[Epapazian]

I suppose this is wishful thinking, but I wonder what would happen if 100-200 of our members could decide on a particular scheme and add-on weapons configuration we would like based on an existing 1:72 diecast mold, make a firm offer and ask an entity such as The Flying Mule ( or another party ) to commission a special edition from the manufacturer. Obviously, compromises would have to be made, but isn't this one way to get a realisticTyphoon with rockets from Corgi or a Solomon Islands shark mouth P-39 from Hobby Master without waiting and waiting and waiting? Armed with a non-cancellable "upfront" order for 100-200 units wouldn't the company that organizes the special edition for us be willing to gamble on making an extra 300 or so units, which it could sell at a profit to others? Or am I just whistling Dixie?

[Raven]

I would be interested - the big challege would be getting 200 members to agree on:

1) Manufacturer
2) Scale
3) Plane
4) Scheme

Other than that is would be a piece of cake!

My vote:

1) HM
2) 1/72
3) F-4E or P-61
4) I am open on the P-61 but here's what I would like to see in an F-4E:

Courtesy of Sharpshooter - Military Aviation Journal

Attached Thumbnails

[hworth18]

It would be tough getting a factory in China to agree on making such a small run.. The only real hope would be in a situation like the Flying Mule Me-262 where they just tacked on an extra 262 units to the end of a run and packed them in the limited boxes..

Just to add.. I have talked to Gavin and Mark (mhackl) about doing a limited "Modelhangar exclusive" awhile back ago and it isn't out of the question, but the run would be 500 or more and it probably won't happen any time in the near future..

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I suppose this is wishful thinking, but I wonder what would happen if 100-200 of our members could decide on a particular scheme and add-on weapons configuration we would like based on an existing 1:72 diecast mold, make a firm offer and ask an entity such as The Flying Mule ( or another party ) to commission a special edition from the manufacturer. Obviously, compromises would have to be made, but isn't this one way to get a realisticTyphoon with rockets from Corgi or a Solomon Islands shark mouth P-39 from Hobby Master without waiting and waiting and waiting? Armed with a non-cancellable "upfront" order for 100-200 units wouldn't the company that organizes the special edition for us be willing to gamble on making an extra 300 or so units, which it could sell at a profit to others? Or am I just whistling Dixie?

I like the concept but in realistic terms, . . . whoa! Getting a consensus on a plane shouldn't be a problem -- we could look at the lists complied by CC. Sounds like the majority would like a P-61 or a gargantuan 1:72 scale B-29, but to name a few. Wow -- Good luck!

JPN

[Shawn 507]

It may be the only way to get a B-29, Privater or Dominator in 1/72nd scale.

[1250ships]

I would image getting a livery put on an existing mould is a more likely scenario than getting a brand new mould developed. A new mould would easily cost half a million dollars.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

A new mould would easily cost half a million dollars.

Yes it would. But as long as the model is relatively popular aircraft with a lot of extensibility that hasn't been 'done to death', it would also be usable by the manufacturer for other liveries/markings. "For every man-made problem there is a man-made solution". I think, though, what you were really driving at was something like a 'unique-to-us' paint job of an existing mould, right? -- like 'Dugan' for instance?

JPN

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I would image getting a livery put on an existing mould is a more likely scenario than getting a brand new mould developed. A new mould would easily cost half a million dollars.

That sounds like a realistic approach. Shoot, getting enough folks to agree on a pre existing model would still be a fairly tall order.

[stalag8611]

Actually, Epapazian,
I like the idea; however, in my case I'd like the bar set lower. For example, pilots & crew and in 1:72 & 1:48 scales. How hard can it be for talented guys to create pilots checking the sky, or the instruments. Ditto with crew giving a thumbs up, sitting on a wing or leaning over a cockpit. I have a Barkhorn in 1:32, mit crew, and it's terrivic. I'll ante up if some seller such as TFM, Aikens, OMI, WingsnWhells, etc pick up the baton.

[Epapazian]

I think a bit of clarification is in order. In my original post starting this thread I made it clear that we are talking about special editions based on an existing mold or one that has already been decided on by a manufacturer, not a completely new venture. Molds range in cost from $40,000 up to $100,000+, depending on the plane selected, the scale and the number of sub molds required. Add to that all of the other production, packaging and marketing costs and I'm afraid that a $10,000 order coming from us isn't going to sway a sensible manufacturer. However, an added run of 500-600 off an existing mold, with a new paint scheme and a few add-on parts, could be feasible if we put in a decent-sized, 200-250 unit initial order and were reasonable about our demands. As an incentive, the "upfront buyers" might earn a modest discount, but not so much as to jeopardize the project. Also, no cancellations would be allowed and the company that organized the deal might even require payment in advance to lower its risks.

I realize that this sort of thing is rife with problems, especially with an independent-minded membership with each going his or her own way. Still, there is strength in numbers and if we put up a united front just once to give the idea a try, who knows what might happen. As for specifics, it seems to me that the most likely manufacturers for such a project are Corgi and, perhaps, Hobby Master, but certainly not Dragon. And the most reasonable scale to try is 1:72, since there are so many existing molds to play with and, of course, less risks where costs are concerned.