Would you rather pay more for better accuracy, or save some cash on a less accurate kit?

[keyda81]

So I was having a discussion with a fellow modeling friend on Facebook. He was kind of complaining about how a lot of kits are inaccurate to their subject. I specifically mentioned the Trumpeter C-47 kit. It does have a few inaccuracies, but I don't think it's all that bad. It's way more detailed than the old Monogram offering. Not knocking the Monogram offering, I like them both. I've built the Monogram one 3 times, lol. Anyway, said friend wishes they would focus more on accuracy than just pumping out kits. My reply to that was it takes more time, hence more money to produce a more accurate kit. Which is going to make the kit more expensive. I feel like this hobby is mostly made up of your average person like myself who isn't going to spend hundreds of dollars on a kit. (I think the most I ever spent was around a hundred bucks on Tamiya's F-14D.) Take HPH's 1/32 C-47. As much as I would LOVE to have a giant Whiskey 7, there is no way in hell I'm paying the near $700 price tag for it. EVER. I just can't justify that.

Anyway, so my question is would you rather pay more for something with better accuracy, or pay less for something not quite as accurate?

Most of us, myself included aren't going to notice minor inaccuracies. Shapes being slightly off, etc. I have noticed the shape of the engine cowlings not being right on Trumpeter's C-47, the front edge comes in too far where it wraps around the engine. This can be fixed though with some trimming and sanding. The other thing that bugs me is that kit does not offer the different size carb scoops. It just has the really long one. It also did not come with Rebecca antenna, and had the football antenna in the wrong place. All things that I think can be remedied. I think the detail that the kit has makes up for those things.

[keavdog]

That's a tough one. You know the c-47 inside and out and would appreciate super accurate. I however appreciate the history and the lines of the bird and don't know enough to say what is or isn't accurate so here I'd go price. Now take an Formula 1 car model, I'd pay a bit more for all the bits and bobs that make the engine look authentic. So like most things... it depends. I will, however, pay for fit and finish every time. Spend a bit more for a kit that is a joy to build.

[LyleW]

I prefer the less expensive option. No one sees my stuff anyway. My hands have a fair amount arthritis and can get somewhat stiff.

Oh, a little bird has mentioned that a 1/32 DC-3/C-47 May also be in the works from HPH.....

[cbaltrin]

I guess I don't accept the premise that accuracy drives cost so I have no answer..

[Duke Maddog]

I prefer something I can afford. Irregardless of how accurate a model is, it doesn't make a difference to me if I can't buy it anyway....

[Stikpusher]

I agree that accuracy and cost are not mutually exclusive. Many older kits, particularly those by Monogram, are more accurate in shape than newer kits (yes Trumpeter, I’m looking at you). Those old hand carved molds tended to be more accurate compared to some companies’ CAD molds. What I don’t care for excessively high parts counts or overengineering. You know the type, the kit that makes a sub assembly in six to ten parts when two to five will do quite well. That is where costs go up. More tooling to produce more parts. Is it more accurate? Maybe so, maybe not. But it sure will be more intricate. Personally I really like Eduard’s current approach. The same basic kit will be issued as a basic Weekend Edition, a boxing with lots of detailing add ons in the Profi Pack, and Royal Class that has all the goodies of the Profi Pack plus other goodies. I’m perfectly happy with the Weekend Edition kits myself, as I don’t care much for PE.
In a nutshell, will I pay more for a more accurate or more detailed kit? No not likely. I’m content with something more economical.

[jkim]

Interesting question! I think I'm in the minority here but I would gladly pay more for better accuracy, if there was ever that choice. But I also agree with Carlos and others that I don't think accuracy is a big driver when it comes to cost. More details... yes, that would add to complexity and cost but not necessarily better accuracy.

Compared to my other interests (photography, fishing), this hobby is relatively cheap and I consider EVERYTHING available within consideration from a financial perspective. That's why I load most of my builds with as much aftermarket stuff as I can. I think it's so cool that there is a thriving marketplace of smaller companies providing resin, photoetch, 3D-printed parts and decals. Many of these "companies" are just passionate individuals and will chime in and comment on the build threads. In some scenarios, they will offer customized products just because they are interested in what we are building.

I was this close to pulling the trigger on the 1/32 Border Lancaster with no intention of building it, just to take a look at what many consider to be the pinnacle of injection molded aircraft kits.

On the flip-side, I have zero or little interest in vintage kits. I already built many of them in my youth and I don't feel a need to re-visit the past when there are so many better kits out there now.

