Bandai release schedule

[TazMan2000]

Someone mentioned either here or on another site, that when Zvezda released their SD it threw a wrench into Bandai's planned develpment so they decided not to release it at that time. Then when it was re-branded by Revell, that pretty much solidified the plans to shelve it. I'm not saying that it will never be released, I'm just thinking that it won't be the next big one...if they are even planning on releasing another big kit in the future.

I certainly hope it won't be a 1/12 character. Anything but that. Just my thoughts.

TazMan2000

 

[soulsaman]

Someone mentioned either here or on another site, that when Zvezda released their SD it threw a wrench into Bandai's planned develpment so they decided not to release it at that time. Then when it was re-branded by Revell, that pretty much solidified the plans to shelve it. I'm not saying that it will never be released, I'm just thinking that it won't be the next big one...if they are even planning on releasing another big kit in the future.

I certainly hope it won't be a 1/12 character. Anything but that. Just my thoughts.

TazMan2000

That makes a lot of sense. I wonder how Zevezda got the Disney license in the first place. Have they even released any other kits after the SD?

 

[Jimmer]

I really wish Bandai would release a 1/12 IG-88 and especially a 1/12 Destroyer Droid.

Not trying to nullify your hopes Tazman, I've just amassed a large 1/12 Bandai and Black Series collection and NEED that Destroyer and properly scaled IG.

Hope you get your big ship though, Taz..

 

[TazMan2000]

I have no idea how they got the license. They also make Pixar Cars models as well. Their SD was a big hit and I'm assuming thousands were sold on eBay before Revell re-branded the kit. But apparently that was a one-hit-wonder. Except for the minor errors on it, it is a wonderful reproduction but there is nothing suggesting that they will produce anything more.

TazMan2000

 

[TazMan2000]

I like Droids. They are the exception (even though they are characters themselves). In addition to your list Jimmer I would add a Super Battle Droid.

TazMan2000

 

[Jimmer]

Good call on Super Droid Taz.

I've been catching up on this thread and agree with general consensus that OT designs will probably never be outdone and especially that the sequel trilogy designs are really underwhelming and rehashes.

I'm personally not interested in buying or building this at all, but out of curiosity did any company ever release a kit of the droid troop carrier ships from Ep I?
I'm referring to the large ships that dropped off the droid armies on Naboo (they sort of resemble a capital H, dropped off the infantry, tanks and ground units).

All this reading has inspired me to see if Bandai makes the Ep III Jedi Starfighter (Interceptor, I think). One of my favorite PT designs except for the fact that its dimensions wouldn't actually accommodate R2's body in reality, unless I'm mistaken. (Same problem with Naboo starfighter, that's why they hatched the hairbrain idea that R2 can extend his dome from his body by about 2 feet...lol).

 

[TazMan2000]

I'm personally not interested in buying or building this at all, but out of curiosity did any company ever release a kit of the droid troop carrier ships from Ep I?
I'm referring to the large ships that dropped off the droid armies on Naboo (they sort of resemble a capital H, dropped off the infantry, tanks and ground units).

Just the mini kit. But I think there was some resin kits released by Fantastic Plastic before they got a C&D.

TazMan2000

 

[Sent]

I'm personally not interested in buying or building this at all, but out of curiosity did any company ever release a kit of the droid troop carrier ships from Ep I?
I'm referring to the large ships that dropped off the droid armies on Naboo (they sort of resemble a capital H, dropped off the infantry, tanks and ground units).

AMT made it in their "minis" series, which also consisted MTT and that pink republic cruiser.

 

[Jimmer]

Thanks much, Taz.
That's one design that always stood out to me in an odd way.
I don't find it really visually appealing, nothing very complicated or original in it, but I once checked it out in a cross sections book and it is really pretty clever in its functionality.
And I always found functionality an odd thing in Star Wars, some of my favorite designs are some of the most absurd.
I (and virtually everyone) absolutely LOVES the AT-ATs but if you really consider them in a battlefield setting they're almost silly as far as troop deployment and speed in relation to dropping those monsters on a planet.
I know it's Star Wars and I'm really overthinking it...lol, just using that as an example.

 

[Jimmer]

This being a mini kit I may have just talked myself into seeing if I can track this down to kill a couple hours on a rainy day.
Thanks again.

