Its no secret there are give-and-take relationships at every level of the diecast industry, from retailers vying with one another for the lion’s share of the consumer market, to distributors looking to lock up the selling rights to certain modelmakers. And, of course, there are the manufacturers, who oftentimes do their utmost to undercut their perceived competition by offering those subjects collectors are seeking, in some instances flagrantly using every trick in the book to beat their competition to market.
Take the MiG-31 “Foxhound” interceptor as an example, a high-flying weapons platform that was developed by the famed Mikoyan Gurevich design bureau during the height of the Cold War in an effort to prevent the super speedy SR-71 from making reconnaissance overflights miles above the Russian heartland. For some time, Calibre Wings has indicated plans to build and sell a 1:72 scale replica of the Foxhound, recently announcing they would be using a crowdfunding source to secure the necessary funds to first build the mold then make 800 examples of the model. In fact, an early build was recently presented to collectors through manufacturer-created videos and via Facebook, with the claim that the model would be completed and shipped out to early bird purchasers some time in 2023.
Today, Hobby Master, looking to beat Calibre Wings to the punch, indicated that they too were going to make a model of the MiG-31, only there’s would be released in early 2023, barring any issues with the global supply chain. Thus far, apart from the image shown above, little else is known about the Hobby Master offering, although its more than likely going to carry a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) designed to undercut the Calibre Wings version. Presently, anyone that pre-orders the Calibre Wings MiG through Kickstarter, will be able to purchase it for around $150 plus shipping, which Calibre Wings estimates will cost a further $60 to dispatch worldwide via an as yet unnamed courier service. If, on the other hand, collectors wait until the finished build is available, then they’re being asked to cough up $250 plus shipping, a hefty price tag considering where other comparable jet aircraft are currently pegged.
On a personal level, I’m not going to get involved in the issues that go along with bitter disputes between two manufacturers — that’s something they have to work out between themselves and hopefully to everyone’s satisfaction. We sell both lines and have developed strong working relationships with the principals at both companies. That’s how things are done in the industry and as one of its elder statesmen (I turn 66 this year if the wifey permits), would like to see both manufacturers figure out how they can prosper by offering the same model, each released within the same calendar year. We can only presume the Calibre Wings version will be more detailed, perhaps including a removable engine much like their F-16. Anyway, as the hobby continues to expand, with more and more new collectors joining the fray, it would be nice to presume that these two modelmakers can eventually put aside their differences and remember that at the end of the day they both serve the same audience who must then decide which models they would prefer to collect and where they want to spend their hard-earned cash.