And they say a new , modern truck kit won't sell well!

[Ben]

Maybe they should take lessons from Moebius!!!!!!!!

[JamesW]

that's what, $600 or so worth of plastic? I don't really like the look of that truck, but what I've seen of it I actually wouldn't mind gettin one. I really want the Italeri Volvo VN 780 and Pete 378 Long Hauler though.

[RodneyBad]

I think it is a Great looking Kit.

Soo much that I bought one and I don't do Trucks but now it is on my List to do (one day)

[Chillyb1]

I will never buy nor build this kit, but I'm excited to see how much buzz there's been about it. Lots of coverage, lots of anticipation, and I recently saw a bunch in a sort-of-local hobby shop. I do hope it ends up a blockbuster best seller.

By the way, Ben, when do you think you'll find the time to build ten of those?

[highway]

GGEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ guys, leave some for me!!!!

[Chuck Most]

I have one. One Moebius Lonestar. Thanks for making me feel pathetic and insignificant!

Sheesh- my mom & pop local shop in the middle of nowhere has already sold out of his first two orders, while the old standby muscle car kits collect dust on the shelf. What's THAT tellin' ya?

[ra7c7er]

I have one. One Moebius Lonestar. Thanks for making me feel pathetic and insignificant!

Sheesh- my mom & pop local shop in the middle of nowhere has already sold out of his first two orders, while the old standby muscle car kits collect dust on the shelf. What's THAT tellin' ya?

That's telling you Revell and R2 are not hitting on what the public wants. Reissue upon reissue of old kits isn't what the consumer wants to see. We want new and different or old and hardly reissued. I think with the advent of Mobius doing vehicle kits and Galaxy possibly coming out with more Revell and R2 just might start to get it.

[highway]

I have one. One Moebius Lonestar. Thanks for making me feel pathetic and insignificant!

At least you don't feel lower than a snake's belly, you have one more than I have! I think I'll crawl in my non Lonestar inhabited hole now in shame!!

That's telling you Revell and R2 are not hitting on what the public wants. Reissue upon reissue of old kits isn't what the consumer wants to see. We want new and different or old and hardly reissued. I think with the advent of Mobius doing vehicle kits and Galaxy possibly coming out with more Revell and R2 just might start to get it.

Robert, I have to agree and disagree with you at the same time. While the Lonestar is very high on my "Must Buy" list, so are quite a few of the AMT reissue truck kits. The part where I disagree is Revell and Round 2 are, well at least in this truck modelers area of interest is concerned, are reissuing what the customer wants. A few examples that I have either already added to the collection or soon to add are the Freightliner cabover, the Kenworth cabover, the International 4300, and the Freuhauf flatbed. In the case of the Freightliner and Kenworth cabovers, I was either not even born or not old enough to build the last time those kits seen the light of day, and in the case of the International and flatbed trailer, I'm old enough to remember them, but they were lost in a house fire in 1997, and I'm not rich so paying collector prices on ebay is not an option to replace them. The reissues finally allowed me to replace those after all these years. Revell's recent Kenworth also falls into the second example, I still remember that kit from years gone by and nice to see it back.

I did say I agreed with you too, and that is because I do hope Revell and Round 2 will see Moebius hit a home run with the Lonestar and will probably do the same with the upcoming car kits and finally it will open their eyes. In the case of AMT, for being 70s technology the truck kits were great for the time and still great almost 40 years later for a few of them, but as a trucker and truck modeler, you just don't see this equipment anymore. It would be nice if I could build some of the trucks I drove in my career, but most are newer than 1998, and the newest was a fresh 2006 Mack with less than 100 miles on it when I got the keys to it at the last driving job I had before health problems cost me that job. Hopefully the success of the Lonestar will open their eyes and they might see that yes, reissues are good, but new tools are even better!!

[SpreadAxle]

I love the re-issues myself. My favorite subjects are 1970's and 80s trucks. However, I would like to see more of the newer trucks and trailers. It looked like Revell AG and Italeri did try in the 90s with a few subjects, like the FLD, and newer style Western Stars. I do find it strange that there was never a 379 kit, but the 377 and 378 are nice kits. I'm sure there are those who will say they are tired of seeing Peterbilt or Kenworth kits, but I would've liked to see newer KW kits, like the T800, a proper T600 kit, or even a newer W9. Aerocab versions would be cool, too. Were it not for the resin casters, there wouldn't be many of the modern subjects that we see, So I thank them. But buying a kit, then the resin conversion, can be costly for some.

