The more I think about it the more I can't wait to have a little MKIV trundling across my floor. You know you want it too guys!

Everything has an MRSP - from a bag of peanuts to a car. And the MRSP is always discounted by the retailer by 20% - 25%. Don't let an MRSP scare you otherwise you would be afraid to buy anything. I would expect the Tamiya Mk lV to be $60 -$70 USD on the local shelves (hopefully!).

Hannants show it at £49.99. Al

I don't get that either! Maybe TAMIYA wants to entice more US buyers with a "freebie". Believe me, it's going to take A LOT more than four or five "free" figures for me to buy that TAMIYA Mk.IV!!! NOTHING DOING!!! Knowing TAKOM, I'll bet that this kit will have at least TWICE the parts count of the TAMIYA kit... I'll buy the TAKOM kit eventually; I'm in no great rush, as I'm compiling a list of my "un-built" 1/35 Armor that I want to sell at REASONABLE prices. Watch eBay and "KITS & THINGS"... If any of you guys, or gals have a kit in mind, 'll be glad to check my inventory for you...

I don't get that either! Maybe TAMIYA wants to entice more US buyers with a "freebie". Believe me, it's going to take A LOT more than four or five "free" figures for me to buy that TAMIYA Mk.IV!!! NOTHING DOING!!! Knowing TAKOM, I'll bet that this kit will have at least TWICE the parts count of the TAMIYA kit... I'll buy the TAKOM kit eventually; I'm in no great rush, as I'm compiling a list of my "un-built" 1/35 Armor that I want to sell at REASONABLE prices. Watch eBay and "KITS & THINGS"... If any of you guys, or gals have a kit in mind, 'll be glad to check my inventory for you... [/quote] PS- I buy my models to build and display, not to play with, so the extra "motorization" parts are entirely useless as far as I'm concerned...

These aren't the kind of auspices I was waiting for. High MSRPs like this make it damn hard to support local hobby stores, even if you can get the kits themselves cheaper overseas.

Well, that makes it about $84 USD. And that's in England; and especially, that's at Hannants! (meaning high prices).

Very true! Our local hobby shop will probably never stock this kit, and this has been true for most of Tamiya's recent releases (like their M51). The retail prices for most of Tamiya's AFV kits have been way too high for the store to bother carrying them. They will special order these kits, but they will not stock them as regular items.

Well, that makes it about $84 USD. And that's in England; and especially, that's at Hannants! (meaning high prices). [/quote] I collect my kits from the shop, so that means a 10% discount and no postage costs. Add those together and it is often the same price as ordering one in form LM or else where. Based on that I should pick one up for £45.00 if I choose to buy one. I'll compare that against others and then decide. You might want to check out their sale items and specials, often you can pick up a good kit at a 1/3 or more off. I got the CMK 4 inch 102mm for just over £10,00 for a £30.00 kit. Hannants are no different to any other model shop they exist to make a profit but that doesn't mean you always have to pay full wack. Al