[keyda81]

That's a tough one. You know the c-47 inside and out and would appreciate super accurate. I however appreciate the history and the lines of the bird and don't know enough to say what is or isn't accurate so here I'd go price. Now take an Formula 1 car model, I'd pay a bit more for all the bits and bobs that make the engine look authentic. So like most things... it depends. I will, however, pay for fit and finish every time. Spend a bit more for a kit that is a joy to build.

I know Whiskey 7 inside and out(well maybe ) and I do appreciate things being accurate, but I think I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of accuracy for more detail. Probably why I don't mind the Trumpeter kit. It has the oil tanks, fire seal, and engine mounts, and more detailed engines compared to the old Monogram.

I prefer the less expensive option. No one sees my stuff anyway. My hands have a fair amount arthritis and can get somewhat stiff.

Oh, a little bird has mentioned that a 1/32 DC-3/C-47 May also be in the works from HPH.....

You mean 1/48? 1/32 is the one that costs almost 700 bucks. I would love a super accurate, and detailed offering in 1/48, but how much are they going to charge for that 350? Still can't justify that price. I would have a hard time even at 200.

I guess I don't accept the premise that accuracy drives cost so I have no answer..

I realize it's not the only thing that drives cost, but I'm sure it has a lot to do with it. I never hear anyone knocking Tamiya's accuracy on anything, and I find their kits are on the higher end of the price spectrum. Just my experience.

I prefer something I can afford. Irregardless of how accurate a model is, it doesn't make a difference to me if I can't buy it anyway....

That is a very good point. I looked into two different 1/72 C-47 kits. The airfix, and Italeri. I landed up going with Italeri based on price alone, the airfix was twice the price. Of course there were some complaints about the accuracy of the Italeri kit, but honestly I didn't notice anything horrible about it. Built up quite nice too.

I agree that accuracy and cost are not mutually exclusive. Many older kits, particularly those by Monogram, are more accurate in shape than newer kits (yes Trumpeter, I’m looking at you). Those old hand carved molds tended to be more accurate compared to some companies’ CAD molds. What I don’t care for excessively high parts counts or overengineering. You know the type, the kit that makes a sub assembly in six to ten parts when two to five will do quite well. That is where costs go up. More tooling to produce more parts. Is it more accurate? Maybe so, maybe not. But it sure will be more intricate. Personally I really like Eduard’s current approach. The same basic kit will be issued as a basic Weekend Edition, a boxing with lots of detailing add ons in the Profi Pack, and Royal Class that has all the goodies of the Profi Pack plus other goodies. I’m perfectly happy with the Weekend Edition kits myself, as I don’t care much for PE.
In a nutshell, will I pay more for a more accurate or more detailed kit? No not likely. I’m content with something more economical.

I agree the older kits can be more accurate, but some also lack detail. I should of mentioned that in my initial post. I can see why they make higher parts count stuff, it depends on the mood I'm in if I find it annoying or not, lol. Sometimes I don't mind the long dragged out build with a ton of parts that will keep me occupied for hours and hours. Other times I'm like was that really necessary to make that into 10 different parts?!

[jeaton01]

I think it depends on one's goal with modeling. Mark is building a museum, and that is pretty much what satisfies me. I feel like kits that are not accurate, particularly kits made with the newer methods, are insulting and I avoid them. However, if an old kit is the only one available, then I may be happy enough with it so long as I can fix it with less effort than scratchbuilding.

Those who build for the joy of modeling alone will make different choices. I do enjoy the building and finishing but a billion parts that no one will see doesn't work for me. I suspect I am more attached to my finished models than many, witness all those relics from the 60's that are still around here.

[BlackSheep214]

This is a very interesting question. If there is in fact a 100% accurate kit out there, hell, I’d like to know about it.

I agree with Keyda - it’s does involve time and money to create a 100% accurate model kit by the manufacturer. Yet, no matter what, there will always be that one self claimed expert of a stickler out there who’ll say otherwise. Nobody wins.

I’m content with being the average builder without spending stupid money for a kit. I’m also particular about the brand I like. I’m more interested in fit and cost than accuracy. Sure, once in a blue moon if I find a kit I really, really, need or want, I’ll spend for it as long it’s a reasonable amount. As I’ve mentioned before, I’d love to get my hands on the 1/32 scale Lancaster kit but I don’t have that kind of money to spend for it. (the only exception is if I won some serious F U money, then I would buy it. )

If accuracy is an issue, there’s plenty of aftermarket parts out there if he/she wants to achieve that goal.