Kit of the woody.

[Lee]

Jerry and I have been talking about making a kit for the woody. What is everyone else's feelings about such an undertaking?

[Christian]

What would be in the kit? What would the wood parts look like?

[Lee]

For under $20.00 you get a hollow cast vehicle and two small sheets of very thin wood. ;D For over $60.00 you would get the wood cut. Labor doesn't come cheap you know. ;D ;D Add another 0 to the left of the period and Jerry just might build it for you. ;D ;D ;D

[Christian]

Hmm ... I was going to say $40.

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

It is interesting that this discussion came up because on the last two issues MAR had an article about Woddie vehicles, and,as they quote, these are very special and cherished models because they have a different feeling than the other models.Frankly, is the article is right, then Lee and Jerry may have a winner in sales terms.

I would wish a built Chrysler t/c 1948................

[Lee]

Hmm..... For $40.00 we probably would include a scale set of templetes for cutting out the wood youself ;D

[only87]

Would there be an instruction in the $20 variant? That would take some time writing it, wouldn't it?


Just an idea... the kit could also be sold without the wood. I think some modelers and railroaders might like the idea of a blank chassis ready for shipping.

[Lee]

That would be a whole nother kit.

I thought about selling a solid block of resin and including instuctions to remove the unwanted sections. ;D

[only87]

Your thinking too much in small numbers, this would not be only one kit but a whole new line of kits, corporate identity guaranteed! ;D

[Lee]

When things are done by hand, one thinks in small numbers. Resin casting is done one by one, taking one's time to try for the perfect casting each time. Making the wood parts for the woody would take a lot more time per kit as they would be done by hand, even with the using of jigs. No lazer cutting here.

[only87]

I was talking about the solid block idea, of corse!

Seriously, I think if you're going for the kit with the wooden parts, the wooden parts should be already cut to fit. Not many modelers in our scale will have the experience it needs to do that properly. Not knowing how much work that would produce, and I guess it's a lot, it's hard to judge about the pricing.

[stanhas87]

Dear Sirs:

The models that MAR mentions are mostly in 1/43 scale and these came assembled. The best ones do feature wood parts and yes,they do not came cheap but do not reach $600.00 (MAR, April and May issues). One of the ones that I like is the Packard Woody wagon and these were luxurious 1/1 scale vehicles.

In 1/87,fitting these wooden parts tough,may be a nightmare. The models mentioned above are or not well done;even at larger scales it is pratically an artisan's item to deal it.

[BillC]

Having built 1:160 wood structures board-by-board, it's not that hard, but it might be worth the extra money to have laser-cut pieces. You might check with Dale Rush at Blair Line to see how much a short run of bodies would cost.

It would be a pricey model, but it would be the definitive "Woodie" in 1:87 scale.

[cfesmire]

It would be a more attractive kit with laser cut (or imprinted) wood sides although not impossible without.

[skunk]

Well, I guess that the price would depend on the finish and the amount of work already done. I don't, however, feel that there is a very big market for the sub-$20 version: A modeller who could manage to build that Packard from two thin sheets of wood could probably do the entire thing on his own, based on a regular Packard model.

The $40 model seems to me the best combination of price and effort. The $60 one naturally sounds more interesting, but the price would certainly limit your market a bit. Plus, you would be competing with High Tech Modelle, and they include photo-etched parts and decals and what-nots.

It is a very impressive model, btw. I stand in awe. Well, I am sitting right now, but you get the idea. Too bad that it is not from my era, but maybe an exception would be made. I do fancy the idea of trying my hand at modelling in wood. Maybe I will start making furniture some day. ;D