Tamiya is the company with the 30+ year old "has some similarities with the real thing" models Their Boringpard2AWhocares might be better (can't say, won't build that thing) but the Leopard1, Marder and Gepard kits are not all that great and need a lot of work to be good representations if at all.

As long as they get round to producing the Dingo ATF in 35th then I'm not bothered who purchases it

Hi Martyn, for an ATF Dingo kit, I would rather look eastwards....... far eastwards....... Hans-Hermann

Isn't it funny that there are so many military modellers in the USA and basically NOT ONE mainstream manufacturer that produces a 1/35 styrene kit? I don't know if we are not capable or the production costs are just too high. I don't know if Hobbico is going to help Revell of Germany...I just hope they don't ruin what Revell of Germany is now doing. I like thier products...as someone has said they have a good product at a nice price and younger kids and non-millionaires can afford to buy them. I know my narrow-minded view of the modelling world consists of 1/35 vehicles and figures and 1/32 aircraft...and Revell of Germany does a great job of providing a decent 1/35 and 1/32 kits for a great price. That is thier strong suit. Jeff

Jeff, I had some contact with the folks at Accurate Miniatures some years ago, and to set up a mold costs around $100K. That's a lot of swag to put up-front. It just isn't cost effective for an American company to make those kinds of investment when their are factories in China and Hong Kong that can be hired for the work (see the kerfuffle about the 1/32nd scale B-25 that was basically contracted-out to Asia).

IMHO I`m prepared to wait and see what happens,Here in Norwich we`re awash with retailers who sell Revell kits but only a couple who deal with other manufacturers. My hope is this does put the boot in because if it`s used by the Bundeswehr or Luftwaffe,Revell have Kitted it !,if the company`s purchase by Hobbico gives it the financial clout to expand their range then this could only be a good thing. The only thing i do`nt want to see go is Revell`s pricing structure,as stated,their recent 1/32 and 1/35 have been outstanding WITHOUT being ridiculously priced.This has allowed many modellers (myself included) to enjoy first-rate kits without having to break the bank to get them.

Jeff, I had some contact with the folks at Accurate Miniatures some years ago, and to set up a mold costs around $100K. That's a lot of swag to put up-front. It just isn't cost effective for an American company to make those kinds of investment when their are factories in China and Hong Kong that can be hired for the work (see the kerfuffle about the 1/32nd scale B-25 that was basically contracted-out to Asia).[/quote] Thanks for the reply Bill. I figured it was financial. If I'm not mistaken the Monogram Military kits were produced in North America. Just thinking out loud I guess. Jeff

I am a modeller that does a lot OOB kits, I build all sorts and have built a fair few from Revell, cars, aircraft and military, and has been said above more thasn once, their pricing is spot on, in the end, WE cannot alter what is happening, but we can hope more avenues are opened up, and hope that Revell prices aren`t sent sky high, there are enough kits around that need a lottery win to purchase. For anyone that is worried, get the plastic flexy friend out and purchase like mad incase things go the wrong way

First of all, i know this topic is a year old but now that we are a year down the line i guess we can see some results of the take over by now..? Talking about the subject with my LHS owner, he is telling me that as of late he really is having trouble getting restocked and that the distribution is a problem; one of the reasons he started selling some airfix kits lately. On top of that he says that the new owner sure is pushing the RC branch I for one love the heading in which RoG was going just prior to the takeover. Like stated earlier their arado and HE111 amongst others are of immensly great value. But what i love most about good old revell is the fact that they really cater to the lower entry modeller and modellers with less of a wallet. I know the dragons and tamyias are usually better quality armor kits but i am one of those people with a smaller wallet and i simply cannot afford most of these unless i have a lucky month financially Richard