1/18th Scale A-10 Advanced Planning Stage Input Needed ! !

[Jolly Roger]

I can only daydream about the /b/tards at 4Chan getting a go at Jack Plonka. They would tear his life to absolute pieces.

Would be glorious. Sigh...

(Translation for you old geezers):

Group of younger folks, well-versed in computer technology and information gathering, who like to hang out in the darker end of the interwebs, who could make his life an absolute, living hell.

Why day dream, post the info, watch magic happen!

[pickelhaube]

Years ago I posted a poll on the A-10 and had people ready to roll at about $350 a unit .

Then this whole ordeal happened.

Some serious interest.

After talking to some folks who are in the know for such things that price point was low for the kit.

I just had a conversation with my 3-D printer guys and he said that a price point for a A-10 ( prototype ) would be around $2,000.

Yep $2,000.

Now having my lacerations healed over from my Horten project I know a little something about making a large scale airplane.

I sold the Horten for $350 and there is still a lot of interest in it but I have since retired it.

Way too much work for that price point.

So that being said if the planets would align themselves and everything thing would be a go , the new price point for a 1/18th scale A-10 kit would be about $500 .

Is it worth that ? I do not know.

The Tomcats and F-16s are worth $250 + for a mass produced ( thousands )model.

So if the die hards are truly out there would they pay $500 for a kit ?

This would be the only way to get one in 1/18th scale .

So with $2,000 for a prototype and about $1,000 worth of RTV the A-10 could be had in the year 2013.

Unless the world comes to an end on Dec 21 the A-10 will cost $ 3,000 for a start up.

Those are real numbers .

Input welcomed.

[pickelhaube]

Double post

[[CAT]CplSlade]

How much of that $500/kit is for the materials themselves? If you could get a minimum number of investors to help fund the prototype, would there be much wiggle room to provide them with the plane at that $500 even counting the initial investment (i.e., they invest $250 and pay $250 for the kit) with subsequent planes selling for full price?

I know your previous builds weren't like this since you seemed to be taking on most of the burden of setup costs and attempting to recoup that upon completion, rather than getting all or most up front. You've addressed that somewhat recently, but none of those have been $2K projects have they?

I think it could be done; it will just require people to dig deeper but I know there are a lot of folk hungry for this one. It might help to advertise the project in a few select places to insure sufficient interest without suddenly getting a shitstorm of requests.

[Birddog]

Pickel, I think you and I need to talk about a big investment opportunity I'm seeing for next year...............

[Long Time Luker]

I don't hang out here a whole lot, but I know I've seen at least a few people with interest. I don't know if there is any other way to advertise a possible project like this, but I'd be in for $500, plus a little to offset the startup costs. The only thing I'd like is to see it be in the NATO green with Bentwaters markings, but I don't think that would be a deal killer it it was in some other scheme.

I imagine if you could get the word out to the A-10 community, there be significant officer type interest in getting one.

I can probably help with that in some regard as I still have contact with a few of my old troops that could spread the word.

Who knows, you may end up with more orders than you can fill:)

[Long Time Luker]

Let me know if you want me to spread the word for preliminary interest. I can direct everyone to this thread if that's cool

[pickelhaube]

Let me know if you want me to spread the word for preliminary interest. I can direct everyone to this thread if that's cool

Yes indeed !!

But be advised the $500 is for a kit NOT fully built.

A prebuilt would be about $1,000 and this is something that would bog down the project and I would not interested in doing that.

But I always change my mind when there is an overwhelming desire for the prebuilts.

But for now, just kits.

[Long Time Luker]

What are you thinking for a "kit", just so I know what to tell folks? Wing and tail assembly, or more? I'm good with a kit if that's the only way to get this. beggers can't be choosers

[pickelhaube]

What are you thinking for a "kit", just so I know what to tell folks? Wing and tail assembly, or more? I'm good with a kit if that's the only way to get this. beggers can't be choosers

My kits usually include EVERYTHING to make the model. Even decals.

The planets are starting to align.

We may have a financial backer who may pay for the prototype.

This could happen in the month of February.

We have been talking . We are thinking that in order for this A-10 to become a reality WE WILL HAVE TO SELL 30 UNITS.

At that number the price tag would be $100 a unit to reimburse the start up money.

I am aslo guessing that the resin for each unit will be costing about $80-$100 a unit.

So if or when this project gets started ( IF IT GETS STARTED )A $100 deposit per unit will be the starting point.

If 30 guys pony up this truly could be a reality in the year 2013.

Should I place a poll ?

[Long Time Luker]

Do it. Althought I have virtually no contact with the A-10 world nowadays, I have started putting the word out among my Air Force compadres. We'll see what kind of response I get

[[CAT]CplSlade]

Even though I just do 1/32, I am excited by this. Based on everything you've done thus far, I believe this will be a hallmark moment for 1/18 collectors.


Man, oh man, I wish you worked in my scale.

[CW4USARMY]

Although I have no resin kit building skills, count me in if you post kit build instructions!

