Display Stands

[Harold Twerp]

Without going into the many issues that I've unearthed on this... is anyone else utterly bewildered at the absence of a Display Stand in Aircraft Kits these days for Modellers - like myself - who prefer to showcase their Model  in "in-flight" mode? 

I've "commented" to Airfix (i.e. a semi-complaint) about this, only to be met with "financially inviable" as their response. To me, it would be rather like omiting the Rotor Blades on a Helicopter, Wheels on a Car or, can you imagine it?, the Propellers on a Spitfire... all for the sake of saving a few Pennies, or so they say.

Yes... they did market a separate set of various sizes for a while, (Product Code AF1008) but again (they said) found it to be economically inviable and discontinued it - at the behest of their Rulers - Hornby. (Personal opinion about THEM withheld)

 

 

[peebeep]

However you look at it it's an on-cost. The stands have to be manufactured; the kit will need a slot that will need to be flashed over; the instructions will need graphics how to assemble the stand and open up the slot. If you were doing a cost analysis and research concludes that most people discard the stands (quite likely the case), then leaving them out is a no brainer. If the stands are no longer commercially available I would conclude they didn't sell very well and didn't result in any profit. Airfix/Hornby are running a business, if any of the lines result in no profit or a loss, then something has to give. You use the phrase 'saving a few pennies', which sounds reasonable until you multiply a few pennies against a production run of say, 20,000-30,000.

[nmcabecadas]

Many people have aircrafts or helicopters flying, either to display or over a wargames table. 1/3 of my models are flying and, while display stands are easy to build, the associated cost for small aircrafts isn't high and could be included as Airfix did for many decades. Its always possible to save money, but the question is if this is where money is lost or invested and how people react to have something cheap included as a bonus, as we can see in many marketing campaigns.

[John Symmons]

How many other manufactures include stands in their aircraft kits these days. I have a whole slew of Heller, Academy Dragon, Eduard, (proof pack) ESCI, Hasagawa, Italeri (moden releases no stands the only ones with a stand are a few VERY old releases from the 60's the only new re-release with a stand is the Fiat CR 32 Chirri ), LS, Poineer 2, Roden, and the Trumpeter 1/72 Wyvern that give instruction for a wheel up build but no stand.

Having said that I don't think Airfix should be singled out for not giving stands as it seems they're only following suit. Having said that maybe they should be incouraged to either include the stand even if it does raise the cost of the kit by a few bob, and feature it as marketing " Make and see your Airfix models fly. Stand included." could be a slogen on the box or how about "Free stand included to see you model fly". I personally feel that lambasting Airfix for no stands is only going to get you nowhere.

It does seem a pity that the stands they did produce are now no longer available, although I do see them in the two model shops I visit in Cape Town.

Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom

[Harold Twerp]

>Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom

Where is the fun in it, if you end up being extremely infuriated at not being able to complete your Kit?

[Harold Twerp]

>display stands are easy to build, the associated cost for small aircrafts isn't high and could be included as Airfix did for many decades.

The cost is not high for ANY size of Aircraft, and YES, Airfix Kits always included the Stands in their Kits, usually attached to the Sprue containing the transparent parts (Windows, Cockpit etc.) It was, after all, an essential part of the Kit provided for us... and to make it fun

The components included in Kits are not really a Bonus, they are provided for the Modeller to suit their own preference of the version they want to create... and they are catered for... despite the awfully large amounts of wasted materials. That goes for Decals too !! 

 

[Harold Twerp]

You use the phrase 'saving a few pennies', which sounds reasonable until you multiply a few pennies against a production run of say, 20,000-30,000.

You sound like the bloke who will drive 4 or 5 Miles to a Petrol Station to fill up their Tank because it's 1p per Litre cheaper there, than his local Station. How much fuel did you use to get there - and back - for this whopping savings?  Do you buy the largest Cup of a Fizzy Drink when they offer free re-fills and find that you don't want a re-fill after all? You'll have spent twice as much as a sensible person who bought the cheaper Small Cup.

 

 

[Pogo1]

From a personal point of view, the inclusion of extra parts and a choice of decals takes precedence over a display stand. All my models are  built with the gear down , on the ground . But that's MY own choice. I remember as do most modellers, the Airfix super kits, the 1/24 Spitfire and Hurricane, along with the Me 109and Mustang. They all came with a stand designed to take the batteries for the optional electric motor to power the prop.I recently built the 1/24 Hurricane  and the stand was not in the kit . It didn't matter to me as I was building it to display it as a aircraft on dispersal during the Battle of Britain. Very few manufacturers supply stands today. Cheers 

[Harold Twerp]

>the instructions will need graphics how to assemble the stand and open up the slot. If you were doing a cost analysis and research concludes that most people discard the stands (quite likely the case), then leaving them out is a no brainer. 

