Quality - Most despatches are OK but my second Country Squire had a loose windscreen wiper and the latest Rolls has paint faults, a twisted rear fog lamp, and the mascot is bent at a silly angle. Even basic quality control should have sorted that. OK at £7.99 I do not expect perfection but both IXO and UH can do better and have done too.
Production Politics not being important - sorry have to disagree there. There are a very small number of contract factories in China capable of delivering models to the required standard at the expected costs. Fabbri appear to have burned their boats with several now (Norev, Eligor and Universal Hobbies) and these factories have a queue of clients like Altaya and DeAgostini who do much, much more business with them. IXO appear to be churning out models they have contracted to do and possibly are just getting it out of the way to concentrate on other production some of which is much more profitable. Some of the others like Oxford (Who actually own their own production facility in China) have a full schedule of their own and are unlikely to do contract work like this at expense of their own releases. Politics and economics of Chinese production make sure that Fabbri are simply not able to dictate terms they are not big enough to do so and the good producers have very limited spare capacity anyway.
Finally Eastern models not being of interest is also contentious. Go to the NEC toyfair and you will see several traders selling these models successfully, and the air mail from the Ukraine brings in quite few more EBay purchases - well it has to me for a start. The Bond Collection has been interesting and I am looking forward to Econoline and Impala but suspect that Fabbri is happy enough to end the project and get ready for producing Olympics sticker albums, Doctor Who stickers and Premier League albums which are much more their core business.
Maz, I'm not sure that Norev have their own factory in China - from what I understand a lot of their production is contracted to Creative Master (who also do a lot of work for Mattel & PMA/Minichamps).
GE Fabbri also did The Ferrari Collection of 50 issues, which is just ending here in South Africa. I bought the first issue two years ago - I can't remember what I did with the model but I seem to remember that it was made by Ixo.
Off on a tangent, Eaglemoss is running a partwork called Rally Champions or somesuch - those models are all Ixo sourced (and many must be from existing moulds).
We were promised 1/43 model cars/light trucks/land-going or at least amphibious vehicles and I expect 1/43 model cars/light trucks/land-going or at least amphibious vehicles.
"UH v IXO again not bothered"
So the horrendous quality of the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, the last DBS...this is of NO concern to you?
"Forgive my ignorance but the eastern block collections have little or no interest here in the UK or indeed Western Europe and bare no real relevance to this collection. I read your posts and admire your detail but in basic terms GEF needs models so GEF will get them from the cheapest bidder , I don't think company politics will feature in any negotiations either. "
Look, I'm not trying to insult you here, but this paragraph shows not only ignorance of the East Bloc collections, but also ignorance of the 1/43 model market in general as well as completely misunderstanding my post and failing to read why I made it. I was ASKED about the Lada Niva and if Ixo had any moulds. The sheer number of models of Lada Niva they put out was meant to be humorous. Evidently, you didn't get the humor. Regarding the UK...I'm not sure, since I don't know any collectors there, but I don't think you can speak for Western Europe. Look at the HUGE number of sellers of Ist Models and even the old Soviet stuff (Radon Models, Tantal Models, Elecon/Arek Models, Dvigatel Models) in France and Germany (the latter to the point where exclusives for the former DDR are sold nation-wide and also made by companies like Schuco and Minichamps...and are bought nation-wide, else they wouldn't make them...).
As for company politics...maz easily said it as well as I could (if not better), and there's no sense beating a dead horse there. But I will say this in response to maz:
"and possibly are just getting it out of the way to concentrate on other production some of which is much more profitable."
This is correct. Avtomobili na Sluzhba for Russia AND Masini de Legenda for Romania (which features completely new moulds and won't features the "numberplate changing" that you see in the Czech Republic and Hungary) are both slated to hit full-tilt production in September (the month 110 is reached) and neither are subscriptions. The buying base for both is expected to be quite large. Indeed, Ixo does have something more profitable planned.
But back to you, Diecast007. With statements like...
"Vehicle detail is good but sometimes artistic license is also acceptable."
...and...
"I am also dismayed at the number of complaints regarding vehicle quality at delivery."
...and...
"Sorry to sound hard but sometimes a reality check is needed here and these are models costing £7.99."
