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Waiting on a Famo
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 03:35 AM UTC
AFAIK Tamiya is the only company to manufacture a Famo in 1:35. I'm sure the kit is getting quite long in the tooth. So, why haven't we seen any of the other manufacturers jumping on board with a new one? I for one would certainly find a use for it.
BigfootV
Joined: December 24, 2005
KitMaker: 1,624 posts
Armorama: 994 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 04:01 AM UTC
Matt,
I'm not sure why no one else has jumped on the band wagon but I can guess why. Cost, at $199.00 listed on TamiyaUSA.com and it's out of stock currently. Was this a limited run? I've not seen this kit at my LHS in a few months either.
Tooling could be another reason why no one has made a "newer" kit for the FAMO either.
Sale could be a factor too. Who knows. One can only guess at this point.
See ya in the funnies..............
I'm not sure why no one else has jumped on the band wagon but I can guess why. Cost, at $199.00 listed on TamiyaUSA.com and it's out of stock currently. Was this a limited run? I've not seen this kit at my LHS in a few months either.
Tooling could be another reason why no one has made a "newer" kit for the FAMO either.
Sale could be a factor too. Who knows. One can only guess at this point.
See ya in the funnies..............
Bodeen
#026
Joined: June 08, 2002
KitMaker: 1,744 posts
Armorama: 1,359 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 04:07 AM UTC
Hey Matt,I'm no expert on the Sd.Kfz.9 but I haven't heard much bad about the Tamiya kit. I've had this kit since it was released and it just intimidates me. I suppose I will build it in time. There is a lot in the box!
Trumpeter might be the only other manufacturer that would even consider the Sd Kfz 9 (FAMO was just one of the companies that produced it). They have released an Sd Kfz 8:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trumpeter-01585-1-35-German-8-8cm-Flak-18-Selbstfahrlafe-tte-/121228354059?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1c39c5e20bhey
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trumpeter-1-35th-Scale-German-Sd-Kfz-8-DB10-Gepanzerte-12t-NIOB-Kit-No-01584-/301102527488?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item461b1bf400
They have also released several SdKfz 6 variants.
Jeff
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 05:26 AM UTC
It's just darn hard to top the quality of the Tamiya offering especially when you add in the two great Aber etch sets available and the Calibre 35 and Tiger Workshop Bilsen cranes.
I do wish Tamiya would retool for the towed artillery version (all seats). This would breath all new life into a great kit while requiring minimal new molds.
Let us also not forget the 88mm conversion with armored cab!
I do wish Tamiya would retool for the towed artillery version (all seats). This would breath all new life into a great kit while requiring minimal new molds.
Let us also not forget the 88mm conversion with armored cab!
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 06:03 AM UTC
I started a very similar Armorama topic almost exactly one year ago:
"Waiting for a New Famo", which can be viewed at:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/203261&ord=&page=1
"Waiting for a New Famo", which can be viewed at:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/203261&ord=&page=1
BigfootV
Joined: December 24, 2005
KitMaker: 1,624 posts
Armorama: 994 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 06:12 AM UTC
Ooooops. 
ericadeane
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
Armorama: 3,947 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 06:57 AM UTC
"Long in the tooth"?
Matt: just because it was released in 2008 does not mean it's not withstood the test of time. Have you ever seen it or the Dragon Wagon? They makes the Merit M19 look shabby. They are among the masterpieces of 1/35 kits.
I'm not saying they're perfect but no one is going to cut molds to improve on something that's 95% fine. Plus, anyone who wants one of these kits HAS one already. They won't jump to get some DML Hobbyboss or TAKOM release.
Matt: just because it was released in 2008 does not mean it's not withstood the test of time. Have you ever seen it or the Dragon Wagon? They makes the Merit M19 look shabby. They are among the masterpieces of 1/35 kits.
I'm not saying they're perfect but no one is going to cut molds to improve on something that's 95% fine. Plus, anyone who wants one of these kits HAS one already. They won't jump to get some DML Hobbyboss or TAKOM release.
mpeplinski
Joined: January 17, 2006
KitMaker: 487 posts
Armorama: 182 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 07:42 AM UTC
Hi All
I believe the Famo was released in the late 90's.That being said,it still is a great kit that would be hard to make better,though as previously said,we could use a few new variants that would require minimal tooling.it's still a nice full box of plastic goodness.
Mike
I believe the Famo was released in the late 90's.That being said,it still is a great kit that would be hard to make better,though as previously said,we could use a few new variants that would require minimal tooling.it's still a nice full box of plastic goodness.
Mike
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 09:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
"Long in the tooth"?
