In my conversations with Masterbox Ltd. at the Nuremberg Trade Fair. The subject of 1/35th Gliders & Transport Aircraft came up. Here''s the ''official'' word from the company:


Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Great subject i am just doing a british para dio, these would have to be used in another when they get released, cant wait for the release date - any ideas

These planes are going to be huge the Junker will have a scale wing span of nearly a metre MB are really pushing the boat out. Great News will be packed with detail, looking forward to some images. Thank For the early info, plenty of time to save. Geraint

How long before someone converts a C-47 to an AC-47 in Vietnam?
Woot.
That thing is going to have a wing span of about 34 inches...

Thanks for the news Jim,
Shaun

Wow! One each please! Diorama challenges on my mind already.
Thanks Jim!
Rick

Shaun What an idea .

I have been hoping for something like this for years. All winners .to be sure. Yes, i wish one of the gliders was a Waco, but , small thing, the rest is HUGE!
Good on Masterbox!.

very exciting news

Hi,

I can understand that there are some people who are thrilled to hear that these subjects are going to become available in 1:35 scale and I am happy for them. I am however a little concerned for Masterbox.

When the Tristar 1:35 Storch was announced I did my own small survey and asked the members of a large local aircraft modelling club, solely devoted to axis aircraft if they would be interested in the model. There was absolutely zero interest. It was not an aircraft scale so they totally dismissed it. I might add too that these keen modellers of anything from Nazi Germany were not buyers of the 48 scale larger German aircraft like the Revell-Germany Do217, Ju52 and Ju88. Even though they were recognised as fine kits they were just too big.

I am concerned that the market for these kits will be so small that Masterbox will take an absolute bath. If aircraft modellers won't buy because they are not an accepted aircraft scale then the market is going to be solely armour guys. But armour guys make tanks, if they liked aircraft they would make them. Sure they will sell some kits to guys who want to make dios but is that market big enough to make the considerable investment worthwhile? And besides, while they may be impressive, are they just too big for most people?

I like Masterbox and I think they could do some terrific things as they go on. I just worry that this is a h*ll of a risk for a small company.

Cheers,
TimTam27

First of all, Masterbox are a company who have always gone into areas where there is a gap. With respect you're only seeing half of the story here. Take a look at this:

http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/news/5040

Seed money anyone? Also, talking of diversification:

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/news/4990

Masterbox is NOT some little isolated company, there's an entire network of the 'New Breed' of Eastern Eurpean manufacturers out there - ICM, Zvezda, MiniArt, Roden etc. etc. All of whom talk to one another... Also, the way things are going, there are several companies out there who will do masters and mouldings for other companies. I know of two who are operating in this manner. Everyone now is farming out their mouldings to other companies...

Hi Jim,

I think this is great news. Am I correct in thinking they are going to do a 1/32 scale version for the aircraft market and a 1/35 scale for the 'other' market?

Al

Excellent!!!!!!!!!

No, the aircraft are 1/35th, they are also doing ground personnel in 1/32nd scale.

Oh...my...gawd! Aircraft in 1/35th scale??!!! I just pee'd down my leg! I was so excited when Trump, Academy & Dragon made the 1/35th helos & now these - wow. A C-47 belly landed in Holland, a glider set down over the Rhine, a JU-52 in Crete, imagine the possibilities. Perhaps even (dare I think it?) MORE helicopters in the "wings"? I'm so happy.

Cordially,

Dennis

Thanks Jim,

Got it now.

Al

I bought the Tristar Storch....

Terrific kit. Don't know if I'm the only one who did, but the dio possibilities for the gliders alone are numerous. Bravo MB!

I bought the Tristar Storch too, and agree it's terrific. However, did *anybody* ever release anything to bring the interior up to the standards that greenhouse of a canopy wanted? Nope. Did anybody release any sort of PE or aftermarket stuff for it? Nope.

Same goes for Bronco's Cub - only thing I ever saw for that was an Azimut set that brought the engine up to scratch. The interior of that *badly* needs some aftermarket care and affection, but it's never appeared.

In short, to-date, WWII 1/35th subjects have been ignored. I'd love to see them given the same level of attention as the big 1/35th 'copters, but Eduard seems loathe to do PE for *anything*, particularly 1/35th these days. They've gone off to make kits and nobody's popped up to fill in the gap.

Of course, if Masterbox produces kits so great that they're completely self-contained and don't need any improvement, I'll be a happy camper, but I'm still wary of just how big a demand there is going to be for these. They're big, so they're not going to be cheap. And are the figure modelers going to want to build a huge 1/35th plane, or the aviation modelers want to paint up 20-odd paratroopers to populate it? These almost strike me as kits that'll be be best built as group efforts, except for those lucky few who're as good at painting figures as they are aircraft.

Also, while I don't doubt the financial security of the company, how long have we been waiting for the Kfz. 1 and Kfz. 2 so far? We've yet to actually see a vehicle of any sort from this company. Some very nice figures, yes, and some equally nice diorama goodies, but it seems a huge leap for a company to make.

Shaun, I like the way you think, bruddah! A 35th scale AC-47 would be truly AWESOME!

On the other hand, given the cost of Trumpeter's 48th scale release, I can't even imagine the king's ransom this sucker might cost...

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Love Masterbox

I buy one each of the C-47 and Horsa

A little too big for me though, probaly end up chopping them up and using them in several dioramas.

Personally, I think MasterBox are completely bonkers to be bringing out kits like this and I hope they sell shedloads of them.

For those naysayers, who think such things will be 'too expensive/large/specialised', I suggest you all have a couple of words with those went and bought the Dora railway gun...

acav

Oh yes! With the Horsa you practically get one kit for two dioramas, as you can use the front and aft falf separately

If they made aircraft in 1/35 , we would, believe you me. There are just a few 'relevant' aircraft kits in 1/32 scale, which don't really work well with the armour kits on the market.

Hi Guys,

Whilst the Glider is certainly great for NWE I'd be going further east for the C47. Lots of great possibilities in Burma and SEA.





Oh and some RAF ground Crew too



Did I mention trucks!

Al

Hi Guys,

Just in case any of the AM guys want to get a bit adventureous and make some intersting flight crew, how about this chap





Al

Hey Jim,

Its great Masterbox are doing these planes .
Modellers around the globe have always asked to see these planes in 35th scale and I for 1 would be getting my hands on both .

Although the bigger question would be
to ask our partners to increase our modelling /showroom area

Having built the TBM 1/32 avenger with PT and schnell awaiting to be built .
Space in the man cave is going to be a problem

Cheers
Michael