...you're just not being realistic from either a "car-centric" or a Bond-centric perspective. The former perspective demands uniform scale and not "taking liberties." The latter also demands faithfulness to the films; i.e. NOT "taking liberties" or making a mess of the model. It is a fact that the more you down-size a model, the less detail can be put into it on a mass-production basis. Why do you think practically everyone complained about the 1/72 Bondola? Oh, and those Eastern Bloc models you don't really seem to care about? They're quite a bit more detailed/faithful to the original vehicle than most of what UH did and sell for a bit less, actually. Your standards should be higher...you're putting them unrealistically low, actually. You'd be surprised what the diecast industry can actually do for 7.99 GBP. We're not living in the 1990's anymore. For $30, you can buy yourself an Ebbro model of a perfectly-scaled Japanese car with photo-etched details, realistic headlights, one heck of an amazing interior, and everything Minichamps is capable of. That's about 18 GBP; just over twice what the JBCC is charging us for. In the case of UH, some of their later stuff is even below the quality of Yat Ming Road Signature...which costs about $5 USD per model. Or, in other words, just over THREE POUNDS. There's a distinct difference between chruning out affordable models (Ixo) and churning out barely passable turkeys (late UH).
"Maz, I'm not sure that Norev have their own factory in China - from what I understand a lot of their production is contracted to Creative Master (who also do a lot of work for Mattel & PMA/Minichamps)."
Excuse the horrible pun, but this is a fact, FACT.
And finally...
"FRWL Dodge 1-Ton Stakebed Truck"
This is my own mistake!!!! I meant CHEVROLET!!! WHOOPS!
Dalkowski ! Hold on there! None of the models listed on the wish list are impossible. The larger ones can be made even in 1.50 scale, box size not a problem they might just get bigger boxes! Figures or no figures - not really bothered either way. UH v IXO again not bothered I collect GEF and my contract is with them not the model makers and their differences have no impact on me.
What about the shuttle from moonraker ? A fantastic vehicle from the james Bond series. There is no way it will be produced in a normal aircraft scale of 1.72 but maybe 1.144 . Would that be such a disaster for the collection? Not really. Vehicle detail is good but sometimes artistic license is also acceptable.
Forgive my ignorance but the eastern block collections have little or no interest here in the UK or indeed Western Europe and bare no real relevance to this collection. I read your posts and admire your detail but in basic terms GEF needs models so GEF will get them from the cheapest bidder , I don't think company politics will feature in any negotiations either.
Others , I am also dismayed at the number of complaints regarding vehicle quality at delivery. I had one issue with a smashed box as it was caught under a heavier parcel and model was replaced quickly. All deliveries now arrive boxed and in perfect condition. Maybe my standard is pretty low or some are just too fussy.
Sorry to sound hard but sometimes a reality check is needed here and these are models costing £7.99. Good value I say and I will continue collecting as long as they are produced. If they end at 110 oh well. I will have comprehnsive collection of models spanning the james bond series and I will start collecting something else no doubt ...
Dalkowski is right here, the collection was meant to be 1:43 scale, full stop. The Bondola is the worst release not because it is not interesting or not detailed or accurate enough, but because it is the WRONG scale. There may be many Bond collectors who are not concerned about the scale or accuracy, but JBCC was supposed to be about both, and not about "artistic licence", so it's too late to change it now. Personally, I don't mind figures or no figures, but scale is of paramount importance to me. You can easily find many other models on eBay that you can include in your Bond collection. There are many space shuttles, for example. Just get one, in the scale of your choice, and if you want a diorama you can make your own - a lot of fun and satisfaction from a completed project guaranteed!
Only one smashed box? You are indeed lucky! I even lost count how many I've had to have replaced. Cracked cases, paint flaws, loose parts, missing parts, you name it - probably 1/4 to 1/3 of the collection had to be replaced. While some of the replacement arrived in boxes (doesn't happen anymore), most regular releases and replacements come in a soft plastic bag, and the blister pack and bag are often not sturdy enough to survive postage. I am paying a fair price for the models, and they were promised to be "a perfect representation". Therefore if the publisher/distributor can't be bothered with quality control and/or proper packaging, it is their responsibility to replace faulty models. I am not happy doing their quality control work for them for free, and would rather receive a perfect model in perfect condition every time, but have no other choice. I'm not fussy, I just still remember what I subscribed to all those many years ago. If "All deliveries now arrive boxed and in perfect condition" where you are then great, but many of us cannot say the same thing.
