[Epapazian]

The basic problem Altaya has in deciding what scale to use is the willingness of its magazine publisher client ( partner? ) to share the upfront costs--or cover them--via a multi-plane orders to serve its subscription selling needs. Obviously the cost of the mold---or, more properly, the molds, depending on how many parts are done separately--is the key factor. A quality mold for a 1:72nd scale fighter plane probably runs to about $45,000, while the comparable cost for a 1:144th scale bomber could be as little as $10,000- $15,000 if they make as few individual parts--or sub-molds-- as possible. So when a publisher orders 50 planes at the same time, with a run of 5,000 per plane---we are talking fairly big buck differences here.

Of, course, as things seem to be evolving, if the latest Altaya line sells well due to its improved quality, choice of subject matter and much broader distribution ( online as well as eBay sellers ), things may change. In this event Altaya may go after the collectors' market as its first priority and cut a new deal with the publishers ( asking them to bear less of the upfront cost in exchange for a bigger share of the collector sale profits ). If this happens, a highly diversified but quality line of 1:72nd scale models might emerge---which, frankly, would make me very happy.