Following concerns that the Copper State Nieuports had sold out, I contacted Edgar at Copper State Models who has provided Forum members with an update on their status, and also offered a useful insight into some of the problems smaller model companies face in these Covid times.
The good news is the Copper State Nieuports will be back in stock hopefully in the first half of 2022.
WW1 aircraft are very niche and in terms of profit sell to a finite market and Edgar says on this basis they do not order a huge run of frames from the pressing plants in China. "It`s money to spend on storage, shipping, production. Usually, we are planning our stock to last around 2 years, then we can look at how it is going and decide what to do next.
"Currently, there is a shortage of Nieuports, but sadly, we cannot order 10 sets, you have to take a large batch of plastic, and the shipping rates these days are very high, due to the fuel prices, Covid, etc. The Nieuports should be back into our inventory hopefully in the first half of 2022, the same goes for Romfel.
"The Italian Lancia (35005) should return in January / February, just need to order decals and instructions, as we have the plastic due to a release of 35008 (German Pz.Sp.Wg. 1ZM (i))"
Offering an insight into the company's operations he says they would like to do more 1/32 aircraft but these cost about twice as much as armoured cars, plus the armoured cars sell much better.
CSM is always looking for new markets for WWI kits to attract more modellers.
Copper State launched 1/72 scale armoured cars but sales have not yet rewarded their investment. He says the same applies to the 1/48th scale aircraft, which is why Copper State is increasingly focused on 1/32 and 1/35 scale subjects now.
"They are the real money-generators for us, the market is bigger, and many aircraft modellers have moved from smaller scales into 1/32."
Copper State has a 1/32 Caudron G.III kit due for release in December and more large scale aircraft in development along with more of their acclaimed armoured car range.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia