Masterpiece, part 2

[swampdaddy]

A new beginning for this fabulous thread. It was interesting to learn some of the background on the spilt of Masterpiece/Ricko. But, without this thread I wouldn't know much of either. My closest hobby shop is now 10 miles and 30+ minutes away; so, I dont' visit every other week as I used to do when there was a shop 3 minutes away from my house.

So the news on this site, is often what sends me to the shop to order items. Everyone keep reporting the news.

Swamp Daddy

[BillC]

Well, stay tuned for more new models to be announced shortly.

[RAOlson]

Love your new avatar Bill!
I also don't mind the new green color they 'chose'. I'll be purchasing all of the available colors and versions of the Jeeps.
When should we expect these in the States?

Richard O.
Also the Airflow colors are beautiful.

[stanhas87]

Dear All:

Just bring them on. Jack is on alert for the Austro-Daimlers,Jeep,Chrysler and the Stepvan.

And of course, amxious to know what is next. Oh, if I may say so, keep on the unique protos as is been done, please. I may take several of the Jeeps and would wish that, as Matchbox, Masterpiece bring several Jeep models to life (items such as the CJ6,Scrambler pick up,Gladiator and so on).

[hovehicle]

Something tells me we're going to have an explosion of new releases in October: The Ford Fairmont from Atlas, the new Ford pickups from RPS, and of course the Materpiece Jeeps and stepvan. Quite possibly, the Ford Maverick and Honda Accord might get released in October too from Motormax. Maybe the next release of Reel Rides will come much later.

I predict I'll be officially broke by Thanksgiving because I haven't even considered train purchases!

Vito L.

[BillC]

Watch for a list of new announcements from Atlas in the next week or so. I would tell you, but I don't want to steal Atlas' thunder. There will be a couple of surprises, I promise you.

I received samples of the final production versions of the Chrysler Airflow yesterday. I will be shooting photos over the next couple of days and I will post a series of shots here.

To be honest, I was blown away. I am sure Christian and Sylvain will be able to point out a few flaws, but the president of the Airflow Club of America described the model as "Absolutely Beautiful. They are great in every detail." I can't wait for the models to be delivered you can see them, as well.

The Jeep is also impressive. Once again, most of the photos on the web don't do it justice. The good news is that Masterpiece also plans to offer it in X and Sahara trim levels and migth even make the soft top version.

Vito will be happy as we hope to have at least three colors in each release and will offer new colors more frequently. We actually have the full set of color chips for the 1936 Airflow as well as color references for the newer models. The Jeep is being offered in three colors to begin with, white, red and Jeep Green. We also have Jeep Rescue Green version ready to go.

Bill C.

[Lee]

Bill, every model ever produced or that will ever be produced in 1/87th scale is going to have flaws. The very act of scaling something down so small in size makes that a given.

The quality of the models has improved vastly over the years since I first became interested in 1/87th. Fifty years ago we were happy with crude plaster models because they made more vehicle types available to us. Today there are so many quality vehicles on the 1/87th market or coming on the 1/87th market than I can keep track of or afford to buy for that matter.

You have done a really fantastic job of helping to bring to market some very excellent vehicles that the 1/87th scale folk have never seen before. For that and all your other efforts, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[stanhas87]

hovehicle said:

I predict I'll be officially broke by Thanksgiving because I haven't even considered train purchases!

Vito L.

Dear All:

Me too - or perhaps beyond broke - because despite the troubles, 1/64 scale is not exactly static (and been great this year as well) so I am having a hard time following the releases in two scales. Broke (rather,took apart) the piggybank several times this year and it been difficult to fill it up.

lee said:

.

You have done a really fantastic job of helping to bring to market some very excellent vehicles that the 1/87th scale folk have never seen before. For that and all your other efforts, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Agreed holeheartly here. Its true that my beggining era for 1/87 scaled vehicles was 1979, but still, the differences and variety as of now are very wide as compared to that era.

Also, any miniature has a set of compromises which can not be avoided. Hence, I will receive the Chrysler (such an elegant model) and Jeep with open arms. Bill resolved my dilema by offering different colors/versions of the Jeep.Excellent. Alas I have known of a 4-door Jeep CJ for nearly 40 years now; finally,I can have a model of it which is a production vehicle, not a proto such as the Dakar or Rescue.

billc said:

Watch for a list of new announcements from Atlas in the next week or so. I would tell you, but I don't want to steal Atlas' thunder. There will be a couple of surprises, I promise you.

Bill C.

Oh, be steady my heart!! I had too many surprises as is this year. Breathe,breathe!! Well, here I go again,anxious to hear the news!!

Enough for now.

[Sylvain]

billc said:

…I am sure Christian and Sylvain will be able to point out a few flaws, but the president of the Airflow Club of America described the model as "Absolutely Beautiful. They are great in every detail."…

Ah bah, who I am to say anything after that… He definitely must know better than me, that's for sure. I've been said lately, by modelmakers with who I'm working, that I was demanding. Funny, I would not have say so. ;D

But don't worry, I'll buy the Airflow, as soos as possible. ;D

[BillC]

Sylvain,

I was not being critical of you or Christian. I was happy we were able to please the Airflow Club and I like the model, but the final word has to come from you and the others who buy the model.

Bill C.

[hovehicle]

Bill,

That's exciting news about Atlas, I'll get the champagne ready if it is what I think it might be! Masterpiece will be keeping me busy at the hobby shop if they have all trim levels and multiple colors on the new Jeep. I love the real version as I see it almost 5 days a week now at my child's school. Is Jeep Rescue Green different from Jeep Green? If it is, great!

I applaud Bill C.'s efforts and everyone else on this forum who buys or manufactures HO vehicles. I'm having a blast as a collector and it's alot less labor intensive than HO trains!

Vito L.

[Sylvain]

billc said:

I was not being critical of you or Christian…

Don't worry, Bill, I didn't take it that way, really.

For my part, I can't thank you enough to show us models to come even if still on work, and to listen to our critical. That's part of what mades this forum so unique and so interesting.

Now, I really can't wait to get this Airflow, and I'm now asking myself in which color I'll buy it.

And I really can't wait also to see other projects from Masterpiece, of course! ;D

[mstar]

billc said:

Well, stay tuned for more new models to be announced shortly.

Any news? :-)

[BillC]

As I understand it, the announcements should be posted today or tomorrow.

[mstar]

Then I'm excited now :-)