While we haven’t stocked the line in several years, we’ve learned that Japanese-based Century Wings will be shutting down operations at the end of December. Citing declining orders and deteriorating molds as two reasons for the change of heart, Century Wings had been weighing their options for the better part of the year. The current trade war between the US and the PRC, which culminated in exorbitant tariffs for goods being brought in to the US, no doubt also factored into their decision to close up shop. The Company has been is existence since 2006, producing primarily SR-71, F-14, A-6, A-7 and F-8 models, so collectors probably felt as if they had enough of each subject and were looking for other types of aircraft to add to their collection.
We’re not surprised by Century Wings’ decision to throw in the towel, which will certainly be taken into consideration by other model makers if the Trump tariffs aren’t rolled back to an acceptable level. As it stands right now, there’s only so much a manufacturer can charge for a new aircraft, tank or warship, before the collector balks and walks away to pursue other interests. It would be a sad way to say goodbye but one that is both logical and foreseeable given the current set of circumstances affecting both nation’s intransigence and reluctance to give in.
From a personal standpoint, part of the problem for their closure was self-inflicted. While I don’t have an excel spreadsheet that lists every model they’ve produced to date, the fact remains that most collectors do not need or want the same items over and over again. Sure, there are some collectors who would like nothing more than to show off every single Tomcat Century Wings ever built; a like number of Blackbird enthusiasts who can display every Mach 3 jet in their oversized glass cabinets. But the fact remains that most collectors are on a budget and will buy an example or two of any given subject before moving on to other models. By bombarding the hobby with the same aircraft type ad nauseum is, at best, a poor business plan that will come back to haunt any model maker.
As it stands right now, Century Wings decision to ring down the curtains could be a precursor for other diecast manufacturers that have largely halted production to see how the US Supreme Court would rule on the Trump tariffs. Should they be overruled, then many will likely resume production and look back on 2025 as an aberration. Should they be upheld, however, then you can expect more manufacturers, distributors and retailers to follow suit and call it a day, unable and unwilling to sell product at inflated prices that few can afford. Guess we’ll have to see what the Court decides to do when they take up the matter in January. In the mean time, it may already be too late for several companies to await the decision.