Sadly, there apprently ISN'T much demand for 48th AM
February 27 2008 at 1:41 PM
(no login) from IP address 24.18.177.21
Fellow Modelers:
I recently put in a large order directly to Bison decals, being particularly interested in their three new sheets on New Zealand forces in Africa and Italy. These have been released in both 35th and 72nd scale, and with my Mother being a Kiwi, I have a "soft spot" for the military history of New Zealand. So I naturally inquired as to Bison's plans for these in 48th. Note the firm has three sheets issued in 48th so far.
The response from Bison, and I quote: "No more 1.48 decals - at least not for the near future. Sadly they don't sell to well."
Momentum has to build. It's been only a few years since Tamiya basically brought the scale back from the dead. More models will mean more interest; more interest will mean more models. Then there will be a greater demand for more aftermarket items. It's a cycle and it takes time for things to work through and feed off of each other. This scale will likely never be as popular as 1/35, but it will probably grow with time.
I can envision the possibility that 1/48 could grow to be more popular than 1/72 in the future, and there are a lot of aftermarket items in that scale. In the meantime, all any of us can do is buy what we can buy, build what we can build, and maybe take some models to contests to help get the scale some exposure.
I think part of the problem Bison had was that he released stuff for vehicles that don't exist or were only available as resin kits. For example, the only remaining 1/48 decal sheet he has left is for specific Shermans, two of which are the standard Tamiya offerings M4 and M4A1, and even then the question is if they are early DV versions with M3 bogies and that whole debacle. So to do one of these specific vehicles you need to be pretty dedicated to get all the different parts together.
Andrew, A while back I had a thread about sales volumes, and had Johan's figures in there. He is looking at "alternatives"....but no thoughts of any new 1/48th sheets. Decals need a big return on investment....and our segment isn't there yet. My thoughts to our community? If you don't want a whole set, say Brit Shermans....post a note about splitting a set with another member....costs are not that much, and you both get what you want....and another decal gets sold!!
I'm trying to work with Johan to do a "Combo" set of the three 1/35th sheets...just the marks out in 1/48th now....Who knows??
Dave
I have always been curious about Bison decals, and why, as Nik says, he seems to favor vehicles that can't be made easily from standard kits. Having just purchased his three NZ sheets in 35th, I was looking over the subjects, and realized, "hey, half of these don't exist in the form of injection molded kits"! Now for those who have purchased expensive resin kits, and want a change of subject from what came in the kit, this is great. But for your average punter, you are somewhat wasting your money.
Still, I bought a bunch of them nonetheless! I agree with Dave, convince him to put out a 1/48th sheet(s) covering whatever he has done in 35th, that kits actually exist for in 48th.
I just have had several back and forths with Johan. I threw some proposals at him....might involve this site. I'l post a new thread when I hear back from all the principals....promise!!
Dave
Hello.
Not much philosophy when doing decals (or living my life). Hard thing is to find markings that are suitable for out of the box builds. When Dragon releases a Sherman Mk III in 1/35 I look for markings to do, and I have decided that it's up to the modeller on how close to the original he wants to build. I provide the decals and leave it to the modeller to find out all exeptions this particular Sherman have from the 'standard' Mk III offered in the box.
The Sherman decals in .48 were aimed to all those who make the conversions with the aftermarket sets. If you invest in the AM sets you possible also buy the decals for it. I don't know if that philosophy worked or not, but sales have been about the same as for the other two 48 sets (Tiger I and Pz IV (H)J) that are more for the ones that build OOB.
I'm very much interested to know what decals are needed, if you want decal sets for a specific tank/AFV or markings for a specific unit or battle.
For popping over and posting here!!
Okay Folks, Here's your chance......email Johan...or me(see other thread) and lets see what we can get made....sold thru Garfield and Meeta...and show the world wrong!!!
