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Posts posted by The Tomohawk Kid
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On 01/01/2022 at 04:57, Bejay53 said:
You’re welcome.
I need a new work space. I’d love to have the new clipper, the 1/350 Discovery and the new 1/48 Aires 1B moon shuttle.I do have the moon bus to build and that will be it for 2001 kits. I can hope for a 1/72 Aires 1B!?
I would temper ones expectations. The Moebius 1/48 Aries 1B has been in the works for over two years and I'm not aware of a recent update of its progress. That said, it would not surprise me if the Orion jumped the queue so to speak.
Tommo.
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Cracking build of a cracking kit. Whilst the launch bay may not be as accurate as the others, the TB-3 itself is by far the most accurate of the TB machines thye make. Not that others are too shabby.
Tommo.
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18 hours ago, Adam Poultney said:
AXDN is Duxford's Concorde, standard nose, short tail and a little bit faster than the rest of them
What?
Tommo.
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2 hours ago, Eric Mc said:
My Airfix Concorde arrived yesterday. Airfix are showing the years 1966 and 2020 on the box.
The prototype flew on 2 March 1969. I'm not sure exactly when in 1966 the kit was first released. The French Concorde prototype had been assembled by 1967 and was rolled out to the press in December of that year. So at least, Airfix would have (possibly) seen some images of the almost assembled prototype before they finalised their moulds.
It was available for Easter 1966.
Tommo.
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If memory serves the Airfix kit was in the shops a full three years before the prototype flew.
Tommo.
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The Airfix kit as pictured up thread, is more the concept design rather than the prototype.
Tommo.
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23 hours ago, Blue Monday said:
Is the S&M kit a 2-in-1 kit? Because I received my kit in the post and there were two full kits in the box! 😀 Looks like a nice kit and I am hoping to build the silver company demonstrator from the 1950's.
BM.
No, you lucked out. To obtain two, I had to buy two.
Tommo.
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1 hour ago, Britman said:
I fear I have been taken too literally here . Have you tried building some of the "available" kits or paying silly money for a Dash 8 - 400? I have an ATR from F-resin but I
Keith
Yes on both counts and I believe I have had ended up with nice results too. Airliners are niche and are always going to attract a premium - its the way of the World and I don't see it changing.
Tommo.
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1 hour ago, Jeddahbill said:
I signed on with Atomic City as one of the original 6 underwriter investors for the development of the large scale 2001: A Space Odyssey models. Despite visiting Scott in his studio/workshop twice and many years of waiting, I never received my kits as an Atomic City investor a
Ouch!
Tommo.
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On 15/04/2021 at 08:10, Eric Mc said:
1/72 airliners generally don't sell in large numbers - UNLESS they can also be released in military markings too.
Of course, it depends on what is meant by "sells well" and, most importantly, it is also important to understand that sales volumes on their own are absolutely meaningless.
Producing kits is a commercial activity - so the intention of every kit manufacturer is to sell sufficient numbers of any one kit for the kit to -
Therefore, producing slightly less commercial mainstream kits is more viable for a short run injection moulded kit than for a mainstream manufacturer. as they don't have to sell so many to recover their investment costs and, hopefully, generate a profit.
The other point is, Airfix will be far more consious of the price point a kit sells for, the likes of Valom less so.
Tommo.
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On 14/04/2021 at 23:47, Admiral Puff said:
Whoever thinks that 1:72 airliners don't sell isn't looking hard enough ...
If everybody who has contributed to this thread bought two 1/72 of a said airliner kit, it does not make a market for them. There is an interest yes, but its small one and that should not be confused as market. It is all about selling kits in sufficient quanties, particularly for the investment required for an injection moulded styrene kit. That market is clearly not there, or also all the major airliners in the last 60/70 years would be available in 72 from various manufacturers.
Tommo.
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16 hours ago, modelldoc said:
Decades before, Aurora made two Airliners.
There was the Boeing 737 - 100 (early version with different engines)
and the Douglas DC-9 - 10
Now available from Atlantis.
Tommo.
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22 hours ago, Jeddahbill said:
Scott also produced a 1/32 scale 15 inch diameter Aries 1B with interior and a 1/48 scale 44 inch Orion Space Clipper, both of which build up into very impressive displays
He sold a few kits on eBay, much to the chagrin of the very many (myself included) who had paid100s of dollars in pre-orders, that where never delivered.
