[Epapazian]

Just saw a photo taken at the Nuremberg Toy Fair which showed a partially painted, but fairly small Beaufighter in 1:144th scale in the Hobby Master section. One comment on the UK site where the picture was posted indicated that HM was considering a new venture in this scale, but nothing had been decided so far. The picture showing the Beaufighter is not terribly clear, although it does sport a gray camouflage scheme with D-Day invasion stripes. As for the scale, I sure hope it's not intended for planes like the Beaufighter, A-20 , ME-410, PE-2, etc. They will come out like Lilliputians. If, however, HM intends to do larger aircraft in 1:144, they are competing with Altaya's new line, with its improved, but hardly perfect quality, and wide range of planes covered. I,m not sure that this is as good an idea as exploring a slightly larger scale---like 1:100. Here, one could reduce production costs and turn out decent replicas of a great many planes in a reasonably acceptable size.

[Epapazian]

Here's the picture.

[hworth18]

I don't seee HM seriously getting into the 1/144 market since it is over saturated already, and honestly, I hope they don't..

[STARMAN 352ND]

I heard the same thing...But i thought it was just a rumor...I can't see them doing that scale either....But you
never know..
JP

[IKONOS]

Originally Posted by hworth18

...and honestly, I hope they don't..

I'll have to agree with you - I sure don't need another scale to collect!

[smartd]

They really should get the stuff they are doing right before they explore other scales. They have problems enough at present.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by IKONOS

I'll have to agree with you - I sure don't need another scale to collect!

It isn't just another scale, but I already collect 21st Century, Takara, Corgi, and J-wings in 1/144 scale.. Also, there are another 3 or 4 manufacturers making 1/144 planes and most of the well known fighters/bombers and Luftwaffe A/C are well covered..

[SkyBuffalo]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I don't seee HM seriously getting into the 1/144 market since it is over saturated already, and honestly, I hope they don't..

Ditto on that. Most 1/144 stuff is gonna look too small and toy-like. And I need to stick to 1/72 scale anyway. I'd buy plasticky EasyModel planes in 1/72 before I'd buy plasticky little HobbyMaster planes in 1/144.

[Celtic]

Another question might be, are we (collectors) considering 144 scale? With rising prices for the bigger stuff, and possible lower economic expectations, is that scale or a similar size in our collective futures? I don't like the scale because the details seem so sloppy (for example, hanging propellers or props that hang out too far in front of cowlings), but perhaps a combination of economic pressure and improved model-engineering will make the smaller scale more attractive.

[Cruver Collecter]

Not something I would really be interested in. Currently happy with the 1/72nd and 1/48th scale kits they are putting out. I just cannot get to interested in models smaller than 1/72nd scale, not much detail to look at on the smaller models.