Tamiya is cooking these kits out fairly quickly of late. I couldn't be more pleased. If they continue releasing an average of 3 new kits every 2 months, we'll see more than the announced 20 items by years end. The PantherG will be especially popular. Their 1/48 kits are so well engineered the parts almost fall together, to quote another modeler from some months ago. Guess that's why I so eagerly look forward to their each new release. Oh, there may be detail omissions here and there, but the fit is always superb; not withstanding the cast hulls.

A while back i did a review of the new Tamiya 1/48th Brick Wall, Sandbags, and Barricades set. The question was raised then as to whether or not this was a scaled down version of its bigger counterpart. A simple one on one comparison of both the 1/35th and 1/48th parts shows that the two are completely diffrent toolings.
Furthermore, i also emailed Tamiya several times on this and finally received an answer..According to Tamiya, All of their new miniatures line are not scaled down versions of previous 1/35th kits, but rather completely new tooled kits..


Hopes this helps with the discussion..
Mary

With all the new NC milling equipment that is in the market, Tamiya could be using their existing CAD drawings to quickly create the basis for the new 1/48 stuff. Also, with some of the other new technologies such as flow analysis and slide molds, they are probably going back to address inaccuracies and problems with the old layouts. Hence, the new sprues.

This would explain the rapidity that Tamiya is introducing the 1/48 scale kits. This new technology also explains why Trumpeter is able to crank out so many new models so quickly.

Additionally, there are big marketing reasons for Tamiya's rush into 1/48. There are few competitiors, the kits complement their 1/4 aircraft line, and the smaller kits are more afforable. Tamiya is oviously working to "own" the 1/48 armor market..

Jim, Your comments are especially welcome. There has been quite a bit of speculative posting on this forum and others regarding the 1/48 kits Tamiya is now producing. I have to admit your explanation of probables certainly sounds more credible than the "pantagraph" , and "down scaled" theories we've tossed about.
That certainly goes a long way to explain Tamiya's selection of kits already marketed in 1/35. Thank you for your incite. It would appear Mary's posting supports the same thesis. It would be fair, therefore, to suppose that in their quest to hasten kit releases, reliance on existing Computer data explains the recent subject selections by Tamiya.

Marlowe:
Thanks for the info. I'm getting on it ASAP.

Here's another hint for Mr. Tamiya, if he's listening. Lose the metal hulls - if a particular person feels better with a heavy plastic model, self-adhesive model RR weights can be added. Instead, add a simple PE fret - engine grills, schuertzen, MG shields, etc., nothing too extensive. That will go far to making these kits even more popular. Why not? DML is doing it.

To Marlow:
Do you know of any company that makes 1/48 PE engine grills for Panther, Jagdpanther, Tiger, Jagdtiger, Elephant,etc.? I would like to finish my Bandai and Funan armor. I cut some grills from fine brass mesh, but it does not look as good as PE would. Nothing too fancy - I'm not looking for a whole set of equipment brackets, etc., just engine grills. And gun barrels.

Hauler has PE for the Tiger and I would bet they will comeout with the others as Tam , Trumpeter or Skybow comeout with these kits. I have the whole range of Hauler here at WingsnTreads.com very nice stuff. You may also want to check with the Gaso.line shop as well. They have done many sets in both resin and PE for the older Hauler , Frog , solider kits.

Winston

For gun barrels you could look for those made by Shatton (Panther, King Tiger, Jagdpanther and Pz IV), you can get these via Track48. For the Tiger 1 there is a very nice one by Armo, also one by Lion Roar which includes a basic set of p/e details. Avoid the Tiger 1 barrel from Fine Moulds, the muzzle brake is cast rather than turned and not cast very well.

Hey Biggles, it's too bad you don't want the clips for tool stowage as Eduard makes a PE set just for that. Hauler makes tools and jacks with PE for German vehicles as well. As for the PE grills, we will all have to wait for the Tamiya Panther to be released and get the PE for it which will certainly be soon to follow. I'm hoping for fenders and mudguards in PE as well as engine screens to put on my Bandai Jagdpanther. As for barrels, Track48 has brass barrels for the Panther and the 88mm for the King Tiger and Jagdpanther. They also sell the production turret for the King Tiger, made by a fellow from Smith's Falls Ontario. They have resin track sets too. Importantly, the Bandai Panther has many flaws which need to be corrected to have a presentable model. That is why Track48 made the update set for the Panther. It has the late-war production driver' and R.O.'s hatch plate; raised engine fan and engine compartment inserts. If you really want to go to town, you can upgrade your Panther with the above-mentioned stuff, brass barrel and resin track. To see what a Panther looks like with the AM stuff on it, check out Garfield's Panther in the Gallery section of Trac48 in the Axis Gallery. Track48 had also announced a resin track set for the Elefant, but it will probably be awhile before those are available.

The only hole with that explanation is that are the older kits that are nearly 20-30 years old aren't done in CAD, since it didnt exist then. Who knows even if their newer releases where done in CAD...your just throwing darts at an answer here.

If it will make anyone feel better, Tamiya's '48th Kublewagen is NOT a downscale of their '35th. There are differences both in the interior and the chassis. Construction is simplified in the smaller scale as some small parts in '35th would disappear in '48th. IMHO, who cares?? As long as the model is accurate (or the inaccuracies are minimal). I am disappointed, however, with their German figure set. Only one panzer figure is a true '48 scale, and most of the infantry figures are way under-scale as to look ridiculous. Even the plain helmets are noticeably larger than the camo covered ones. And the MG 34's look way too long.