Dave Van

What is that....movie truck???

Due at the DIST any second........worth the wait!

At DIST this week........get your orders in!!!!

Pre-orders are the only way to get NEW product now in the model train hobby. I don't like the way it has changed the hobby....but fear it's where we are headed. I have gone exclusively to the secondary (used) market for my trains.

It seems the plastic model companies have taken a page for the model railroad manufactures. The model train companies have been doing this for years. They announce a product and accept orders. As long as the minimum number are pre-ordered the item is manufactured...... but often a few less than ordered. Each dealers order gets cut by a few and the demand is higher than supply. This way the manufacture has ZERO cost of warehousing product, no blow outs or sales to liquidators, and it creates a demand for all future products. In this world of 'just in time' manufacturing with no warehousing or storage and no back stock.....profits are higher. I can not say this is what is happening in our hobby....but it is working for the manufactures in the model train hobby.....so it makes sense. Welcome to the future!!!

Abe Lincoln said at Gettysburg 'Don't believe everything you read on the internet'.

Good old Snopes......

Agreed....tried to do some weird things........I think it's bogus anyway....

Shows there are plenty of trucks yet to be kitted!!!!

I have the annual 74 and 75 Vega kits.......only because when my wife was in college she drove a 74 Vega.....hated that car. I had to change a fuel pump once....seems I had to remove the glove box for some reason....anyone know why??? I forget!!!!

It has been done. Dean M. did an article in a early SAE.

Google 'Jumbo fire truck' and you should find more info. I was looking at one time.....but gave up as it was a rare kit at that time. Look at that steering wheel!!!! What a terror this thing must have been to see AND drive!!! Think about that boiler going full on and the size of it compared to other vehicles of the day.......I'd love to have seen it at full speed!!! I kinda feel this was the inspiration for the kit.....I can see it in there....

I think that is overly obvious to almost everyone that has the ability to log onto this site today......... But my last visit to a hobby shop had AMT and Revell kits at $36 - 41.........and 3D coming down in price daily......do the math.

Correct....I should have said CURRENT cars....as I see manufactures seeing this much like free promos of the 1960's...... But I also see as more and more folks learn the 3D software....costs will come down. Much like the laser machines I own. New they were $60K.....now a more powerful machine is under $2K.......That is a HUGE price change.....so will downloads come down as this end of the hobby grows.

WOW

This is just the tip of the ice berg...... Yes....you can go down to the hobby shop and pick up yet another Camaro model. Can you get a 4 door Focus RS model??? True...these are solid block models.......but this is the start. How would you like to just pay $4-5 for the download of ANY car you ever wanted??? That's where we are headed with htis. We ain't there yet.......this is a BIG first step....

WOW.....I think I see the future on the horizon........ I like to think I am cutting edge on the model front. I bought and use a laser cutter for many projects.......cutting edge 20 years ago 3D printing interested me....but the design process held me, and in my opinion 99% of the public too, back.... but this blows the doors off that issue. Manufactures wanting buzz about product offering downloadable files??? WOW

Four LEGO sets at 75% off each......It is models!! Or at least the raw material.......

I have an original issue Flameout and that is exactly why I could never build it......torn between a showrod and a replica stock build. The boiler is SUPER cool part with lots of chrome.

Figures are the toughest part of a diorama looking real...... My gas station.... And like Mr Smith....outdoors with commercial made car and figure..... And with a Satellite I did build.....

I unintentionally fooled a few with this one. A guy asked for photos of models to use on their website....with credit given....thought I'd help out.....got a thanks but they needed model pics......I am sure modelers can tell easy....but to non modelers.....maybe not!!

You guys buy them for those wheels.......send the rest to me for proper storage!

Watch out for the Gamers!!!!

CLASSY!!!!!

VERY cool build!!!! I did the decal art in the Moebius Hudson racers so any Hudson racer is neat!! The rebuilt firewall is well done......I've seen photos of these old fender-less racers but never tackled one. I think the #03 came from the Model King Chevy S-3 NASCAR kit....which I did the art for too! Nice work!