Kiwimako

The kit has now been released in Hong Kong (Hobby Easy and Lucky Model have it right now).

Border Model has told me the new clear parts that they will send me will be ready in 2 - 3 weeks so I am guessing the final Lancaster for retail will be ready in about 4 weeks. They are also sending me an updated instruction manual when the clear parts are sent. Their customer service has been amazing and timely with responses to my several queries within hours. I feel really lucky and privileged to have the kit already and the more I look at the parts realise it is a magnificent model that I am glad I ordered!

Just received a response from Border Models after I just posted the above - super fast from them which was great. It says "hello, yours and the one on the YouTube are the same batch of transparent parts. We have received feedback and will reproduce new transparent parts. I will send them to you again".

My Border Model 1/32 Lancaster arrived today! It’s big and heavy (6 kgs in the snug packaging box). If any of you have watched Nigel’s Modelling Bench and his recent review, what I got was identical. The box had the addition to make it taller, the brass machine gun barrels were minus the covers/housing (sorry I don’t know the correct term) and the clear parts had shallow scratches and weren’t crystal clear. I have to admit my excitement turned to a little disappointment as unlike the review samples, one of which Nigel received, I paid full price from Border Models store on Ali Express as well as 15% GST (VAT) and about NZ$150 to get posted by EMS. I see that Hobby Easy in HK shows it as available next month and Ali Express still shows it as pre order so all I can conclude is that what I was sent is not the final retail version? I will email Border Model and ask and update this post when I hear. I will also attempt to put up some pictures when I get to my desktop computer (I am posting off my phone) and figure out how to do it. Don’t get me wrong, the model looks amazing and I will make do with what I got but for the price I would have expected the clear parts (which I my biggest concern) to be clearer and not scratched. I have aftermarket gun barrels so not a major but the box looks a bit rough after opening so not something you could sell after opening. If you haven’t watched Nigel’s You Tube review have a look and what I said should make sense.

I preordered the kit from the Border Model store on Ali Express in January and it shipped on Thursday (EMS)! Currently at the Shanghai Mail Centre awaiting a plane down to NZ. I can't wait and hope to have it by the end of the week or early next week at the latest! To say I am excited is an understatement! Interestingly it is still showing on the Ali Express site as a preorder and HobbyEasy HK show it as becoming available on the 26th.