Johan, A really common fixture of 1/48th modelling seems to be "run what ya brung". So far, my kits have been JUST the kit provided...maybe a barrel or SOME P/e....stowage, figures.....and ALWAYS looking for a different scheme to do!!! So try to look at the kits out there...and just find minor variants...a different turret or mantlet....an easy "fix"......My first suggestion....You say German sells.....your new Stug set in 1/35th....throw a couple B schemes in there as well...or just as it is. And more Shermans.....or an Allied set...M8(out), M20(coming), M26(out) and some Shermans...just look at Faxon or Topgun's variants available now. Or, an Afrika set....Pz. III's (out), Early IVD(Conversions),Early Tiger(out), SdkFz. and Armoured cars(out and coming soon). Brit's, Allies and Commonwealth.... from Univ. Carriers up...there are plenty out there....do 2 UC's, 2-3 Crusaders, three Sherman variants and an M8 and M20. There are liable to be big sales!! Throw some stencils in ANY open area...especially weapon ones....ammo crates, mg. boxes, fuel cans.....anything that will entice us to buy MULTIPLE sets!!!
Hope to see you posting here again!!!
TIA, Dave
I think Bison decals are great. Great art, nice research, very good value and quality for the price. Really do wish you had more 48th scale but I get that there is more chance making money per sheet printed in other scales as there is a much bigger market.
As consumers we don't see the economics of printing and what you need to sell to break even or hopefully actually make some money.
Still I think you can be more "targeted" in 48th scale.
How "targeted"?
I bought and like your Tiger sheet but considering that there are already more than a few 1/48th Tiger decal sheets that might be part of problem.
Pzkw IV is also very good and not much competition there so that one is surprise that it did not do well. Maybe would have been better to try a Mk III first as there are more variants out of box and conversions than Mk. IV. (Or combo of IV and III even?) This is really not fair as the Mk IV decals are great and not available anywhere else in this scale. I think really it is that most builders will build a couple IVs at most and maybe didn't see need for such a (really nice!) variety.
But what about Sherman markings in 1/48s? The British sheet looks nice (ordered mine but still not received yet) I think you could have been more targeted still.
There are conversions for 1/48th Sherman aftermarket - consider Calliopie and Bulldozer Shermans from VLS and others. Gaso.line has "Aunt Jemima" conversion, etc. There are some Sherman "Jumbo" conversions too. But none of these come with markings! We are going have (someday - *sigh*)a Flail and Tulip. Plus lots more tracks that open more possibilities.
There are also the HB Sherman series with the M4A1 76mm, M4A3, M4A3(76mm W), M4A3E8, ... the kits have decent markings but I know Bison can do much better.
It just seems like there would be aftermarket for markings for these kits and conversions. I can't be only person that wants Sherman markings for all these kits in this scale. (Ok Bruce... and Pat ... and ... )
Thing is that Bison already has done all the research on some really impressive markings for all these variants! You have all the instructions done. Maybe assemble some in a "NE Europe Shermans" offering? Something like you did for 1/72nd. Sure there are more markings we can suggest that would be great but just what you already have done in 1/35th or 1/72 for these variants would be spectacular.
And how about "US Marine Shermans" incl. Pacific Theater and some Korea? Again you've done the hard work already in some great research for the markings. What has to be done is more about the work to assemble and take the monetary leap of faith on printing. It seems like it would be good to get as much mileage out of the research as possible.
There are also lots of Sherman hull types or other after market in 1/48th scale that go with your published 1/48 British Shermans. You could make suggestions as to how/where to get the updates so that potential buyers would be more confident of building more of the variants. (Even if they never DO build them at least they would be more likely to buy the decals.) Only hardcore Sherman fans (i.e. Bruce) might already know about what can be assembled and where to get the parts.
Lastly, I know this is not the Bison style but there are lots of "generic" markings for tank names, regiments, theaters, etc. There is a risk getting too "generic" since you compete with more producers and not in Bison style but there are still as yet not a lot of competition out there. A sheet that would try to cover generics for "British Armor at Normandy" for example. You have almost all the graphics. I have to guess it would be real task to get them all assembled in a generic markings sheet.
Yes there is always more opportunity and I can suggest an even bigger list but consider also just using the research assets you already have and use them to possibly target those 1/48 kits and conversions we already have available.