Matt: just because it was released in 2008 does not mean it's not withstood the test of time. Have you ever seen it or the Dragon Wagon? They makes the Merit M19 look shabby. They are among the masterpieces of 1/35 kits.
I'm not saying they're perfect but no one is going to cut molds to improve on something that's 95% fine. Plus, anyone who wants one of these kits HAS one already. They won't jump to get some DML Hobbyboss or TAKOM release.
This is a competitive market. Just look at how many T90s were released, at the same time. This goes for sdkfz 7s, as well. I am sure that one of the leading manufacturers can produce a kit that builds accurately, without the need for etch. The least Tamiya could do is retool the molds.
Anto992
Joined: June 11, 2012
KitMaker: 227 posts
Armorama: 212 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 10:17 AM UTC
Hi Matt,
I have built five Tamiya FAMOS, It is a good kit, has a few misfortunate issues with it but nothing that can`t be sorted, a set of Eduard brass does the kit great justice and a night driving lamp that is missing from the kit is a must ( I didn't realise this till I had my ones built and painted).
All in all it is still a great kit, it has not showed its age in any way, it is well worth the effort that goes into it.
Personally I think Tamiya would be better off bringing out a Bilsen version, it is not past their capabilities, alas Tamiya have a habit of resting on their laurels and leaving such things to the after market companies which is a gret pity.
Anto
I have built five Tamiya FAMOS, It is a good kit, has a few misfortunate issues with it but nothing that can`t be sorted, a set of Eduard brass does the kit great justice and a night driving lamp that is missing from the kit is a must ( I didn't realise this till I had my ones built and painted).
All in all it is still a great kit, it has not showed its age in any way, it is well worth the effort that goes into it.
Personally I think Tamiya would be better off bringing out a Bilsen version, it is not past their capabilities, alas Tamiya have a habit of resting on their laurels and leaving such things to the after market companies which is a gret pity.
Anto
JohnTapsell
Joined: August 24, 2011
KitMaker: 227 posts
Armorama: 226 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 10:20 AM UTC
It doesn't make commercial sense to retool the moulds.
The biggest cost for any kit is doing the moulds. Modifying the existing moulds or creating completely new ones costs big money for a risky return.
If the 'old' kit hasn't been re-issued recently, then it means that the company don't feel that the market is hungry enough for a new production run.
Companies like Tamiya make hard commercial decisions about what they release (or re-release) and in Tamiya's case, that means what will sell in the Japanese market (not the worldwide market, which represents only a small part of their sales). The Japanese market is notoriously fickle and fashion driven, with fads lasting months rather than years.
The Tamiya Famo is a good kit. It is well moulded, well engineered and looks good when built - more than enough to satisfy the majority of guys who buy the kit (who aren't as obsessed as the likes of us).
One of the newer manufacturers might tackle a Famo, but they are noticeably shying away from WWII German subjects at present.
My tuppeny-worth
John
The biggest cost for any kit is doing the moulds. Modifying the existing moulds or creating completely new ones costs big money for a risky return.
If the 'old' kit hasn't been re-issued recently, then it means that the company don't feel that the market is hungry enough for a new production run.
Companies like Tamiya make hard commercial decisions about what they release (or re-release) and in Tamiya's case, that means what will sell in the Japanese market (not the worldwide market, which represents only a small part of their sales). The Japanese market is notoriously fickle and fashion driven, with fads lasting months rather than years.
The Tamiya Famo is a good kit. It is well moulded, well engineered and looks good when built - more than enough to satisfy the majority of guys who buy the kit (who aren't as obsessed as the likes of us).
One of the newer manufacturers might tackle a Famo, but they are noticeably shying away from WWII German subjects at present.
My tuppeny-worth
John
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 11:25 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Matt,
I'm not sure why no one else has jumped on the band wagon but I can guess why. Cost, at $199.00 listed on TamiyaUSA.com and it's out of stock currently. Was this a limited run? I've not seen this kit at my LHS in a few months either.
Tooling could be another reason why no one has made a "newer" kit for the FAMO either.
Sale could be a factor too. Who knows. One can only guess at this point.
See ya in the funnies..............
the Famo can out at the same time as tamyia's dragon wagon which was back in 1999 or earlier but no earlier than 1998
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 - 12:05 PM UTC
Quoted Text
It doesn't make commercial sense to retool the moulds.
The biggest cost for any kit is doing the moulds. Modifying the existing moulds or creating completely new ones costs big money for a risky return.
If the 'old' kit hasn't been re-issued recently, then it means that the company don't feel that the market is hungry enough for a new production run.
Companies like Tamiya make hard commercial decisions about what they release (or re-release) and in Tamiya's case, that means what will sell in the Japanese market (not the worldwide market, which represents only a small part of their sales). The Japanese market is notoriously fickle and fashion driven, with fads lasting months rather than years.