Tommo.
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Zane,
There is no 1/72 kit of Aries 1B. There nearest is the Captain Cardboard/Atomic City/Auroashouda 1/80 (which I wrongly quoted at 1/96 up thread) and that is long out of production. That, was almost certainly Scott's most sucessful kit. Someone (who's name escapes me) did an aftermarket flight deck kit for it - there was no passenger cabin kit to my knowledge.
There was no UK Aries 1B kit, I assume you are thinking of Stargazer 1/144 kit, this was mastered by Ian Walsh who is indeed based in the UK, Torquay if memory serves. However, all the kits were cast in the US and sold via US outlets.
I would personally wait for the Moebius Aries kit. However, if you cannot wait try and source the AJA one, as it is the best currently out there by some margin albeit it is 1/48.
The Kaiyo Discovery has been due/in the works for an absolute epoch, I would file it in the lost projects for the time being.
Tommo.
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From your post it was not clear if you were seeking info about Aries or Orion, if its Orion the following may help:
- A UK company (who's name I can't recall, but were located in the Bristol area, if memory serves) produced a large scale resin kit with a polystyrene core to reduce weight - which would have worked dout close to 1/72. It was beautifully cast and had delicate engraved details. However, regretably it was upscaled from the Airfix kit, so it was WRONG in pretty much every aspect. I sold my copy on pretty quickly after it landed.
- Atomic City produced a large scale Orion in 1/72. The masters were finished off for Scott by Adam Johnson and the pre production build ups looked absolutely beautiful and having the Adam Johnson stamp of accuracy, it wa a must. However, it went the same way as the Aries leaving that bitter taste mentioned up thread. But, to add insult to injury Scott starting selling copies on eBay much to annoynace of those like me who had stumped up on pre order several 100 quid. I hasten to add other than finish the masters Adam Johnson was not involved in the Atomic City debacle.
Stargazer did a true 1/144 (original) scale Orion sold through Starship Modeller, that was a beaut! The second iteration cast by Blap was even better.
Many a garage kit manufacturer up until the appearnce of the upgraded Aurora kit produced by Moebuis had a tilt at it with varying degrees of success. The Aurora kit along with the Moonbus is surpringly accurate as they had access to Warners Bros art dept original drawings. Again, Adam Johnson was involved with the upgrade of the Moebius Orion so don't overloook that one albeit its not 1/72.
Tommo
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17 hours ago, zanenobbs said:
Excellent work! I've been looking for a Lunar Models Aries 1B kit, not for the accuracy, but the approximate scale. According to the book 2001: The Lost Technology by Adam K Johnson and The 2001 File by Sir Christopher Frayling, the diameter of the Aries is 42 feet, so at 5 inches the kit would be around 1/100 scale. I know that Larson Design Catalog just re-released the old Lunar Models kit of the Orion III Space Clipper in 1/72, which I just started, and hopefully a new and corrected kit of the Aries 1B will be coming soon too! If anyone is aware of a 1/72 scale (or close to this scale) kit in any medium: resin, plastic, 3D, etc., please let me know! I'm currently writing a kit review and history for the Orion III Space Clipper at the International Resin Modellers Association (www.internationlaresinmodelers.com).
I'm sure you are aware Moebuis have an large scale injection (no scale to date has been mentioned) shot styrene Aries 1B in the works, it was due Q1 this year, but obviously its been delay by Cv19. Personally I would wait for that one, but each to their own. No disrespect to the Lunar Models kit, it was great when it was originally produced and definatley ahead of the curve as was LM as pioneering company in large scale sci-fi subject matter. But there have been a lot of better options since.
As far as I'm aware there has been no 1/72 Aries . However, probably the best to date is the 1/48 rotocast resin CAD designed AJA kit (produced and researched by Adam Johnson - so one will know it will as accurate as references peermitted at the time) complete with interior, sadly that is out of production Mine still looks at me saying 'build me'!
