How do you tell how old a kit is?

[Guest]

Hi just wondering how do you know if your buying a new kit/figures or an old one? Is there a date on the box when the kit was released?

[peterairfix]

Some times they have a date stamped on the inside of the kit

[Mr Bowcat]

Scalemates.com is a good resource, it gives you a timeline for most kits including reboxing and retooling.

[PaulTRose]

Scalemates.com is a good resource, it gives you a timeline for most kits including reboxing and retooling.

agreed........just used it myself 10 minutes ago

[colin m]

+2 for scalemates.

[Guest]

+∞ for scalemates.com

I'm starting to learn some manufacturers id number ranges where you are "safe" above certain number, like Tamiya I'm not worried if above 35200 (which means 1996). Everything below 35115 and you're in the 70's.
All kits I've seen above 35200 have all been fantastic with regards to quality - but sometimes they're using bought tooling which can mean some dodgy sprues.
For other makes the quality can differ regardless of age so always check scalemates if unsure.

It's also a very good website for keeping records of your stash, finished models and wishlist. It can be dangerous though because you find models you never knew existed and the next minute you find yourself on eBay ordering a lot of scale models you hadn't planned to... (and yes, I'm referring to myself here)

...but heck, you only live once and nobody died from ordering one kit too many...

[colin m]

...but heck, you only live once and nobody died from ordering one kit too many...

Ohh, I don't know. Maybe the women of Sweden are a bit more forgiving than British wives. Speaking for myself of course.

[Guest]

Ohh, I don't know. Maybe the women of Sweden are a bit more forgiving than British wives. Speaking for myself of course.

I got rid of mine quite a few years ago and the extra money I've got left can be spent on modelling instead!

Jokes aside, scale modelling is a cheap hobby compared to other hobbies like golf or other forms of material sports etc, so it's just order away!

[Thorbrand]

Another method i know of is to weigh the dust on the box, It's about 2 years per gram of dust