We were promised 1/43 model cars/light trucks/land-going or at least amphibious vehicles and I expect 1/43 model cars/light trucks/land-going or at least amphibious vehicles.
"UH v IXO again not bothered"
So the horrendous quality of the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, the last DBS...this is of NO concern to you?
"Forgive my ignorance but the eastern block collections have little or no interest here in the UK or indeed Western Europe and bare no real relevance to this collection. I read your posts and admire your detail but in basic terms GEF needs models so GEF will get them from the cheapest bidder , I don't think company politics will feature in any negotiations either. "
Look, I'm not trying to insult you here, but this paragraph shows not only ignorance of the East Bloc collections, but also ignorance of the 1/43 model market in general as well as completely misunderstanding my post and failing to read why I made it. I was ASKED about the Lada Niva and if Ixo had any moulds. The sheer number of models of Lada Niva they put out was meant to be humorous. Evidently, you didn't get the humor. Regarding the UK...I'm not sure, since I don't know any collectors there, but I don't think you can speak for Western Europe. Look at the HUGE number of sellers of Ist Models and even the old Soviet stuff (Radon Models, Tantal Models, Elecon/Arek Models, Dvigatel Models) in France and Germany (the latter to the point where exclusives for the former DDR are sold nation-wide and also made by companies like Schuco and Minichamps...and are bought nation-wide, else they wouldn't make them...).
As for company politics...maz easily said it as well as I could (if not better), and there's no sense beating a dead horse there. But I will say this in response to maz:
"and possibly are just getting it out of the way to concentrate on other production some of which is much more profitable."
This is correct. Avtomobili na Sluzhba for Russia AND Masini de Legenda for Romania (which features completely new moulds and won't features the "numberplate changing" that you see in the Czech Republic and Hungary) are both slated to hit full-tilt production in September (the month 110 is reached) and neither are subscriptions. The buying base for both is expected to be quite large. Indeed, Ixo does have something more profitable planned.
But back to you, Diecast007. With statements like...
"Vehicle detail is good but sometimes artistic license is also acceptable."
...and...
"I am also dismayed at the number of complaints regarding vehicle quality at delivery."
...and...
"Sorry to sound hard but sometimes a reality check is needed here and these are models costing £7.99."
...you're just not being realistic from either a "car-centric" or a Bond-centric perspective. The former perspective demands uniform scale and not "taking liberties." The latter also demands faithfulness to the films; i.e. NOT "taking liberties" or making a mess of the model. It is a fact that the more you down-size a model, the less detail can be put into it on a mass-production basis. Why do you think practically everyone complained about the 1/72 Bondola? Oh, and those Eastern Bloc models you don't really seem to care about? They're quite a bit more detailed/faithful to the original vehicle than most of what UH did and sell for a bit less, actually. Your standards should be higher...you're putting them unrealistically low, actually. You'd be surprised what the diecast industry can actually do for 7.99 GBP. We're not living in the 1990's anymore. For $30, you can buy yourself an Ebbro model of a perfectly-scaled Japanese car with photo-etched details, realistic headlights, one heck of an amazing interior, and everything Minichamps is capable of. That's about 18 GBP; just over twice what the JBCC is charging us for. In the case of UH, some of their later stuff is even below the quality of Yat Ming Road Signature...which costs about $5 USD per model. Or, in other words, just over THREE POUNDS. There's a distinct difference between chruning out affordable models (Ixo) and churning out barely passable turkeys (late UH).
"Maz, I'm not sure that Norev have their own factory in China - from what I understand a lot of their production is contracted to Creative Master (who also do a lot of work for Mattel & PMA/Minichamps)."
Excuse the horrible pun, but this is a fact, FACT.
And finally...
"FRWL Dodge 1-Ton Stakebed Truck"
This is my own mistake!!!! I meant CHEVROLET!!! WHOOPS!
Woah I certainly opened the flood gates here!
Listen I'm neither carcentric nor bondcentric, I'm a realist and I think some of you guys read too much into what is happening or not happening.
I just looked back to my welcome pack and there is no mention of 1.43rd scale or if it is to continue as a standard scale throughout the collection. I would also argue that most collectors who collect 1.43rd would also accept 1.50 larger vehicles in the same collection. The Bondola is not 1.72 that makes it longer and taller than a 1.72 diecast BAE Hawk . it is near as damit in scale to the cars like i said artistic license. I actually like the Bondola, the rollers and the DBS albeit I think and have said already it is a poor end to the collection.
