A 1/48 F-22 from Hasegawa or Tamiya,or how about a Mig 29,31...etc or the Flanker series or a Mirage series.We have seen every F-4,14,15,16,18 in service from them but they seem to avoid these other obvious subjects.Why is that ? you would think these subjects could draw a lot of interest.Where is the Tamiya 1/48 F-14 ???

Just wondering what their considerations might be for not putting these kits out.

I have been asking myself the same question.

The manufacturers are limiting themselves to what they consider to be the most popular models and neglect a world of other planes. This gives us plenty (and useless) of choice to make spitfires and other focke wulf planes but leaves a large gap.

I was hoping that the Saab Draken, recently released by Hasegawa, would have a huge success and make manufacturers understand that the complete market of a less popular airplane model was still a lot larger than x % of the the market share of a popular plane produced by everybody.

But then, is the draken model really successful???

Who has actually bought this thing already???

Is it widely available or is it so popular that it can't be produced fast enough???

Maybe, the manufacturers are all fishing in the same pond because we modellers mainly show interest (i mean buy) in the best known planes.

Also, do not forget that making a mould is hugely expensive, and that the research needed to make a quality model is a labour intensive, and expensive task. One can't afford that without a reasonable certainty that there is really a market out there.

Which finally means that we, indirectly, control an awfull lot. Our buying habits are by far the most important (if not only) criterion for a manufacturer. We could make it a priority to reward "brave productions" which could stimulate the market.

Hi

initially I wanted to stay out of this thread as it is highly speculative and has much potential for argument ....

BTW I bought two Drakens, but I have not touched one of them.

Academy will bring a F-22 next year (mock up at Nuremberg2008) .. it will be bashed for being unbuildable and/or totally wrong ....

I have heared rumors, that Tamiya has a MiG-29 somewhere up the sleeve .. I think it depends if Trumpeter will release theirs in 48 scale and if it is half way accurate or not.

I think the only chance for a 1/48 MiG-25/31 is Trumpeter .. or maybe Zvezda .. but the tool has to be pretty large so I think it will come from China or never. Maybe the new MiG-31BM will stimulate the thoughts ...

The Flanker from Academy is not that bad and IMO there won't be a better model very soon.

just my 2ct

cheers

Steffen

I would love to see one of these Their I/32 offering has been through two incarnations (despite it's errors) and after the success of the 1/32 F-16 and the scaling down of that mould to 1/48. I would like to see the Tomcat in 1/48.

Hi Drabslab

I finally spotted the Draken for the first time in my LHS this week, so I'll definitely grab one. Even though I seldom build jets, I've always loved the Draken.

All the best

Rowan

me too, i have it on order in a LHS for some time now

I bought and built the Drakken,went together like a dream and came out pretty good,typical Hasegawa quality