With the release of the Meng Caterpillar D9 and upcoming Mirror Models D7 (which is great to see) anyone else think it's about time we had more bulldozers, scrapers, excavators etc in plastic? There's a whole load of them that could be done and I think they're really interesting looking vehicles.
I'd love to see some from the 1960s and 70s especially and there could be military and civilian versions. There's many fans of civilian construction vehicles about (including myself) who would buy them alongside the strictly military guys.
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Construction vehicles BIG untapped market?
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 06:47 AM UTC
corsair924
Joined: August 11, 2008
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 322 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 07:04 AM UTC
I would love to see a line of construction vehicles available in any of the common larger scales. though I prefer 1/35
Last I saw MIG made a frontloader in 1/35 there are a few forklifts wandering around and I think I saw a Russian version of a backhoe.
but I've been looking (Googling)for a few weeks/months and cant find a single excavator, boom truck or road equipment.
If my scratch-making skills were better it would be an opportunity to start a small company
Last I saw MIG made a frontloader in 1/35 there are a few forklifts wandering around and I think I saw a Russian version of a backhoe.
but I've been looking (Googling)for a few weeks/months and cant find a single excavator, boom truck or road equipment.
If my scratch-making skills were better it would be an opportunity to start a small company
dogstar
Joined: November 17, 2007
KitMaker: 109 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 07:53 AM UTC
I think it's Plus Model who makes the Russia backhoe.
CZ Models (I think) makes a Soviet front end loader but it's limited production resin and priced accordingly.
CZ Models (I think) makes a Soviet front end loader but it's limited production resin and priced accordingly.
PantherF
Joined: June 10, 2005
KitMaker: 6,188 posts
Armorama: 5,960 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 08:11 AM UTC
I always wanted to build one of those cranes that construct buildings and such.
Something really tall!
Jeff
Something really tall!
Jeff
sgtsauer
#065
Joined: March 30, 2002
KitMaker: 2,605 posts
Armorama: 1,814 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 08:26 AM UTC
I agree. I think construction vehicles and emergency vehicles are an untapped market.
MAD_DUCK
Joined: March 05, 2002
KitMaker: 434 posts
Armorama: 406 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 09:38 AM UTC
I would love to see more construction equipment. After 30 years of building tanks the Meng D9 was a refreshing change to build. I would love to see more dozers, cranes and scrapers. And some trucks to carry them with.
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 11:19 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I'd love to see some from the 1960s and 70s especially and there could be military and civilian versions. There's many fans of civilian construction vehicles about (including myself) who would buy them alongside the strictly military guys.
The people who would buy civilian vehicle models are probably going to be turned off by the complexity of a state of the art kit. They like vehicles, they are not modelers.
KL
Stickframe
#362
Joined: December 01, 2013
KitMaker: 1,661 posts
Armorama: 1,202 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 12:00 PM UTC
I'll bet some of the more conventional pieces of construction equipment in 1/35 might sell pretty well - backhoes (like the armored, all wheel drive JCB's) smaller dozers (a modern D7) wheel loaders etc - I'd like to see some of the less common machines too, but that market might be fairly small. Anyone know how the D9s are selling?
I'm biased I guess, as I'm currently building a dio here on Armorama which is about road construction in Afghanistan. It includes a kitbashed toy loader in 1/32 (which, all things considered, turned out pretty well) and a scratchbuilt CAT 815F sheepsfoot roller.
While I'm ok with tackling the scratch work, a kit would certainly be easier! And maybe attractive to others too. And, obviously, I'd buy them. I have the D9 kit, but based on a fair amount of homework, including communications with people doing roadwork in Afghanistan today, the D9's just aren't used that commonly there, so, I'll need to come up with another dio to plant it in!
So, I'm a "yes" vote for some modern construction equipment
Cheers
Nick
I'm biased I guess, as I'm currently building a dio here on Armorama which is about road construction in Afghanistan. It includes a kitbashed toy loader in 1/32 (which, all things considered, turned out pretty well) and a scratchbuilt CAT 815F sheepsfoot roller.
While I'm ok with tackling the scratch work, a kit would certainly be easier! And maybe attractive to others too. And, obviously, I'd buy them. I have the D9 kit, but based on a fair amount of homework, including communications with people doing roadwork in Afghanistan today, the D9's just aren't used that commonly there, so, I'll need to come up with another dio to plant it in!
