Luc Janssens

4) Packaging and support How do you want to present your product? The design of the box is the first thing the buyer sees, and may make or break a decision to purchase the kit. Packaging of contents, as well as the layout of the instruction sheet are also issues that may reinforce the buyers decision of having bought the kit. 5) Budget issues, after reviewing your proposal, it seems the kit you're proposing is slightly over budget. Luckily you're still in the design stage, so what aspect or parts of the kit do you alter, lose and why? It may seem like a cruel question, but it can help you focus on the essence of the proposal and get rid of the clutter which seemed like a great idea, finding out it only beefs up the price and could scare off some potential buyers. 6) Post a photo of the subject Post a photo either from your collection or taken from the web (when doing the latter, please credit the source). The 250 000 dollar / 250K question. Format created by: Luc Janssens, ©2001-2017

Guidelines: 1) Select the type of customer you wish to reach. This will help you define the skill level, parts count, breakdown and price range. - Youth (and parents- grandparents who most likely will buy for little Johnny..) - Weekend (Novice) modeler - Enthusiast modeler 2) Choice of subject matter: You've selected your customer, now we need to find out what they want. - What's the current or expected long term automotive trend in the group you selected (Racing, Muscle, exotic, drag...)? - Which yesteryear's kits are (or were always) strong sellers and could benefit from a complete redo? (Amt vs Revell '64 Impala for example) - Are there still "missing links" in a successful series? (like 2nd gen GTO’s for example) - And last but not least do you think they're willing to pay extra copyright & trademark fees (not only from OEM but also from 3rd parties like tire, wheel and speed equipment companies, also racing sponsors, and media groups) because it can add up quickly when you go all the way. 3) Design of the kit & tool: Now that you have chosen the subject matter for the target group selected, one can start designing the kit. It must not only meet the skill level (easy, moderate, challenging) of the target customer, helping (not fighting) him or her to create something they can be proud of. It also sets the price bracket in which you will have to operate deciding on parts count, the choice as to parts breakdown depends not only on the skill level but the subject matter too. Here are two examples: - Skill level: molded-in headlamps are out of place in a kit marketed towards enthusiasts - Subject matter: Engines is very important in a drag racing car, but not in a Van where dress-up features are more desired. To tackle this, it's best to talk with fellow modelers (on or off Tom's board), go through your stack of kits or display case(s) lined with built models and write down what features you liked or disliked when assembling them. If you have any, take a look at your (old) promos and die-casts too, because they were/are designed for easy and fast assembly by non-modelers on a production line. I took the liberty of writing down some key elements which (for me at least) define the characteristics of an excellent kit, no matter what skill level: - Ease of build, no matter how many parts. - Parts break-down not only chosen in function of molding restrictions and possible future siblings, but also to avoid possible sink mark areas and optical distortions (on clear parts), the degree of detail you wish to incorporate, helping the painting process (like the separate grille inserts of the Amt (ex-MPC) '74 Roadrunner/GTX) or the mating of various subassemblies and also by trying to make the assembly dummy proof, by carefully (again to avoid ghost sink marks) chosen (perimeter) ridges, holes and pins. - Crispness of the molded parts, so clean-up is minimal and applying finishing materials like BMF becomes child's play. - Sprue attachments, designed not to damage the appearance of the parts when cut off the tree. This is especially important for plated parts. - Ejection pins, is it possible to position them on hidden surfaces, or on the sprues, maybe by beefing up the affected part(s) sprue attachment(s). - Parting lines, be creative and don't let them run too close to areas where they can affect the overall presence of the model, like too close to molded-in scripts, or try to hide by using the shape of the piece to its advantage, especially when dealing with plated parts. Keep in mind that outright criticism of an existing kits flaws or shortcomings may not be appreciated by its manufacturer when reading your proposal. So try to use constructive criticism. Likewise, pointing out strong points of a model's design or engineering aspects may facilitate the acceptance of your proposal. For us, this may be just a hobby, but for many it is a business and a way to make a living.

