Well, not quite 😉
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Sales of German tanks and ships have also outstripped those of the Allies.
Analysis by the model maker Airfix has revealed that this year, German kits have made up around 55 per cent of the sales of all kits relating to the conflict. Around 1.4 million German replicas were sold, compared to 1.1 million Allied kits.
Experts and modellers say the rise in sales of the Nazi war machines reflects an interest in the more experimental technologies developed by the Germans and the engineering superiority of many of their vehicles.
Luftwaffe planes now outnumber rival air forces in the top ten most popular aircraft from the conflict, with five models, compared to four RAF planes and one from the US.
The biggest selling German planes are the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, the Focke Wulf 190D, the Junkers Ju87 Stuka, the Dornier Do17 and the “Mistel”, an experimental composite aircraft, in which a fighter was attached to a bomber.
The most popular RAF planes are the Supermarine Spitfire, the De Havilland Mosquito, the Hawker Hurricane and the Avro Lancaster. The P51 Mustang is the only US aircraft in the top ten.
In terms of tanks, sales of Nazi Panther and Tiger models far outstrip those of the most popular Allied kits, the Sherman and Churchill tanks, by a ratio of three to one.
German infantry are the most popular kits of figures, followed by British Commandos and Paratroops.
The highest selling ship is a replica of the German battleship Bismarck, with around 5,500 kits sold, compared to just 3,000 kits sold by the second most popular, HMS Hood, which was sunk in a battle between the two in 1941.
Of the smaller vessels, the German E-boat sells the same numbers as British torpedo boat and an RAF rescue launch, despite being more than twice the price.
John Tapsell, vice president of the International Plastic Modellers Society (UK), said he was surprised by the revelation: “It does seem slightly odd that the German kits outsell the Allied ones. It certainly doesn’t mean that lots of modellers sympathise with the German cause.
“I think it might be something to do with the typical British fascination with the loser and also an interest in German engineering. British soldiers in the war were in awe of the Tiger tank, for instance, and that sort of interest has remained. The (German) uniforms also look very smart.”
Jeremy Brook, secretary of the Airfix Collectors Club, agreed.
“One shouldn’t say it but there is something about the German uniform and many of their machines, that makes them more attractive. Some of their warships like the Bismarck are quite beautiful.
“Certainly, the German colour schemes are more exciting to paint than the British ones.
“When I was a child in the 1950s, I always wanted German aircraft, tanks and soldiers, but they were so much harder to come by then. Perhaps all the German children wanted Spitfires and Hurricanes.”
Although German kits are dominant in total global sales, in the UK – which makes up more than 60 per cent of the company’s market – the Allies maintain a small advantage over the Germans, because of the enduring popularity of the Spitfire.
It is the first time the company has conducted this sort of analysis. Darrell Burge, from Airfix, said the surge in popularity of German models, particularly tanks and figures, had started within the last ten years.
“Across the hobby, there is no doubt that the German models now sell more than the Allied ones. German subjects are far, far more popular and that is increasing.
“Sales of German kits have really started to grow in the last ten years. In the UK, sales of the Spitfire – with around 45,000 kits sold – only just tip the scales in the favour of the Allies.
“German tanks are much better sellers than Allied ones. They are iconic as the biggest and most brutal of the war. They were virtually unstoppable. They were much better machines than the Allied ones.
“And a lot of the German aircraft were more experimental. There is a mystique about so many of their war machines that has translated into increased sales.
“The other factor in their favour is that in terms of kits, the Germans are really the only Axis power. So if someone is building a battlefield, they need Germans, whereas the Allies can be represented by the British or Americans.”
The company is now planning to bring out new German models, to meet demand, including the Messerschmitt 110 aircraft, a new version of the Me 109, the Junkers Ju88 plane, and a U-boat.
None of the Nazi models contain a swastika, because the symbol is banned in Germany.
The firm sells 3.5 million kits a year and up to 15 per cent of its sales are in Germany.
In 2006, the manufacturer was saved from going out of business by train set maker Hornby, which bought the firm for £2.6 million.
Top ten most popular aircraft:
Supermarine Spitfire 45,000 kits sold
Messerschmitt Bf 109E 25,000
De Havilland Mosquito17,000
Focke Wulf 190D15,000
Avro Lancaster
Junkers Ju87 Stuka
Hawker Hurricane
P51 Mustang
Dornier Do17
Mistel
By: JägerMarty - 23rd December 2008 at 12:18
Two words: Blazing Angels. 😉
on Wii?
that’d be mad:cool:
By: WebPilot - 23rd December 2008 at 10:41
I am compelled to mention the growth of die-cast models to add to this thread. As a Dad, I don’t have enough time to build aircraft like I used to but have been amazed by the recent explosion in cheap, high quality die-cast models. Particularly Easy Model 1/72 planes at about a fiver. Many axis rarities to be bought here (French, Italian, and Japenese included).
Good points and I agree. Corgi make some great replicas – their recent Gladiator is a beautiful little thing, so there’s three of them in my case now! I hope they will make a few more RAF “silver wings” – I’d love to see a really good Hawker Hind/Hart/Demon/Audax from Corgi. I still enjoy building a kit but like many others, free time is limited.
