Picking up the Gauntlet

[pickelhaube]

Now with the vacuum caused by an unsavory character and his business ethics there is a huge hole in the XD market.

Should I pick up the gauntlet ?

I have already made a short nosed Fw-190 ( actually with help from the Hun )

I know I could copy it and I have already made the correct spinner and prop.

I also feel that I could make the P-51 backdate canopy area.

Also I could copy the F-14 engine nacelle. Ethical ? Who knows should we care ?

ALL THESE AT POSSIBLY CHEAPER PRICES.

I do not have access to a metal forger to make the landing gear for F-14

For you guys who are still left and did not get these is it worth my efforts to reestablish these modifications.

The Me-163 is still in limbo. I wish that the mystery manufacturers of this would sh!t or get off the pot.

Comments ?

[tmanthegreat]

I think you should seriously make the ME-163. I don't care what the other manufacturers say (or don't say) they are going to do. I know I just sold my Skyworks kit, but now that you've refined your technique, I feel you could do just as good of a job, have better quality, include all the parts, and probably sell the thing for $150, which was the sale price for the Skyworks kit

[flyboy_fx]

Yes, Me 163!

[pickelhaube]

I was trying to edit the first post.

[aferguson]

i would wait on the Komet. I think your energies are better spent on other projects. I'm pretty confident we'll see a komet within a year. I have no real information but a very strong suspicion we will. It's a very obvious choice for 1/18 and a guaranteed big seller.

There are so many other things you can make that don't have a chance of being made in plastic. Why take the chance on something that probably will? Aside from the armour you have planned, you can copy other skywork's items (did i say that out loud?), or do a myriad of other projects...i can think of dozens without even trying. With the dark grey 88 coming out, a sdkfz 7 would be a great idea, it doesn't look like Dragon will ever release theirs.

Lots of other armour and aircraft ideas, also the 40mm twin bofors idea could be revisited as could the Uboat conning tower.......there's no limit.

If you could find some way to 'mass produce' your stuff for lower cost, rather than having to cast each by hand, that would boost sales further. Something along the line of what Grunt is doing.

Anyway, i say no to the Komet, but a yes to picking up the gauntlet.

[USCGSARdog]

What ever you do Matt, dont copy the F-14 exhausts.....they are less than impressive. You should design your own. I am confident they would be a far better replica than the SW parts ever could be. My SW exhausts were so bad, I ended up making my own.

-Rob

[rschaap]

Given the number of 1/18 scale P-51D mustangs out there I'd love to get my hands on a P-51B/C conversion and even a P-51A or A-36A (Apache) conversion. If you do it you can put me down for at least two.

I would still like to see the F-14 upgrades done including an extra ordinance package and maybe the trolley and fire engine for a carrier deck diorama.

[gburch]

I agree with aferg 100% -- there are tons of great project ideas other than the ones SkyJerks was doing. A P51 conversion would be a good seller, I think. The FW 190 is plagued by not having enough donor planes on the market, I think.

I also concur 100% that we OUGHT to be able to come up with a way to mas produce things without being in thrall to unreliable, multi-link supply chains to unreliable Chinese manufacturers. THERE HAS TO BE A WAY !!!

[Jay]

I would gladly get in line for a FW190A Conversion kit.

It would be great if you did carry the torch to an extent. It really depends if you're up to the task. You don't want to get in a situation where you feel like you're under pressure and you start losing your enjoyment of the hobby.

[rschaap]

I like the fact pickelhaube takes polls to determine what is popular and he gives constant progress updates. I learned through time that patients is a big part of the hobby. If there is something you want and you are patient and determined, it will eventually be yours. It also helps when money is up front. I've read some of the posts and see how a "FEW" people will say they are committed and then back out when it's time to put up the money. I've always believed if you commit to something you must follow through. After all you want to be remembered as a person you can trust when the chips finally fall.

[Buckyroo]

FW 190 A and P-51 B/C MOST CERTAINLY YES!!!!!!!!!!!

I have spare planes for each and would love to get some conversions.

