FineScale Modeler unboxes Italeri, Tamiya, ICM, and Revell, adheres plastic, and talks about prices 

Atlantis has done a great job of keeping affordable kits available in the USA.

Let’s not forget the great deals that can be found at model shows. I have a stash of 1100+ and didn’t pay retail prices for most of them. I’ve been subscribing to FSM since the mid 80s. Great job guys, keep it up

You had a good approach to the price subject. Everyone has had price increases over the years and the model industry included. When I was a boy in the 70s a few dollars for a model was considered a lot to me and my parents who saw it as a frivolous purchase. Of course back then a gallon of gas was $.29 as well!

Good kit price discussion at the end. Just don't worry about people being so 'sensitive' to your opinions (or facts). Say what you think and if folks don't like it, they can express their opinion or just deal with it!

Great comment on kit prices...only us old fogys who have thre diesese of "When back in my days...." Well back in those days the minimum wages a a great $2.56.....luv your comments...

I've been thinking about getting into model building. So glad I found your channel. Great information. Thanks!

Nice format!

Personally think you guys do great reviews. Keep it up

Awesome!

Very glad I was able to amass quite a stash while in the military. Between Japan and trips to Korea & Hong Kong I really got a good leg up on my retirement pile so now I can just concentrate on sales at Hobby Lobby, Hobbylinc, EBay, Hobby Link Japan and the occasional Amazon bargain! ;-D

I live in PA in the land of auctions and flea markets. Smaller scale military kits can be had for $5 - larger military $10 to 15. I was just at an auction yesterday of about 60 airplane kits. Car models not as cheap - but still, not over $20 for most not brand new or rare.

For all the old timers (and I'm one of them) who complain about the cost of kits today vs. the good ol days, a $5 kit in 1965 would cost 47.91 due to inflation. So that repop of a 60 year old kit on the shelf at hobby lobby is not out of line to what it should cost.

Nice vid!!! 👍👍

What a coincidence! I just picked up a bottle of Tamiya Airbrush Cleaner from the local hobby store yesterday to use as TET. Haven't tried it yet. I have hardware store lacquer thinner (for something else) but the smell is the strongest I have ever came across, definitely stronger than any hobby products I've used.

Another awesome vid n interesting topics👍I find glue tricky to use, sometimes great filler on kit gaps but I will thinner glue to see if I can get better results👍As for pricing it sucks that kits have gone up in price but Such is Life, I remember buying model kit for $5 it USN Missouri n German U boat simple build, painting was carefree but today models have better details.

I'm just relaxing tonight and scrolling the older FSM videos, so just watched this one. Kit prices yes I agree they are overall more money then I use to pay for kits 20, 30, 40, and +50 years ago. I remember at 6 or 7 years of age, I neighhood hobby shop. It's was small barn building, near the neighborhood playground, they were open for 4 hours Monday thru Friday after school let out, then all day Saturday. I could buy a model for 50 or 75 cents. These were very cheap plastic kits that came a bag, like green army men. The detail was horrible but at 6 or 7, I didn't care. The kits today even those for $20 or less, are 100 times better, more detail, better decals and instructions, etc. So most of my collection today (+400 kits), were purchased in the $20 to $50 dollar range. With maybe 10 or 15% between $50 to $100 range. I'm very happy with the hobby today. New kits blow me away compared to yestyear kits. I'm excited about Hobby Boss's new 1/72 scale A6 intruder range, pricy yeah but I will buy the A6A, A6E, EA6B and the KA6D versions when there released. As always good Video FSM

I enjoyed your perspective on model pricing, when I was young I'd pay from 50 cents or the big money one $1.00. But things change in time, my other hobby in the last 5 or so years has gone so high I can't afford it any longer. So I'll play with this again an call it money well spent an cheep or cheaper then the other one.

Bandai snap kits make my son want to build. He built an AT-ST, and hopes that Bandai would offer airplane and armor kits in the future so he can buy and build more kits.

Having worked at Walmart for a few years after retirement and just restarting my modeling, they would feature inventory turnover of models for as low as $1.00 up to $10.00. Most were Revel car kits from my youth and snap together kits. A few planes, and no armor.