Dalkowski ! Hold on there! None of the models listed on the wish list are impossible. The larger ones can be made even in 1.50 scale, box size not a problem they might just get bigger boxes! Figures or no figures - not really bothered either way. UH v IXO again not bothered I collect GEF and my contract is with them not the model makers and their differences have no impact on me.
What about the shuttle from moonraker ? A fantastic vehicle from the james Bond series. There is no way it will be produced in a normal aircraft scale of 1.72 but maybe 1.144 . Would that be such a disaster for the collection? Not really. Vehicle detail is good but sometimes artistic license is also acceptable.
Forgive my ignorance but the eastern block collections have little or no interest here in the UK or indeed Western Europe and bare no real relevance to this collection. I read your posts and admire your detail but in basic terms GEF needs models so GEF will get them from the cheapest bidder , I don't think company politics will feature in any negotiations either.
Others , I am also dismayed at the number of complaints regarding vehicle quality at delivery. I had one issue with a smashed box as it was caught under a heavier parcel and model was replaced quickly. All deliveries now arrive boxed and in perfect condition. Maybe my standard is pretty low or some are just too fussy.
Sorry to sound hard but sometimes a reality check is needed here and these are models costing £7.99. Good value I say and I will continue collecting as long as they are produced. If they end at 110 oh well. I will have comprehnsive collection of models spanning the james bond series and I will start collecting something else no doubt ...
I would agree with most of this. The models actually cost £6.99 allowing for the postage cost per model included in the subscriber price and if you have problems with damage or poor finish, Fabbri appear to replace without question and even allow you to keep the offending model. Try getting that sort of service from your average internet dealer.
I've been collecting die-cast now for many years and have not seen anything quite like this collection. No other partwork has interested me enough to buy into it so heavily and I seriously doubt will again. My primary interest in this is Bond movies, not scales, not Eastern Bloc, not wonky bits and bobs but the dioramas, the figures, the inventiveness, the fun of it. That is actually what the series promised at the beginning, a set of Bond movie cars with dioramas and that is what they delivered, and then some. The fact that it went off into boats, bikes, different scales etc is immaterial as far as I'm concerned, it shows they were prepared to give us more of what we wanted. I for one will miss it when it's finished, A: because it clearly could have gone on a while longer, the 'wish list' proves that, and B: because after it finishes there is likely to be nothing other than the occasional, clinical, uninspired movie offering from Minichamps, Corgi etc at an extortionate price.
As I said before in a previous post, I think the only serious gripe with the series that can be supported is the lack of a grand finale special for all the loyal subscribers. Unless there is a surprise yet to be revealed on this one, I think it's a pity it'll end with 110, which doesn't appear to be rocking many people's boat. This is a shame, because I suspect Fabbri saw the forum's reaction to the first version (58) and how many thought it should have been crash-damaged, even to the point of chopping out the door themselves, and I reckon Fabbri thought it would be a good idea to provide a second version at the end based on this. Despite the complaints of lack of damage shown on 110, I've got no problem with it, I've seen the real car up in Keswick and apart from the missing door it isn't overly damaged, mostly just dinged and dirty - certainly nothing that taking a small metal file and coarse sandpaper to the model wouldn't fix.
Thanks Fabbri, it's been a brilliant series whether it ends now or at 130
Dalkowski ! Hold on there! None of the models listed on the wish list are impossible. The larger ones can be made even in 1.50 scale, box size not a problem they might just get bigger boxes! Figures or no figures - not really bothered either way. UH v IXO again not bothered I collect GEF and my contract is with them not the model makers and their differences have no impact on me.
What about the shuttle from moonraker ? A fantastic vehicle from the james Bond series. There is no way it will be produced in a normal aircraft scale of 1.72 but maybe 1.144 . Would that be such a disaster for the collection? Not really. Vehicle detail is good but sometimes artistic license is also acceptable.
Forgive my ignorance but the eastern block collections have little or no interest here in the UK or indeed Western Europe and bare no real relevance to this collection. I read your posts and admire your detail but in basic terms GEF needs models so GEF will get them from the cheapest bidder , I don't think company politics will feature in any negotiations either.
