Squadron Hobbies closed?

[Nick]

Friends in the model club are saying that Squadron Hobbies have closed down, and apparently for good. Photos of their main store make it look deserted and their website simply says:
Store Close for Renovation
Thank you for your business and your patience.

IIRC they were a major kit supplier across the US and had adverts in many magazines and websites. I even signed up to their emails at one point until I realised the shipping costs from Texas!
Anybody know better?

[chrisonord]

Are they the same company that  made the modelling putty and.tools etc. As that could explain why the stuff has become  scarce.

[PR19_Kit]

Are they the same company that  made the modelling putty and.tools etc. As that could explain why the stuff has become  scarce.

They sure are, or were anyway............

[sandiego89]

Squadron Mail Order was THE mail order place in the USA for decades.  I remember as a youngster in the 1970's and 1980's gleefully getting the monthly mailer, chock full of great stuff. Mom would buy me a few, bless her. 

As a "seasoned" modeler I still got their flyer and email. Come to think of it I have not received an email recently. Very sad if true. 

[Old Wombat]

From BtS:

  SQUADRON MODELS CLOSED AFTER 53 YEARS

Link to a facebook chat:-

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=243100640551113&ref=watch_permalink

Their in house modeler talks about the History of Squadron and its long decline.

[scooter]

As a "seasoned" modeler I still got their flyer and email. Come to think of it I have not received an email recently. Very sad if true.

I haven't even seen a mail catalog in some time either. 

[rickshaw]

Many, many years ago, in the 1970s I first saw a Squadron catalogue.  I order a few things but not overly much.  They dealt mainly with larger scale stuff and I was a wargamer in 1/76/72.  Their books were good value. Shame they have shut after all these years.

[PR19_Kit]

The loss of Micro-set and Micro-sol will be a bit of problem to some of us.

Does anyone else make matching equivalents?

[scooter]

The loss of Micro-set and Micro-sol will be a bit of problem to some of us.

Send more money Bezos' way and use, for the time being, Amazon?

[Nick]

The loss of Micro-set and Micro-sol will be a bit of problem to some of us.

Does anyone else make matching equivalents?

I don't think Microscale were part of Squadron. Their website is still up http://www.microscale.com/
You can get the stuff from Hannants or any good model shop.

What did Squadron make themselves?
A few small resin items like beer crates that can be done by anyone with a 3D printer.
Eye-watering expensive Nazi (Haunebu) flying saucer kits. Moulds could be sold on.
Tools and sanding strips that other firms also make.
Crystal Clear canopies are made by Falcon in New Zealand.
Their Walk around and In Action books were done with Signal. Sell off the rights to another publisher/distributor.

[chrisonord]

I still have an unopened tube of their white  putty, just wondering if  I should put it away as part of my retirement  investment. 
Chris