Why are passenger jets so expensive?

[Mungous]

I am really annoyed about the price of plastic kitset passenger jets these days, I saw a 1:144 ANA Boeing 777 for NZD$99.00 (roughly USD$45) but I don't want to buy it cos it doesn't seem good value, yet military planes and helicopters are so damn cheap (although it is a smaller scale) they are more complex. Anyone know of good online shops that are cheap? :(

[Simpleboy]

My first guess is the label of the airline, have to pay them so you can have their decals. Greedy bastards they should be satisfied with the publicity, you can get a few good deals though (1:144 737-300 American Airlines NZ $25)

[uy707]

If this is more or less the same as in the slide and pic business, my idea is related to the popularity of
1- types, especially in major airlines c/s either standard or specials.
A proof for me is the overpopulation of widebodies in everybody's catalogue, while early jets and propeliners are (REGREATFULLY) to be looked for in rareties and curiosities !
Alain

[Mungous]

I wouldn't mind finding an ATR 72 model. And why would I want a 737 at 1:144 scale? I don't particularly like them but yes I agree the airlines shouldn't be such bitches cos they know not many people would buy it if their logo wasn't on it.

[Mungous]

I wouldn't mind finding an ATR 72 model. And why would I want a 737 at 1:144 scale? I don't particularly like them but yes I agree the airlines shouldn't be such bastards but they know not many people would buy it if their logo wasn't on it.

[srbmod]

Since there is not a lot of demand for airliner models, companies can charge whatever they want because they know that you can't go down to the hobby shop (or even Wal-Mart) down the street and buy it like you can an F-16 or '57 Chevy model. I used to build them but quit because I damaged several of my models in two moves in a 6 month period, so I started buying more die cast or snap together a/c, as they can be safely stored for moving or taken apart. Plus the plastic snap together models are of a heavier duty plastic (at the expense of a/c details).