Well, the new kits are of better quality and the competition is harder. You can't afford to wait 15 years for the return investment, someone will produce the same model for a lower price and then you're screwed.

Having built the Tamiya Yamato and the Hasegawa Nagato recently, I also find it difficult to justify 4x the cost for the latter kit. It is better, but not that much. I truly enjoy both kits.

I removed my original post as I think this subject is a little too hot.

I will say, though, that I would hardly consider either myself or the other people I know in this business as being "greedy", and you may want to actually research what goes into producing a model (cost and otherwise) before throwing around such an insult. I know many people who do a lot of back breaking work in this industry, and I myself have put in a decent amount of blood, sweat and tears, to stomach such a description.

Also bear in mind, that production costs and wages vary from country to country, so comparing a Korean manufacturer's prices to a Japanese manufacturer's prices isn't logical.

Good luck with all of your modeling endeavors and remember that "killing the goose that laid the golden egg" can go both ways.

Hey Dade, don't forget "wishing will make it so!

There's also, "Don't dream it, be it!"

Pays to be "behind the curve" after returning to the hobby; I have plenty of "older" choices to pick up at half price from 3-4 years ago. I just got the SOYA PE fret for 25 USD, and Squadron has the SOYA kit for 40 USD. Same combo would have cost you double last year!

I do appreciate that Japan has such an intrinsic interest in modelling at the momment, and I dont mind a bit the "crumbs" we get over "here" Those ships are a thing of beauty...

and on a per hour basis, cheaper than most other hobbies or sources of entertainment/relaxation.

Finally, I do hope to still hear/read what the 'insiders" in here have to say about releases and new kits... then we can make our own minds if its too expensive or not : ) cheers all!