By: BSG-75 - 23rd December 2008 at 10:39
[QUOTE=Seafuryfan;1338749]I am compelled to mention the growth of die-cast models to add to this thread. As a Dad, I don’t have enough time to build aircraft like I used to but have been amazed by the recent explosion in cheap, high quality die-cast models. QUOTE]
There is a similar thread running on the RC model forum here. My 9 year old is making the kits at the moment – good fun. I buy too many die-casts, but being as I’m quite ham fisted, the quality is light years ahead of what I could make.
By: DazDaMan - 23rd December 2008 at 10:29
encouragement. But it’s a new age, and we have fun doing sports together on the Wii.
Two words: Blazing Angels. 😉
By: Seafuryfan - 23rd December 2008 at 10:10
Plastic vs Die-cast
I am compelled to mention the growth of die-cast models to add to this thread. As a Dad, I don’t have enough time to build aircraft like I used to but have been amazed by the recent explosion in cheap, high quality die-cast models. Particularly Easy Model 1/72 planes at about a fiver. Many axis rarities to be bought here (French, Italian, and Japenese included).
I bought a 1/72 Witty Wings/Sky Guardians Eagle in 50th Anniversary JASDF colours for £12 at an airshow. The detail is amazing, the paint must have somehow been sprayed on by a computer- controlled brush, even down to the stencil markings. Even the compressor blades turn, for heavens sake!
So, I’ve been able to build my collection aircraft (mainly Sea Furies) for my pleasure without the time contstraints. What about my 10 year old son? Sadly, he isn’t into building plastic aircraft despite my gentle encouragement. But it’s a new age, and we have fun doing sports together on the Wii. I digress….great thread and a fascinating into slaes of those aircraft I so enjoyed building.
By: Flanker_man - 22nd December 2008 at 22:48
Hi folks: Having built allied kits for years i too
have gone over to the Germans,1st my heritage,2nd
as stated great looking ships plus everyone must
have a U-boat.As for the a/c the Luftwaffe had
so many neat types.I built the 1/72 Storch really
cool as well as saving space.But i must say that
the swasitka must be put back in the kits or
made availible[1-800] to keep history correct.
Or get rid of all markings.Or is that a can o worms?:diablo:
A lot of manufacturers now include swastikas in their kits – but the decal is split into two halves – so it isn’t immediately recognisable as such.
Other manufacturers now include a full swastika – but the box art usually has a white diamond shape where the swastika would normally be.
If you are into making models of WWII Luftwaffe types, you would avail yourself of the many aftermarket decal sheets of swastikas that are currently available anyway – so no need for the manufacturers sheet.
Ken
By: oshawaflyboy - 22nd December 2008 at 20:31
Axis kits
Hi folks: Having built allied kits for years i too
have gone over to the Germans,1st my heritage,2nd
as stated great looking ships plus everyone must
have a U-boat.As for the a/c the Luftwaffe had
so many neat types.I built the 1/72 Storch really
cool as well as saving space.But i must say that
the swasitka must be put back in the kits or
made availible[1-800] to keep history correct.
Or get rid of all markings.Or is that a can o worms?:diablo:
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd December 2008 at 12:59
Model kits
It’s remarkable that there is still a demand for kits at all, they seemed to be dying out 25 years ago.
A lot of the credit for the resurgence in interest has to be given to the Japanese who started producing extremely high quality and accurate kits of all scales (Hasegawa, for example) bringing new levels of sophistication to the market no-doubt due to the huge (again mainly Jap-led) developments in CAD systems.
Even their decal sheets were a quantum step ahead and was the standard by which other kits were measured. It wasn’t long before the other manufacturers caught up; just witness the Airfix moulds and decal sheets in recent years.
Finally, as an example of the amount of investment companies are putting in to the artform Airfix are bringing out a 1/24 scale Mosquito (No.3 on the list) next year. Having seen the pre-production model the standard is awesome and represents a huge investment by the company – something that could not be contemplated even just five years ago.
There has been a plethora of Axis models produced (again, mainly Hasegawa- led with a range of Japanese types along with many of the German experimental types) for the home market 25 years ago.
Another factor, in my opinion, is the quality of the box art. It was this that led me to buy a 1/48 Phantom kit (FGR-2) two decades ago, and I haven’t looked back. The paintings and printing were (and are), again, of superb quality and it is this factor, I am sure, which helped bring the market back up to the levels we see today.
Keep it up Airix, and don’t skimp on the box art!
Anon.
By: WebPilot - 22nd December 2008 at 12:02
It’s quite reassuring to this old modeller that so many kits continue to be sold in these days of computer games and the interweb..
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd December 2008 at 11:57
Interesting post, reminds me tomorrow is my last chance to go to the limited opening run of the hornby factory shop, i doubt kits are any cheaper though!
By: JägerMarty - 22nd December 2008 at 11:38
I suspect that it may have something to do with colour schemes…..
Same with Luftwaffe modelling
By: Flanker_man - 22nd December 2008 at 11:26
FWIW, I get a Russian model magazine – M-Hobby – and the pages within that are dominated by build articles on German soldiers and armour.
So, even Russian modellers prefer Axis types.
I suspect that it may have something to do with colour schemes…..
British, US or Soviet armour comes in green, green or green (and sometimes white) whereas German tanks are much more colourful and have a variety of finishes.
Ken
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December 22, 2008 at 9:37 am