Is the Golden era of POF gone!

[Loracs]

I'm have been following SOS for years now... reading and watching all the wonderful builds in progress. However, I have been noticing that we are seing far less new kits being released the last few years. It seen that the drive for POF kits, mostly from China Developers, is dying off, while overall pricing has gone significantly up. In addition, western developers still have not adopted significantly this building style thru their offerings. Is POF style of building (via kits) slowing dying off and potentially only accessible to the Scratch-builders in the future? For example, it has been quite a long time that we have not seen an addition to the Group builds (or ship kit vendors), which is often sparked by a new release. I would love to hear your opinion.

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

I'm have been following SOS for years now... reading and watching all the wonderful builds in progress. However, I have been noticing that we are seing far less new kits being released the last few years.

kits are expensive to develop and market so kit makers stick to what sells and not take a risk

Is POF style of building (via kits) slowing dying off and potentially only accessible to the Scratch-builders in the future?

dying off? it is the opposite it is coming back strong go to the school for model shipwrights and the projects being done there. 119,000 views at the school and growing is a sigh of NOT dying off but a renaissance in ship modeling.

School For Shipmodel Building

It seen that the drive for POF kits, mostly from China Developers, is dying off, while overall pricing has gone significantly up

this is true because it is a full "kit" and those are expensive to produce there are alternatives

 

[Horace]

I'm apparently working on a PoF kit from Model Expo called the 18th Century Armed Longboat. I wouldn't have guessed it had a different architecture label than a plank on bulkhead model. The building process has been identical.

 

[alross2]

Loracs, when you refer to POF kits, do you mean kits with the same number and construction of frames as the actual vessel or a kit that has planks over a smaller number of frames/.bulkheads?

 

[Loracs]

Loracs, when you refer to POF kits, do you mean kits with the same number and construction of frames as the actual vessel or a kit that has planks over a smaller number of frames/.bulkheads?

That would be the first option. In addition it better provide the option to display the interior layout, which I like.

 

[Loracs]

I'm apparently working on a PoF kit from Model Expo called the 18th Century Armed Longboat. I wouldn't have guessed it had a different architecture label than a plank on bulkhead model. The building process has been identical.

good find from a western manufacturer... indeed I would categorize as POF.

 

[Loracs]

I'm have been following SOS for years now... reading and watching all the wonderful builds in progress. However, I have been noticing that we are seing far less new kits being released the last few years.

kits are expensive to develop and market so kit makers stick to what sells and not take a risk

Is POF style of building (via kits) slowing dying off and potentially only accessible to the Scratch-builders in the future?

dying off? it is the opposite it is coming back strong go to the school for model shipwrights and the projects being done there. 119,000 views at the school and growing is a sigh of NOT dying off but a renaissance in ship modeling.

School For Shipmodel Building

It seen that the drive for POF kits, mostly from China Developers, is dying off, while overall pricing has gone significantly up

this is true because it is a full "kit" and those are expensive to produce there are alternatives

thanks, Dave, for your input!

 

[Horace]

good find from a western manufacturer... indeed I would categorize as POF.

Coincidentally I also have this canoe which I think must be PoF

Midwest - Canadian Canoe 1:8 Scale

Level 3 of the Midwest Apprentice Succes Series The "cottager's canoe", ideal for general purpose paddling and light tripping Length: 23-1/4" Width: 3-5/8 Height - 1-9/16" Download Manual ModelExpo brings back America's favorite wooden model kits. Midwest line of Success Series boat kits is...

www.modelexpo-online.com

 

[Bryian]

Just purchased H.H.S Blandford plank on frame kit in 1/48 scale from Drydock models. It’s superb.