The Tamiya Famo is a good kit. It is well moulded, well engineered and looks good when built - more than enough to satisfy the majority of guys who buy the kit (who aren't as obsessed as the likes of us).
One of the newer manufacturers might tackle a Famo, but they are noticeably shying away from WWII German subjects at present.
My tuppeny-worth
John
That is the argument I am making. Why are there no competitors in the industry? Wouldn't Dragon, Trumpeter, Bronco want to produce their own kit at a competitive cost?
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 12:14 AM UTC
Let's be clear here: we are not suggesting that Tamiya retool for an even higher quality Famo, The model itself is excellent. What we ARE saying is to create one or two more equally high quality sprues that would turn the current Famo into another varriant.
This would make great sense: moderate $$$ input for Tamiya to create all new interest in an existing model that has currently reached its sales maturity.
This would make great sense: moderate $$$ input for Tamiya to create all new interest in an existing model that has currently reached its sales maturity.
ericadeane
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
Armorama: 3,947 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 12:31 AM UTC
Matt wrote:
"Wouldn't Dragon, Trumpeter, Bronco want to produce their own kit at a competitive cost?"
it's a simple trade off Matt. The fact is tooling something as complex as a the SdKfz 9 tractor that is MORE accurate than the Tamiya kit would be enormously expensive. Plus, what could they expect their market to be? How many people would dump their US$115 Tamiya kits to buy a Bronco $170 kit? It makes no economic sense.
I can see the rationale to putting out the Academy Hetzer, for instance. But you can't tell me the 3 companies who put out the Object 279 kit or the threee German Pz VI Neubaufarhzeug kits are happy in the slightest.
Put it this way: how many UNBUILT SdKfz 9 FAMO tractors do you think are sitting in guys' stashes at this moment? Who will be the market for this future SdKfz 9 tractor? No one is leaving money on the table. If any of these companies foresee profits, they'll go for it. Otherwise, they won't. Simple Economics 101, IMHO
"Wouldn't Dragon, Trumpeter, Bronco want to produce their own kit at a competitive cost?"
it's a simple trade off Matt. The fact is tooling something as complex as a the SdKfz 9 tractor that is MORE accurate than the Tamiya kit would be enormously expensive. Plus, what could they expect their market to be? How many people would dump their US$115 Tamiya kits to buy a Bronco $170 kit? It makes no economic sense.
I can see the rationale to putting out the Academy Hetzer, for instance. But you can't tell me the 3 companies who put out the Object 279 kit or the threee German Pz VI Neubaufarhzeug kits are happy in the slightest.
Put it this way: how many UNBUILT SdKfz 9 FAMO tractors do you think are sitting in guys' stashes at this moment? Who will be the market for this future SdKfz 9 tractor? No one is leaving money on the table. If any of these companies foresee profits, they'll go for it. Otherwise, they won't. Simple Economics 101, IMHO
airborne1
Joined: April 15, 2006
KitMaker: 915 posts
Armorama: 797 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 01:58 AM UTC
Quoted Text
how many UNBUILT SdKfz 9 FAMO tractors do you think are sitting in guys' stashes at this moment?
Not mine , both the Famo and Dragon wagon are excellent kits out of the box.With or without aftermarket products.
The Famo has very little to enhance .Superior quality in all areas .It would be hard for any manufacturer to try and exceed Tamiya's quality .
famo on the workbench at present
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/216454
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 07:54 AM UTC
Gents, it ain't a FAMO, it's a Sd.Kfz.9. FAMO (Fahrzeug- und Motorenbau GmbH (FAMO) in Breslau) was just one of several companies including Vomag and Tatra who built the design. We don't call an Sd.Kfz.251 a Hannomag anymore, let's get this term retired.
As to why there isn't more competition, softskins (with the exception of the Sd.Kfz.7) are NOT big money makers. As far as I know, the only companies who've gone head-to-head in that category are Dragon & Trumpeter over the 7. The Tamiya
Sd.Kfz.9 kit is excellent, and I'm not sure what reason anyone would have for bringing out another, unless to provide the relatively rare Panzergrenadier version or one with the Bilstein crane.
As to why there isn't more competition, softskins (with the exception of the Sd.Kfz.7) are NOT big money makers. As far as I know, the only companies who've gone head-to-head in that category are Dragon & Trumpeter over the 7. The Tamiya
Sd.Kfz.9 kit is excellent, and I'm not sure what reason anyone would have for bringing out another, unless to provide the relatively rare Panzergrenadier version or one with the Bilstein crane.
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 - 08:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
unless to provide the relatively rare Panzergrenadier version or one with the Bilstein crane.
Exactly!
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