 

[TazMan2000]

Thanks much, Taz.
That's one design that always stood out to me in an odd way.
I don't find it really visually appealing, nothing very complicated or original in it, but I once checked it out in a cross sections book and it is really pretty clever in its functionality.
And I always found functionality an odd thing in Star Wars, some of my favorite designs are some of the most absurd.
I (and virtually everyone) absolutely LOVES the AT-ATs but if you really consider them in a battlefield setting they're almost silly as far as troop deployment and speed in relation to dropping those monsters on a planet.
I know it's Star Wars and I'm really overthinking it...lol, just using that as an example.

A lot of stuff that was imagined by McQuarrie, Lucas and others was iconic. Some of the initial model designs that were created were cool, but most were quite ugly, and not something that would capture anyone's imagination IMHO.

The tactics used by the Imperials and Rebels is questionable if you really get into it. If you over think it and dissect it, it will be less enjoyable.
Before my time in the military, I thought all the action movies with stuff blowing up was cool. Afterwards after learning about explosives, chemical reactions and the basic physics of explosives, it took a lot of the magic away from the movies for me. Ignorance was indeed bliss.

TazMan2000

 

[Guns Akimbo]

I'd like to see a large scale Imperial probe droid.

 

[INVAR]

The Zvezda SD is a vast improvement over the only previous commercial styrene kit we got from MPC/AMT. It is still however, seriously lacking in accurate detail possibly due to scale and molding limitations, limitations that Bandai has showcased it has no problem overcoming in order to provide the most accurate details in model kits ever available. Which is why so many were/are excited about a possible PG Destroyer.

I would like to add a notation to the disappointment some have expressed in the designs of the OT versus Prequel/Sequel trilogies. One comment often expressed is the disdain over the fact that the PT ships have designs that indicate that the technology in the SW universe seems to be going backwards - with sleek ships in TPM to ROTS and the 'garbage' 'used universe' ships seen in the OT. One way to look at that is within totalitarian regimes in our own history, they have always resulted in the stunted growth of technological expansion in favor of mass productions of disposable and easily repaired weaponry that leaves private and individual entities having to cannibalize older vehicles and weapons for use because the governmental military regimes is the only consumer. North Korea might be an interesting example of this 'reverse' trend.

However I will agree with sentiments that the ST is less than inspiring with what is essentially a total rehash of OT designs. Most of that due the director and producer's thought process that Star Wars only exists within the framework of TIE fighters, X-Wings, Walkers and Death Stars, anything else they fear the public would not regard these new films as being Star Wars.

 

[Jimmer]

You're absolutely right, Taz, if you take movies like Star Wars and start nitpicking you will quickly saturate the enjoyment to a minimum.

Don't mean to derail thread, but a quick interesting thing to look up for anyone into real world weaponry/military; Russia has begun a new "sport"/reality show where they invite other countries to send their top armored weapons/expert soldiers and they basically have a televised military competition.
This includes about everything you can imagine (tank races, sniper and squad based exercises, anti-aircraft gun games, even the Naval ships and air units have competitions).
One big benefit for Russia is that their tank dominates every time and they are selling tanks/equipment to other countries and military contracts between countries often leads to other diplomatic alliances.
This show is immensely popular in Russia and a few countries have actually become involved enough that they've pulled their top gear and soldiers out of actual warfare to participate in these games.
America and U.K. have been invited but have yet to participate (and I wouldn't expect them to). From a political standpoint I'm glad, but I would love to see the results if we did participate.
I realize all this sounds ridiculous, but do a little research and it's there, even on youtube. Crazy.

Oh, and excellent points, Invar.

Anyway, off to see if a landing ship mini kit is up for auction.

 

[Richard Baker]

There was a larger resin kit of the Trade Federation Landing Craft produced by "Two Fat Guys", IIRC about seven inches wide.
You might inquire over on the Starship Modeler forum, Jimi posts over yhere under yge nsme "Stu Pidasso". Pretty sure it's out of production...

 

[Jimmer]

Thanks, Richard.
I'll check it out.
Not really a "fan" of that ship, but I love the mini kits to kill a couple hours weathering.
Thanks again

 

[Attirex]

?

Posted over on SSM.

 

[Somerset]

Lovely stuff! 1/5000 works out around 32cm , if we take a Star Destroyer as 1600m, right? Seems pretty small...

 

[korben44]

1/5000? Why? Ugh... I was expecting more... or at least 1/2700... We already have a tiny Star Destroyer. That's rather disappointing, to be honest.

 

[soulsaman]

Smaller than the Zevezda? I thought they try and top that kit.