Others , I am also dismayed at the number of complaints regarding vehicle quality at delivery. I had one issue with a smashed box as it was caught under a heavier parcel and model was replaced quickly. All deliveries now arrive boxed and in perfect condition. Maybe my standard is pretty low or some are just too fussy.
Sorry to sound hard but sometimes a reality check is needed here and these are models costing £7.99. Good value I say and I will continue collecting as long as they are produced. If they end at 110 oh well. I will have comprehnsive collection of models spanning the james bond series and I will start collecting something else no doubt ...
I would agree with most of this. The models actually cost £6.99 allowing for the postage cost per model included in the subscriber price and if you have problems with damage or poor finish, Fabbri appear to replace without question and even allow you to keep the offending model. Try getting that sort of service from your average internet dealer.
I've been collecting die-cast now for many years and have not seen anything quite like this collection. No other partwork has interested me enough to buy into it so heavily and I seriously doubt will again. My primary interest in this is Bond movies, not scales, not Eastern Bloc, not wonky bits and bobs but the dioramas, the figures, the inventiveness, the fun of it. That is actually what the series promised at the beginning, a set of Bond movie cars with dioramas and that is what they delivered, and then some. The fact that it went off into boats, bikes, different scales etc is immaterial as far as I'm concerned, it shows they were prepared to give us more of what we wanted. I for one will miss it when it's finished, A: because it clearly could have gone on a while longer, the 'wish list' proves that, and B: because after it finishes there is likely to be nothing other than the occasional, clinical, uninspired movie offering from Minichamps, Corgi etc at an extortionate price.
As I said before in a previous post, I think the only serious gripe with the series that can be supported is the lack of a grand finale special for all the loyal subscribers. Unless there is a surprise yet to be revealed on this one, I think it's a pity it'll end with 110, which doesn't appear to be rocking many people's boat. This is a shame, because I suspect Fabbri saw the forum's reaction to the first version (58) and how many thought it should have been crash-damaged, even to the point of chopping out the door themselves, and I reckon Fabbri thought it would be a good idea to provide a second version at the end based on this. Despite the complaints of lack of damage shown on 110, I've got no problem with it, I've seen the real car up in Keswick and apart from the missing door it isn't overly damaged, mostly just dinged and dirty - certainly nothing that taking a small metal file and coarse sandpaper to the model wouldn't fix.
Thanks Fabbri, it's been a brilliant series whether it ends now or at 130
I also agree with both of the above.
If it carrys on, so shall, I, if it doesnt, so be it.
I collect 1/43 scale, but I also have loads of other scales in Bond vehicles too, so slightly different scales wouldnt be an issue with me.
Diecast007 - I remember that both the website and the original cardboard backing for the DB5 mentioned 1:45 and 1:43 respectively - see here: https://www.bissettmags.com.au/Cgi/Loadpg. I no longer have the cardboard thing, as had wrongly assumed that Fabbri can be held accountable for their words.
If you look underneath your Bondola you will clearly see that the manufacturers themselves stated it was scale 1/72. I quite like the model too - but IT DOES NOT belong in this collection at all - purely based on the scale.
Diecast007 - I remember that both the website and the original cardboard backing for the DB5 mentioned 1:45 and 1:43 respectively - see here: https://www.bissettmags.com.au/Cgi/Loadpg. I no longer have the cardboard thing, as had wrongly assumed that Fabbri can be held accountable for their words.
If you look underneath your Bondola you will clearly see that the manufacturers themselves stated it was scale 1/72. I quite like the model too - but IT DOES NOT belong in this collection at all - purely based on the scale.
Ok I stand corrected as my Bondola is still in its diorama, however I still can't believe it is actually 1/72. I collect 1/72 aircraft and as said this would make it longer and taller than a Red Arrows Hawk . I don't think so!
Anyway lets campaign for a big finish. GEF i have spent £878 on your collection, honour the specials you promised us and conclude the collection with a real gem
Diecast007 - I remember that both the website and the original cardboard backing for the DB5 mentioned 1:45 and 1:43 respectively - see here: https://www.bissettmags.com.au/Cgi/Loadpg. I no longer have the cardboard thing, as had wrongly assumed that Fabbri can be held accountable for their words.
