[stalag8611]

There are three legitimate issues raised on this and other forums: The lack of pilots and crews to be added to the model; substantial stands, especially in 1:72 and dioramas. I'm too old to jump in and establish a niche business, but the market is out there and it's being ignored (avoided). I'm not just addressing aircraft, all types and scales could use help from professional suppliers.

[jim]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

There are three legitimate issues raised on this and other forums: The lack of pilots and crews to be added to the model; substantial stands, especially in 1:72 and dioramas. I'm too old to jump in and establish a niche business, but the market is out there and it's being ignored (avoided). I'm not just addressing aircraft, all types and scales could use help from professional suppliers.

Well said, I want a group of 1/35 scale ground crew that look like they are pushing a P40 into its bay.
I would be prepared to pay good money for well made 1/72nd pilot figures and ground crew. Painted or unpainted would be OK.

[Epapazian]

I suggested that someone start a niche business offering customized paint jobs for diecast planes in an earlier thread but it was pointed out that there weren't enough collectors willing to pay a fair price to make such an idea work. I tend to agree . However, your idea sounds a lot more feasible. Indeed it would make an ideal promotional tool for a current online seller to offer ready-made pilots and stands for lines he already carries which are lacking such "parts" or provide inadequate ones. This would probably attract customers who normally use other sellers as well as offering valuable product "upgrades" for current clients. I wonder if any of the major online sellers has thought about launching such a relatively low cost and business-stimulating venture. One might start cautiously, by offering pilot/crew figures for Dragon's planes. If this gets a good response, I'd do the same thing for Hobby Master's line. In both cases their canopies are readily removable. I'd be leery of trying this with IXO planes, however, as their canopies are very hard to pry off and sometimes break when such attempts are made. In the case of pilot figures, all that's needed are well designed rubber molds and some painting. Stands are a riskier business, since you can't make these one at a time, subject to demand.To keep expenses in line, most subcontractors will ask for a minimum order involving hundreds of stands for each design, thereby injecting an element of risk.Can enough of these be sold to justify the effort and expense?

[1250ships]

I would think there is already a large after market for 1/72 stuff designed for plastic modelers. However these are all unpainted items. How long would painting a figure take? Multiple that times the hourly cost of the labor required and you get the cost to the producer. I see figure sets out there under $10.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by jim

Well said, I want a group of 1/35 scale ground crew that look like they are pushing a P40 into its bay.
I would be prepared to pay good money for well made 1/72nd pilot figures and ground crew. Painted or unpainted would be OK.

I'm sure you can find some figures from Dragon or Tamiya, that with work could fill the bill.
- Shawn

[Nimrod48]

There does seem a glaring gap in the market for pre-painted ground crew & support vehicles in all the popular scales may be it is a task that HM would like to consider, they do not seem above actualy listening to what collectors want.

[Kubikali]

I have been looking to some smaller vehicles to dress up my (future) display too.
Even (pre-built) 1:72 jeeps or kübelwagen seem to be impossible to find. But it's also possible I don't know were to look...

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by jim

Well said, I want a group of 1/35 scale ground crew that look like they are pushing a P40 into its bay.

.......still tryin' to justify that backasswards tailwheel, aren't ya?

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

.......still tryin' to justify that backasswards tailwheel, aren't ya?

Very funny comment, Skunky...but a pretty good idea!