Mike McCabe

Five Star are excellent but I am currently running down the stock I have as I won't be stocking them in future. Nothing to do with quality or reliabiilty of the company, both are excellent, just a business decision. Mike

Just seen this, it's coming along great Jon and yes, there is a typo with the paint colours! Mike

Having read the comments from Jamie and Duncan I can only agree with what they have both said in terms of the attraction of shows to small specialist traders such as myself. Although being fortunate enough to live just a couple of hours from Telford, the cost of the weekend still runs into four figures before a pound is taken to start offsetting those costs. There has been no reduction of fees for this year and in fact if there was, it would extremely unfair on those who had already committed at the last event by paying in full for future space. The fact is that small traders have gradually been priced out of attending at Telford, this is not speculation, this is directly from people I have spoken to over the last few years. Having been left physically and mentally exhausted after the last event I had already decided not to attend in future and as Jamie has said, it is a lot easier sitting at home and let people come to you via the internet. Mike

I stock Flyhawk kits. Regarding mark up, you probably don't know that trade prices from Chinese suppliers are often higher than retail from Chinese sources. If you see what you think are high mark ups this is in fact nothing to do with UK or other retailers charging significantly more than usual, it is down to Chinese business practices. Also you forget that costs of shipping, import tax and operating a business in the UK are significantly higher than for those selling kits on ebay for example. So no, kits sold by UK retailers do not have 'ridiculous mark ups', if you want to try starting a business to do what you suggest then you are very welcome to try. Mike

I was planning to get these done a couple of years ago but it fell through, it is something needed though. Any help with information on the cranes would be useful as that has been a sticking point. Mike

I will be stocking White Ensign Models etch when I reopen in a few weeks. Not a full range yet but there will be in due course.

As mentioned I do stock Black Cat Models but I am currently taking an extended break which will include some changes to the business. Hopefully this will mean higher stocking levels of fewer brands to try and help out with those issues of getting deliveries from the EU. Mike

The Elsass is a very complex kit, a lot of etch and parts so I would recommend it only to those with a fair bit of experience in using etch and building resin kits. As a new Combrig kit the quality of detail and casting is superb, amongst the very best kits of any type (resin or plastic) currently available. I stock Combrig in my shop and have a small number of 1/350 kits at the moment including Elsass but can order anything you need although delivery is quite slow at the moment for obvious reasons.

Thanks Mike, shipping to the US has gone up a lot recently unfortunately but I'm sure I can still tempt you with something! Mike

They are nowhere near Combrig quality unfortunately and for what you get, more expensive. I did consider stocking them a couple of times but I just don't feel they are good value. Mike

I will be releasing a 1/700 HMS Glamorgan under the Starling Models label, hopefully before the end of the year but most likely early next. www.starling-models.co.uk

Pitroad / Skywave are very much active although I think the sets you mention may be out of production. Mike

I have the Orange Hobby F-35b and C available in my shop at the moment. www.starling-models.co.uk/en/ Mike

There are paint recommendations in the instructions for the Sovereign Hobbies Colourcoats brand Charlie. Mike

Thanks for the promising news Al, good to hear Martin is on the mend. Mike