There are older trucks and trailers that were never modeled that could be, and they could sell. Although, I know the topic is about newer trucks. I do think the kit makers know that newer, more aerodynamic truck kits do pose one risk. Many truck fans aren't as excited about them as they are about the more classic designs. A Freightliner Century/Columbia kit may sell, but the Freightliner Classic XL might sell better, for example. Not that it's guarunteed, but I wonder if that may be what hampers some trucks from being represented as kits.

As for the older kits, I think AMT made one mistake. They updated the 359 kit in the '70s when the cab was changed in 1973. Now, I do recognize this would get expensive to do to all kits, but they could've updated a couple of the kits. That same year, for example, Kenworth changed the door handles and rails, emblems and other items on their trucks. The 60" flattop sleeper and 110" K100 cab were introduced at the time as well. I think AMT could've made some of these changes and helped sales a little. And am I the only one scrathing their head as to why AMT never made a W900 Aerodyne? They did the K100 at least. Ertl updated their International cabover and conventional kits in the mid 70s. I'm just saying it was something that could've been done, even if not to all kits, at least to the big sellers. Those are just my thoughts, though.

[niteowl7710]

I can see where a Freightliner Coronado (keeping with Moebius' apparent love of fully spec'd O/O trucks) would be a good choice, as with a few piece changes it could be re-popped as a Classic XL to share tooling costs (and maybe as the base of a new Western Star since they're owned by Daimler, the trucks probably aren't to different under the skin).

Heck with the "aero" trucks all together, give me a current, accurate Extended 379 w/Ultra Sleeper, and W-900 with 72" Studio Sleeper. The new aero Pete and KW are 10x more fugly than anyone here thinks the LoneStar is...

[highway]

I can see where a Freightliner Coronado (keeping with Moebius' apparent love of fully spec'd O/O trucks) would be a good choice, as with a few piece changes it could be re-popped as a Classic XL to share tooling costs...

I'd be all over those like a fly to, uh, well, you know what!!!

[JamesW]

Id actually like to see a Freightliner Cascadia. My step-dad drove one of those for Werner, Schneider and his current employer. Nice trucks and I think they'd make great modeling subjects (although I'm a Volvo and Pete fan myself).

[Chuck Most]

This kit is THE new standard. I've seen the Italeri stuff, which might have been the high water mark up until now, and they're good, but I think Moebius is well on its way to becoming the new Revell! I can only hope this is just the beginning for Moebius. If this kit is sucessful in today's ecomomic/hobby climate (and from what I see, it already is), I would be more suprised if Moebius did NOT produce more big-rig kits, than if they did. And there's still a pretty big niche of light commerical kits that is still untapped, maybe Moebius will step in to fill that void. Who knows? Maybe somewhere down the line I'll FINALLY get that first-gen IH Scout kit I've always wanted...

[mackinac359]

An interesting point to new model kits or diecast is that manufacturers try to sway toy companies into specific products to promote their cause. If a truck manufacturers prime market is aero trucks, they try to sway the toy makers into the same line of thought, not taking into consideration that the toy market doesn't parallel the sales of real trucks in style or model preferences.

Tim

[BigBad]

I know it's real expensive to make new tooling for these kits, Dave Metzner gave us real good insight on this subject. All we can hope is that the other big manufacturers are looking at how this Moebius kit is doing in the market. They should get it with this example. They keep making the new cars, Corvettes, Challengers, Mustangs... Etc. They must be easier and less expensive to tool up because of the kit size. But... Maybe these companies should remember what they used to do before: Try something new, dare! Would it be much of a gamble tooling up for a new Kenny W900L, Pete 389, Freight Classic XL or any of the classic designs of any of the manufacturers for that matter? At least we would get updated frames and current cabs, fuel tanks, tool boxes and work with those... Just like the Lonestar! Personally, I think Round 2 is probing this market with their truck reissues. There is this Russian guy who came up with a great looking 1:24 scale Freightliner Argosy. This guy contacted some major model manufacturers and offered his master for them to use, these guys were just not interested. Another thing about this, is that the manufacturers want royalties for their designs, which I undertand, but they are apparently asking way much, so it's impossible for this guy to even make his own mold and sell a resin kit of it. That is what he says anyway. This is for a model kit guys, let's be realistic! It's free advertising for the real truck manufacturers. Kids are building these kids too! They just might want to actually drive the real trucks later on. So, it comes down to this, Big Boys, show us that you still can!Come out with at least ONE new subject and see if that works! Then see if it's worth the effort. Just watch the Moebius Buzz...

