A question about the Telford Test-shot

[Spellbinder99]

Did anyone have a close look at it or indeed take any close up shots.

From the few pictures I have seen, it looked like it was primarily made to verify major component fit and form and the smaller parts like undercarriage looked like "place holders" that would later be replaced with more detailed versions. Is that a correct assumption?

Did it appear that the seperate airbrakes and open bomb-bay would be in the final kit? The mention of an included atomic weapon would seem to point at the bomb bay at least being there.

Did those who know the TSR.2 and saw the model think it looked accurate in shape and proportions?

I realise a lot could change before release, but I am interested in informed opinions and out and out guesses.

Cheers

Tony

[Ollie]

Was the Tactical Custard at hand too?

 

[Spellbinder99]

There appears to be a 1/48 High-Yield Tactical Custard in amongst the 1/48 parts Ollie ........

Cheers

Tony

[Spellbinder99]

Thanks Wooksta. It just looked too reduced in detail to be downsizing of the 1/48 one. I am glad I have ordered the seven I have done.

I tell you one thing, if they stubbornly stick to that line, they will have happen what did with the Space:1999 Hawk kit. Ask the man where he thinks the Warp Models Hawk resin kit that Comet Miniatures sells REALLY came from!

Cheers

Tony

[Spellbinder99]

I have one of the Hawks and two of the Angel Interceptors. Carlton are actually OK to deal with re: licencing so Airfix could do it if they wanted to.

I still firmly maintain that the 1/48 scale one is more a test run for a 1/48 scale version kit. What a lot of people seem to miss is that traditionally production maquettes are a factor of two or three times the size. Thus a 1/72 scale kit would have a 1/36 scale maquette. 1/48 just seems like an awkward ratio to scale down to 1/72, in my opinion.

Cheers

Tony

[Guest]

Someone on the IPMS forum said that they were told by Trevor that 'legal concerns' meant that they couldn't re-release the TSR for 5 years.

Which sounds complete bollox to me - only legal problem would be in the contract for the mould.

Actually, the figures don't add up - if we are to assume that wholesale price is 2/3 retail - so £12 - then are we to assume that the total break even cost for moulding, transport, bxes, decals etc for Airfix is £120,000 and they DON'T want a profit?

[P1127]

Ooops, that was me!

[Mike Wren]

I still firmly maintain that the 1/48 scale one is more a test run for a 1/48 scale version kit.

now I may be completely wrong on this but...    

did someone say Trumpeter were tooling this kit for Airfix? if so then it wouldn't be too much of an assumption that maybe after Airfix sell their initial 10,000 then Trumpeter get to sell it in their own boxes? along with a 1/48 scale one...?

[lancer]

Might work. Look at the Wyvern, it's a damm good seller, even in the states, so they might well release TSR2. Probab;y at twice the cost of the Airfix kit though.

[Spellbinder99]

This may sound complete crap, but what about this.

Airfix have a massive campaign aimed at them to do a TSR-2 but they are unconvinced of the commercial viability of the project but don't want to generate the ill-will of ignoring the campaign.

They approach an Asian concern to tool the kit on a strictly limited numbers basis with a no-repeat issue clause of 5 years. In exchange and for reduced tooling and development costs the Asian concern then has exclusive rights for five years to issue both their own boxings of the Airfix kit AND a 1/48 upscaling of the kit after the Airfix kit is sold out.

If the Airfix kit didn't sell, then the Asian concern would not bother, but if it was a best seller.........

Riskier kits have been done well and sold well (the Trumpeter Wyvern).

Just thinking out loud.

Cheers

Tony

[Martin H]

two things were made very clear by the airfix staff at the show..the tooling belongs 100% to Airfix, and it isnt Trumpeter doing the work. they wouldnt say who...but were very clear on that point....it aint Trumpeter.

[P1127]

Wonder if it's the same people  doing the Hornby stuff? Or maybe Zhengfudu or whatever?

[Spellbinder99]

Thanks Martin. I only refereed Trumpeter as an example of esoteric done well.

Frankly I care little at this point. If Hannants cough up my seven kits as they keep insisting they will, then I will have enough to keep me going for now.

I was just "what-iffing" the situation there.

Cheers

Tony

[MerlinJones]

Wonder if it's the same people  doing the Hornby stuff? Or maybe Zhengfudu or whatever?

No...Airfix have contracted with a Chinese company that has no connection with any other model kit manufacturers and is not a potential competitor.
Trevor Snowden has directed all work and has, allegedly, ensured that the quality of the new kit will be high.

[Guest]

and the relevance of all this is...

Because accurate info is a lot more reassuring than the possibility of Zhengfedu making the kit, or Trumpeter, which could then profit from the Airfix kit at later date.