Question about Herpa

[JAL1628]

I was looking in the database and see they (Herpa) have planned to release a 1:400 Tu-144LL (NASA). I've been waiting for this one a long time and will definitely order it!

However, I also see it's not due in until the 2nd Quarter of 2015... I find that outrageous since the mold already exists. Are these 3-5 month wait periods typical for Herpa? What is the reason for this? Do they need approval from the FAA or something?

[FireAngelZero]

In my experience Herpa can take FOREVER to release planes. One of my gems, my Herpa United 767-400ER was announced around Spring of 2013 I pre-ordered it in May of 2013, I didn't end up getting it shipped till around June of 2014 when it was finally released. I rarely buy Herpa because of this. By the time a jet they have announced gets released two other brands would've released the model between that time...

[JAL1628]

Wow, that is absolutely ridiculous. It must be a one (1) person operation run out of a garage.

[foundation]

given the number of things they produce, I highly doubt it (cars, airports, planes, tractors, houses, trains, etc)
I think it takes a long time to get the tamping printing setup done, and back and forth from china to germany for samples and such. Also then the finals probably get shipped by boat which can take a month itself. I'm sure the other manufacturers just wait to announce until they are very close to ready to ship, whereas herpa announces when they decided to proceed with a model (for better planning for us purposes

[FireAngelZero]

The thing that gets to me is that manufacturers never take on a lot of Herpa releases. This month between JC Wings, Phoenix, and Geminijets (all releasing the same jets ex. Etihad 787-9 and Etihad A380...) but it gets to me that Herpa releases numerous 1:200 and 1:500 scale models (with some in the 1:400 scale as well) and Phoenix, JC, GJ never try to replicate their good models. Ex. Herpa announced the release of the SriLankan Airlines "OneWorld" A330 and noone's replicating it... (In normal circumstances I wouldn't by a SriLankan carrier but I have a weakness to "livery painted" jets OneWolrd, Star Alliance, Skyteam painted jets) It would be a fast selling jet if it was brought to the 1:400 scale. I just don't get it JAL...

[fleetlordatvar]

this gives me the impression that's it's a disconnect & company bureaucracy, more than anything else. Whether the mold, tech, or any aspect of it exists wouldn't matter. It more likely the 'suits' who are running things based on a spread sheet & not the demand of the public... what metric or other tool would they use to know what to release?

[Siegerflieger]

Wow, that is absolutely ridiculous. It must be a one (1) person operation run out of a garage.

It's not. Been there, seen that.

Thing is, Herpa like to announce releases way in advance so they can better estimate the production run from pre-orders.

Also, Herpa only operate on the basis of licenses and permissions from airlines. Apparently, a lot of things can go wrong or be delayed between them, the airline, for which models typically aren't a priority, and the manufacturer. Whose fault? Depends on the case at hand...

[herpayvr]

You have to remember that Herpa like most legitimate manufactures are companies who are answerable to shareholders. A few years ago when they were bailed out (re-organized) prices went up, and a more aggressive production plan was put in place. Its a business, but many passionate collectors treat their models as collector items or prized beauties and not simply a product! Its a different collector world today compared to just a few years ago.