[pickelhaube]

Although I have no resin kit building skills, count me in if you post kit build instructions!

You know I will .

The only thing that makes resin differ from injection moulding is pour stubs and those confounded air bubbles.

Sanding and modelers putty can take care of that.

Resin models do have a slight advantage over injection moulded kits . They generally have fewer parts.

Guys who have made my kits say that they are generally easier to build.

ONCE YOU CLEAN THEM UP AND FILL THE HOLES.

Of course you do have to deal with the occasional warpage.

I built 12 full build Hortens and the wing saddles were the wings attached to the main body ALL WERE DIFFERENT.

No two fit the same

But with a little fudging I got all of them to join pretty well.

So my financial backer will have his funds together in the month of February.

He is so much into this project that he is willing to take on the full burden of the $2,000 prototype.

But hopefully you collectors will not have to make it come to that.

[snake]

Good to hear that you have someone else to put their own money into this, PH.

You have already given us a lot of custom 1/18 pieces, and your blood, sweat and tears. Mostly on your own dime.

While I picked up a fabulous Horten, to be honest, the A-10 just doesn't excite me enough to pay that amount for it. But that is just me, and would love to see this project go ahead.

Hope the Warthog fans step up to the plate on this.

[Jnewboy]

I am just not into modern stuff, the A-10 is cool but resin models of this magnitude are tough and honestly if someone put the kit in front of me and said that they would pay me $500 to build it and paint it I would decline. Its allot of work, days of prep work on the parts alone before building can start. $1000 price tag on the finished thing is more than reasonable. I would rather see you make WWII stuff that is missing from the line up like the Komet, Hurricane, Salamander, Natter, Yak, Aircobra and so on.

[Long Time Luker]

Although I have no resin kit building skills, count me in if you post kit build instructions!

You know I will .

The only thing that makes resin differ from injection moulding is pour stubs and those confounded air bubbles.

Sanding and modelers putty can take care of that.

Resin models do have a slight advantage over injection moulded kits . They generally have fewer parts.

Guys who have made my kits say that they are generally easier to build.

ONCE YOU CLEAN THEM UP AND FILL THE HOLES.

Of course you do have to deal with the occasional warpage.

I built 12 full build Hortens and the wing saddles were the wings attached to the main body ALL WERE DIFFERENT.

No two fit the same

But with a little fudging I got all of them to join pretty well.

So my financial backer will have his funds together in the month of February.

He is so much into this project that he is willing to take on the full burden of the $2,000 prototype.

But hopefully you collectors will not have to make it come to that.

Nice post. I'm starting to get some nibbles and have given out this website. Since I myself have never done a resin model, could you at some point kind of elaborate on the process and what one can expect to have to do when they open the box, build-wise? People have been asking. Thanks!

[pickelhaube]

My kits are just like the smaller kits you buy at the hobby shop.

There are a few differences some as I have stated before.

More Holes
Pour stubs
Bigger pieces
No pretty boxes
Huge wow factor.

If it helps here are the online directions that I made for the Horten.

It may bring you insight on my latest big build kit.


http://www.warbird-photos.com/gpxd/view ... =1&t=27221

[big_mike]

Pickel: For your counting of interested parties -1 yes. My apologies

I had voted yes in the poll based on my desire for an A-10. But I have come to my sense and I have to retract my vote. I know I lack the ability to put one of these kits together, much less prep and paint it. I really hope this project comes to fruition just the same. I know there are a lot of guys like me who want this plane more than just about anything.

[DropTank]

Other than a F4 Phantom or Mosquito, I would have to vote no. I know you have the skills to develope an awesome model, it is just not a bird I would be willing to try to squeeze in.
Best of luck if you engage in this project.

[B-29]

I would love to see an A-10, but the most I can do is $350. With college at 40K a year, I'll be pressed to save even that amount. Good luck, but at that amount I'll just try to mess with the FSK Rc one.

[Long Time Luker]

One of my old troops, who is now a scummy officer type, knows some A10 guys. We'll see what kind of response he gets.

[A-10LOADER]

If the finished product would look like the Gray A-10 that the guy is holding, PLUS WEAPONS, I would be in. I don't want to have to do any updating, modifications, etc. for that price.
As a former A-10 weapons loader, with the 111th FW PA ANG for 17 1/2 years, I would love to have a 1/18 A-10 to add to my collection. Different Squadron markings would be nice as well.


Steve

[pickelhaube]

If the finished product would look like the Gray A-10 that the guy is holding, PLUS WEAPONS, I would be in. I don't want to have to do any updating, modifications, etc. for that price.
As a former A-10 weapons loader, with the 111th FW PA ANG for 17 1/2 years, I would love to have a 1/18 A-10 to add to my collection. Different Squadron markings would be nice as well.


Steve

The price point is for a kit.

You have to assemble it as well as paint.

Ordnance package MAY be additional.

For the kit I was thinking just a couple of ordnance .

Multiples for the ordnance package.

[Jnewboy]

Dont get me wrong, Pickelhaube makes great kits!! I have built many and never had a problem! I am just not into modern stuff.