Other than those Aries kits mentioned above there have been a few others:
- Stargazer 1/144
- Captain Cardboard/Atomic City 1/96
Atomic City had a 1/32 kit in the works, but everything went wrong leaving a sour taste in many a mouth inculding mine - which is a shame as Scott Alexander's work is good.
Tommo.
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11 minutes ago, Hub Plott said:
Most of the real classic Revell/Monogram molds were sold to Atlantis Models
Yes, I know, hence my comments up thread.
A company with much lower overheads and a better reach into the 'classic' kit market than Revell.
Tommo.
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On 13/04/2021 at 07:14, Britman said:
In my humble opinion I would beg to differ with the Airfix point of view. There are so many gaps in the airliner market that need filling with a modern and reasonable priced product. I could throw many suggestions at this but I would say this to Airfix, with your new style of model design I think this could be a great opportunity.
Keith
Easy to say when one is not putting the capital up and not taking the risk. Its very clear from what Airfix say and their actions they have almost no interest in getting involved in the airliner market save the odd and infrequent repop from thier back catalogue. Hence my comment up thread, that I'm surprised they have not sold on their moulds to the Skyking range.
There maybe gaps in the airliner/civil market however, Airfix are clearly of the view that is for someone else to tacke, which others slowly are - with the likes Amodel, Valom and Roden. I venture one of the reasons the aforementioned appear expensive is in part to offset the lack of mass market appeal and consquential relatively low sales in comparison to miltary types.
Tommo.
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One can't really compare Atlantis to Revell its a two person company operating soley in a niche market. Thier kits are not particulary cheap either - thats an observation not a compliant by the way.
Tommo.
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On 12/04/2021 at 12:18, kev67 said:
It’s a shame that Airfix could not produce the Viscount in 1/72 as it’s not that bigger plane, at least it would be accurate and there still plenty of them around to use LIDAR on, Denzils kits are OK, his Vanguard though has some distinctive missing vents on the outer engine underneath though
Airfix have not produced a new airliner kit in 1/144 in 40 years (let alone one in 1/72) and they have not been forthcoming re-issuing their extensive 1/144 Skyking range in the intervening years either. To the point I'm surprised they have not sold thier moulds.
There is zero chance Airfix manufacturing a new tool 1/72 airliner kit.
Tommo.
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4 hours ago, Eric Mc said:
The 1950s airliner scene is actually quite well served by kit manufacturers these days, especially in 1/144.
In 1/144 -
Minicraft has a nice range of American propliners (DC-4/DC-6/Super Constellation/Stratocruiser)
Roden has added a few vintage airliners to their listings (ATL98 Carvair/DC-7/DC-3/C-47)
F-RSIN does kits in both resin and plastic (Comet 1/Deux Ponts/Bristol Freighter - long and short nose/ 049/749 Constellation)
Welsh Models produces vacform kits but these days they tend to come with resin wings and engines. They have a very good range of older airliners
Eastern Express does a Super DC-3/C-117
Revell does a very nice 1/144 Super Constellation
Obviously, some of the above require a bit more work than a straightforward mainstream injection moulded kit. This applies particularly to F-RSIN and Welsh Models
Welsh Models are a good entry level kits for those who have not tackled resin or vac before.
Tommo.
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2 hours ago, Disraeligears said:
Is it a 700 or 800 series they are planning?I know that Authentic Airliners are planning to produce an 800 series later this year.
If memory serves it was the 800 1st, followed by the 700.
Tommo.
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7 hours ago, Asmodai said:
Or is it just possible to admit that Revell did a lousy job at it? Airfix seems to be doing just fine with their Classics. And an entire company, Atlantis Models, makes almost all of its income from releases of the classic molds they acquired. They seem to be doing just fine. So maybe, just maybe, the problem was at Revell?
Dunno.
Even pre Covid the Airix range of 'Classics' had slowed up dramatically.
Tommo.
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15 minutes ago, Head in the clouds. said:
, Densils' kits are streets ahead in accuracy.
You can say that. The underside centre section of 'his' 1/72 Comet kits are a work of art. It s very complex set of compound curves and he nailed it big time!
Tommo.
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Mobius 2001 Space Clipper in 1/72 due early 2022
in Science Fiction Discussion
Posted
Thanks, however, I have had on pre-order from Cult for very nearly two years.
Tommo.