Author Topic: Why Plastic Aircraft Models are Going Away (Read 793 times)

Torgo · « **on:** January 31, 2005, 11:20:48 AM »

http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=HTMURPH.HTM

"For over half a century, kits have been sold that enable military history buffs to assemble scale models of military ships, aircraft and vehicles. But that era is coming to an end, as the manufacturers of the original equipment, especially aircraft, are demanding high royalties (up to $40 per kit) from the kit makers..."

I dimly remember a thread discussing this months ago. Has any company gone after a computer game or board wargame with representations of vehicles or aircraft yet?

Heretik · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2005, 11:42:26 AM »

Yes. Northrop Grumman went after the makers of Pacific Fighters just recently.

Finrod · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2005, 11:44:52 AM »

This is a very sad editorial on the current state of affairs as they relate to corporate greed. But, I like many saw this coming with the whispers over IL2. I'm just wondering where its going to stop.

Raider179 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2005, 12:08:24 PM »

sorry but I have yet to see one valid link where someone provided more than heresay or conjecture about this. I dont think those companies own the copyrights to WW2 military aircraft. Maybe you can put grumman or something in front of their name anymore but I doubt you cant make the model. Don't copyrights expire eventually too and then it becomes public domain. WW2 was 60 years ago now.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2005, 12:58:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Raider179
sorry but I have yet to see one valid link where someone provided more than heresay or conjecture about this. I dont think those companies own the copyrights to WW2 military aircraft. Maybe you can put grumman or something in front of their name anymore but I doubt you cant make the model. Don't copyrights expire eventually too and then it becomes public domain. WW2 was 60 years ago now.

This is happening. But the reality is more absurd than even the royalties, the real issue is liability insurance. First, yes the companies want royalties for their "Boeing" P51s or "Northrop" F4U Corsairs." Many of the model companies can afford to pay them, however when the royalties are paid the kit becomes an officaly licencesed Boeing/Northrop/Lockheed etc product. Now if little Bobby Joe Smith swallows his P51 kit propeller he can sue Boeing for damages. So Boeing and all the others are demanding that the relatively small kit makers get liabilty insurance to protect the multi billion dollar aerospace firms from lawsuits. This type of insurance is incredibly expensive and difficult to get and so most of the smaller companies cannot afford it.

Voila....

Furious · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2005, 02:10:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Raider179
... Don't copyrights expire eventually too and then it becomes public domain. WW2 was 60 years ago now.

Sony Bono's Copyright Extension

Raider179 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2005, 02:19:01 PM »

yes seen all that. but I cant find any info anywhere that this is actually taking place. All I see is people on different forums freaking out about it and linking to other forums as proof. I have found nothing on any of the "offenders" Boeing, grumman, northrop, websites nor in the copyright office. I have to say I sincerly doubt this is authentic. And if it, I would think vets would stand up and ask these companies to not do this and that would be the end of it.

cpxxx · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2005, 02:46:30 PM »

I just don't see it. Someone hurts themselves with a Revell kit of an F16 and then sues Lockheed.........

What's really killing model kits is the fact that the kids don't make them anymore, at least to the extent that we did. Most if not all are made for the adult market these days. Thirty plus mostly I think. When we all die the industry dies. Used to be you could buy model kits in many smaller shop, even grocery's who carry some toys. Now it's specialist model shops mostly. Big toy shops carry a few models but that's it. I got started when my local corner shops stocked a few FROG models. They cost 3 shillings, which I begged off my Mother and bought, you guessed it ....... a Spitfire.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2005, 02:54:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by cpxxx
I just don't see it. Someone hurts themselves with a Revell kit of an F16 and then sues Lockheed.........

What's really killing model kits is the fact that the kids don't make them anymore, at least to the extent that we did. Most if not all are made for the adult market these days. Thirty plus mostly I think. When we all die the industry dies. Used to be you could buy model kits in many smaller shop, even grocery's who carry some toys. Now it's specialist model shops mostly. Big toy shops carry a few models but that's it. I got started when my local corner shops stocked a few FROG models. They cost 3 shillings, which I begged off my Mother and bought, you guessed it ....... a Spitfire.

If lockheed is the officail liscense holder for the kit then yes they are liable. Think about it....do you think some lawyer is gonna want to sue the modle company or daddy warbucks Lockheed Martin?

vorticon · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2005, 02:57:27 PM »

a politically correct, nannying court system and the corporations that take advantage of it triumph again!!!

we asked for it though, you cant abuse the courts to get money from companies without the companies taking advantage of the same flaws and biting back...

DmdBT · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2005, 06:41:34 PM »

How far does this go? Can an airshow accident (God forbid) lead to lawsuits against the manufacturer of the plane?

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2005, 07:00:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DmdBT
How far does this go? Can an airshow accident (God forbid) lead to lawsuits against the manufacturer of the plane?

My question is can civilians injured in Iraq sue the manufactures of the US weapos systems?

Roscoroo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2005, 07:40:08 PM »

so if you get hit over the head by a history book .. can u sue all the manufacturers that are mentioned in it ???

LePaul · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2005, 07:41:42 PM »

Its those kind of lawsuits that made men like John Edwards very, very wealthy

And I can assure you, his type dont want Tort Reform.

oboe · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2005, 07:43:37 PM »

Quote

This move grew out of the idea that corporations should maximize “intellectual property” income. Models of a companys products are considered the intellectual property of the owner of a vehicle design. In the past, the model kits were considered free advertising, and good public relations, by the defense firms.

I wonder who came up with this idiocacy? A lawyer or an MBA?