For those of you interested in this new release, a picture of the kit on its sprues, the instructions for assembly and painting are available at http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/plamo/. I am not endorsing this site which is an online source of kits, I just thought you'd like to see this unexpected offering in 1/48 before it is available. I hope to see pictures of completed kits posted soon.
Glenn
This kit should appeal to aircraft, armour and car modellers. It is going to be interesting to see how each of these groups paint these cars and what kind of dioramas they create.

You have to wonder why Tamyia never offered one of these in 1/35th scale? It would have sold so well! How many dioramas would have been done with a civilian version on the streets or as a staff car? You have to wonder what were they thinking??????

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Couldn't agree more. However now they've done this will they scale it up?

This Citroen is actually already available from hobbyeasy.com in Hong Kong.

And I agree with you as far as why they never came out with it in 1/35. It would have been a best-seller with all diorama enthusiasts. And I don't understand why Tamiya AND other manufacturers still insist on not releasing such vehicles. There are companies that make them in resin selling a 1/35 scale car at around $70.. and people buy them. Shouldn't this tell the big manufacturers that there is a demand for such vehicles? It's almost like there is an unspoken agreement dividing turfs between the companies!!

Hisham is correct in that the kit is available in the Asian market, but for those of here in North America, the backwater of kit availability, I thought they might like to see the much-anticipated little gem before it arrives on store shelves. As for it being in 1/48, it is a perfect complement for aircraft dioramas and so there is a good potential for high sales of this kit. Also, it might attract car modellers who represent an even bigger market in Japan than armour modellers. Tamiya is now positioned to capture the attention, loyalty and disposable income or air, armour and car modellers.
Glenn

I would have to agree with you guys. The bigger players in the market should start deciding on scaling up civilian cars for military dio enthusiasts. I would be one of them laying my hands on them...

If you need a civilian car for diorama purposes, why not try one of the 1:32 scale car models which are sold either as toys or collectors items.. With a bit of work (repaint, weathering, possibly adding some damage and dirt) they are quite acceptible.

Cheers
Henk

Probably more versatile in 1/48th than in 1/35th. First, this vehicle was very popular with the Luftwaffe. So it's going to be in many a/c dioramas, and a/c kits are 1/48th, not 1/35.

Second, a dio with a staff car and also vehicles is going to look better if the vehicles are smaller, unless you have a huge diorama board -- those 35th scale dios with tons of vehicles crammed on them look awful, generally.

Third, and most important, let's be happy it's available in any scale, not complain about the scales it's not available in.

I guess we are "complaining" because 99 % of us build 35th scale armor. I too want one of these in35th scale. I truely hope it sells extremely well in 48th so that one of the manufactureres (probably Dragon) takes a chansce in 35th.

Actually I don't mind switching to 1/48 scale since it will be more compact and kits will be cheaper.. but I can't see myself switching before a year or so when maybe there will be an abundance of vehicles and, more important, a variety of figures. Even if someomne is thinking about switching, I don't think he can really do that with only 4 or 5 kits available on the market. I guess it's just too soon to start enjoying them. Except ofcourse if you're mainly into a/c and looking for a kit to complement a dio.

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A TRACTION in 1:48th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Oh well I think I can be angry but would it change or even mean a thing for a company that is not listening to the Modelling world?

I`ll
give Tamiya another


And probably go with Henks option of the 1:32 Diecasts

I have to totally agree with those who would also like to see this in 1/35. I truly hope Tamiya, DML, or perhaps Trumpeter reads posts like this. This seems to me an absolute home run for Tamiya in 1/48th, and a big hit if they did it in 1/35. With their current dearth of new 1/35 kits this seems a "no brainer" to me. I don't know how much more it would cost them to scale it up to 1/35 but I think they'd have a big seller on their hands. There are so few automobiles in 1/35 of any kind, to have one that could be used in so many dios would seem to be a great idea.

This is really the only time I've been in the slightest jealous of folks who do 1/48.

If I were still building in 1/35, and determined to stay there, I would wait patienty to scrape together enough coin to buy a Dragon kit every few months. In between I'd try to get the new Tristar kits. But above all, I'd resist the temptation to closely examine the new Tamiya 1/48 kits !

Where are the usual suspect who proclaim that this kit is just a scaled down version of their 1/35 scale kit?

Quite possibly they yielded to temptation , and are now dabling in quarterscale.... secretly ofcourse.

Heller had a series of 1/48 cars. Most were modern, but one was a Citroen very similar to Tamiya's. It's an old kit and probably crude according to today's standards but does have a basic interior (seats, steering wheel). Great as a background model, or as a derlict. The price is good too - locally around 3 -4 $Can. On the same subject, Revell/Monogram had a series also from the '60's or '70's of the large touring cars of the 1930's. The Mercedes would make a great high-ranking staff car.

Those Heller cars were 1/43 scale. I have the Citroen and Austin Mini. They also do a series of 1/43 scale exotic race cars. Rather basic, but decent little kits.

I'd be happy if they simply scaled it up to 1/35. :-) :-)

Pics of a completed kit can be found at http://modelingmadnss.com (www.modelingmadness.com)
Glenn