Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
For those of you with deep pockets, Masterpiece have released some early stages pictures of their forthcoming Western....
Class 52 first etches
Regards
Dan
Class 52 first etches
Regards
Dan
Although Masterpiece Models seem expensive they are exceptional models that are fully researched, they are built from metal as would a kit or scratch build and I doubt any builder could match the quality for the same price, if they did it would be a labour of love.
They can also be ordered to S7 standards .
Col.
Although Masterpiece Models seem expensive they are exceptional models that are fully researched, they are built from metal as would a kit or scratch build and I doubt any builder could match the quality for the same price, if they did it would be a labour of love.
They can also be ordered to S7 standards .
Col.
The issue with 'kits' of diesels is that the majority will be be built, or attempted to be built by those with variable skill sets. Many will try, some will achieve, others will realize they need to hone their skills more to carry on (I fall into, fell into, this category with the MMP 57 it sits under my bench waiting to be completed), the remaining will give up.
For the rest of us who enjoy the building modern image locos, we will have to hope that Dave Parkin re-releases his MMP locomotive kits at some point.
Dave,Hello Col
You raise some interesting points I think. We tried to get a very small way down this road with the MMP diesels, with things like seperate grilles along the cantrails of our classes 40 & 56 and very intricately detailed NS parts, but all we got were bleats about them being hard to build. In fact the only Class 56 I ever saw built with stright roof grilles was Simon Varnam's online build on his BOGOL website. I never did see a Class 40 with them fitted correctly!
So I kind of think that although it would be perfectly possible to produce an etched diesel kit with all the external, underfloor and bogie detail [not the engine etc.] for around the price of a JLTRT loco, most would not choose to build it if there were a resin or a RTR alternative available. And therein is the dilemma for any would-be manufacturer in metal. Not that it would put me off as I wouldn't be doing it primarily for money these days. Still, that is unrealistic as it then becomes purely an indulgence rather than a viable business proposition - and we are back to the point you made in your post.
The last thing you would want as a manufacturer is to put out something just for love and STILL be slated for it. But I strongly suspect that would be the outcome. We shall see.
Its kind of why we have had masters sitting around for our Sprinter DMUs for so long. I just cannot see how we can put out dmu kits with 90+ parts in the bogies and around twenty intricate underfloor assemblies [before you even get into the actual car bodies] for less than around £350-£400 per car.
People seem to be prepared to pay for steam loco kits and they seem able to build 'em. Are we saying that diesel modellers don't have the skill of their steam-powered counterparts? Surely not!
Regards
DJP/MMP
Indeed I will - At some point! But they will be 80%+ new kits.
David ParkinS
Sorry Dave, I really should remember to add the s onto the end of your name.
..............but the £3,300 asking price is too rich for my blood............
Dave