Some weeks ago on another forum, a fellow modeler had occasion to speak with Mr. Tamiya while attending a hobby show in Japan. While discussing their new 1/48 line, Mr. Tamiya said they would release both a Panther, and Pz IV . Originally we had been told they planned to release 20 new kits by the end of the year. Only two of them remain unidentifed. Personally, I think we'll see more softskins from Tamiya.

SkyBow's next release, the Firefly, can be seen as a shadow profile on the side of their new Tiger box. However, based on the time frame needed for the Tigers, I don't expect to see it before August. However, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!

If they are going to the trouble to do a Firefly, I expect that we'll see lots of Sherman variants from them too. It is nice though that they are releasing a Firefly and a late Tiger I one after another, so these opponents can sit next to each other on the shelf. I wonder if thelate Tiger I has Wittmann's markings ....

Larry, the decal sheet shows a number 134..., think it's for the late version. But we can be assured after market producers will respond with others.
I agree SkyBow made prudent selections for their first two offerings. Some have been critical of the Tiger kit to start their series, but I don't agree; their first kit had to be an eye catcher, and it had to be German. The Tiger certainly fits that criteria, and I believe we had rumors of it before we heard of Tamiya's plans to market the same vehicle. I'm hopeful there will be few duplicated efforts between Tamiya and SkyBow. I'd really like to see an IS2 from one of them, and perhaps an M3 halftrack matched by a SdKfz251D.

I would be so happy to see a nice M3 half track kit. I don't care if its in 1/48 scale or 35th. Anything new would be sooooo welcome.

A new tooled 1/48 scale M3 half track (or any US half track variant) would be a mixed blessing. I would love to have one, but it would make 48th scalers the target of every diehard 35th scaler's fury that they didn't get one in their scale.

That is (sadly) all too true. when the situation has got to the point when a simple news story on (any) new German release, unleashes the usual (uninformed) comments, I can see this scenario all too well...Jim

I wonder what the manufacturers think of that sort of thing - the scale bashing? Seems to me that you can catch more flys with honey than vinigar, eh? I have seen rumors that Dragon has been really turned off by the way it has been (mis)treated in internet forums. It has been said that it has caused them to R-E-D-U-C-E production in 1/35 armor to avoid the hassle.

Speaking as a quarterscaler, I could not be happier to see both Tamiya and Skybow become a huge success with their new lines, and I will definitely buy multiples of each new offering as they are released (and have done so - please don't look at my MC bill).

So bring on the Tigers, Fireflys, Citroens, Bren Gun Carriers, T-34's, M4's, M-10 and whatnot - I like collecting em all.

On the subject of new Skybows, might be nice to see some more trucks and other softskins though. THey are the experts there. Halftracks would be cool too ! Better yet, include some artillery kits (even trailers) for towed loads - those kind of sets make great displays in 1/48 because they so convenienly fit on the shelf.

Konrad

Two things intensely annoy me about the internet. The first is the incessant 'Peanut Gallery' which is notable only by it's (self-belief) that it it knows what it is talking about on every subject under the sun...

The second is rumors. Now I don't know where this particular piece of nonsense surfaced, but having regular contacts with both DML and retailers (one to one contacts, not third person), the contrary is true. Dragon is having to really beef-up its production to keep up with the demand for many of it's new kits.

Where did this particular story originate? Tamiya H.Q.?..Jim

[quote/] Two things intensely annoy me about the internet. The first is the incessant 'Peanut Gallery' which is notable only by it's (self-belief) that it it knows what it is talking about on every subject under the sun...

The second is rumors. Now I don't know where this particular piece of nonsense surfaced, but having regular contacts with both DML and retailers (one to one contacts, not third person), the contrary is true. Dragon is having to really beef-up its production to keep up with the demand for many of it's new kits.

Where did this particular story originate? Tamiya H.Q.?..Jim [/quote]

This forum. My point was to be positive. Res ipsa.

Konrad

DML has not really been 'mistreated' in any of the major forums at all. There have been some 'gripes' about the products they are planning and releasing, but little more than that. Frankly, I doubt if they pay any attention to Tamiya at all..

As far as the latter goes, as one of the more 'vociferous' elements against their company policy in 1/35th scale), I have to say that what they are doing in 1/48th is excellent and welcome (personally) more releases in that scale....

I stand by my original comments. Rumors have a nasty habit of 'snowballing' and causing unnecessary damage to a completely innocent third-party


...Jim