If you look underneath your Bondola you will clearly see that the manufacturers themselves stated it was scale 1/72. I quite like the model too - but IT DOES NOT belong in this collection at all - purely based on the scale.
Ok I stand corrected as my Bondola is still in its diorama, however I still can't believe it is actually 1/72. I collect 1/72 aircraft and as said this would make it longer and taller than a Red Arrows Hawk . I don't think so!
Anyway lets campaign for a big finish. GEF i have spent £878 on your collection, honour the specials you promised us and conclude the collection with a real gem
For a change, I'm in full agreement with you, Diecast007, however like many others I really doubt that Fabbri will come up with a finishing special. Although it would be really nice and leave a nice aftertaste in the mouth.
Diecast007 - I remember that both the website and the original cardboard backing for the DB5 mentioned 1:45 and 1:43 respectively - see here: https://www.bissettmags.com.au/Cgi/Loadpg. I no longer have the cardboard thing, as had wrongly assumed that Fabbri can be held accountable for their words.
If you look underneath your Bondola you will clearly see that the manufacturers themselves stated it was scale 1/72. I quite like the model too - but IT DOES NOT belong in this collection at all - purely based on the scale.
Ok I stand corrected as my Bondola is still in its diorama, however I still can't believe it is actually 1/72. I collect 1/72 aircraft and as said this would make it longer and taller than a Red Arrows Hawk . I don't think so!
Anyway lets campaign for a big finish. GEF i have spent £878 on your collection, honour the specials you promised us and conclude the collection with a real gem
For a change, I'm in full agreement with you, Diecast007, however like many others I really doubt that Fabbri will come up with a finishing special. Although it would be really nice and leave a nice aftertaste in the mouth.
Also just had a look at my 1/72 scale planes, and they look OK next to the Bondola - same seat/steering wheel size, similar width etc. - gondolas are really long...
Also just had a look at my 1/72 scale planes, and they look OK next to the Bondola - same seat/steering wheel size, similar width etc. - gondolas are really long...
Yeh I also have done the same however having been a tourist in Venice. The Gondolas are long but i don't remember them being as big as small jet aircraft .
Then why are you partaking in any speculation at all?
"Enough said I think !"
Well, if your standards are that low, go right on ahead...
"I collect 1/72 aircraft and as said this would make it longer and taller than a Red Arrows Hawk . I don't think so!"
See my commentaries several pages back on Venetian gondolas...before the model came out. A gondola is typically 35 feet long, but can be much longer. About 40-45 feet is about the limit, though with the Bondola prop actually used in MR, you have to figure they had to add a small vehicle underneath it to provide the land scenes, thus possibly lengthening it and forcing perspective on the average movie goer. Still, even if it WAS only 40-45 feet, that still has it possibly longer than the BAE Hawk 128...which is 40 feet, 9 inches long.
"My primary interest in this is Bond movies"
That's fine. As is your approval of the DBS. But are you really happy with the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, and other "late model" UH? As someone interested in the movies, I would expect you to want faithfulness to the films, not radical deviations from them.
"That is actually what the series promised at the beginning"
And 1/43 to 1/45 scale (UH, as I've often said, was big on "Dinky 48'ing") models, as Jag mentioned.
"The models actually cost £6.99"
It doesn't matter. The fact that I can get Yat Ming Road Signature Models (granted, with no diorama) for the rough equivalent of 3 GBP featuring better detail than late UH should say something.
"not scales, not Eastern Bloc"
We were promised 1/43 to 1/45 as per Jag in the very beginning, then promised 1/43. I expect, at the very least, 1/43 to 1/45. And before you get on me for Eastern Bloc, I would appreciate it if you went back and read my post that opened this ridiculous can of worms...FACT asked me a question, I answered in humorous and purposely long-winded-though-correct manner. The last line...about a different front bumper assembly being fitted to one variant if that's what you're complaining about...is actually quite relevant to what FACT asked. The TWINE Lada Niva's front bumper assembly did NOT exist prior to that recently-released model, but now does. What's the issue here? Who is the one REALLY blowing this out of proportion?
"that it went off into boats, bikes"
But that's the whole issue; it barely did. And when it did, we've only had one bike, and every "boat" has thus far proven itself capable of travelling on land, as well.
That's fine. As is your approval of the DBS. But are you really happy with the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, and other "late model" UH? As someone interested in the movies, I would expect you to want faithfulness to the films, not radical deviations from them.
