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Post by The Hooded Claw on Oct 31, 2009 11:25:10 GMT
The problem with the prices of Japanese kits is the exchange rate. a couple of years ago you were looking at around 225 to 250 Yen to the pound. Today that rate is stuck at around the 145 rate automatically doubling the prices.
This also has a knock on effect in that 10% of the price import duty and 15% VAT cost more so the price goes through the roof.
THC
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tim
Sprue Cutter
Posts: 24
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Post by tim on Oct 31, 2009 12:12:00 GMT
The problem I have with that though Hooded though the exchange rate is clearly what is doing the damage if the exchange rate reverses back to where it was will those kit prices actually go down?
I have in the last decade approached all my hobbies with a view of it being a golden age. And we have been very fortunate with the sheer choice of subject and scale. We basically never had it so good. But in the time I have been collecting my stash model manufacturers have come and gone in succession. Esci being one of my old favourites. I wonder if we will lose a few before we get any return to normal trading.
Like Foxy I have my stash and all the bells and whistles to make them with so its not a big deal. But I will have to sit and think very carefully from now on how much I really want that kit against its price tag and will I want to build it now as for now the stash bar one kit is complete.
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Post by Loiner on Mar 3, 2010 12:43:46 GMT
Hi Foxy, I'm still toying with the idea of a Tamiya 1:350 'Missouri'. When I was looking into this early last year they were retailing for just £40. Have they gone up since then? (I'll probably wish I'd bought one when I was looking into it before).
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Post by foxy on Mar 4, 2010 16:02:46 GMT
Hi loiner mate. Well the Missouri retails at £45.45 pounds so far as I can tell,Mod-for-sale have one at that price,'well did when I last looked'. I have one yes, etchings also, not the Eduwd which maybe are cheaper and better with lots more detail, but there you go. Got to finish others first though.
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Post by Loiner on Mar 7, 2010 20:22:32 GMT
Hi Foxy and Tim, I've gone for it and ordered one now.
I'm just looking at photo-etch sets; White Ensign Models, Gold Medal Models and Eduard do a dedicated set, and I think having looked at them all I'm erring on the side of the Eduard set (although all look good).
Also for figures there is a wide choice. There's a few photo etch options, but I want to avoid the flat look, so other options are Tamiya figures, but Fujimi's may be better, but L'Arsenal do some resin ones that may be better still.
I assume you've not started yours yet Foxy, but is there anything you think is needed for the 'Missouri' kit? without going over the top? (For colours, I'm planning to do mine in Measure 22 as she was in '45).
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Post by foxy on Mar 8, 2010 13:11:35 GMT
Hi.
I have Gold Medal set for Missouri but Eduard are cheaper and seem more there for your money.
Not started yet as I have a backlog of ships to Spray and finish painting.
Yes I to am doing the measure 22 for 1945 Tokyo.
Also the Tamiya King George V Battleship for that time zone.
Will do them both together,'I hope'.
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Post by foxy on Mar 20, 2010 21:53:11 GMT
Hi Lioner.
Yep I think Fujimi figures are much better, and you get more than is needed for one ship, unless you want to smother the ship.
As for going over the top.
Well, I have in going for the aber AA brass barrels for the pom pom and bofors guns.
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Post by Loiner on Mar 23, 2010 21:20:05 GMT
I have asked around on www.shipmodels.info, and they strongly recommend the L'Arsenal resin figures. I have looked around for sellers and White Ensign sell them, so I may get some on order. I also asked about the deck colour for measure 22 , which was painted grey until the journey home after the war ended, at which time the special stripable wood deck paint was removed (with colour photos showing this).
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Post by foxy on Mar 24, 2010 9:16:41 GMT
Great stuff Lioner mate.
Never used the resin one's, must take a peek.
Good site that shipmodels is methinks.
Good to have more info on thease extra items needed to finish a model,-- nice find.
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Post by Loiner on Mar 31, 2010 21:30:50 GMT
Thanks Foxy. I've been looking for the right colour paints, and found that Testors do the range of US Navy colours in acrylic or enamel (haze grey, navy blue and deck blue). However I'm not sure where to get Testors paints as Hannants and modelsforsale.com don't sell them. I could order them direct from Testors website but I'm nervous about whether I'd be stung by tax as they would be coming in from overseas. Has anybody any suggestions where they can be obtained from?
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Post by foxy on Apr 1, 2010 7:57:45 GMT
Also Loiner mate, The Haze Grey on the side of Missouri was over painted Blue Grey for its journey home after the Signing of Japans surrender in Tokyo Sept 1945. So was one colour on hull sides, I am doing mine in the two tone as at the signing. White ensign do all the colours for HMS/US/Japan and so on, but are expensive. Also the tax at 17% is added later on purchase for each item!!!!. Never tried Testers!!!! .
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Post by Loiner on Apr 1, 2010 8:12:44 GMT
I believe the blue grey only overpainted the haze grey on the portion of the hull that was haze grey, ie from the main deck level to the highest part of the hull, and I believe the superstructure remained haze grey. Also the deck was stripped back to bare timber on the way back. Not long after all vertical surfaces were painted in peace time standard light grey. White Ensign do the right colours but I believe only in enamels; I much prefer acrylics, so will continue to look for a UK supplier for Testors if there is one. If all else fails I may need to go with White Ensign's paints. I have been looking at whether it would be possible to do her in the Korean war service, but there seem to be quite a few modifications necesary, particularly with the main mast, which may be too ambitious for my current abilities
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Post by foxy on Apr 2, 2010 12:22:23 GMT
Your right on the over paint after Tokyo. Have just recieved some Figures 1/350 scale from L,Arsenal. Resin they are and very nice detail for such a small size, with some other items to help finish a few of the USN ships I have. Its time to start building/Spraying a few!!!!. .
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Post by foxy on Apr 7, 2010 19:07:55 GMT
Well really gone an done it now, in finding JB models for another project.
I find the 1/350 40 mm single Okl AA guns and many more parts for me two Tamiya ships,( Mississippi and King George V).
Turning out to be a lot of brass in so many ways. ;D
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Post by Loiner on Mar 26, 2011 20:03:24 GMT
My BB-63 is now underway a last. The hull has been succesfully cut down to waterline with main deck assembled, and first detailing parts going on the main deck. I'm planning to assemble into mostly fully built sub-assemblies prior to painting, then final assembly, to make the painting of awkward details easier from a practical point of view.
The Eduard photo etch set is fantastic. All parts are relief etched, and made for easy folding of parts.
Also received my L'Arsenal figures, these are magnificent and have to be seen to be believed, they are properly fully sculpted little figures with a good variety of poses; in a seperate league to any of the 'flat' alternatives.
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