It seems to me that airplane models are cheaper than armor also. I never built an armor model in my younger years and a large part of that was the cost. I could get a jet for much cheaper than a tank. It seems to still be the case today. I know the smaller scale planes don't have as much plastic but there isn't a lot of difference from what I have seen. I would dare say a 1/48 modern aircraft has as much plastic as the average 1/35 armor kit, but the prices arn't that close. I wonder why there is such a difference between the 2, or I am imagining things?

Guys,
I'm sitting here thinking about the last several model contests that I have attended and one thing strikes me. There are always more aircraft and cars entered than armor. At least 2 to 1.
Just check any model club(AMPS excepted), you will find approx. the same proportions. Simply put, there are more airplane modelers and car modelers than armor.
When you were a kid, didn't you like to build the "zoomies"? So, most time when some one starts modeling agin as an adult, they go back to what they did when younger. That's just the way it seems to me.

I find the price thing rather interesting also.

Aircraft are more widely released than armor kits. With the exception of the Sherman and its variants, most armor kit types can be counted on both hands and the various manufacturers on one hand. Even the front line M1 series tank is basically made by only 4 manufacturers and until Trumpeter started boxing them in every conceiveable combination, there were only a handful of total Abrams kits out in 1/35.

Many aircraft types, on the other hand, get a new variant almost every year. The amount of just Bf, Me, Fw whatevers that get redone is mind boogling, let alone the latest "Block XX" F-14/15/16/18. I will admit though that it is probably easier to convert an M1A1 in to an M1A2 than a Block 40 F-16 to a Block 50 (if there are such things).

Armor kits also have greater longevity. 20+ year old molds are the norm and still build up to be fine representatives of the actual vehicle.

As far as why there are more cars and planes out there, go into the local toy store or Wal-Mart. They will carry car models (if any at all) and maybe a couple of Revell-Monogram planes. To find a tank kit, you will have to go to a hobby shop, and when I was stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ, the local hobby shops only carried planes and a couple of cars. Even the wife commented that I had more armor kits than those two stores combined.

Availability is the key, and when kids are getting into models, they'll probably build a snap-tite car or plane. Again, readily available. But I'd rather have the industry populated with car builders than to dry up and go away.

I agree with prices being too high, but I've managed to acquire quite a "cache" of kits at very reasonable prices. I had to give up the one local hobby shop (except for supplies), and that is sad,because I think we need more of them. But buying kits online, where you can shop for best prices, the occassional big sales (I was buying Accurate Miniature kits for around $8.00 a pop at one time, $25.00 for the B-25, from Model Expo), and the deals you can get at the vendor tables at shows, has become my way to go. My wife has to laugh when I come home and tell her what a great deal I got on a Tamiya M3A2 Halftrack ($11.00) after searching through god knows how many vendor tables. She threatens to send me out to buy her clothes. So, if you can live without that newest release (sometimes a very hard thing to do) and take your chances on finding it at later date, discounted, kits become pretty reasonable. I know I picked up two M-7 Priests, and I never pay more than $25 for a kit, no matter what. I guess sometimes you have to be lucky (right place, right time) as well.

Sounds like me. Model Expo actually gave away some of the AM kits when they opened their latest site. I got the P-51A Mustang for free and ordered their Accurate Miniatures "combo" of SBD, P-51, Yak & IL-2 for the ridiculous price of like $35 and got the B-25 for $25. Some day I may feel good enough to try to build those masterpieces in plastic.

Model Expo does have e-mail specials that send you to a slightly different site with better deals such as 50% off Italeri or free shipping, etc.

I admit that you guys are better at shopping model prices than I am. I must be the typical "male shopper" when it comes to models. I set it in my sights, have come to a determination on a range of money I'm willing to pay, seek out the target, and if it falls in the crosshairs - I get it and move on.

The wife shops in the Mall all day - I can't even stay in EVEN the hobby shop more than an hour without having to get out of there. I've probably left a lot of good money on the table by not looking around, but I do get what I want.

Gunnie

One thing I've learned is that the kit that's on clearance in one part of the country is usually highly sought after in another. I've done a lot of travelling for the military and it always seems that hobby shops are within a quick ride of most bases and the selection varies.

I usually shop the web using Squadron (or the catalog), Great Models, Model Expo, eBay, etc. to determine the market value of what I'm looking for, even before I hit the store. A lot of times, once you factor in shipping & time for delivery, the price at the store is best. I always go through the clearance table and look for the "yellow" stickers lowering prices.

For a while, Toys R Us was a great source for kits. In the late 90s though, they started clearing out their military kits, I was picking up Tamiya M2A2 and LVPT7A1 for $9.90 and the MRC AH-1T+ and OH-58D for $9.90 and $4.90. Too bad their selection was limited and going like hotcakes. This was probably the first time I went into a TRU and bought more "toys" for myself than my kids.