The point is, that this series is primarily about Bond movie vehicle scenes. I bought the GF Ranchero because of its relevance to the movie and its diorama despite its obvious faults. As I said, it's the fun or entertainment value I find important.
"That is actually what the series promised at the beginning"
And 1/43 to 1/45 scale (UH, as I've often said, was big on "Dinky 48'ing") models, as Jag mentioned.
It's clear there's a fair few folk who don't find scale important, but for those who do, I can well understand the issue.
"The models actually cost £6.99"
It doesn't matter. The fact that I can get Yat Ming Road Signature Models (granted, with no diorama) for the rough equivalent of 3 GBP featuring better detail than late UH should say something.
It matters to me. Yes, we have cheap die-cast available in the UK but we do not have any alternative James Bond movie vehicle sets with dioramas.
"not scales, not Eastern Bloc"
We were promised 1/43 to 1/45 as per Jag in the very beginning, then promised 1/43. I expect, at the very least, 1/43 to 1/45. And before you get on me for Eastern Bloc, I would appreciate it if you went back and read my post that opened this ridiculous can of worms...FACT asked me a question, I answered in humorous and purposely long-winded-though-correct manner. The last line...about a different front bumper assembly being fitted to one variant if that's what you're complaining about...is actually quite relevant to what FACT asked. The TWINE Lada Niva's front bumper assembly did NOT exist prior to that recently-released model, but now does. What's the issue here? Who is the one REALLY blowing this out of proportion?
Sorry, Mr.D, I wasn't having a go. It's just that I think people are losing sight of the fact that this series is about James Bond movies. One thing that has amazed me is just how little comment is made about the figures, bases and dioramas - that is what makes these models unique and I would have thought important to Bond collectors. Take them away and you just have a vehicle that happened to appear in a Bond movie. In that event, the correctness of finish, scale etc. would be absolutely critical because there are no other factors to consider.
"that it went off into boats, bikes"
But that's the whole issue; it barely did. And when it did, we've only had one bike, and every "boat" has thus far proven itself capable of travelling on land, as well.
There's a number that can't possibly be considered 'cars'. Some people on Bond forums started complaining about the deviation when it first happened (About the time of the Q boat, Parahawk etc) and possibly their remarks set off alarm bells in the Fabbri camp. I imagine they probably thought it safer to stick with conventional cars in future long-term commissioning after that. Personally I thought the non-cars were a very brave and inventive move to make.
Blimey, am I the only one who's starting to find it hard to follow whose quote is whose in some of the posts above
@MovieCarFan: I was one of those who wasn't that keen when the JBCC started including "any Bond vehicle that moved across land" and still feel that way. I sit in both camps: Bond-centric (got all the DVDs, all the novels, although not much memorabilia) and Car-centric (1/43 scale collector for many years) so this collection seemed a perfect marriage.
I guess with my car-centric side I didn't find the non-cars as attractive as an alternative to some Bond-featured car that will now go unmade, but at the same time I realise that other collectors feel differently and, as there are less than 10 of those out of the whole collection of 110, it's not such a big deal.
I do like the dioramas very much, especially when an effort has been made to make them something other than a plain asphalt surface - and I have bought several duplicates along the way, turfed out the JBCC vehicle and substituted one of my diecast cars from elsewhere (e.g. I have a Minichamps RS2000 now cruising where a LALD Pimpmobile was once hogging the left lane). As for the figures - way too many appear to be underscale for the model and result in the "people" being barely visible above the windowsills when viewed from the side (e.g. the OHMSS Mercedes 220S) - a bit of a dropped ball there.
Perhaps that's a topic for a new line of dialogue - what is everyone's opinion on which diorama (diorama base) was best?
For me it was the YOLT Toyota 2000 GT one - phonebox, crates, trampled vegetables and all
The OP Alfa Romeo GTV6 "village square" one is a close second.
The best one for re-use with non-Bond diecast: the CR Jaguar XJ8 - neat gravel & grass verge.
PS. the smashed-in-post thing seems to be happening mostly in Australia(?). I know that here in South Africa the distributor also ships in cardboard boxes, similar to how it's done in the UK.