Give it some thought. You are just too good at this to let go with out some struggle Johann.
One of the articles I am researching now is a listing of what kits, kit parts, and conversion sets will be required to build a particular version of the Sherman. I will probably purchase one of each conversion/correction item out there now so I have an up-to-date sample of what is available. I may also go into mods and corrections for the parts/assemblies in the listing to get closer to the real thing. If so, I will list PE/resin sets that will correct/detail/upgrade the kits as you wish. I do have an extensive collection of published photos to identify variants and details, so I hope this will be fairly comprehensive. FAIR WARNING: I do include Bandai Sherman bits, because it turns out all the Bandai Sherman chassis tubs are for the M4A2/M10 diesel-powered versions, and I do use them. As a result, I will be using some of the Bandai hulls and turrets myself. In those cases, where most people will not have the Bandai Sherman kits, I will list the alternative aftermarket resin parts to achieve the same ends.
I now have 58 of the 60 kits I need - two more Tamiya M4A1s and I am done. For what it is worth, I am using Tamiya, Hobby Boss, and Bandai kits for my Sherman project. In general, my listing will not cover tracks, as these were quite variable, and in some cases, original tracks were switched out - sometimes by whole units - for tactical reasons. The 752nd Tk Bttn in Italy, in 1944, changed all the T51 rubber block tracks for T54E1 steel chevron, probably because they felt the steel tracks were more durable (they were) and gave better traction in the areas in which they were operating. You will find, in using photos to research your models, that the track types are easy to distinguish, and young master Tim is on the horizon, team straining at the traces, to get the serum to Nome in time.....
Actually, this was something I was envisioning in wiki format, but not limiting it to Shermans. Of course, if one person tried to do it all, it would be impossible, but it would work in a wiki. (I'm not thinking of any builds, per se, just lists of what is available to make different versions of different AFVs.)
I have a basic wiki that is free, doesn't have any ads and has a capacity of 2 GB. With George Bradford's and Dave Reed's help, I am putting together kit/accessory listings and will also add a list of people who have introduced themselves in the thread Dave put up. These two things may fill up a couple thousand bytes, so I have a ton of resources available.
LMK if you are interested in using this wiki for your articles. It would probably make it a lot easier to throw up stuff for immediate access.
It is still in very basic format, but you can see it at the link below:
Well, now THAT's out in the open....no more skulking in the dark alleyways of 1/48th modelling!! George has put a LOT of effort into this....and Isamu knows more about this Wiki-Whacky thing than I will EVER dream of. But this looks like the start of a really valuable research tool....where ANYONE can look to see what's out there...and available. Manufacturers, or AM people may find this helpful as a guide to "What to make...What NOT to make". Why duplicate efforts when there is soooo much out there to do!! I just KNOW that Italian vehicles are coming...the AB41 will start the landslide!!! Oops, there I go again.....need more Elderberry!!
And maybe the profile thread will be available there as a listing...helping connect us with other members!!
Dave
Since the site is still in "beta" I haven't set up a password/key for general users/contributors.
I'm still trying to mull the best way to do this. Although I trust everyone who regularly posts to this forum, I don't want to leave the wiki open for some malcontent (not that I know of any now, but you never know) to come in and mess up a ton of work. Some of the potential problems can be seen over at the more contentious topics in Wikipedia.
Right now, I'm leaning towards having two levels of contributors: Moderators who will have access to just about everything including "locked" pages (i.e., pages that cannot be modified unless you are qualified), and regular contributors who can only add information through dedicated and unlocked input pages. Means a little more work for me or the other moderators, but the data will be more secure.
So, Leo, if you want to be a moderator and help out, let me know and I'll give you the moderator password.
And if anyone has any good ideas on how to do this, please let me know.
I only learned of Bison Decal last week by reading this forum. I've looked at your current offerings in 1/35 and was very impressed. If any of your existing decal sheets for Sherman tanks or USMC Amtrac were available in 1/48 I'd be right in there with an order. I particularly liked the US 70th TB, M4 & M4A1 in Normandie, USMC Shermans and USMC Amtracs.
