|
Roco
May 28, 2004 0:16:37 GMT 1
Post by cfesmire on May 28, 2004 0:16:37 GMT 1
Under the Workbench posts, I gave mention of Roco truck frames. I added that we don't hear that manufacturers name often here. I believe they have some of the finest details on their models, offer some terrific accessories and certainly don't "follow the crowd" when making decisions about what it is that they will produce. Now obviously, they specialise in military pieces and rail products, but they have filled more than one shelf in my collection even though I'm not a big military buff. These days, one can find certain Roco pieces fetching incredible prices on ebay (I saw an Israeli Merkeva Tank for $75 recently) and certain other newer releases are virtually impossible to get here in the USA. I'd like to hear this groups' opinions of Roco as well as who owns what, going back as far as the days when Roco produced a good line of civilian vehicles. BTW, some of my earliest rememberances of 1-87 vehicles were Roco. They've been at this for quite some time.
|
|
skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
|
Roco
May 28, 2004 6:37:13 GMT 1
Post by skunk on May 28, 2004 6:37:13 GMT 1
I love Roco. While I naturally miss their civilian offerings, it is worth noting that nearly all of them were just their military stuff, molded in brighter colors... Their detail is quite nice. I often buy their models because they usually include a plethora of spare parts, jerry cans, towhooks and the like. Very thoughtful, and something other manufacturers might want to emulate. Imagine if Herpa saw fit to occasionally include an extra steering wheel, rear-view mirrors, or maybe even some alternative rims. I would be overjoyed, and I think that many others might be inspired to begin modifying their models. And Roco's Land Rover 109 is one of my favorite models, period. Fantastic shape and details, all that's missing is a farmer with wellies and a double-barrelled. "Oi, gerroff my land!"
|
|
BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
|
Roco
May 28, 2004 7:23:32 GMT 1
Post by BillC on May 28, 2004 7:23:32 GMT 1
I have several Rocos, including probably a dozen of their very nice 1:160 scale trucks. In 1:87 scale, I have some of the civilian Land Rovers, a black Jeep Laredo, a Dodge pickup, some Pinzgauers and some of their VW sedans.
I wish I had gotten some of Roco's Volvo F10 trucks as they were very similar to the ones sold in the U.S. some years back.
|
|
stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
|
Roco
May 28, 2004 7:38:10 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on May 28, 2004 7:38:10 GMT 1
Dear Sirs:
I could say that I did not cared much about military vehicles until a buddy of mine gave me a Roco Tank. When I saw all the details of the said model, I started to apreciate this manufacturer. He also gave me one of my favorites,the DKW Munga 4x4,the one that has a rifle mounted in it (the problem with this vehicle is that is pre-assembled,and is always falling apart,but I do not want to scar it with glue).I got the DKW Munga Fire vehicle,discovered the Volkswagen Iltis thanks to it and yes,love the Dodge Pick-ups (have the normal version,a wrecker which lost its hook,and the beautiful fire version).Their Pacific and Faun tank carriers are superb,and so are their helicopters,Jeep Willys and most of their tanks. My buddy did not liked the wheels the tanks had at their chassi and would break them off; I avoid that.The last item I got from them was the Mercedes 'G' type-based Peugeot Jeep.
Incidentally,Roco made models of two makes that are gone for a whille: Brockway (as a Military Bridge Layer) and Corbitt ( this model will be more of a White-Corbitt) but I do not remember what kind of truck model this is.
|
|
|
Roco
May 28, 2004 13:50:19 GMT 1
Post by cfesmire on May 28, 2004 13:50:19 GMT 1
I've found a lot of small manufacturers that produce a wide variety of photo etched and resin parts especially designed to dress up the Roco pieces too (like more prototypical wheels for tanks). Hauler (Czech) even has a dress up kit that details the interior, complete with dashboard and the inside and outside of the door in brass so you can open it. One of my favorites is the M62 which Roco referred to as a Kran but research has shown me this vehicle was also produced by Reo and International. (this is another of their models bringing big money on ebay)
|
|
Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
|
Roco
May 28, 2004 22:01:48 GMT 1
Post by Lee on May 28, 2004 22:01:48 GMT 1
Ah Roco! One of my favorites. Among other things they make the Russian Zis which with very little work becomes either a AA or a Chevy from the late 20's, early 30's. They also make an assortment of trailers, water tanks and wheels that come in handy for kitbashing. ;D A little paint brightens them right up.
|
|
|
Roco
May 29, 2004 1:54:19 GMT 1
Post by cfesmire on May 29, 2004 1:54:19 GMT 1
Lee, I like that '30 Zis also. Check out the showcase.
|
|
|
Roco
May 29, 2004 1:55:54 GMT 1
Post by cfesmire on May 29, 2004 1:55:54 GMT 1
Speaking of which, I believe that Zis piece is made by KoMo for Roco. Is KoMo a Russian outfit anyone?
|
|
stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
|
Roco
May 29, 2004 1:59:53 GMT 1
Post by stanhas87 on May 29, 2004 1:59:53 GMT 1
Dear Chester:
Some of the Russian Military tanks from Roco are made by a third party and these are Russian manufacturers. The same may apply to the Zis Vehicle.
|
|
|
Roco
Jun 2, 2004 1:18:34 GMT 1
Post by Christian on Jun 2, 2004 1:18:34 GMT 1
One of my favorites is the M62 which Roco referred to as a Kran but research has shown me this vehicle was also produced by Reo and International. Chester, "Kran" is German for "crane". I like Roco as well, although I don't find their "style" as nice as Wiking's or Busch's. Some of their models, like the Ford FK van appear to be rather sluggishly engineered. On the other hand I have always adored the big Steyrs, especially as firetrucks. Both the old crewcab and the modern pumper have been on my wishlist for years ... The VW Iltis, Jeep and Dodge pickup (which was nicely refined by Promotex some time ago) are other highlights. The ZIS is indeed of Russian manufacture.
|
|
|
Roco
Jun 2, 2004 1:51:18 GMT 1
Post by cfesmire on Jun 2, 2004 1:51:18 GMT 1
Christian, For someone with as much German blood coursing through my veins, one would think I should know more of my ancestors tongue. Thanks for the translation.
|
|
Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899
|
Roco
Jun 2, 2004 2:34:23 GMT 1
Post by Lee on Jun 2, 2004 2:34:23 GMT 1
I'll pass on the same tool Christian gave me because I asked to many times for a translation. dict.tu-chemnitz.de
|
|
skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
|
Roco
Jun 2, 2004 2:57:22 GMT 1
Post by skunk on Jun 2, 2004 2:57:22 GMT 1
I'll pass on the same tool Christian gave me because I asked to many times for a translation. dict.tu-chemnitz.de dict.leo.org/ has more terms... I use it all the time for communicating with German sellers, otherwise words such as "Kursschwankungen" (currency fluctuations) would be way beyond me. There are external grammar links as well, which would be a great resource if I knew when to use the Present Subjunctive and other, similar constructions. English may have a lot of words, but at least there is no grammar to speak of!
|
|
BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
|
Roco
Jun 2, 2004 5:33:43 GMT 1
Post by BillC on Jun 2, 2004 5:33:43 GMT 1
English may have a lot of words, but at least there is no grammar to speak of! Like not ending a sentence with a preposition? Bill C.
|
|
skunk
87thScale addict
5th B-day
Posts: 2,762
|
Roco
Jun 2, 2004 5:41:49 GMT 1
Post by skunk on Jun 2, 2004 5:41:49 GMT 1
Like not ending a sentence with a preposition? Bill C. "no grammar of which to speak." good point... ;D ;D ;D
|
|