May the algorithm be with you.

With regard to kit pricing, of course they've gone up over the years, everything else has as well, just look at food prices. However, in comparison to so many other hobbies and leisure activities, like golf, photography, skiing, cars, etc., model making is quite cheap. A $50 kit and a few dollars of supplies and paints can provide days or weeks of enjoyment for the price of a night out at a restaurant! When put in those terms, I believe our hobby is still more affordable than most, especially considering the incredible advancements in detail, engineering and quality of the last 20 years.

Been modeling well over 50 years. I have heard complaints about kit prices throughout most of that time. I remember 72 scale single engine fighter kits went for 25 cents. Then $1. Then $5. I remember when Hasagawa fighter kits broke the $10 barrier…OMG.😮 But look, right now most of the 1/72 single engine fighter kits still sell for about $12-$17 and the new tooled kits are of phenomenally better quality than the 1970s and 1980s equivalents. Just look at the ridiculously affordable new tool Airfix kits! Now though you also have the option to spend more on even better state of the art kits like those from Arma Hobby and Eduard that have PE and 3D printed parts. That was unimaginable on the 70s & 80s.

Regarding kit prices, I think it depends on the store location and the types of kits.. My local HobbyTown in Kennesaw GA has very few AFV kits under $70. That's not a lot for me, but none of those kits are appropriate for beginner modelers regardless of their age. I'm guessing the profit margin on Meng, Takom, Border etc. is a lot greater for them than on a Tamiya kit (which they do have a small selection of). They do have a larger price variety on their airplane and car kits. Then there is the Gundam section, which itself is larger than all the other kits combined. They told me that they make a lot of money on the Gundam kits so I don't blame them.

Given inflation, many kits are more reasonable than you think. Take a look at inflation adjusted prices for a shock. I find the large number of large scale and super kit’s also seems to be driving prices, but there is value for money there too. Konrad

I think on the price issue, kids have no problem dropping 50 bucks on a video game so that's not the problem. Also with modern kits we generally get more than we did in the past.

So many people dont understand the cpi inflation thing, goes with video games too. The atari 2600 released in 1977 sold for US$189.95. Sounds cheap, but when we adjust for 2023 its the same as spending $980.06 in 2023.

First, kits are not a luxury to the manufacturers. This is their business and jobs are at stake, so the retail cost is very important to them. Second, many factors go into the retail cost. A 15 year old kit may now sell for the same price as a new kit but remember that the profit on the old kit is helping to keep down the price of a new kit. It's a hobby to us -- it's a business to them.

Oh my Bugatti!

I just got back into the hobby after over 40 years. Are kit prices more expensive? Yes, inflation not withstanding. I'm looking at you, 1/5000 Bandai Star Destroyer. To me, the cost of proper tools is the killer. Thankfully I am at a place to more easily afford it now.

Mek is basically liquid glue

I always get a kick out of those people that say the kit should be less on that 40yr old kit from Revell or AMT, because the tooling was paid off years ago. Really? They were? So the fact that Round 2 bought all the AMT, MPC, Lindberg etc tooling, doesn't reset that tooling cost? If the company has been under the same owner ship for 40yrs, then maybe that argument holds a bit of water. But still costs money to put plastic through the molds, boxes, instructions, decals, transportation, and wages of those who work on all of that stuff. I remember talking to Revell years ago about tooking costs. Average car kit, from the time you start work on tge project, until you start running plastic theough it for production kits, you have invested 250-300k. And that was probably 10yrs ago, i am sure that number has gone up significantly, like everything else has

From the UK. Airfix have said that half the cost of the kit is decals (cartograf) and Airfix are still quite cheap kits.

Whoa, Tim has a "couple dozen" Wingnut Wings kits in his stash? Where does he keep them, on his luxury yacht? Seriously though, find a local hobby shop that takes models on consignment. Lots of people out there cleaning out their stashes and you can find some amazing deals on rare models.

Yeah as a truck driver for one of the shipping companies, even I try to find shipping deals and combine up orders. You have to remember how much the container shipping spiked over last few years and how much that affected every region. Everyone wants a nice yacht and a Bugatti in the garage while working at McDonald's. We all have choices where to spend, even on our luxurious hobby. ☕🐢

Hobby Lobby frequently has model kits at 40% off, my son got a couple gundam kits for around $10.

