old model kits manufacturers

[Katsura]

Hi, has anyone have any comments on the many model kits makers that had fallen over the years?

Talking with some HK friends, they have really high regards for a few of the makers, such as Rosso, I wonder what happened to all these companies' molds?

Anyone heard of Union, Nitto, Nichimo, Rosso etc?

The 80's and early 90's seem to be the golden era of model kits with a lot of companies making stuff, sometimes the same model from diff makers, so builders had great choice.

[Khier]

Rosso was established by former Fujimi employees. They made a couple of nice kits but to my taste they were not unique in anything. I mean they were not highly detailed, not cheaper, did not deal with outstanding subjects,...etc...etc... Therefore, it was not difficult to guess that they would not last long. However, I have to admit I do not know why exactly did they close.

[Icon Modeler]

This is an easy one. Computer Games and the need of todays youth for instant gradification means less new model builders and thus the economics of producing plastic models isn't as profitable as it once was. So the smaller companies have no chioce but to disapier because of declining sales.

Icon Modeler

[drunken monkey]

rosso: factory fire, couldn't recover.

[Khier]

Originally Posted by Icon Modeler

This is an easy one. Computer Games and the need of todays youth for instant gradification means less new model builders and thus the economics of producing plastic models isn't as profitable as it once was. So the smaller companies have no chioce but to disapier because of declining sales.

Icon Modeler

But how would you explain the boom in metal models? I think there is a shift of modelers' interests rather than the lack of jonior modelers, which is also true.

[hirofkd]

Do you mean finished toys or diecast kits? Model builders prefer kits, because finished models don't give you the joy of building, so if you're talking about finished diecasts, their primary target are collectors and car enthusiasts, but not model builders. If you mean diecast kits, then most of them share parts with finished counterparts, so it's a cost-cutting measure.

rosso: factory fire, couldn't recover.

There's more to it than meets the eye.

[Icon Modeler]

Originally Posted by Khier

But how would you explain the boom in metal models? I think there is a shift of modelers' interests rather than the lack of jonior modelers, which is also true.

Like Hirofkd above, I'm not sure what you mean by "metal model". If you are talking about "Muiltimedia Models" that is to say models that are made up of metal, resin etc. Then I would offer this. I've been modeling for over 30 years. I started when I was 5 yrs. old. I build only race cars and then predominatly Tamiya. With Tamiya's inability to porduce a kit of any interest (for me) for over 2 years now I've been forced to look elsewere for my fix. Muiltimedia kits saticfy my need for something new and challenging. I can only imagin that they do the same for many others.

Icon Modeler

[Taiphun]

Didn't Pocher succumb to the "factory fire" theory too?

[Khier]

Originally Posted by Icon Modeler

Like Hirofkd above, ......

Icon Modeler

No, I mean die cast models, both kits and finished. There is a rapid expansion in this sector met by shrinkage in plastic kit world. Although I am a hardcore fan of plastic kits in scale 1/25 and larger, I am afraid I will be forced to turn my attention to the metal (die cast) models to have the models I like to have instead of being limited to 911 and Ferrari kits duplicated by 10 manufacturers. Just look how many Ferrari models were duplicated recently by FUJIMI and Revell, and how many 240 ZG available (well, I love the duplication of this one). At the same time there is not a single European or Japanese (except a couple by Fujimi) classic car came ovcer the past few years. Anyway, it is useless to repeat the debate since we discussed this issue several times in other occasions.

[rsxse240]

"why the explosion of diecast?"

answer: Video Games. kids don't want to build something, they want it spoon fed. why should they get a plastic kit that will take 2 weeks to build into what they want, when they can just buy it, then they can ACTUALLY PLAY WITH IT!!!

my son is 9, and I've tried to instill my impression on how diecast is "LAZY" and he seems to agree, but the models he builds, he wants to play with, consequently destroying them. he's getting better, plus I had to get him a few diecasts for that reason, to respect HIS work, and destroy the mass produced junk!

recently my son had his video games, and television taken from him (until further notice) and he started building his models again. since then, his grades have improved, his attitude towards his teacher, and others has improved, he reads books, and his speach has dramatically improved. he is also alot more focused on the task at hand. I think I'll let him have his games back, but only for an hour or two each day.

sorry to have changed the subject, I just got off on a rant.

