[Louie]

I spoke with Frank the creator of Carousel 1 diecast today. Super nice guy and extremely knowledgable. I thought CEO's were supposed to be pencil pushers concerned with the bottom line. We discussed C1's current 1/48 a/c releases, but mostly the conversation was limited to the WW1 models released. I told him C1 needs to produce the Fokker DVII and Sopwith Camel and get the jump on Corgi. I told him how much it was appreciated that unlike other companies he produced models by famous pilots/aces and not weird obscure liveries. He agreed that was his intention. I also mentioned how badly a Nieuport 17 was needed and not a Flyboy's version. He said he could not go into detail about what 1/48 bi-planes were going to be produced but did say I would be quite happy in the next year or two and that at least one of the types of models we discussed would be done. He basically said more Nieuports will be coming including the 11,16, and 17. He was keenly interested in Corgi's up-coming releases as he likes to collect also. He even said he thought Model Power 1/48 Fokkers were pretty good. I thought so too but told him when he released his beautiful models I was a changed man, a believer that if you expect the best it will come in time and for a price. He said he knows his price cannot compete with Corgi but that was really not his goal. He produces high detail high quality adult oriented models. Even the Spandau machine guns on his Fokkers have photo-etched metal heat shields! I told him with Corgi doing the Albatross and SE5's he really has a chance to carve a niche with DVII's and Camels. He said he would seriously consider my suggestions. He also said he really hopes more collectors buy his WW1 models and really see for themselves the extra detail he put into them. Details like those cost money. I think the C1 planes are the Century Wings of their era. If any of you are reading this and have considered getting at least one Carousel 1 plane be it WW1 or WW2 I challenge you to see if you can find a better model. We all have our favorites and this thread is meant to excite C1 WW1(and WW2) collectors not to invite a GMP vs C1 debate. This guy is for real. He is listening and trying. He just wants to see more interest in what has already been produced before he can justify other molds. Going head-to-head with Corgi who enjoys world-wide distribution is not easy. IMHO it's BMW vs Toyota. Both great but one seems to be ahead in a few areas. You guys be the judge. Buy a Carousel 1 bi-plane and become a believer. Help Frank get his folks in gear at the factories and design rooms to make more models. He said he has not and probably will not make more than 1,800 of any of his models. Therefore they are limited. He watches Dogfights on the History Channel too. We had lots to talk about. This guy cares and produces fantastic models for the discriminating collector even if it seems to be a huge risk financially because he wants others to love subject as much as he has. I will be making some polls and forwarding them to him. Stay tuned and for heavens sake visit your diecast sellers and buy one of the little masterpieces! I am a bargain hunter but sometimes you have to pay a little more to get the best.

[hworth18]

Sounds like a good conversation Louie.. Did he say anything about upcoming WWII releases??

[STARMAN 352ND]

Frank emailed me in July and he told me they were coming out with two new toolings.
He didn't go into detail of what they were either.
So i'm looking forward to see what is next from Carousel1.
Great info too Louie.
JP


http://themodelhangar.com/forum/show...?t=4417&page=2

[Louie]

No he did not, sorry Harry. I had spoken to his assistant about a month ago(super nice gal) and she said he conciously tries to do models others have not. It's a shell game of course with each company trying to guess the others intention. I am all for competition. It keeps us chasing that carrot on a stick.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by Louie

No he did not, sorry Harry. I had spoken to his assistant about a month ago(super nice gal) and she said he conciously tries to do models others have not. It's a shell game of course with each company trying to guess the others intention. I am all for competition. It keeps us chasing that carrot on a stick.

I agree, but I'd also like a hint to whats coming... Like throwing the dog a bone every once in awhile..

