Lets settle the cottage industry XD cost controversy...

[olifant]

We have had lots of talk about how we could help support small cottage scale 1/18 customizers but it all comes down to what we are willing to pay for. So what do you have to say?

Couple of ground rules though:

1) Can you really put your money where your mouth is? Don't vote for that $600 plane if you aren't going to pony up.
2) Think broadly. I know there may be two of us that will pay $600 for that Brewster Buffalo in Finnish markings, but what are you willing to pay for pieces that are more likely to draw broader appeal? A Hurricane is not my favorite piece, so what would I really be likely to pay for it and others to follow?
3) Keep in mind that we have to trade detail for $$. We will NOT get a $200 Hurricane with inflatable tires and working .303 gun slides.

[GooglyDoogly]

I voted for the $600-range. Seeing I just built a $900 Leopard tank kit, and prior to that, I built a King Tiger tank with detailed parts alone that cost me around $500. And prior to that, I built a Panther G tank kit that cost me $800. So I'm willing to pony up the cash if I *really* want the item.

Although, the only planes I would spend $600+ is a 1/18th, super-detailed F-14D Super Tomcat.

[pickelhaube]

I have paid for several Fov tanks at retail but I would say I am in the $200 range. But I really want a subject I can make it myself. By doing that time taken would be well over $600.
I have invested over 300 hrs in my Tony alone, @ $7 an hr that would be $2100 and I have at least another 100 or so to compleat it . Then RTV resin and........

[aferguson]

the answer to this poll completely depends on the subject of the model that is being offered. I'd probably go $600 for a He-219 or Me-410 but i wouldn't go even $200 for a P-39 or a Frank.

I think the customizers also have to consider borrowing an idea from FOV and offer a more expensive enthusiast grade model and a dumbed down action grade type model. Again, i don't know how feasible this is but i suspect it's practical.

[Teamski]

My whole attraction to 1:18 has always been value. To be able to get a great looking plane for $40-$60 was the lure. I have zero interest in spending a forturne for an aircraft or a tank. So, it seems that 1:18 is somewhat in a swansong for me personally.

-Ski

[FieroDude]

I voted for the $300-449 range, but that also has its conditions. I wouldn't pay that kind of money for yet another P-51 or Me-109 variation, for example. Offer up an A-10, Mig 29, Su-33, F-14, (maybe even an F-4) or something like that, and make sure the quality is good enough that it doesn't fall apart coming out of the box, and I will pay that kind of money or more for a subject I really want. I have spent that kind of cash and more in the past on Pocher-Rivarossi 1/8 scale Ferrari kits, and upwards of $180 on the occasional 1/6 figure, so it really comes down to how bad do you want it.

[pickelhaube]

the answer to this poll completely depends on the subject of the model that is being offered. I'd probably go $600 for a He-219 or Me-410 but i wouldn't go even $200 for a P-39 or a Frank.

I think the customizers also have to consider borrowing an idea from FOV and offer a more expensive enthusiast grade model and a dumbed down action grade type model. Again, i don't know how feasible this is but i suspect it's practical.

Not the P-39 ? This is on the list. As a matter of fact I wanted to do this after my Tony. Could it be possible that we are putting too much subjects out there ? There is the possibilty that collectors will pick and choose. I want that one and not this one. A lot of thought goes into these things . There is one thing we don't want to do and that is flood the market. That being said I am a collector . I have been for years. I would love to have ALL of my favorite WW2 planes and armor as well as WW1. But flooding the market could be a concern.

[toyktdlgh]

Anything over $150 and it had better fly!

[aferguson]

pH, perhaps the customizers should start surveying their potential customers to see what they want, instead of making a bunch of things that have scattered interest? I don't see anything wrong with offering a lot of choice per se, so long as your prepared to produce each of the models for many years to come. People aren't going to be able to afford a ton of expensive planes all at once, but over time can get them one by one.

And no, a P-39 doesn't turn my crank at all......especially at these prices. If bbi or 21c made one i'd probably get it but not at $100+ levels. Many other aircraft i'd rather direct my funds and limited space toward. But that's just me. There might be tons of demand for a P-39. That's why you need to do surveys to find out what to make.