[Aaronw]

Another thing about this, is that the manufacturers want royalties for their designs, which I undertand, but they are apparently asking way much, so it's impossible for this guy to even make his own mold and sell a resin kit of it. That is what he says anyway. This is for a model kit guys, let's be realistic! It's free advertising for the real truck manufacturers.

I'd love to see a few automotive CEO's building kits, I can just see the meeting. Can one of you clowns explain to me why I can't build a model of the 2011 Thundercougarfalconbird? Get on the phone to a model company and make this happen.

Unfortunately I don't see CEO as a career path big on creative hobbies.

[chuckyr]

Italeri will have new North American trucks in the future.

[highway]

Italeri will have new North American trucks in the future.

If that's the case, I just hope they update the "one frame fits all" frame.

[Chuck Most]

Italeri will have new North American trucks in the future.

No Internationals, though, and that's my biggest hang up. I like the Ford Aeromax and LTL 9000 (my favorite non-International rigs), and I'd love to see some new American rigs from them. Hey- I'd love to see what they've got in store for European tractors and trucks as well.

[niteowl7710]

Tim - I think the reason you see a lot of "roundy-round" truck sales is for two reasons. 1) They're easier to make fleet trucks out of (aka CHEAP) since there's less chrome, and doo-dads. 2) The ATA and TCA have brainwashed every major company into believing the reason they don't get enough fuel mileage is a combination of their trucks aren't round enough, are going too fast and all those lousy drivers in the seats are idiots. Nothing to do with them de-rating the HP, and running them around at 60-62mph out of the "sweet spot" of the engine. I have gotten significantly better mileage (8.5-9 MPG) out of a '04 International 9400i that would go 85 on the floor, and 81 on the cruise, than I have ever managed to get out of any fleet truck in 13 years until I got this ProStar. I actually got worse mileage out an '07 Columbia than I did out of a '99 Pete 379.

Rob - I think Moebius hit the "perfect storm" with this kit. The right subject matter, at the right time (combination of improved economics of the hobbyist, with the lack of new truck tooling), with the right niche. Truck modelers are used to spending more for their kits to begin with, so while the price tag is steeper than the Round 2 re-issues of late, it's still cheap compared to the RoG kits. But the non-truck guys aren't going to buy this kit in droves, especially when the styling of the subject matter is so hotly debated. This is a fantastic kit, a marvel of modern modeling if you will, and a lot of people are going to miss out on it simply cause it's ugly and/or they "don't build trucks".

While it must peak the interests of the people at Revell and Round 2, I think they're watching much more closely the saga of tooling revisions of the Hudson & Chrysler. Here again are two sorta niche subjects. They're oddball kits in the sense that while almost everyone can find something to do with a '69 Camaro, not everyone is going to hop on board the train to Hudson-town. How popular will these two really be? Can they sell out before hitting the distributors like the LoneStar did?

Here in lies the problem as I see it...we "truck guys" have seen how great the LoneStar is, we now know what to expect (in theory) in both quality and detail out of the two cars, and I think we're more likely (unless one refuses to build car subjects) to readily buy the new car kits just to have the experience of dealing with more Moebius tooling goodness. Whereas those who balked at the truck are going to be more hesitant to buy them since they're a "new company", the subject matter isn't a muscle car, and the price is "too high". I know I personally am chomping at the bit for the Hudson & Chrysler, and am pacing a hole into the floor waiting to see what they have planned for release at iHobby. If they can sell out the cars on the way to the distributors as well, that to me signals a seismic shift in the modeling world, and we could be well on our way to entering a new "glory days" within the hobby unlike we've seen since the competitive days during the 1990's when Monogram & Revell were separate companies and AMT/Ertl was cranking out mounds of kits.

[Chuck Most]

I am thankfull that Moebius came out with the Lone star, personally I would love to see Italeri package their "generic" frame that everybody complains about but nobody wants to give em away to me .

Hey- if people do that, and you find you have way too many, I'll take the remainder!

