[Steve1971]

Is it just me or has model prices gotton more expensive? I used to be an avid model builder but now looking at the prices has really ruined it for me. Why pay 80 bucks when I can get a pre-built one from 21st or BBI cheaper? Saves time and money for me. Just recently I saw the new Trumpeter 1/32nd Hellcat and by god! They want $65 for it! Thats crazy. For a 1/48th Tamiya kit of the P-51 they want 30 some bucks for it. Again thats just plain crazy. The prices of model kits has really killed my enthusiasim for building models anymore.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Steve1971

Is it just me or has model prices gotton more expensive? I used to be an avid model builder but now looking at the prices has really ruined it for me. Why pay 80 bucks when I can get a pre-built one from 21st or BBI cheaper? Saves time and money for me. Just recently I saw the new Trumpeter 1/32nd Hellcat and by god! They want $65 for it! Thats crazy. For a 1/48th Tamiya kit of the P-51 they want 30 some bucks for it. Again thats just plain crazy. The prices of model kits has really killed my enthusiasim for building models anymore.

Model prices have been steadily going up over the past few years. Every now and then Hobby Lobby will have a sale on their plastic kits(One of the few chances of getting a nice kit at a reasonable price). I have been getting the Squadron Mail order for going on fifteen years now and the kit prices keep going up.

[SKUNKY]

Unfortunately I've been watching the prices of everything going up up up, and I'm afraid these are going to look like the good old days real soon once the price of oil hits $125 or so, a barrel. I do agree though that a lot of plastic kits have been overpriced for quite some time now...Yes, you can definitely get sticker-shock going into a hobbyshop these days.

Stand by..we ain't seen nothing yet. I'm afraid the only way I'm going to be able to afford to heat my house this winter will be to set it on fire...

[Rush104]

Licensing fees are an issue. I can understand Chevy charging a licensing fee for the Corvette; they developed it with their own money. But, I don't understand how a defense contractor can charge model makers a licensing fee for a product that was developed with taxpayer money...

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Licensing fees are an issue. I can understand Chevy charging a licensing fee for the Corvette; they developed it with their own money. But, I don't understand how a defense contractor can charge model makers a licensing fee for a product that was developed with taxpayer money...

I heard wind that civil aviation companies were in the works of doing the same and some in the flying model crowd were none to pleased.

[Chris]

You do get what you pay for (mostly) not many parts go into a 21st Cent kit compared to hasegawa , tamiya etc .It depends onhow you wish to display model .. if you want something basic then buy 21st .. or if you prefer more detail and options then pay the extra for the kits .. Model kits are a darn site cheaper in U.S/ Asia than here in U.K considering the exchange rate .For example a 1/32 tamiya F-4E is approx $120 in U.S ... over in U.K its around £90 .. thats $180 ,still assuming $2 = £1 .. cant compare 21st cent prices as we dont get them here .. but i can compare a 21st Corsair with a trumpeter Corsair ... Trumpeter wins hands down .. much more detail and options and build quality shows .. as with cent corsair .. maybe 30 parts and screw holes and little detail .. As yet i cannot see any die-cast manufacturer making any/or decent planes in 1/32 . its o.k if you want spits , hurricanes me 109s p-51's etc .. thats it . no diverse models are being produced. Till then we have to make do with what is out there

[jim]

The prices on ebay are going steadly upward, there does not seem to be any bargains going on ebay UK these days.

Even ebay US prices seem to be on the up.

[Cruver Collecter]

Resin kits have always been a bit pricey, but have gotten more so lately. Which put some of the more obscure aircraft projects on the expensive side.

[Steve1971]

Originally Posted by Chris

You do get what you pay for (mostly) not many parts go into a 21st Cent kit compared to hasegawa , tamiya etc .It depends onhow you wish to display model .. if you want something basic then buy 21st .. or if you prefer more detail and options then pay the extra for the kits .. Model kits are a darn site cheaper in U.S/ Asia than here in U.K considering the exchange rate .For example a 1/32 tamiya F-4E is approx $120 in U.S ... over in U.K its around £90 .. thats $180 ,still assuming $2 = £1 .. cant compare 21st cent prices as we dont get them here .. but i can compare a 21st Corsair with a trumpeter Corsair ... Trumpeter wins hands down .. much more detail and options and build quality shows .. as with cent corsair .. maybe 30 parts and screw holes and little detail .. As yet i cannot see any die-cast manufacturer making any/or decent planes in 1/32 . its o.k if you want spits , hurricanes me 109s p-51's etc .. thats it . no diverse models are being produced. Till then we have to make do with what is out there

Even though the Trump Corsair is a little more detailed I would say that BBI's Corsair matches well with it. BBI's F4U gives you plenty of room to super detail the landing gear bays, engine, ect.

[skydriver]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Model prices have been steadily going up over the past few years. Every now and then Hobby Lobby will have a sale on their plastic kits(One of the few chances of getting a nice kit at a reasonable price). I have been getting the Squadron Mail order for going on fifteen years now and the kit prices keep going up.

Hobby Lobby is a great place to pick up quality models. Make sure you check the paper or their web site, as they usually have a coupon for 40% off at least every other week. Also, make sure you check the prices on all the models on the shelf, I found aTamiya 1:48 Thunderbolt for $21.95. It was behind 3 or 4 of the exact same models that had $42.00 sticker prices.

I have seen the exact same models have price variations from a few dollars up to what I found.