[dragon53]

KINGPIN:

Thanks for the info.

Have you heard anything about CW releasing USAF jets-----I'd love to see an F-15C and an F-15E.

[David Hingtgen]

I'm curious as to what much-desired scheme a UK place would be commissioning of a USN plane. (Boy will THAT get some outcry from the US---bad enough "our" VX-4 plane wasn't available here) Why don't any US places ever commission? Do Japan and the UK like our planes more than we do, and they sell better there?

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Why don't any US places ever commission? Do Japan and the UK like our planes more than we do, and they sell better there?

I do wonder about that myself sometimes.....

[jjgilz]

Well on the dealer end, I think it is mainly cost. We've been looking at doing a custom Hobby Master model for about 3 months now. The cost is about $25K-$35K and that is for 1,000 of the 3rd paint scheme of an already produced mold. So it could be a really successful venture. The key though is to find a model that you know that you can sell 1,000 of them at retail cost ($48-$49 a piece) to make enough money to cover your costs, development and research time. Then you hope you at least double your money for your time and risk. At this time, we just haven't found the perfect HM mould yet to take that risk. Our average Century Wings lot is about 15-30 models. Selling 1000 of the same model would be a step up in scale--one we eventually want to take.

Plus, maybe with the dollar being so low in value and our economy sputtering, other countries have more money to invest? Who knows...

[smartd]

Originally Posted by jjgilz

Well on the dealer end, I think it is mainly cost. We've been looking at doing a custom Hobby Master model for about 3 months now. The cost is about $25K-$35K and that is for 1,000 of the 3rd paint scheme of an already produced mold. So it could be a really successful venture. The key though is to find a model that you know that you can sell 1,000 of them at retail cost ($48-$49 a piece) to make enough money to cover your costs, development and research time. Then you hope you at least double your money for your time and risk. At this time, we just haven't found the perfect HM mould yet to take that risk. Our average Century Wings lot is about 15-30 models. Selling 1000 of the same model would be a step up in scale--one we eventually want to take.

Plus, maybe with the dollar being so low in value and our economy sputtering, other countries have more money to invest? Who knows...

Sounds like a great idea and nice that you have at least explored it. Don't forget you could also be selling to other retailers to help move that inventory. Would seem unrealistic to keep all the models as the worldwide retailer. Expand the marketing base. Your name would be all over the product even if other retailers are selling it.

[Colt40Five]

I thought the limited runs were to encourage collectors...what good is it for collectors if they devalue the most valuable release they've ever had?

[zed550]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

I'm curious as to what much-desired scheme a UK place would be commissioning of a USN plane. (Boy will THAT get some outcry from the US---bad enough "our" VX-4 plane wasn't available here) Why don't any US places ever commission? Do Japan and the UK like our planes more than we do, and they sell better there?

the point is if you could get a joint us/uk importer/distributer to commission this model it would be possible to get a desired scheme that the manufacturer might not want to commit to out of their own pocket.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by zed550

the point is if you could get a joint us/uk importer/distributer to commission this model it would be possible to get a desired scheme that the manufacturer might not want to commit to out of their own pocket.

That is true because from a lot of responses from CW, they are always catering for their local market first. If it won't satisfy their folks at home, they won't commit to it.

[zed550]

Originally Posted by Andrew

That is true because from a lot of responses from CW, they are always catering for their local market first. If it won't satisfy their folks at home, they won't commit to it.

exactly

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by Andrew

That is true because from a lot of responses from CW, they are always catering for their local market first. If it won't satisfy their folks at home, they won't commit to it.

That was kind of my whole point as to why I don't foresee a low-vis coming directly from CW. If we can arrange something like Zed and jjgilz suggest, think of the possibilities! Now the only thing is, who wants to spearhead this endeavor?