I'm sorry... but a Child can figure out how to put a 2-Part Stand together without the need for an unnecessary and expensively re-designed instruction Sheet. Come to think of it... they'd have to re-do that Sheet to eliminate the "Optional" parts, re-tool the Pressing on the Model to exclude the offending parts... ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

[Ratch]

they'd have to re-do that Sheet to eliminate the "Optional" parts, re-tool the Pressing on the Model to exclude the offending parts... ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

 

No, you've lost me there.

When I've felt the need to pose a model in flight, I've found solutions without reverting to propriety stands. I should think that the lack of sales of stands when they were available separately indicates that most folk don't bother with them and production costs outweigh sales returns.

[Harold Twerp]

How many other manufactures include stands in their aircraft kits these days. I have a whole slew of  <snip>

>I don't think Airfix should be singled out for not giving stands as it seems they're only following suit.

>Having said that maybe they should be incouraged to either include the stand even if it does raise the cost of the kit by a few bob, <snip> I personally feel that lambasting Airfix for no stands is only going to get you nowhere.

>Remember we do this for fun   John the Pom

Well my recent 1:144 Scale 747-800 from ZVEVDA included a rather large and very sturdy Stand. 

This is an Airfix Forum, so I simply HAVE to focus on them here. Yes... a lot of other Manufacturers have needlessly discarded Stands in their Aircraft Kits, but I simply cannot see why. 

I've only pointed out to Airfix (or rather Hornby) what a tragic mistake this exclusion is. Perhaps by doing so, I may have encouraged them to re-introduce them, but I sense it's like offering a nice Beef Steak to a Vegan !!

Yes, Modelling IS fun, but it won't be if the Manufacturers continue to cut financial corners by omitting Wheels from Cars, Propellers from Spitfires or any other essential parts from their Kits due to financial constraints.

[peebeep]

Is it really necessary to be so facetious Harold Twerp? Another reason not to bother with this forum.

 

[Harold Twerp]

I should think that the lack of sales of stands when they were available separately indicates that most folk don't bother with them and production costs outweigh sales returns.

1: Instructions Booklets these days are an abomination and un-educational. They are often unfathomable and in many cases, totally incorrect.

2: So why don't you share your "technique" with everyone?  Have you noticed that Ship Models always seem to have a Stand on which to display them... and asked yourself WHY?  

3: I throw the undercarriage away - usually a far more intricately-tooled set of Parts that are far more costly to produce than a paltry 2-part Stand. 

If Airfix (sorry Hornby) are struggling financially, I feel obliged to return to them, all the Sprue and unused Parts that were included, to be melted down and used in the next pressing of the Kit of their choice. 

 

 

[Harold Twerp]

Is it really necessary to be so facetious Harold Twerp? Another reason not to bother with this forum.

Just call me Harry, and I do not see it as facetious in any way... although it IS part fun-part seriousness.

Analogies are a Platform for logical thought sometimes... however obscure or ridiculous they may be. 

It's a ridiculous notion to think of a Model Helicopter being sold without Rotor Blades because it costs too much, or starting a Football Match without a Ball. But then a Forum is a place to state observations, ideas, pass along helpful information and possibly some experienced "guidance" for other Members. 

 

[peebeep]

I don't know about 'Harold', you sound like Bruce Leyland-Jones.

[Discostu]

In another post on the aircraft section of the forum, member Ian Price has photos of his 1/72 Curtiss Tomahawk built "in flight" featuring a very classy looking custom stand of polished timber base and what looks like brass rod attached to the airframe. I'm thinking of trying to replicate his stand, and build my next Spitfire wheels up. Check it out.     Cheers, Stuart. 

[Discostu]

In another post on the aircraft section of the forum, member Ian Price has photos of his 1/72 Curtiss Tomahawk built "in flight" featuring a very classy looking custom stand of polished timber base and what looks like brass rod attached to the airframe. I'm thinking of trying to replicate his stand, and build my next Spitfire wheels up. Check it out.     Cheers, Stuart. 

[DavidJC]

1: Instructions Booklets these days are an abomination and un-educational. They are often unfathomable and in many cases, totally incorrect.

