I am feeling like new Sci-Fi model kits are a little slim this year. I am waiting on Round 2 to announce some new Star War or Star Trek kits, maybe because there are no big franchise releases? Lots of good vintage re-releases. Did I miss any announcements?
New Sci-Fi kits
- Thread starter ohbejuan
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urumomo
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IDK .
I think you're familiar with Starship Modeler , yeah ?
might be some info : https://www.starshipmodeler.com/
I think you're familiar with Starship Modeler , yeah ?
might be some info : https://www.starshipmodeler.com/
BlackSheepTwoOneFour
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I'd love to see some more Star Wars ship kits from The Madalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka series.
Yeah! There are some great 3D printed "Ghost" models out there. But no official kits.
Yes! And I did check them out. The new kits this year are like two Star Trek re-issues.
I wonder if 3-D printing is taking more market share from Sci-Fi kits than other types of kits. That is my perception, but I follow more 3D Model Makers in sci fi. It feels like 3D printing is used to enhance WWII models, and used to replace Sci Fi models. I see folks making Sherman tank tracks for other kits. But I see lots of STL files for the complete Star Wars fighter line up.
3-D is nice, but you have to cut those annoying supports off of the parts, plus somehow sand off or fill in the lines created by the 3D printer as it prints the model layer by layer. I have a couple of FDM printers myself, but I don't model with them much for those reasons. I did make a Phantom Cruiser from files I found on Thingaverse, but it took a LOT of effort to make it nice. I found the Space Ghost logo with Google, downloaded it, sized it with Microsoft Word, then printed it on decal paper.
stevethefish
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I think Bandai is pretty much done with Star Wars. Their primary market is Japan, not overseas. The novelty of SW kits has worn off, and those lousy Disney+ shows are incredibly niche in a country that still has video rental stores. While Japan isn't quite as adamantly opposed to woke propaganda as China is, it still doesn't help that the writing is garbage. Western modelers assume that Star Wars must be such a sure thing for marketing, but it doesn't come close to Gundam even though Gundams all start looking the same rather quickly.
the Baron
Ich bin ja, Herr, in Deiner Macht
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I only ever got the first generation of "Star Wars" models, when AMT brought them out in the wake of the first movie's release. I built them and enjoyed them, but I always wished they had also kitted the Y-wing and a regular TIE fighter, instead of Darth Vader's machine.
I built their original Millennium Falcon, and enjoyed it. People today turn their nose up at it, but in 1978 or so, it was just cool to have a model of it at all. And I built the 12" (or so) Darth Vader figure kit, with the glow-in-the-dark piece for his light saber. I could see re-doing it today, to see if I've learned anything since then.
The only kit I've built is also an older one, the scout walker. That was more recently, about 10 years ago or a little earlier. I think I got the kit in one of our club raffles. It's on the Shelf of Doom now, though I think I finished assembly, and got stalled at detailing it and making a Hoth base for it.
I would like to get the Razor Crest, too, but otherwise, that's about all I'm interested in building from the franchise.
I built their original Millennium Falcon, and enjoyed it. People today turn their nose up at it, but in 1978 or so, it was just cool to have a model of it at all. And I built the 12" (or so) Darth Vader figure kit, with the glow-in-the-dark piece for his light saber. I could see re-doing it today, to see if I've learned anything since then.
The only kit I've built is also an older one, the scout walker. That was more recently, about 10 years ago or a little earlier. I think I got the kit in one of our club raffles. It's on the Shelf of Doom now, though I think I finished assembly, and got stalled at detailing it and making a Hoth base for it.
I would like to get the Razor Crest, too, but otherwise, that's about all I'm interested in building from the franchise.
trekriffic
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I just finished Picard season three and have to say I'd really love a styrene kit of the Titan.
Yes!
the Baron
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I just realized I misremembered the maker of those Star Wars kits-it was MPC, not AMT. Though AMT issued the original Star Trek models, and I loved the Enterprise kit-whatever Hyperscalers today might say about it. I never did get around to building the entire Star Fleet, though.
Now MPC, AMT, and all of those old kits are owned by Round 2, so many of them get reissued.
One thing that occurs to me is that one of the issues with Sci-Fi kits vs other kits is licensing. I know that some WWII aircraft kits are licensed, like Tamiya's P-39 has the company (Lockheed?) on the kit. But anyone can make a Bf 109 kit, or an M4 Sherman without having to worry about a massive fee. But any kit that is part of some modern media empire: Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, has to get approval from the mega corp, and pay a fee. This is a huge bummer, and limits the number of kits. For example I emailed Moebius models a few years ago and asked if they would reissue any of their great BSG kits, and they emailed back and said: "NBC Universal is not giving anyone a license for those right now, we keep asking". Or put another way, not just anyone can make a X-Wing kit. That may be why 3D printing thrives for Sci Fi. There is no official "Ghost" kit, but there are a lot of STL files for one. Ok, I am babbling. All Done.
One thing that occurs to me is that one of the issues with Sci-Fi kits vs other kits is licensing. I know that some WWII aircraft kits are licensed, like Tamiya's P-39 has the company (Lockheed?) on the kit. But anyone can make a Bf 109 kit, or an M4 Sherman without having to worry about a massive fee. But any kit that is part of some modern media empire: Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, has to get approval from the mega corp, and pay a fee. This is a huge bummer, and limits the number of kits. For example I emailed Moebius models a few years ago and asked if they would reissue any of their great BSG kits, and they emailed back and said: "NBC Universal is not giving anyone a license for those right now, we keep asking". Or put another way, not just anyone can make a X-Wing kit. That may be why 3D printing thrives for Sci Fi. There is no official "Ghost" kit, but there are a lot of STL files for one. Ok, I am babbling. All Done.
stevethefish
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No, you were right. They were originally MPC, then AMT, then AMT Ertyl, then Ertyl, then now back to MPC. It's all the same company now, apparently.
greyphantom1000
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you may be aware, there is a company called Horner shipyards that 3d prints the titan with optional decals depending on what version you want. Its currently available in 1/1400 scale, but they are working on a larger 1/1000 in the near future. kinda pricey but i like how mine looks lol
Motor Frog
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FDM isn't suitable for models. The only exception is for wargaming terrain where you need it to be sturdy. Other wise the detail is just ruined by FDM print lines. Resin layers on consumer machines are now so small it's literally impossible to see them.
Glorfindel
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Haven't posted forever but I'm also waiting for R2 to rerelease the 350 refit again also. My LHS tells me Trek models are his second best selling Sci Fi subjects behind Gundum. He didn't tell me where Star Wars was on that list but last time he had 350 refits they sold immediately out of state. He also wished he knew what R2 was doing not keeping those kits in circulation because they always sell.
He did get in two Bandai PG Falcons, $475. ea.
He did get in two Bandai PG Falcons, $475. ea.
Glorfindel
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So question for everybody.
Regardless of not finding the old 537 smoothie is it worth getting one now on Ebay and dumping a ton of aftermarket at it? Tenacontrols ( any lighting kit really) Greenstrawberry, Paragraphics, Shapeways, Aztec Dummy (Mask Design) Wallpaper decals? Thoughts?
Regardless of not finding the old 537 smoothie is it worth getting one now on Ebay and dumping a ton of aftermarket at it? Tenacontrols ( any lighting kit really) Greenstrawberry, Paragraphics, Shapeways, Aztec Dummy (Mask Design) Wallpaper decals? Thoughts?