So, I'm a "yes" vote for some modern construction equipment
Cheers
Nick
mother
Joined: January 29, 2004
KitMaker: 3,836 posts
Armorama: 1,370 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 01:02 PM UTC
Here's something new...Def model 1/35 FLU-419 Release Sept.2014
I scratchbuilt one last year...
Joe
I scratchbuilt one last year...
Joe
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 02:29 PM UTC
I would very much like to see the M9 Earth Mover in styrene.
fhvn4d
#159
Joined: April 07, 2008
KitMaker: 803 posts
Armorama: 564 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 02:36 PM UTC
The D-7 is the workhorse of Americas Engineer units, but the one that is out is a far to early version to be modernized... the late 70s early 80s version would be great!
2CAVTrooper
Joined: October 21, 2005
KitMaker: 310 posts
Armorama: 302 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 03:26 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I agree. I think construction vehicles and emergency vehicles are an untapped market.
Kit makers view these subjects as being a niche market, then they see how poorly Trumpeter's American LaFrance Eagle pumper did in the market and it just reinforces that view.
Trumpeters problem was that their kit was over priced compared to the overall quality and detail of the kit. On the otherhand, Revell-Germany's Schilligmann HLF and TLF kits had twice the detail and crisper molding for the same price.
There are other emergency kits out there such as the hard to find AMT American LaFrance pumper, Ladder Chief, and Aero Chief. Lindburg has the Ford CVPI, and Dodge Charger kits, Round 2 has reissued several old emergency vehicles. For resin, the only game in town I know of is SSB resins with a nice range of vehicles ranging from paramedic squads to ambulances, Seagrave pumper and a squad, as well as a massive Seagrave rear mount ladder truck.
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 04:33 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
I'd love to see some from the 1960s and 70s especially and there could be military and civilian versions. There's many fans of civilian construction vehicles about (including myself) who would buy them alongside the strictly military guys.
The people who would buy civilian vehicle models are probably going to be turned off by the complexity of a state of the art kit. They like vehicles, they are not modelers.
KL
I think that might be the case with some construction guys who buy the diecasts but I bet many of them would love real detailed kits too especially of older say pre 1980 vehicles. The market's never really been tried apart from the old AMT dozer and dump truck and apart from US diecast manufacturers like Speccast and First Gear most of the diecasts coming out are the latest construction vehicles.
highway70
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 322 posts
Armorama: 267 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 07:33 PM UTC
I have the following kits in my stash:
1/35 scale resin
Plusmodel - S-60 Stalinets
Plusmodel - M-1 Caterpillar Tractor
Calibre35 - Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
Resicast - Le Tourneau Dozer
1/48 Scale pewter
Model Company - 1930 Deering T20 Crawler Tractor w Bucyrus Erie Bull-Grader
Model Company - 1950's Aveling-Barford Road Roller
1/48 scale plastic
Tamiya - Komatsu G40 Bulldozer
Built
1/48 scale pewter
Model Company - 1930 Deering T20 Crawler Tractor
I also have several 1/50 scale diecast Caterpillars and Scrapers
Would love to see more ww2 era 1/35 scale plastic
1/35 scale resin
Plusmodel - S-60 Stalinets
Plusmodel - M-1 Caterpillar Tractor
Calibre35 - Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
Resicast - Le Tourneau Dozer
1/48 Scale pewter
Model Company - 1930 Deering T20 Crawler Tractor w Bucyrus Erie Bull-Grader
Model Company - 1950's Aveling-Barford Road Roller
1/48 scale plastic
Tamiya - Komatsu G40 Bulldozer
Built
1/48 scale pewter
Model Company - 1930 Deering T20 Crawler Tractor
I also have several 1/50 scale diecast Caterpillars and Scrapers
Would love to see more ww2 era 1/35 scale plastic
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 08:02 PM UTC
Amen to that!
We are not all combat troops, some of us are Seabees.
We are not all combat troops, some of us are Seabees.
Frenchy
Joined: December 02, 2002
KitMaker: 12,719 posts
Armorama: 12,507 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 10:40 PM UTC
Talking about diecast, some 1/35th scale models can be found, like those made by Joal :
H.P.