[General Blasto]

I voted in the task involing armour.
Planes don't concern me as much, because I only have room for just a few. But there ARE small operations that make custom Armour, the Hun being about the best around. I would pay some decent funds for a limited run item. That way I can be one of the very few that has it. Folks seem to forget how much work goes into a good custom model. If you don't want to pay a FAIR - and I mean pay for 10-20+ hours of work that someone has done, then make it yourself If you can't afford the price tag, then read the topics in the customs forums and see how folks do the work. You might just enjoy making/kitbashing/scratchbuilding a model yourself Back before my time, all that was availible to build planes were balsa kits where folks spent mega hours building, painting and customizing models. They were cheap or at least affordable, but now a days we have plastics Easier to work with and a bit less fragile too First way to build some models is start with kit or existing model, buy styrene, glue etc. and go from there. A good picture or 2 or 3 helps I personally enjoy building myself, but have little time to do it nowadays So I do spend a bit on some custom items from time to time. Yet, I still have about 6 or 7 models now that I'm building myself that are in some stage of development.

This is just my 2 cents worth and being a kitbash/scratchbuilder I know what goes into these projects. How much is YOUR time worth Think about it the next time you see that $300 or higher price tag on a model that someone has slaved over to build. I'm talking about a real build, not just a custom paint job with a few parts added. Something to think about

The General

[Jay]

Under $200!............As an overseas buyer I have to automatically double the price to cover shipping

[Quixote511]

I can swing 200 to 300 a couple times a year for a cool subjects. But, anymore than that, and it is rough to justify the expense. Before we bought the new house, our mortgage was 540 a month. I just can't get overthe mental hurdle of paying more than my house for something.

[vmf214]

I'm in the 200-300 category as well. However, as a builder myself I can fully vouch that these types of items made in limited numbers have to have the price point that Jack has on them. Big difference when you hand pour resin vs. a 3 ton injection molding machine that the big boys have access to.

[scbvideoboy]

I have invested over 300 hrs in my Tony alone, @ $7 an hr that would be $2100 and I have at least another 100 or so to compleat it . Then RTV resin and........

I sent you a pm last week, about the detail level of the Tony.

Tony is on the list, brings back childhood memories as first Revell 1/32 kit built.

DH

[tosborne3]

I voted under 200, but honestly I wouldn't pay much more than a hundred unless it was something like, dare I say an A10 or F4, or perhaps that monster B25 . But who am I kidding when I suggest that these fine pieces would ever see the light of day. I really do hope so however. I also want that BMF falcon, but 150 can buy so much XD. Maybe I'll get one on clearence some day

[Killerf6]

I voted under $200.

Right now I'm having a real dilema in regards to the Bunker Hill F-6F. I really want that plane, but I find it difficult to spend that kind of money on a "toy" plane.

Most likely I will pony up the cash, but not with out a lot of internal debate.

[olifant]

Whoops, I wasn't very clear on this poll. I was thinking what we would spend for a single engine WWII fighter, not a hugely detailed modern fighter. If Skyworks has to go $600+ to bring us a Hurricane, I don't want to know what an A-10 will run. Perhaps we can finance over 60 months?

[Jesse James]

I think the poll says it all...

I really don't think there's much of a reality behind limited run and more pricey 1:18 planes.

[pickelhaube]

I think the poll says it all...

I really don't think there's much of a reality behind limited run and more pricey 1:18 planes.

Well, Airstrike excluded. Most custom planes using E-bay as a guide sell from $100 to $700 and this is for painted pieces only. No custom work no modification nothing but paint. The average price that these sell for is $250. Again custom repaints only.

So in reallity the $200 mark is not reallity. There are ways to cut corners. Like hired help. Get a skilled person to work for min. wage. To run a small custom shop I guess you would need 4 people.
1. Designer
2.Resin pourer
3. Assembler
4. Painter

So all four working 8 hrs a day @7 an hr. That would be 4x7 = 32
32x8 = $224.
Add resin, paint and electricity say $50 per unit. So far that is up to $274 per unit and that is no profit yet. Now if these guys get out say 4 units a day. The cost would be $68 dollars a unit if they sell for $200 money would be made.
But were do you get skilled people to work for min wage ? They don't grow on trees. Anybody want a job? .........I didn't think so.
With all the things I am working on I have yet to make a profit. I am in the hole for thousands of dollars so far. It is a good thing that I love to work on these things. But if I had to put food on the table and support my family from this hoddy . I would have a different outlook on things.