For those not on Facebook, this is what it's all about Thanks! So the bank agreed to loan you $250,000 to spend on an all new 1/25 Car tool. If the investment is paid back in the agreed time, let's say 3 years, an extra $500,000 is coming your way for further releases. If you fail, say goodbye to the extra $500 000, and say hello to your new best friend, the repo man! (Insert crazy laugh here) If you accept the challenge, then read the introduction, guidelines and pilot project below, and you will be all set. Introduction: What is the $250,000 or 250K question and where does this number come from? The 250K question is a one of kind survey, which, with the help of friends, yours truly fired up in 2001. Its purpose is to find out what you, the automotive modeler would do, when given a budget to create an all new model kit and make a profit from that venture. The number was taken from a statement made by a former ERTL president in the late 90’s as to how much it costs to tool up an all-new car model kit. The number went South shortly after product development went East, joining the already relocated production facilities, but word on the street is, that it's on the rise again, and almost on par with North American counterparts. After a 15 year absence I felt that the time was ripe to start it up again, but not as a contest on one forum, but on Facebook, where like’s will show how much the projects are supported by the automotive model kit builders community. Now this little essay is more than listing dozens upon dozens of possible new subjects, but don't let this scare you a way, because this is so much more rewarding, and lets the manufacturers and distributors who often lurk these pages see in a positive way, what you the modelers want and how. So hop on board and create your 250K proposal. To help you on your way I created some guidelines and with the help of Tom Sheehy even wrote a pilot entry, so I’m very certain that when you're finished reading all this, the ink will steadily flow out of your pen or drive you spouse nuts when you're constantly hammering the keyboard of your home computer, tapping the keys of your tablet or mobile whatever....

Bill....I'd like to see the positive sida about FB, there's a lot of knowledge over there, if you look past the political bickering and the fake news. My glass is half full, do hope yours is too

What Andy said.

Indeed, take one subject you'd like to see as a model kit and make it as detailed as possible. Thanks

No listing of possible subjects just "one" (1) idea at the time, and Joe public will answer with "likes" Also don't stress, there's no hurry, work on your project, check the facts, be critical just as you would when breaking the seal of a model kit you just bought. Also since FB is such a large community of knowledge, I invite everyone to chip in and share their expertise on proposals made, one man can't know everything but a community of peers will. Ready? Then put on your thinking cap and look forward reading your 250K proposal.... Click here to proceed Thanks Best regards Luc Janssens Belgium

They were and still are pretty cars, same for their sister models, the Camaro, especially the '87 IROC-Z in red

It took the ex Monogram Ford Ranger P/U over 30 years for an encore, so I believe there's still hope

Good to see you're throwing in some options, Dave. IMHO always a good idea, up's the fun factor, sparks the creative mind and might sell an extra kit

Great news, I've been waiting since day one for the 4x4 versions. Steve, about the '65-'66 model, is that the model with the '50's style bed?

Too bad the downsize- and economizing prevented Mpc from creating kits of subjects like the '77-'90 Caprice/Impala and '78-'83 Malibu's, to name two well selling nameplates..

Neat build! I have an Mpc and in my mind it will get an SVO (Taurus) powerplant update and Aoshima aftermarket wheels.

Someone hope's it to be. No....no such kit from Revell.

Indeed. In the '80s my Dad used the tractor kit, to create an Israeli Tank transporter, which was publicized in one of the Verlinden Books. Great job Jay!

Maybe at the time the display model was built, some parts weren't available, cuz the rear bumper looks the same as in the initial F&F release (doesn't have bumper guards)

My last builds are from the mid 2000's, I'm full of ideas, but every time I sit down at the bench, I don't have the drive. But I still collect, picking up kits and sometimes aftermarket items too, for hopefully possible future builds, just knowing having the stuff I want, gives me a peace of mind. Hopefully it will get back to me before I retire, in 15 years or so....

Completely new... Porsche 934 RSR Jägermeister Porsche 934 RSR Vaillant

Welcome!

Thanks for the pics, James! Looks like the taillamps on the Charger are a one piece unit, and you'd have to paint the center piece (portion) black. BTW what's the deal on the Suburban, meaning is it a tail-lift gate or doors out back? Thanks in advance for your replies

Always like this model and your beautiful build really does it justice. Thanks for showing

I've been working off and on, on a amt '70 ZR1, the body is in primer and had to do a lot of body work to make it look decent, my copy did have a lot of sink marks, especially in the tail-lite panel. Interesting to know there were ragtops too.

Thanks for checking Brett!

Molotow pens to the rescue

Brett, are those new tires? (they seem to differ from the old Monogram Goodyear GT Radials)