H.P.
hofpig
Joined: March 04, 2007
KitMaker: 1,330 posts
Armorama: 1,017 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 02:14 AM UTC
The military powers of the world do field a large number of different engineering vehicles. For many years I have lived close to The Royal School of Military Engineering and at their open days(a rare thing these days unfortunately) they always had a few various diggers, bulldozers etc on display and giving demonstrations. I think Meng's D9 release should show the other manufacturers that the market not only exists but may prove to be a good place to move into.
Paul
Paul
easyco69
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 2,275 posts
Armorama: 2,233 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 02:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I would very much like to see the M9 Earth Mover in styrene.
Look Matt. Minimanfactory and Hobby Fan resin, 1:35
retiredyank
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 03:04 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI would very much like to see the M9 Earth Mover in styrene.
Look Matt. Minimanfactory and Hobby Fan resin, 1:35
Yes. I do know of that one. That is actually why I would like to see one in styrene. I just prefer styrene to resin.
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 05:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI would very much like to see the M9 Earth Mover in styrene.
Look Matt. Minimanfactory and Hobby Fan resin, 1:35
Thatt's cool but I'm not talking about tanks etc with dozer blades stuck on them. I'm talking about actual dozers and other construction vehicles.
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 05:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Here's something new...Def model 1/35 FLU-419 Release Sept.2014
I scratchbuilt one last year...
Joe
Again interesting but it's just a truck with digger parts stuck on it and purposely built construction vehicles have a look of their own (such as bulldozers and tracked excavators).
Great scratchbuilding job though!
Trisaw
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 4,105 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 05:45 AM UTC
Most of the emergency vehicle models on market, except for a select few, date back to the 1970s and 1980s. It's extremely hard to buy resin conversions for up-to-date EMS models. With the release of MENG's F350, this might change, but a lot of EMS garage kit makers have since gone out-of-business.
That being said, there are emergency vehicles in diecast, but most modelers don't like working with metal diecasts because of the metal sheen or the paint.
In Finescale Modeler's survey, the #1 Most Wanted 1/25 automotive kit was emergency vehicles (22,000 respondents or so). I emailed Revell about this at the beginning of 2014 and they knew about the FSM survey and took note.
I think the problem with EMS and construction vehicle modeling is that the domestic USA model manufacturers are kind of weak compared to their Asian counterparts. US model companies often make racing, sports, vintage, and SNAP-together automobile kits. There hasn't been a modern truck kit from a USA model kit company in a very long time as more and more youth move away from modeling as their hobby. Unless the USA model kit manufacturers pick up the pace, the hopes of seeing modern EMS and construction equipment models will probably be coming from European or Asian model kit makers.
I for one vouched Revell to build a F550 cherry picker.
That being said, there are emergency vehicles in diecast, but most modelers don't like working with metal diecasts because of the metal sheen or the paint.
In Finescale Modeler's survey, the #1 Most Wanted 1/25 automotive kit was emergency vehicles (22,000 respondents or so). I emailed Revell about this at the beginning of 2014 and they knew about the FSM survey and took note.
I think the problem with EMS and construction vehicle modeling is that the domestic USA model manufacturers are kind of weak compared to their Asian counterparts. US model companies often make racing, sports, vintage, and SNAP-together automobile kits. There hasn't been a modern truck kit from a USA model kit company in a very long time as more and more youth move away from modeling as their hobby. Unless the USA model kit manufacturers pick up the pace, the hopes of seeing modern EMS and construction equipment models will probably be coming from European or Asian model kit makers.
I for one vouched Revell to build a F550 cherry picker.
RobinNilsson
TOS Moderator
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 06:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
There are a few more in resin:
TBmodels does a KN-251: http://www.tbmodels.cz/1-35----kn-251.html
MMK does a Caterpillar D6: http://www.mmk.cz/en/models/detail/140
Minimanfactory does a M917 dumptruck http://www.minimanfactory.com/en/m917-dump-truck-i36/
Gr,
Marcel
Hi Marcel,
Thanks for the tip about TBModels :-)
I checked with TBModels and registered my interest for the
second edition of the KN-251. Should be available again at the end of this year. Christmas present
/ Robin
MAD_DUCK
Joined: March 05, 2002
KitMaker: 434 posts
Armorama: 406 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 06:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextI would very much like to see the M9 Earth Mover in styrene.
Look Matt. Minimanfactory and Hobby Fan resin, 1:35
The M9 is a Hobby Fan kit, but the M920 ans the M870 trailer is made by Mimiman factory
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