[SpreadAxle]

I am thankfull that Moebius came out with the Lone star, personally I would love to see Italeri package their "generic" frame that everybody complains about but nobody wants to give em away to me .

just frame, tanks, wheels, running gear and engine (could be optional) they could sell em for around $25 bucks make a mint and we wouldn't have to buy a 50-80 model to use as a donorfor all the nice resin conversions.

I totally agree. Since it's a freightliner frame, one could use an AMT cab modified to 80s specs on it. It could have lots of uses.

[LOBBS]

I know that the Lonestar wasn't necessarily the rig that all truckers wanted tooled up. However, viewing it from a "car" guy's perspective, it's a cool rig and the detail is top notch. I've always wanted a rig and car hauler combo for my diorama/display case race shop I'm building. I picked up a T600 and an old AMT race hauler years ago to fill the need but could never get excited enough about either one so they got Ebayed. The only disappointment I've had in the whole matter is the lack of modern trailers. To get what I want, I've got to either try to convert one of the European race haulers from Italeri or completely scratchbuild a Featherlite. At the glacial pace that I build, there may be someone who finally jumps in and fills the trailer need by the time I actually get my Lonestar done.

In any case, this kit is drawing in those in the hobby that may not have ever considered building a tractor. Whether they buy one, two or ten they're still driving sales which increases the odds that more modern trucks will be done. Who knows, the Lonestar may be the only rig I ever build or may be the start of a long line for me. I've seen a lot of cool subjects doing my normal pre-starting a project research that definitely have the wheels turning in my head.

Edited May 30, 2011 by LOBBS

[highway]

I am thankfull that Moebius came out with the Lone star, personally I would love to see Italeri package their "generic" frame that everybody complains about but nobody wants to give em away to me .

just frame, tanks, wheels, running gear and engine (could be optional) they could sell em for around $25 bucks make a mint and we wouldn't have to buy a 50-80 model to use as a donorfor all the nice resin conversions.

Anybody agree?

I e-mailed Italeri and they gave the typical we'll see form letter.

Leo

I like that idea too, Leo. Not only would that have been useful when I lengthened the frame of my LTL 9000, it would me the four kits I have with cracked frames (all in the same spot oddly ) could finally be built!

[ra7c7er]

Robert, I have to agree and disagree with you at the same time. While the Lonestar is very high on my "Must Buy" list, so are quite a few of the AMT reissue truck kits. The part where I disagree is Revell and Round 2 are, well at least in this truck modelers area of interest is concerned, are reissuing what the customer wants. A few examples that I have either already added to the collection or soon to add are the Freightliner cabover, the Kenworth cabover, the International 4300, and the Freuhauf flatbed. In the case of the Freightliner and Kenworth cabovers, I was either not even born or not old enough to build the last time those kits seen the light of day, and in the case of the International and flatbed trailer, I'm old enough to remember them, but they were lost in a house fire in 1997, and I'm not rich so paying collector prices on ebay is not an option to replace them. The reissues finally allowed me to replace those after all these years. Revell's recent Kenworth also falls into the second example, I still remember that kit from years gone by and nice to see it back.

I did say I agreed with you too, and that is because I do hope Revell and Round 2 will see Moebius hit a home run with the Lonestar and will probably do the same with the upcoming car kits and finally it will open their eyes. In the case of AMT, for being 70s technology the truck kits were great for the time and still great almost 40 years later for a few of them, but as a trucker and truck modeler, you just don't see this equipment anymore. It would be nice if I could build some of the trucks I drove in my career, but most are newer than 1998, and the newest was a fresh 2006 Mack with less than 100 miles on it when I got the keys to it at the last driving job I had before health problems cost me that job. Hopefully the success of the Lonestar will open their eyes and they might see that yes, reissues are good, but new tools are even better!!

I don't think you disagreed with me at all. The truck kits you mentioned are in the category I said "old and hardly reissued". My statement about Revell and R2 needing to wake up was geared more toward the cars/light trucks side of things. Semi's are so few and far between that reissues of those are welcome by many modelers not just hardcore truck builders. I mean I'm not a truck guy at all but I bought the Titan 90 the day it was in the local shop. I would rather see the Chevy Titan 90 reissued or the Freightliner or any other truck over another 57 chevy or 32 ford that seem to be cluttering up the shelves in every hobby shop.