ROLL CALL OF NEW KITS: MAKE PUBLIC OR NOT

[Dr. Cranky]

Amen to that!

[Jim Gibbons]

Whoever did the song "It Drives me Crazy" had it right. I do wish the model companies had a bit more of an accurate grip on release dates, but I think that's a result of global marketing. A U.S. model manufacturer, all those years ago, also knew what was up in the machine shop, and knew realistic expectations of when it could hit the shelves. Today, FedEx, virtual reality computer conferences, and numerous phone calls dictate "projected" release dates. That and spoken promises half a world away.

I do, wish, however, that the manufacturers would have a tight control over leaked marketing information. If it's given in stone, by all means, let it be known. The prototype pics that were out for the Moebius Hudson and C-300 are an excellent example. I haven't stopped drooling for these kits since I found out about them, but Moebius has to deal with international production issues. I wonder where the boxes will be printed?

Getting back to leaked marketing info, I remember quite a while ago (early '90s?) that a 1960 Ford Sunliner (convertible) was to come soon. One look at my '60 Sunliner avatar should give you an idea of how thrilled I was. (I had a 1:1.) However, that didn't come to pass. At least the '60 Starliner got produced (way too many years later,) so all was not lost.

At one point in my life, I sold Volkswagens ('85-'87) There weren't a lot of engineering/drafting jobs available in my area, so I found a way to pay the bills. I really liked VWs before I sold them, and drove them most of my life. What would drive me crazy about VW at the time, is that they would start the marketing hype way before the product was available. This was the time of VWs first 16V engine in the Scirocco and GTI, the all wheel drive Synchro Vanagons and Quantums, the Fox, etc. There wasn't a day that went by that someone wouldn't ask about the new stuff.

Sorry for the dissertation, but as a former engineer who also had to deal with marketing departments, I have to recommend that you follow the engineer's opinions and projections! I do still want to hear about the new models, though. Hope is a good thing.

[Foxer]

Personally, I think the model companies anticipation is probably far above our simply wanting it. They sure have a lot of cash to get back!

[RodneyBad]

  On 5/13/2011 at 11:25 PM, Lunajammer said:

"It's not the having, it's the wanting." So let us want gentlemen. Announce.

Amen...

I have a real lack of Patience and knowing that something will come out in 6 months

then another 6, and then another 6 and maybe not at all just drives me flippin Nuts...

Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I'm a Addict...

I freely admit that...

[samdiego]

I started out to quote from several postings but changed my mind, the influence is obvious. Of course it's in the game plan and for most of the reasons given. The length of time between announcement an delivery plus the amount of buzz is crucial to a quicker return for the company. They can't afford to wait for all of us to just happen upon their product eventually. I also agree that the departure of the big boxes has led to a little more being thrown our way, instead of trying to draw every 10 year old, regardless of the fact that two cans of spray bomb and a kit are pretty much beyond lawn mowing money any more.

[Dr. Cranky]

Of course perhaps in the near future someone will invent a machine where we--as builders--pour in the styrene and the machine will pop out our very own model (whatever we want) and then we can go from there!

[Aaronw]

  On 5/14/2011 at 10:55 AM, Dr. Cranky said:

Of course perhaps in the near future someone will invent a machine where we--as builders--pour in the styrene and the machine will pop out our very own model (whatever we want) and then we can go from there!

I expect in my lifetime we will see print on demand kits. 3d printing is making rapid advances, and is already at the level a really dedicated tecnogeek could build one for $1000-1500. The really cool part is the printer can make all the specialized parts so DIY groups are running sort of like a chain letter. You get the parts from someone who has a printer, then you are supposed to make a set of parts and pass them along to the next person. Unfortunately it appears to take a lot more technical know how to build the printer than I have.

[scale trucker]

if the hudson and the 300 from mobieus are anything like the lonestar omg..ill wait,but i will need 2 cases each..

[Jim Gibbons]

  On 5/14/2011 at 8:40 PM, scale trucker said:

if the hudson and the 300 from mobieus are anything like the lonestar omg..ill wait,but i will need 2 cases each..

I hear you; I can't say I'll be buying cases, but how tempting is it to have three C-300s displayed side by side in white, red, and black? I don't even want to think of the Hudson possibilities! I can feel my wallet lightening already.

[samdiego]

I'm still upset about the stillborn Budweiser Rocket car. And one of my favorite vehicles that I realize may never appear in any medium or scale (it hasn't so far), the 1967 Ranchero.