King & Country
Captain
- Joined
- May 23, 2005
- Messages
- 5,064
Hi Guys,
Just got back from a few days with my family in Bangkok so thought I’d update you on a few “bits ‘n’ bobs”…
1. Dispatches 2011
By the time you read this… “January’s Dispatches” should be up and running. I hope there’s at least something for some of you in the “first-of-the-year” info.
2. Poly Warbirds
Polystone is an amazing material, however like everything, it has its limitations and size and weight are two of the most obvious…
a). Size: The bigger you go with polystone the more likely you are to get “DISTORTION”…
b). Weight: As you may know polystone is a combination of polyresin and marble dust. Marble in any form …solid or dust is “HEAVY”.
1:30 scale fighter aircraft are virtually at the limit of what can be produced safely commercially and still be “shipped” economically to both a dealer and collector.
c). Conclusion: And so, regrettably gentlemen, I have to sprinkle a little splash of cold-water reality on the musings of Lancasters…B17’s…Heinkel III ‘s and other large multi engine aircraft in polystone…if other companies want to try … be my guest!
Which leads me neatly to…other materials… Resin, wood etc.
d). Resin: Yes it’s possible in resin but…it’s also very expensive and fragile. I know only one other company that attempted it and, as far as I know, have not repeated the experiment…at least as far as big and /or medium aircraft go!
Besides, large aircraft take up lots of space and cost a small fortune to ship.
e). Wood: Well, here K&C has over the years had a great deal of experience with this material. Hand-carved, hand-painted wooden large-scale models tend to travel better but are extremely expensive to make and buy. We still make them but in very small numbers.
At present we are working on a small batch of JU52’s and He.III’s for some dedicated warbird collectors. I’ll post photos when I can.
f). Medium size polystone warbirds: I would love K&C to be able to produce in volume aircraft such as the B25…Mosquito…Ju88 in affordable versions. Alas though I would expect the price to be about double a single-engine fighter and the postage might also be prohibitively high.
g). Forget Plastic: the Mold charges are horrendous and to amortize your costs you have to produce thousands (not hundreds).
And that my friends is my tuppence worth for now. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, New Year to one and all!
Andy C.
P.S. Just saw UK Subs question on Me262 repaints…As we’ve not actually released our Galland version (later this month) it’s a wee bit premature to start planning any “repaints”.
Just got back from a few days with my family in Bangkok so thought I’d update you on a few “bits ‘n’ bobs”…
1. Dispatches 2011
By the time you read this… “January’s Dispatches” should be up and running. I hope there’s at least something for some of you in the “first-of-the-year” info.
2. Poly Warbirds
Polystone is an amazing material, however like everything, it has its limitations and size and weight are two of the most obvious…
a). Size: The bigger you go with polystone the more likely you are to get “DISTORTION”…
b). Weight: As you may know polystone is a combination of polyresin and marble dust. Marble in any form …solid or dust is “HEAVY”.
1:30 scale fighter aircraft are virtually at the limit of what can be produced safely commercially and still be “shipped” economically to both a dealer and collector.
c). Conclusion: And so, regrettably gentlemen, I have to sprinkle a little splash of cold-water reality on the musings of Lancasters…B17’s…Heinkel III ‘s and other large multi engine aircraft in polystone…if other companies want to try … be my guest!
Which leads me neatly to…other materials… Resin, wood etc.
d). Resin: Yes it’s possible in resin but…it’s also very expensive and fragile. I know only one other company that attempted it and, as far as I know, have not repeated the experiment…at least as far as big and /or medium aircraft go!
Besides, large aircraft take up lots of space and cost a small fortune to ship.
e). Wood: Well, here K&C has over the years had a great deal of experience with this material. Hand-carved, hand-painted wooden large-scale models tend to travel better but are extremely expensive to make and buy. We still make them but in very small numbers.
At present we are working on a small batch of JU52’s and He.III’s for some dedicated warbird collectors. I’ll post photos when I can.
f). Medium size polystone warbirds: I would love K&C to be able to produce in volume aircraft such as the B25…Mosquito…Ju88 in affordable versions. Alas though I would expect the price to be about double a single-engine fighter and the postage might also be prohibitively high.
g). Forget Plastic: the Mold charges are horrendous and to amortize your costs you have to produce thousands (not hundreds).
And that my friends is my tuppence worth for now. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, New Year to one and all!
Andy C.
P.S. Just saw UK Subs question on Me262 repaints…As we’ve not actually released our Galland version (later this month) it’s a wee bit premature to start planning any “repaints”.
