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Post by superba on Nov 7, 2004 13:51:08 GMT 1
Don't get me wrong, I am happy to see new American prototypes made in 1/87, but I can't understand why the manufactures produce redundant releases or very similar models.
- 1949 Ford Coupe policecar, Alloy Forms,
- 1955 Chevrolet Pick-up, Alloy Forms, Wiking
- 1951 Chevrolet Hardtop, Alloy Form, Vereem, Classic Mini Metal, Cutter
- 1957 Plymouth Coupe, Athern Wagon (1958)
- 1955 Chevrolet Nomad, Williams Bros.
- 1949 Mercury coupe, Alloy Forms
- 1948 Ford Convertible, Classic Mini Metals
- 1939 Ford Coupe, Jordan
- 1955 Ford Coupe, Williams Bros, Magnason (1956)
- Milktruck, Looks like Classic Mini Metal IH Metro
- Towtruck. ?
Wouldn't it have made sense for Woodland Scenics to produce items that have not been released by other manufacturers?
Joe
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Post by only87 on Nov 7, 2004 15:12:36 GMT 1
At least they are not planning to do another '57 Corvette...
Most of the models they're planning are only available as kits or not available any more. Therefore, a built-up, detailled and nicely printed model will find its buyers under the railroaders. They will have thought of that, but they may have forgotten that if they do some really new models not only thought as scenery equipment the car-interested fraction will even increase their sales.
I'm still curious if the scale of the vehicles is right and not some 1-64 to 1-76 scale marketed as HO. If it is, I want the wrecker and the Plymouth, 'cause in my eyes, both models are worth an update. And even more personally, I want a good '55 Chevy molded in plastic, I hope the Nomad will be the one.
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stanhas87
87thScale addict
1978 Dodge Monaco CHP
Posts: 4,906
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Post by stanhas87 on Nov 7, 2004 16:40:48 GMT 1
Dear Joe:
Life Like is also offering a Mercury Coupe of this vintage and frankly,I agree: why so many repeat models? They could have added something different such as a 1955 Oldsmobile or Pontiac. That would had made more sense.
Nick K
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Post by superba on Nov 7, 2004 23:06:16 GMT 1
I am positive these models will be 1/87, based on other items Woodland Scenics currentlyoffers. I am very interested in the 57 Plymouth as well as the trucks.
Joe
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Post by Sylvain on Nov 7, 2004 23:42:32 GMT 1
Yes, I agree with you: why again redundant models?
But I welcome anyway three models, which are not really redundant models, even if similar too already available models:
- the 1951 Chevrolet, which is really a Bel Air Hardtop and therefore not yet available in 1/87 scale.
- the 1956 Ford, which seems to be (as far as I can see on the picture) a Mainlane, when the other models already available are Fairlane.
- and of course the 1957 Plymouth Fury.
But once again I agre with you: why another 1955 Nomad and why another 1948 Ford convertible?
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on Nov 8, 2004 3:23:49 GMT 1
The Woodland Scenics models are supposed to be 1:87 scale. As to their selection of models, there could be a variety of reasons, including the availability of other models to use as a tooling master (cuts out a chunk of the development cost).
I don't know if the images on the Woodland Scenics website are the actual models or pre-production mock-ups, but when I was asked to identify the vehicles for the 1/87 Vehicle Club, I noticed none of the vehicles are exact replicas of the prototype and at least one of the models, the Ford coupe, seems to blend styling cues from more than one year.
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Post by mrbst30 on Nov 8, 2004 4:17:05 GMT 1
I had thought previously that companies shared/sold plans once they crafted a scale car. AMT had just released a 1:25 chrysler 300 and not long after mini metals did the same car in 1:87. If you look at recent cars in one scale I have noticed they often appear in several scales in a very short time frame, or maybe it is just that since it sells in one scale there must be a market in another scale. just my 2-cents worth.
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BillC
87thScale addict
Posts: 2,541
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Post by BillC on Nov 8, 2004 7:18:22 GMT 1
In the future, a lot of what we get may depend on the availability of scale models in larger scales. Way back in the days before CAD files, model companies often worked from drawings and the 3/8 scale models made by the automakers' styling departments. Drawings are great but sometimes they don't provide all the nuances found in a 3-dimensional representation.
Unfortunately, a lot of this documentation is gone and the models have been destroyed or given to employees or even the modelmakers, who generally did not keep them once the tooling was produced.
In addition, the larger scale models from the 1950s and early 1960s, like the 1/25 scale promotional models produced for the American auto companies, were made from acetate, which deforms over time, rendering the model useless for use in further modelmaking.
After about 1964, the model companies switched to the more stable styrene plastic they were already using for the popular "3-in-1" hobby kits that came into existence in the late 1950s. Some special-interest cars from earlier in the 1950s were reissued as styrene kits, but not that many.
Of course, there are still the larger 1/24 and 1/18 scale diecast models. But as many of those models as there seem to be, there are still hundreds of American cars that have never been modeled. For example, it's easy to find a 1957 Plymouth Fury, but impossible to find a 1957 Plymouth Savoy or Plaza.
The other method of gathering the information needed to make a good 1/87 scale model is photographing the prototype. Unfortunately, that involves finding either a well-maintained or restored car and arranging for a photography session. Once again, it's not hard to snap pictures of certain Chevys or Fords, but a bit tougher to locate the cherry 1955 Pontiac or Oldsmobile to make the model that Nick wants. And there are often problems getting permission from museums or owners.
Fortunately, we still have people like Lee and Joe, who can work with the resources they have to make lovely models in resin.
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Post by Sylvain on Nov 8, 2004 10:35:32 GMT 1
According to what Woodland Scenics has answered to my email, these models are 1/87 models.
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Lee
Senior Member
Posts: 1,899 
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Post by Lee on Nov 9, 2004 5:08:04 GMT 1
Fortunately, we still have people like Lee and Joe, who can work with the resources they have to make lovely models in resin. Make that Jerry and Joe. I doubt if you would want anything that I could make from scratch. ;D |
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Post by Mark Maticek on Nov 15, 2004 2:51:34 GMT 1
I was at "Trainfest" in Milwaukee today and at the Woodland Scenics booth, I saw a pre-production example of the new line of autos. It is hard to tell from the pre-production sample, but the models are definitely 1/87 scale. The quality is somewhere between Classic Metal Works and Herpa.
The representative told me the models will be available in January, 2005. Future models will NOT include current prototypes. They will be staying with the 1930-50's era.
What is interesting is that many of the models will have opened doors/trunks (boots). These can be closed but will come in an open position. Many of the models will have a driver figure in place or will come with Woodland Scenics figures to show a small scene (changing a tire, loading luggage).
I will try to send a photo for posting (I'm not sure how well it turned out).
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Post by Sylvain on Nov 15, 2004 20:22:51 GMT 1
That's good news!  |
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Post by Eric on Nov 15, 2004 22:58:54 GMT 1
Mark sent me the picture in the meantime, unfortunately the model was under a glass dome so there is a lot of glare. I'll try some Photoshopping, maybe I can remove some of it. If it works the picture will be online later this week.
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