ITV
http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/general-dynamics-ordnance-and-tactical-systems-flyer-wins-ussocom-itv-contract
- US Spec Ops ITV. Imagine, any US SOF diorama for the next decade or more will use the Flyer 60 or 72 ITV. So making a kit of this will dominate the 1/35 US SOF vehicle market for a long time.
- Modelers want FAVs. Forget the out-of-service 1/35 Chenowth SEAL DPV...didn't happen. Make the newest USSOCOM vehicle...make THIS instead.
- There are quite a lot of modern 1/35 US SOF figures on the market today, but hardly any USSOCOM 1/35 vehicles. So if one has 1/35 SOF figures, one might want to buy this also.
- Can act as a litter carrier, LSV, fire-support vehicle, troop transport, etc., meaning many functions from one vehicle.

*1/35 Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (with troops)

- Besides the HobbyFan one, this is really quite easy to make.
- The CRRC hardly goes out of date. A modern CRRC kit can last for ages with resin aftermarket providing the needed upgrades over time.
- Can produce updated Frogmen figures.
- Almost any SOF or Maritime intervention uses CRRC. Imagine the possibility of figures! Can use NATO, Coast Guard, SOF, SEALs, Park Rangers, civilians, etc. to fit in this CRRC.
- Don't make it with a water base like HobbyFan's. Make it "dry" out of the water, or have an option of one in the water and one out of the water.

I've more suggestions that I might add to this post later.

I'd be happy with an M88A2 in styrene and the CUCV and CUCV Blazer in styrene. Also maybe a 1/35 Chevy Suburban (in styrene of course).

Will also like to see M113 series and a Lynx C&R in plastic,and a 56 deuce .

Mike

1. Saladin
- exported all over the world
- The chassis was the basis for about 5 differant vehicles.
- Dragon's kit sucks, with a 70s level of detail for £50

2. M113
- Kind of the same reasons as the Saladin: the APC has been all over the world's militaries in the last 40 years, in 100 variants.

3. Maus
- Actually got a prototype built unlike some other paper Panzers.
- The sheer size would guarantee the finish model would look great.
- Only plastic kit avalible is the 20 years old Dragon kit which is not up to modern standards.

4.Stug III Ausf A-E
- Most parts for the Ausf G could be re-used for the early series.
- Was the primary assault gun of the blitzkrieg.
- Michael Wittman commandeered one during Barbarossa.

5. FCM-36
- Very first tank to make heavy use of sloping armour
- Looks incredibly futuristic for the late 1930s.
- Germany used a number after the Fall of France.




The T-72 is already well represent by the Trumpeter kit since 2013. Tamiya isn't the only option anymore.

So far Trumpeter has only released T-72B variants, no T-72 or T-72As, though it's probably a matter of time...

So it's 25 years since Desert Storm and all the kits for it are just as ancient. So all new 1/35 scale versions of the Desert Storm era vehicles:

Challenger mark I
M1/ M1 IP/ M1A1
T-69 Iraqi
M113A2
M2 / M3 plain Jane Bradley
M551 Sheridan
IFV Warrior

A real simple one Dragon to add the cupola, machine gun mount and gun tube to make their M48A3 mod B into an M48A5. And if they want all the goodies to make the various NATO and Korean versions too while they're at it. Mostly side skirts and grenade launchers and a couple of other do-hickies. It wouldn't be much new tooling at all. Put the low profile cupola on its own little sprue so they have one for any Israeli M48 or M60's they do.