[normandy]

Pickel, I think you picked up the Gauntlet long ago! You have been out in front producing 1:18 while the big guys have remained silent and always asking what the customer wants, have they ever?
I'd love to see an Me-163 made by you. Maybe someone can dig around and see if this is just a roomer from a company that doesn't want competition and then will never make it.......could happen......
Any how, just keep doing what you do and asking the questions you do.... Your T-34 and upcoming Ho-229 are perfect examples of how this industry should work!
Normandy.

[Black_Dragon_One]

I was trying to edit the first post.

I TAKE F14 NOSSAL

LANDING GEAR TOO IF YOU MAKE THEM

[snake]

Would be most interested in FW 190 A, and P-51 B/C conversions.

Would just be a smaller project[s], and the donor models are already available, especially the P-51's.

But from my perspective, would be better if you were able to supply a finished, and painted model.Get together with a good customizer, and this would work. I just don't have the time, skill or room to do these conversions myself.

My situation, and two cents.

[rschaap]

I think as this hobby goes pickelhaube is a ray of sunshine in a rainstorm. I'll always be a supporter.

[CW4USARMY]

What ever you do Matt, dont copy the F-14 exhausts.....they are less than impressive. You should design your own. I am confident they would be a far better replica than the SW parts ever could be. My SW exhausts were so bad, I ended up making my own.

-Rob

ROB!!! Dude!!! Great to see your post! Hadn't heard from you in awhile!

[rschaap]

Matt,

What are your thoughts, are you going to pick up the reigns?

[flyboy_fx]

It is what you do with the reigns that counts.

Looking forward to seeing your work!

[tko211]

I would eagerly take 2 FW-190A noses and spinner / props! EASILY! I have 2 190D-9's as donor birds anxiously waiting to become A models!

[B17Fortress]

Seeing as the All-Go rep is keen for new products, that pretty much confirms that All-Go has nothing new of their own to show for

[pcoughran]

I know Birddog would agree that the A-10 deserves some more consideration - isn't that why you dropped it as a possible project for you before (cause SkyWorks was going to do it). I remember you were "testing the waters" at one point to do a full build of the A-10.
Maybe those reigns are a bit heavy right now with all the other stuff you have going one, but something to think about.

[Birddog]

I know Birddog would agree that the A-10 deserves some more consideration - isn't that why you dropped it as a possible project for you before (cause SkyWorks was going to do it). I remember you were "testing the waters" at one point to do a full build of the A-10.
Maybe those reigns are a bit heavy right now with all the other stuff you have going one, but something to think about.

I agree. I hope it could be a consideration for the future since All-Go/Skyworks A-10 plans seem to have vaporized now. It would be a big and costly project. My only fear for Pickle is that he gets heavily invested in it and then one of these damn companies actually comes through and it kills all his investment.

[Jnewboy]

I would like an FW-190A kit, but if you are worried about not enough Planes on the market you could by pass it and just make the Do 335 like I have suggested before...

[rschaap]

I agree with Birddog an undertaking like the A-10 could easily be underminded by a company like JSI, Admiral or All-Go. The undertaking could be a whole lot of work for nothing. My vote is for the P-51 B/C conversion since there are so many P-51D's out there (possibly the most produced 1/18 prop job on the market) and based on what I've seen it does not take a ton of skill to convert the "D" model once you have the pieces. In an earlier post someone had even suggested a completed build which could be profitable for Matt should he decide to make the conversion. *****Just a thought*****

[Birddog]

I agree with Birddog an undertaking like the A-10 could easily be underminded by a company like JSI, Admiral or All-Go. The undertaking could be a whole lot of work for nothing. My vote is for the P-51 B/C conversion since there are so many P-51D's out there (possibly the most produced 1/18 prop job on the market) and based on what I've seen it does not take a ton of skill to convert the "D" model once you have the pieces. In an earlier post someone had even suggested a completed build which could be profitable for Matt should he decide to make the conversion. *****Just a thought*****

While I know it would be a major undertaking, if Pickel decided to take on the A-10 in 1/18 scale, I would support him with a purchase regardless.