I have been asked this question more than once. I think it deserves fair consideration.




Actually Roden use to sell their kit for about 20 USD each. Their US distributor changed that when its ownership changed. Several years back MMD was picked up by new owner. They were the exclusive distributor to Roden. He is the one that jacked up prices. If you get in a purchasing coop with MisterkitUSA he buys them directly and you will get a lower cost.

About Roden's decals. They are bound by local government regulations that say everything they sell in their kits has to be manufacturered in Russia or they incure double taxes. They can't even recommend other out of country decal makers.

Roden has a great track record for trying to fix problems. I know I am grateful for their highly detailed kits. Also they have made reasonable strides to improve decals with each new issue.

Actually i'd still rate the local prices of Roden kits to be reasonable, maybe the distributor here isn't as greedy? Compared to the recent price hikes on Japanese and Czech kits here, Roden seem to be priced pretty good.

I read a short article recently about Roden which really raised my liking and admiration for them. I can't remember what magazine it was in. It seems that Roden now actually print their own decals in house to try and stop the quality problems they've had with them in the past.
Also Roden are only a very small company- about 30 people, yet they invested in their own injection molding equipment, whilst much of their competion takes the easy modern day option of farming it all out to China or Korea. For that alone i respect them, even if it is simply because of their countries tax laws.

Roden design, tool, mold and print their own product. Now they are being forced to compete with a new company in their little specialised area of 1/32 WW1 that uses Chinese manufacturing. That's almost like a lightweight boxer being forced to fight against a heavyweight. But i always like the underdog.

Andrew

I agree with what Andrew has spoken about.

I have built nearly all of the Roden 1/32 scale WW1 aircraft kits and found them to be more than satisfactory. I am looking forward to the arrival of the DH-2 which I hope will be very soon. Yes, I also have had problems with the decals supplied with the kits but nothing real major, little issues that I could correct with relative ease.
It is very hard for any small - ish company to compete with the big guys, especially in the 1/32 scale niche market of WW1 aircraft, but competition leads to better products, better pricing and in the long run a more pleasing result for everyone.
I also respect the efforts Roden has put in, especially when faced with such ridiculous legislation imposed by the government, it is hard enough to get a foot into the market as it is, let alone being held back by archaic rules.
I can still see a very bright future for Roden especially if they keep producing the quality kits they have done in the past, and to push even further into the 1/32 scale WW1 aircraft field would enhance their standing even further.

By the way, the price I pay for any Roden kit is comparable to most other makes, so I can't see this as being an issue, not here anyway (Australia).

I hope no one thinks at all I knocked Roden in my SE5a Build Blog in comparison of detail etc. I fully suppport them, They were the first to give us the chance to build 1/32 scale kits of any real quality, their product improves as they plough the profits back into the business and take heed of customers comments and wishes.

I know it's easy to rave over the Wingnuts kits and quite rightly but as stated Roden is a small dedicated reletively low budget and restriced company that deserve our support.

Price wise they are expensive here in the UK depending where you buy but dont come with a £14 surcharge by the UK company Parcelforce....to cover their admin of VAT on top of the free postage from NZ. But I find it cheaper to buy Roden from Jadar in Poland than from big suppliers here in the UK.

I think Roden need to target what they build, maybe even talk with other manufacturers so as not to tread on each others toes. (Unlike some of the armour kit manufacturers) working like this could bring a golden age of WW1 aviation kits for all, builders and makers. It would be a real shame and disaster to see them withdraw from the 1/32 field.

Keith

That is the reasonable effort I mentioned. While I admire the other new fellows we can't forget the ones that came with us to this dance.

The article which Andrew is referring to was in Scale Aviation Modeller mag . A very excellent article . There decals have improved over what they where before since they have been doing this themselves now . For a small company they have come along way and given Eduard a run for there money with different subjects which Eduard wouldn't even touch .

Here in Canada their kits are still cheaper to pick up then Eduards kits . Example .....the Albbie D.III weekend kit cost 30 bucks , while the Roden Fokker is 25 bucks ! more bang for your buck and a better price ! Like any other manufacture there are flaws and over time the molds start to show there wear and tear , some faster then others .............but hey it's only plastic .........

With the skills we learn and share with others the better we can arm ourselves to fix the short comings of a kit . Besides have a kit where you can shake the box and it builds it self , you don't get to improve on your skills , just my opinion on that .


My hat goes off to Roden for their determination on providing us modelers with fantastic subjects, address issues which arise and for start the crazy on 32 scale ! now where is that DH-2 and SSW D.III ...........................................

Roden has filled an important niche for those of us still building in the only true scale (Braille scale, God's scale) etc. We all vote with our pocketbook, and I have A half dozen in my stash and a like number built. I like their Gotha (unbuilt) and Junkers J.1 (built) very much and I have the infamous He-111 in civil guise on order. Now that one may change my tune but where else you gonna get it?

Of all the kits put out by Roden, only the SE5a is also produced by Wingnuts. I like to think the two companies compliment each other. It also looks like there will not be a whole lot of cross-over in the future releases. But even if there is, the kits will offer different takes on the subject, as well as different pricing. As far as I am concerned, there is plenty of room for both manufacturers in my closet. (Actually the closet is full, but I am building shelves in the basement). Roden has been good to us through the years. But I get excited about 1/32 scale kits, regardless of the manufacturers name on the box. My reviews are enthusiastic for both manufacturers.

As for a "Golden Age" for WWI modelers, Look at what is available in this scale now, and what is soon to be released. I think we are in the "Golden Age" already. Do you remember the poll Stephen took about the end of last year? Some of those requests are on the drawing board as we speak. The AM decals available for lozenge, Fokker streaking, and cloth texturing were not available last year. There is also an increase in the number and quality of the AM accessories now available. The only thing we are lacking is time to do them all.

This thread is entitled Subject: Understanding Roden's limitations. I think we should be happy Roden is doing such a fine job with these limitations. Thanks Roden.

So when will we see a D.V / D.Va

Personally, I have never had any complaints regarding the plastic in a Roden box.
Having said that, I feel that the clear styrene segments of the Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter are THE downfall of this particular kit.
The ordinary styrene frets in my Strutter kit (Which remains unbuilt because of the Clear styrene parts) are flawless and exceedingly highly detailed. Those Lewis guns are a work of art!
Across the board otherwise, I have been constantly impressed by the plastic that Roden sells us, not withstanding the odd sink mark... which lets face it, should be easily dealt with by any reasonably skilled modeller.
The decals on the other hand have always been known for their lack of flexibility and issues where exposure to water etc are concerned.
Which is why I mask and spray where I can.
I will continue to support Roden. There are still a heap of their kits in my stash and I am sure that there will be releases in the future that I am unable to resist.

Cheers,

Hugh

Hi Stephen

As you'll remember from my Junkers D.1 experience, the biggest problem I've found in the UK is simply availability - and that's something to lay at their distributor's door. All too often, Roden kits are either very late here or it's a case of "blink and you miss them". Over the last several years, I just never been able to rely on buying them when I want them.

All the best

Rowan

I first started modelling on 1/72nd scale WW1 kits, by Revell and others. That was 45 or so years ago. Last year I got the bug to build a Camel, I bought the Roden Camel for under 10 USD and loved it so much I immediately bought the rest of the Camels, an SE5A, and a Tripe. I loved the quality, there were a few fit problems but hey, this is modelling, not kit assembly. All in all, I feel that I got plenty of bang for my buck!


John