[Icon Modeler]

Originally Posted by rsxse240

"why the explosion of diecast?"

answer: Video Games. kids don't want to build something, they want it spoon fed. why should they get a plastic kit that will take 2 weeks to build into what they want, when they can just buy it, then they can ACTUALLY PLAY WITH IT!!!

my son is 9, and I've tried to instill my impression on how diecast is "LAZY" and he seems to agree, but the models he builds, he wants to play with, consequently destroying them. he's getting better, plus I had to get him a few diecasts for that reason, to respect HIS work, and destroy the mass produced junk!

recently my son had his video games, and television taken from him (until further notice) and he started building his models again. since then, his grades have improved, his attitude towards his teacher, and others has improved, he reads books, and his speach has dramatically improved. he is also alot more focused on the task at hand. I think I'll let him have his games back, but only for an hour or two each day.

sorry to have changed the subject, I just got off on a rant.

No, that's OK. That is exactly what I was talking about when I said above "instant gradification" Kids don't want to do anything that they are going to have to invest time into. I do not have kids, this is just an observation I've made by watching the kids of my friends. I'm glade to here that you feel the same way. But it makes me even happier to see that you, as a parent, realize what is happening to your son and that you are willing to do something about it. My hat's off to you. I will go farther and say that it is not all the fault of the parent that the children of today act like this. I know for example that both the middle school and high school that I attended as a child have completely done away with any kind of industrail arts classes in favor of computer training. There is no incurragement for the yougsters of today to use there minds and hands to accomplish something.

Icon Modeler

[winstona]

Originally Posted by Icon Modeler

No, that's OK. That is exactly what I was talking about when I said above "instant gradification" Kids don't want to do anything that they are going to have to invest time into. I do not have kids, this is just an observation I've made by watching the kids of my friends. I'm glade to here that you feel the same way. But it makes me even happier to see that you, as a parent, realize what is happening to your son and that you are willing to do something about it. My hat's off to you. I will go farther and say that it is not all the fault of the parent that the children of today act like this. I know for example that both the middle school and high school that I attended as a child have completely done away with any kind of industrail arts classes in favor of computer training. There is no incurragement for the yougsters of today to use there minds and hands to accomplish something.

Icon Modeler

Well, I would like to offer a different point of view on this topic.

Say for example, if high quality diecast finished models (like Autoart for example) were available in the market 20 years ago, would we have still gotten into this hobby of plastic car modelling? I am sure some will still loved to. But for me as a 10 yr old kid, I would rahter pick a nicely done diecast over a plastic model car that I may or may not be able to make it look as nice as a diecast....

I am sure the reason why plastic models blossom the way they did before was because if you wanted a real car replica, you have to build it yourself. There weren't any affordable alternatives and buying a toy car just would not give you the same qualilty back then.

But recently, the quality gap between diecast and plastic models are getting much narrower. Thus, the slowing down of our beloved hobby.

The point I want to make here is we should not conveniently use the "kids getting lazy and the video game" argument whenever we talk about the downfall of our hobby. Don't forget, we were once kids too!

BTW, I totally disagree with you saying that computers have caused people to not use their minds. Simple example - Who do you think programmed this wonderful message board so that you and I can freely exchange our opinions in two different geographic locations???


Winston

[Khier]

Originally Posted by winstona

BTW, I totally disagree with you saying that computers have caused people to not use their minds. Simple example - Who do you think programmed this wonderful message board so that you and I can freely exchange our opinions in two different geographic locations???


Winston

But kids do not develop programs on computers. All what they do is shoot and kill, jump and run

[Icon Modeler]

Originally Posted by winstona

Well, I would like to offer a different point of view on this topic.

Say for example, if high quality diecast finished models (like Autoart for example) were available in the market 20 years ago, would we have still gotten into this hobby of plastic car modelling? I am sure some will still loved to. But for me as a 10 yr old kid, I would rahter pick a nicely done diecast over a plastic model car that I may or may not be able to make it look as nice as a diecast....

