tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748156690521830936.post2740130209139213163..comments2024-03-29T05:50:14.863+00:00Comments on Aviation of Japan 日本の航空史: Fine Molds 'Ultimate' 1/72nd A6M5 ZeroStraggler 脱走兵http://www.blogger.com/profile/10129611267271999294noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748156690521830936.post-19698155373542731872011-03-04T01:47:06.128+00:002011-03-04T01:47:06.128+00:00Hi Nick,
Many thanks for your report on the new FM...Hi Nick,<br />Many thanks for your report on the new FM 1/72 A6M5. I too had my doubts about the cowling and your text seems to confirm them. While I understand the points put forward by John, I still think FM should consider a more orthodox release format for their A6M "magazine kits"... <br /><br />As for the lack of sizeable A6M5 content in the two issues of Model Graphix that must be bought with the kit, what a waste! After some hesitation, a friend with a keen interest in Italian, Soviet and Japanese armour took the plunge and ordered the three issues of Armour Modelling needed to get the 1/35 Type 89 kit. Despite the high final price tag, he gladly reckons the whole package is well worth the effort, with all the reference and builds material provided in the three magazine issues. He also remarked that some exclusive multimedia 1/35 armour kits are equally expensive and come with no reference material whatsoever. Perhaps he is just trying to sublimate the fact that he paid so much for a small 1/35 scale tank, but I do see the point. <br /><br />As for Model Graphix and the A6M5, the reasoning behind the publisher’s approach seems strange to say the least, unless one argues against the inclusion of relevant material about the aircraft on the grounds that it can be found elsewhere, in a wide variety of Japanese sources (both out-of-print and currently available), but that seems a rather lame excuse to me. <br />So, will we see normal, boxed versions of FM A6M kits in the future? Only time will tell, but I don’t think so. <br />Kind regards,<br /><br />Ruy<br /><br />P.S.: Just a small note regarding Dragon’s Meteor: it can indeed be ordered from HK at a lesser price than elsewhere.Ruy Aballenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748156690521830936.post-36838765261771567592011-02-26T10:13:16.563+00:002011-02-26T10:13:16.563+00:00Hi John
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Al...Hi John<br /><br />Thank you for your thoughtful comment. All fair and valid points bar one.<br /><br />I think, however, that your explanation of the marketing advantages for FM in Japan underpins, rather than contradicts, my view that they make no concessions to overseas interest. You are lucky to be able to buy these kits conveniently and relatively cheaply within Japan. That is not the case for many modellers outside Japan who find it difficult and expensive to acquire them, however much they might want to. <br /><br />It may indeed make sense for FM to market the kits this way and their domestic market is clearly of far more importance to them than their overseas market. This curiously insular outlook in Japan in todays global markets is not restricted to kits but extends to other things too. But it is indeed reflected in Fine Molds approach as any builder of one of their kits will know. The paucity of English language assistance is in contrast to Tamiya, Hasegawa, even Fujimi and in the case of the "magazine kits" even more pronounced.<br /><br />As to the "bar one", far from "being kind" to Model Graphix I was making the same point as you and did not mention Scale Aviation at all - so your comment about this puzzles me. Had Model Graphix adopted the approach of Armour Modelling and offered two magazines with copious Type 52 references and details my view might have been different.<br /><br />As to mentioning Dragon's Meteor. Why not? This is a personal blog, a personal view, and that kit's price was the subject of much consternation and comment when it was announced. A direct comparison between the two kits is an interesting exercise in contemplating value for money.<br /><br />Thanks again for the comment. They are always welcome.<br /><br />Kind regards<br />NickStraggler 脱走兵https://www.blogger.com/profile/10129611267271999294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748156690521830936.post-70662982727912911172011-02-26T02:46:58.348+00:002011-02-26T02:46:58.348+00:00Several things to consider about the Japanese mark...Several things to consider about the Japanese market place:<br /><br />1. The Japanese population is highly literate. There are many bookstores; many more book shops than model shops.<br /><br />2. Japanese model shops very often discount model kits. They do not discount magazines or books. These FM kits are not sold as kits but are premiums to boost magazine sales.<br /><br />3. Distribution for these kits becomes an issue for the magazine publisher and not for Fine Molds.<br /><br />I think it makes sense for FM to market these kits this way. In the book stores, the kits' sales potential is much greater because there are many, many book stores. Within a 20 minute walking distance to my home there are 3 bookstores, all of which offer Model Graphix. The nearest hobby shop is a 45 minute train ride to Yokohama.<br /><br />While the decision to offer these kits in this manner is not particularly good for "overseas interest", it does make a great deal of sense with regard to the Japanese market. I'd wager that FM sales are almost entirely to the Japanese market. I don't have any data to support this, but I'd be surprised if FM sales outside Japan reach 5% of total. <br /><br />As to prices, these are expensive kits in Japan. Fine Molds' 109 kits usually cost around ¥1850. Their A6M kits are around ¥3200. Much of the added cost is for those Model Grapix magazines. Or in the case of the Type 32, a single issue of Scale Aviation at the same ¥3200. As to the worth of the magazines, I think you are being kind regarding Model Graphix, but are doing disservice to Scale Aviation. Model Graphix offered no add-on value to this kit. Sorry, a couple of photos of the Yasukuni Shrine restoration does not cut it. For an example of what could have been done, Armour Modelling late last year issued a Type 89 tank kit. The kit came in 3 issues. The first issue had a review, a couple of builds, and reference photos. The remaining 2 issues had more build ups and reference materials. There was also a couple of articles suggesting ways of improving the kit. The Type 89 model kit is really expensive at ¥9600. The added value the magazines impart make this price reasonable. <br /><br />I'm not sure what point bringing Dragon's Meteor into this discussion is. At ¥2010, I consider this kit reasonably priced. I suspect it is even more reasonable priced in Hong Kong. I certainly consider it a better value than Revell's Hunter FGA9 at ¥3000. <br /><br />Incidentally, I purchased my Type 52 in one of the bookshops near my home. This saved me the ¥820 round trip train fare to the closest hobby shop. It was more convenient for me. Perhaps convenience for the local customer may have been a factor in Fine Mold's thinking.<br /><br />John BankAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5748156690521830936.post-9027426848562268482011-02-17T13:17:15.025+00:002011-02-17T13:17:15.025+00:00Hi Nick,
I see what you mean on the cow...Hi Nick,<br /> I see what you mean on the cowl seeming to be under scale- especially the profile image makes the cowl appear too narrow from top to bottom.<br /><br /> On the colors, I have always found GSI #124 too verdant and bright a green and I do not believe I would ever apply it to a Mitsubishi built Zero model.<br /><br /> Thanks for posting the images and thoughts,<br /> DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com