I appreciate the straight dope on the thin cement. Pun intended I will continue to support the companies that support our hobby. Everyone likes to save a Dollar. Yet we all know what thin (financial) ice our hobby walks on. I will save a buck here to spend a buck there.

Just calculated. In USA person with minimal sallary is able to buy 99 kits of Tamiya Honomag. Here in Poland only 41. When you start another war $ is going up and you pay us working in US companies less money. Inflation in US is only 5%. In Poland 15-20%. Gasolin prize in USA 3.57. Poland 5.94$. Minimal sallary in Poland 5.49$/h. Mig Mac prize is the same. Don't complain. I do not. Many countries have more difficult situation.

My complaint about the cost of kits going up is with the companies that buy up the old molds and say they updated them. "New tooling/New Molds and they still fit like a classic Revell, AMT MPC, poor fitting, major gaps with the car kits... Or they lack engines... and they still charge top prices for literally cutting out parts. That is my grip about the current prices. But it is a luxury that is why I stick with the superior quality manufacturers Tamyia, etc.

Not smocks, those are Zeltbans shelter quarters they are wearing in Splinter camouflage.

I've never liked Tamiya Extra thin as it doesn't hold as well as other options, But Tamiya is the Obsessive go to on all the you tube sites....Parts, Kits and materials....Let's always explain there are options

Any time I think scale model prices are too high, I just look at how little plastic Games Workshop gives you for $200...

Subscribing to Finescale Modeler is a luxury also. Oops, did I say that out loud? lol

I think the kit makers can drop the prices a bit to increase kids interested a bit more

The prices of the kits in my opinion is not that high. But when i see Alpha models from cars wich are beautifull made. I cannot buy them because i cannot justify that € or $ 200 for a kits that has less parts. Because i enjoy a carkit for example with a lot of parts. The most of us forget also the the makers of those kits,like AMT,Tamiya,etc etc have to pay license fees to that company from that modelkit car,plane,boat or figure. I like to buy local and the shop owner needs to make money also,fair enough i think for everybody. But where i live is just 1 small hobby shop with limited stack of car kits. I need to drive 50miles to get a decent shop,but that owner is jacking up the prices. Next step for me was buying on the internet,but those prices jump up every month. I ended up buying in Japan, cheaper on the sight,but need to pay the custom taxes and extra post and packaging, it also takes longer that i recive them. But that is also part of the hobby, waiting,preparing,thinking in wich color i will build that kit. Modelling is a hobby with NO instant Reward. Needs times to get that pleasuere feeling after the kits is done, but meanwhile it is not finished you are heaving another feeling,the feeling beeing creative and gooing step by step to the moment of ultimate feeling of happyness when the kit is done. And then the itching of starting the next kit starts inmediatly again. It is a kind of harmless drug for me. Then about the glue/airbrush cleaner case. I make my spreu-goo with a laquer thinner to fill up the gaps or restore points in a kit wich not should be there. You can make it with Thin cement or any solvent. The advantage is that it will be the same material as the kit,don,t shrink and is easy to work on as it is the same material. On that way i can save money for not buying putty or fillers like that. With some invention you can save more in the hobby as you may think. Love the video,s and just subscribed. Let them comming every week and keep up te good work

With one model kit I have usually fun for a couple weeks. The price of one of those kits is between 20 and 50 bucks. Well I know guys the have as a hobby remote controlled airplanes and those guys spend not 50 or 500 Dollar, but thousands of Dollars for there hobby. Just look up what the price range is for a turbine. Plus .... 5 bucks in the 60´s was also big money for a 8 year old child.

Hi you talk about chemistry and I have question I you know. Witch products may I used to substituted MR weathering thinner for mr hobby wash and filter ? Because sît almost impossible to find in Europe Thank a lot Nice advice about glue

Wow 😂😂😂 this is too funny, I've been building model kits since I was 10, I discovered I could use lacquer thinner as a glue as teen by pure error. I know I can use it as a glue but I still prefer buying the glue bottles.