I am sure the reason why plastic models blossom the way they did before was because if you wanted a real car replica, you have to build it yourself. There weren't any affordable alternatives and buying a toy car just would not give you the same qualilty back then.

But recently, the quality gap between diecast and plastic models are getting much narrower. Thus, the slowing down of our beloved hobby.

Point taken. But I will say that I'm glad I grew up when I did because at that time I was forced to use my hands to create and challenge myself rather then the click of the mouse. It also gave me a deeper respect for the item in question. That is to say, if you build it yourself you are more likely to take care of it then if you just go out a buy it. If you just buy it and don't take care of it then you can always go out a buy another one seams to be the mind set of today. Respect is a whole other issue with todays youth and something I will not go into at this point.

Originally Posted by winstona

The point I want to make here is we should not conveniently use the "kids getting lazy and the video game" argument whenever we talk about the downfall of our hobby. Don't forget, we were once kids too!

Yes I was (and maybe still am at heart) a kid and I don't ever remember wanting someone (or the manufacture) to put my model together for me. I looked forward to putting it together by myself and challenging my skills. Something I think is completely missing from todays youth. My experiance has been that as soon as a young person hits an obstical they move onto something completely different rather then tackle the obstical head on.

Originally Posted by winstona

BTW, I totally disagree with you saying that computers have caused people to not use their minds. Simple example - Who do you think programmed this wonderful message board so that you and I can freely exchange our opinions in two different geographic locations???


Winston

Truth is maybe a handful at best used there minds to write the software for this forum so that 1000's of poeple can site mindlessly at their computer and poke it their key board (including me).

How do you explain the regress in our schools for the industrial arts I.E. "shop class"??? My point was not to say the kids of today are not learning anything. They are using there minds, just not to create anything with there hands.

Icon Modeler

[Khier]

Originally Posted by rsxse240

"why the explosion of diecast?"

answer: Video Games. kids don't want to build something, they want it spoon fed. why should they get a plastic kit that will take 2 weeks to build into what they want, when they can just buy it, then they can ACTUALLY PLAY WITH IT!!!

my son is 9, and I've tried to instill my impression on how diecast is "LAZY" and he seems to agree, but the models he builds, he wants to play with, consequently destroying them. he's getting better, plus I had to get him a few diecasts for that reason, to respect HIS work, and destroy the mass produced junk!

recently my son had his video games, and television taken from him (until further notice) and he started building his models again. since then, his grades have improved, his attitude towards his teacher, and others has improved, he reads books, and his speach has dramatically improved. he is also alot more focused on the task at hand. I think I'll let him have his games back, but only for an hour or two each day.

sorry to have changed the subject, I just got off on a rant.

I agree with you in some points, and disagree in other points.

I started this hobby when I was 8 years old. It did not take me weeks to build airplane kits at that time, and cars later on. They were finished in 2-4 hours depending on the kit and were never played with, rather watched for hours with a lot of amazment and enthusiasm. Needless to say at that age my finishing standards and ambitions levels were completely different than now. What I want to say you do not have to play with a kit to be a kid, and you do not have to build a kit to play with to be a kid.

As far as your son's lack of interest in the hobby it might be because of you . 8 years ago when my nephew was 10 years old I tried to drag his leg to the hobby by showing how he could build and paint a kit perfectly. The result was immediate lack of interest. My mistake was I wanted him to regards the hobby the way I do after more than 30 years building kits. But who said I had the same eye when I was 10 or 12? Motorised kits were the hit for me, and Tamiya big R/C kits were my ultimate dream. Today I cannot stand these kits with their silly lexan bodies.

I will not argue about the bad influence of modern computer games on kids attitudes. But I do not think they are a major element in diverting kids away from model building. I am 41 years old now, and I used to play with, well, video games (if you still remember tele pong) when I was 13 oor 14. I doubt if any computer or game console would impress anyone today as half as the ATARI 2600 console did in the early 80s. That silly 4 K console with its interchangable game cartridges was a true revolution in video games. I used to play for hours and hours, but did I loose interest in model building because of that? Well, come to my cellar and see my stock of kits and judge yourself