Are they? That's a little sweeping. Booklets don't necessarily have to be educational, but I agree sometimes they can be unfathomable (although Tamiya have never left me stumped at all) and sometimes instructions can have mistakes but I don't think it fair to tar them all with the same brush.

 

2: So why don't you share your "technique" with everyone?  Have you noticed that Ship Models always seem to have a Stand on which to display them... and asked yourself WHY?  

They'd fall over if they didn't.

 

3: I throw the undercarriage away - usually a far more intricately-tooled set of Parts that are far more costly to produce than a paltry 2-part Stand. 

That's your choice. Personally, I'd suggest that intricately tooled undercarriage legs are, by and large, far more useful than a stand.

 

If Airfix (sorry Hornby) are struggling financially, I feel obliged to return to them, all the Sprue and unused Parts that were included, to be melted down and used in the next pressing of the Kit of their choice. 

Why? Other than what could be seen as petulance, what would be your point there be?

 

On topic, I'm ambivalent. On one hand I'm in agreement with others that I'd rather see the money that would be used for a stand - the cutting of the steel, the plastic that goes towards it - go towards other variant options or decals; however, with aftermarket decals and parts I'd also accept and understand a stand being included even if I personally didn't use it.

[DavidJC]

Yes, Modelling IS fun, but it won't be if the Manufacturers continue to cut financial corners by omitting Wheels from Cars, Propellers from Spitfires or any other essential parts from their Kits due to financial constraints.

That's a bit silly. Since when did an essential part of a kit like wheels, propellers - or any other essential parts -include a stand?

[Harold Twerp]

>a very classy looking custom stand of polished timber base and what looks like brass rod attached to the airframe. 

Not far off what I am trying to create. It's just a pity that I have to go to such expense, but it'll certainly look far superior than my finished Model. I think a lot of people are missing the point I've been trying to make.

 

[Harold Twerp]

I don't know about 'Harold', you sound like Bruce Leyland-Jones.

Who is Bruce Leyland-Jones?  Please enlighten us all.

[Harold Twerp]

Are they? That's a little sweeping. Booklets don't necessarily have to be educational, but I agree sometimes they can be unfathomable (although Tamiya have never left me stumped at all) and sometimes instructions can have mistakes but I don't think it fair to tar them all with the same brush

In my formative Modelling years, an Airfix Kit's instructions described each part by name and function as I was putting it together - admittedly rather clumsily. During the process it helped me with the visible assembly instructions, and together I learned a lot from them. 

Today? Well all we get is a bunch of what I call "E-modellicons"... some of which are not explained, and some which are counter-productive (to some people) and ruin the whole Project. 

[nmcabecadas]

There are still a few brands who include stands, some of them do it because they kits are popular over wargame tables. The stand is cheap, still cost some money, but this is an cost or a investment? To my, adding a cheap part can have a return, as part of marketing campaign. Some people do need stands and while stands are easy to made, other want them with the kit and may choose one brand over another just because of this add on. If a few customers choose Airfix because is supplying stands, it can pay the cost of all stands included and increase the visibility and the market share. I do use stands and make my own, but also know many people who want them, some of them thoso who had old kits with them included, and can help Airfix to boost sales.

[Harold Twerp]

Yes, Modelling IS fun, but it won't be if the Manufacturers continue to cut financial corners by omitting Wheels from Cars, Propellers from Spitfires or any other essential parts from their Kits due to financial constraints.

That's a bit silly. Since when did an essential part of a kit like wheels, propellers - or any other essential parts -include a stand?

That's even more silly... you have totally overlooked the point of the essential parts of a Kit. This is all about AIRCRAFT... so perhaps I should say that if Airfix don't include Wings rather than failing to include Wheels for a Car, would that be more to your liking? but I'll stick with the Propellers for a Propeller-driven Aircraft. 

A lot of the comments that have been posted as replies seem to come from people whose Modelling preferences are, quite obviously, adequately catered for, and therefor don't care tuppence about it all. 

[DavidJC]

Harold, I am failing  to understand what you are trying to say. Since we're talking about stands, then we have to assume we are talking about an aeroplane kit. An essential part to a kit are wheels and propellers (if the real thing has one). 

 

What manufacturer is going to cut costs by omitting parts that are essential to make the model look like the real thing, outwardly at least, such as a cockpit canopy, wheels, wings, propellers? Since when was a stand to complete an aeroplane kit an essential part of that kit?

 

Besides, if you'd bothered to read an earlier post myself, you will see I am ambivalent about stands and would accept them if they were there but - personaly speaking - am not that bothered if they aren't. I don't use them, but fully understand those that do and would like them included.