Aaron..."Maybe you don't have to buy any more at all" Heresy I tell you heresy.

I agree on the price argument, but also not. I think it goes beyond just the manufacturing cost, etc., but also into the quality. Bandai kits (for the Japanese market, to go on Tim's point) are probably some of the BEST kits $/£ to Quality I've ever encountered - and in some kits you get like a dozen runners, and it's only costing £30-40, and they're in different colour plastic with next to no flash, pin marks, tiny gates, etc. - and then you go pick up a Revell or Airfix kit at the same price and unless it's a brand new mold it's probably going to have flash, unclear instructions (Revell've screwed me over a few times with their awful instructions), big or hard-to-reach gates on pieces, etc. I don't build auto kits but that's how I feel when I see a lot of the unboxing videos of cars and trucks on here, the price seems quite high for what looks like a low quality kit. But on the whole, yeah, I agree with the FSM team on this.

With regards to pricing, I do think there needs to be a slight reduction between newly boxed old kits, and newly boxed new kits purely down to the quality of the kit, regardless of boxes, shipping blah blah. If the manufacturers are adamant to sell an old, not very good kit at the same level as similar kits of new/er tooling, then they should stipulate in their advertising that for eg. “This kit was originally designed and produced in 1971”, at least allowing the customer to make an informed decision on the purchase, if the manufacturers don’t allow for this then obviously their moral compass is fairly broken. Companies such as Revell, Italeri, academy are all guilty of this, for eg. The Revell 1/32 mosquito… a 1/32 mosquito sounds great for £30-40…. Until you spend that money and open the box. Not all new comers know where to look for this information. I always consult scalemates and then look at a review before buying.

I look down my nose at people who buy kits, as where is the challenge in that? I not only make my own parts from my personal designs, but I also make the materials to make the parts too & they look as good as any finished replica you can buy.

Airfix used to be 2/6d Not $26.00 Plus There Vintage Classics are old moulds as with Revell...It is out of line......

Where I live it will cost you between 30-50 and as high as 70 dollars for a good brand of a 1/72 scale tank is that fair and trying to get anything from the states I will lose my right arm and left testicle because of the cost

I think something that rarely seems to be discussed when it comes to younger modelers is the subject matter.... what older modelers are interested in is not going to interest the younger folks. And things that might be of interest are not taken as seriously...

As I have mentioned in the past, there is not much we can do. Boycotting doesn’t work. The only thing we can do is to limit what we purchased. Pick out several expensive and leave the rest behind. That is about all we can do.

Gentlemen, the saying is if you don't need it don't buy it. Then we are modelers and need a break from reality , Then it is a need.

Gotta say guys your kit price argument won’t hold water for very long when it’s seriously countered!! With lead times taken into account I doubt any of the kits hitting the shelves today contain any of the component costs hikes but they can get a few points added to RRP as we are expecting such?? Bob England PS: yes kits are available at many price points but are the kits I want to build in my price range?!

I think it’s like everything else. The dollar doesn’t go as far as it did 30 years ago. EVERYTHING costs too much.

Shipping $$$$$$$$$$

Expensive model kits is a reflection of the invisible theft of wealth from the governmental policy (money printing recklessly). It is the inflation that kills the hobby.

As an adult with a mortgage and bills to pay, I can't afford the $91.99 for that 1/48 SR-71 shown. And I have job! If a younger modeler wanted to build that kit he'd have to mow alot of yards. Even older kits of that plane in that scale are up there a bit. So what are they to do? Hell! I can't even afford to subscribe to FSM since you all pulled back a couple issues and still charge the old rates. This terrible economy we're in affects all of us and especially the ones that have limited funds. The big guys need to understand that by taking away from their customers instead of rewarding their loyalty and support will kill your business far greater.

Our hobby is a total luxury. My Grandpa's generation didn't have kits. They build models from wood, clay, etc and started from scratch.

Parents and or kids spend way more on video games. Most kids aren't interested in making stuff. Just my opinion

I also don’t think it’s right of you to define what a hobby is, nobody here is stupid and it sounds like your defending the manufacturers who are guilty of the info in my previous message, maybe you are paid/sponsored by them?..

I disagree… modeling is so definitely “Medicine”!