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Louie

I spoke with Frank the creator of Carousel 1 diecast today. Super nice guy and extremely knowledgable. I thought CEO's were supposed to be pencil pushers concerned with the bottom line. We discussed C1's current 1/48 a/c releases, but mostly the conversation was limited to the WW1 models released. I told him C1 needs to produce the Fokker DVII and Sopwith Camel and get the jump on Corgi. I told him how much it was appreciated that unlike other companies he produced models by famous pilots/aces and not weird obscure liveries. He agreed that was his intention. I also mentioned how badly a Nieuport 17 was needed and not a Flyboy's version. He said he could not go into detail about what 1/48 bi-planes were going to be produced but did say I would be quite happy in the next year or two and that at least one of the types of models we discussed would be done. He basically said more Nieuports will be coming including the 11,16, and 17. He was keenly interested in Corgi's up-coming releases as he likes to collect also. He even said he thought Model Power 1/48 Fokkers were pretty good. I thought so too but told him when he released his beautiful models I was a changed man, a believer that if you expect the best it will come in time and for a price. He said he knows his price cannot compete with Corgi but that was really not his goal. He produces high detail high quality adult oriented models. Even the Spandau machine guns on his Fokkers have photo-etched metal heat shields! I told him with Corgi doing the Albatross and SE5's he really has a chance to carve a niche with DVII's and Camels. He said he would seriously consider my suggestions. He also said he really hopes more collectors buy his WW1 models and really see for themselves the extra detail he put into them. Details like those cost money. I think the C1 planes are the Century Wings of their era. If any of you are reading this and have considered getting at least one Carousel 1 plane be it WW1 or WW2 I challenge you to see if you can find a better model. We all have our favorites and this thread is meant to excite C1 WW1(and WW2) collectors not to invite a GMP vs C1 debate. This guy is for real. He is listening and trying. He just wants to see more interest in what has already been produced before he can justify other molds. Going head-to-head with Corgi who enjoys world-wide distribution is not easy. IMHO it's BMW vs Toyota. Both great but one seems to be ahead in a few areas. You guys be the judge. Buy a Carousel 1 bi-plane and become a believer. Help Frank get his folks in gear at the factories and design rooms to make more models. He said he has not and probably will not make more than 1,800 of any of his models. Therefore they are limited. He watches Dogfights on the History Channel too. We had lots to talk about. This guy cares and produces fantastic models for the discriminating collector even if it seems to be a huge risk financially because he wants others to love subject as much as he has. I will be making some polls and forwarding them to him. Stay tuned and for heavens sake visit your diecast sellers and buy one of the little masterpieces! I am a bargain hunter but sometimes you have to pay a little more to get the best.

Louie, great post!

I'm one of Carousel 1's greatest supporters as the fit and finish of their models is possibly the best of any 'mass-produced' diecast at the moment and they seem to give considerable attention to detail (stands would be good though ).

As it happens, I've been seriously considering purchasing one of their bi-planes/tri-planes recently - I'm trying to decide between the Fokker Dr1 of the Red Baron or the one of Ernst Udet . I've never bought a WWI diecast aircraft before and therefore need your expert advice as I travel headlong into what may become another diecast 'slippery slope' ...

[mustangdriver]

I have the Red baron Triplane, P-40, and Wildcat. They are among the best in my collection. I also have two of the Flyboys airplanes. I like them too.

[Captain Eddie]

Thanks for the post, Louie, very interesting. I like the MP Fokkers also, but they don't hold a candle to Matchbox, and especially to Carousel1. I have two Carousel1 WW I aircraft, and will buy new ones as they come out, if financially feasable!

[flyXwire]

Great post and thanks for the info, Louie. I do have the C1 Fw-190, P-40 and Bf-109 so far but I haven't bought any of their WWI a/c yet. It's always good to hear
the latest "goings on" with this company, and it's nice to know they're still on track with some future offerings. I do agree with Harry though, at least, throw us some
bones on any WWII a/c in the pipeline? If the polls are any indication of what collectors want to see made next, they should glean upon those threads to get a better
idea to focus their attention to for new projects.

[FormerViperDriver]

Louie, I'm with you 100%. Great post. I want more, many more WW I planes in 1/48, produced with C1 quality. I have their Voss Dr.1 and Baracca Nieuport, plus 2 x FW-190Ds, a P-40, a Bf-109, and a Wildcat all from C1. I love them, and don't mind paying the price for that level of quality. I 'm happy to hear they will concentrate on producing moulds not produced by others (although if they wanted to do a P-51D or F-4U, that wouldn't be a disappointment). My suggestion to them: 1/48 Hawker Typhoon (and/or Tempest) and the P-39; and in WW I era, same as Louie said.

FVD