How to run a model company

[Greg Myers]

Casey just posted this http://www.round2models.com/articles/new-lindberg in the "Status of Lindberg" thread http://www.round2models.com/articles/new-lindberg .

If ever there was a model company that "Gets It", it has to be Round2Models.

[Jantrix]

Yep. I agree completely.

[Kris Morgan]

Very cool. Thank you for posting.

[Nova-ss]

Grear.i agree.

[Southern Fried]

You got that right!

[jbwelda]

except that most of that Hawk and to a lesser degree Lindberg stuff is basically, well, junk.

jb

[southpier]

thank you .... but I do love the '34 pickup

[Allison design]

wasn't the 34 truck originally an AMT kit???

[ChrisBcritter]

Yes, that's the old AMT kit.

Nice to see some improvements are being made to the molds regarding fit issues. I wonder whether it would be worthwhile to try to engineer some new parts to improve the worst flaws in these kits? If the wheels/tires and engines were redone in the Auburn and Continental, the Auburn's door lines scribed, and the Continental's grille corrected (and maybe add an optional '42 grille as well) would they sell enough to offset the cost?

Edited October 23, 2014 by ChrisBcritter

[kalbert]

Yep, I think Round2 gets it. A throwback to the days when model companies were run by enthusiasts rather than banks and investors. Some of the Hawk and Lindberg stuff is a little odd, but most of it is pretty good subject matter. I'm certainly glad to see it and though many folks will balk, I'd like to see the 1/20 stuff again.

[Art Anderson]

Yes, that's the old AMT kit.

Nice to see some improvements are being made to the molds regarding fit issues. I wonder whether it would be worthwhile to try to engineer some new parts to improve the worst flaws in these kits? If the wheels/tires and engines were redone in the Auburn and Continental, the Auburn's door lines scribed, and the Continental's grille corrected (and maybe add an optional '42 grille as well) would they sell enough to offset the cost?

Those alterations would cost as much as all-new tooling, more than likely. In addition, there are far more issues with both of those old Pyro kits than just details and engines--both are very much out of proportion, not to mention somewhat under 1/25 scale overall.

Art

[unclescott58]

I'm happy with what Round 2 is doing with all of their model brands. I love most of the old kits they've reissued so far. Especially those released under the AMT and MPC labels.

Scott

[Bob Ellis]

I look at Round2 as preservation organization. A lot of these old kits would be gone if these guys didn't step a keep them alive. When they can, they try to improve and restore as much lost items as they can. I think they are doing a good job.

[Pete L.]

Hip hip hooray !!!

[blubaja]

except that most of that Hawk and to a lesser degree Lindberg stuff is basically, well, junk.

jb

But they're making the packaging all nice and shiny and new! :/

Right.

All of that work, and they will still never be worth as much as they are trying to charge for them. Some of these kits have been in continuous production. Why even bother?

[Greg Myers]

Because of many reasons :

1) Many buyers have never seen the original kits

2) Many who have, want another shot at one, maybe they built one as a kid,

3) The kits in question are the only game in town

4) you've got an old original kit and want another.

[Racephoto1]

What I'd really like to see is that made in America decal placed on EVERY kit round 2 produces.

[Tom Geiger]

What I'd really like to see is that made in America decal placed on EVERY kit round 2 produces.

And the kits would be $60 each. That ship sailed a long time ago!

[Tom Geiger]

But they're making the packaging all nice and shiny and new! :/

Right.

All of that work, and they will still never be worth as much as they are trying to charge for them. Some of these kits have been in continuous production. Why even bother?

Frank, you don't get it because you are a youngster!

Tom Lowe and John Gretzula are old modelers who have bought up all this old tooling out of love of the hobby and the past. They know exactly how to market them with historic box art, new improved parts, new printed tires and such. They are tugging at the nostalgic heart strings and they've got a lot of our aging herd buying kits we already have multiples of just to get the new features!

And another thing I found interesting.. as our herd only accounts for maybe 1% of kits sold... I read that the average casual modeler only stays with the hobby a year or two. So if they reissue all the old stuff every two years, it's brand new to the majority of their target market!

[1972coronet]

And the kits would be $60 each. That ship sailed a long time ago!

And yet Round2 proudly asserts that their Lindberg kits are "Made In The USA" . Other than large® scale kits , I don't believe that these will retail for $60 , much less $20 at that .

But , you certainly do have a point

[Tom Geiger]

And yet Round2 proudly asserts that their Lindberg kits are "Made In The USA" . Other than large® scale kits , I don't believe that these will retail for $60 , much less $20 at that .

But , you certainly do have a point

There has to be a reason those are being pressed in the USA. Maybe when they bought the company they inherited a contract with the subcontractor they need to honor. My own thought is that the Lindberg tools may be different than the industry standard and maybe that contractor has the only equipment that will work with them. That was the issue why neither of the big companies bought Johan, their tooling wasn't compatible with the larger companies molding equipment. Anyone know?

[bigphoto]

Regardless of the reasons they are produced in the U.S.A. we should be happy about this. I know being from Michigan this is very cool as up around the Kalkaska area there isn't much industry. So to produce these kits there is a great thing all around. I have heard that some stuff from other manufacturers is produced here in the U.S. like some of their limited run stuff.

[Luc Janssens]

There has to be a reason those are being pressed in the USA. Maybe when they bought the company they inherited a contract with the subcontractor they need to honor. My own thought is that the Lindberg tools may be different than the industry standard and maybe that contractor has the only equipment that will work with them. That was the issue why neither of the big companies bought Johan, their tooling wasn't compatible with the larger companies molding equipment. Anyone know?

If the tooling is here and doesn't need rework, maybe it's more cost effective to keep it here for production.

[blubaja]

Because of many reasons :

1) Many buyers have never seen the original kits

2) Many who have, want another shot at one, maybe they built one as a kid,

3) The kits in question are the only game in town

4) you've got an old original kit and want another.

Again. Some of these kits have been in continuous production. AND still readily available.

I'm all for a reissue of something that hasn't been out in maybe over 30 or 25 years. But wtf with kits only a few years ago??

[blubaja]

Frank, you don't get it because you are a youngster!

Truth. lol Being only 30, I have still seen a good deal of kits being overly reissued. And it's always cool to see some NEW old kit to me. Just not the same old same old same old:/