Blimey, am I the only one who's starting to find it hard to follow whose quote is whose in some of the posts above
@MovieCarFan: I was one of those who wasn't that keen when the JBCC started including "any Bond vehicle that moved across land" and still feel that way. I sit in both camps: Bond-centric (got all the DVDs, all the novels, although not much memorabilia) and Car-centric (1/43 scale collector for many years) so this collection seemed a perfect marriage.
I guess with my car-centric side I didn't find the non-cars as attractive as an alternative to some Bond-featured car that will now go unmade, but at the same time I realise that other collectors feel differently and, as there are less than 10 of those out of the whole collection of 110, it's not such a big deal.
I do like the dioramas very much, especially when an effort has been made to make them something other than a plain asphalt surface - and I have bought several duplicates along the way, turfed out the JBCC vehicle and substituted one of my diecast cars from elsewhere (e.g. I have a Minichamps RS2000 now cruising where a LALD Pimpmobile was once hogging the left lane). As for the figures - way too many appear to be underscale for the model and result in the "people" being barely visible above the windowsills when viewed from the side (e.g. the OHMSS Mercedes 220S) - a bit of a dropped ball there.
Perhaps that's a topic for a new line of dialogue - what is everyone's opinion on which diorama (diorama base) was best?
For me it was the YOLT Toyota 2000 GT one - phonebox, crates, trampled vegetables and all
The OP Alfa Romeo GTV6 "village square" one is a close second.
The best one for re-use with non-Bond diecast: the CR Jaguar XJ8 - neat gravel & grass verge.
PS. the smashed-in-post thing seems to be happening mostly in Australia(?). I know that here in South Africa the distributor also ships in cardboard boxes, similar to how it's done in the UK.
I thought trying to follow convoluted postings on this forum was half the fun of it
I'm glad I'm not the only one who really appreciates the cinematic side of the JBCCollection, and it's interesting to hear that the dioramas are being re-used with other models rather than being ditched in favour of the vehicle by itself. It got me thinking that if some of us start using spare bases with other cars, like your RS with the Pimpmobile base, could there be any mileage in a 'swapathon' amongst us all? For instance I have two LD Landrovers with cracked cases I don't want, they'd have no great value on eBay but I'd be happy to consider swapping for something else if anybody wants the car, figures, background and a desert base. Maybe we could start posting what we've got to swap or would that be against the rules?
On the dioramas I too, fell hook line and sinker for the OP Alfa one, I think it has a peculiar charm of its own, reminiscent of La Route Bleue series (pics of a couple below if anybody's not heard of it)
I reckon a series like this with UK or US period vehicles with dioramas would probably do very well.
Back on track though, I've always really liked the SWLM Lotus sub diorama but my favourite has to be the GF DB5 about to plough into the boxes. Brilliant.
Blimey, am I the only one who's starting to find it hard to follow whose quote is whose in some of the posts above
@MovieCarFan: I was one of those who wasn't that keen when the JBCC started including "any Bond vehicle that moved across land" and still feel that way. I sit in both camps: Bond-centric (got all the DVDs, all the novels, although not much memorabilia) and Car-centric (1/43 scale collector for many years) so this collection seemed a perfect marriage.
I guess with my car-centric side I didn't find the non-cars as attractive as an alternative to some Bond-featured car that will now go unmade, but at the same time I realise that other collectors feel differently and, as there are less than 10 of those out of the whole collection of 110, it's not such a big deal.
I do like the dioramas very much, especially when an effort has been made to make them something other than a plain asphalt surface - and I have bought several duplicates along the way, turfed out the JBCC vehicle and substituted one of my diecast cars from elsewhere (e.g. I have a Minichamps RS2000 now cruising where a LALD Pimpmobile was once hogging the left lane). As for the figures - way too many appear to be underscale for the model and result in the "people" being barely visible above the windowsills when viewed from the side (e.g. the OHMSS Mercedes 220S) - a bit of a dropped ball there.
Perhaps that's a topic for a new line of dialogue - what is everyone's opinion on which diorama (diorama base) was best?
For me it was the YOLT Toyota 2000 GT one - phonebox, crates, trampled vegetables and all
The OP Alfa Romeo GTV6 "village square" one is a close second.
The best one for re-use with non-Bond diecast: the CR Jaguar XJ8 - neat gravel & grass verge.
PS. the smashed-in-post thing seems to be happening mostly in Australia(?). I know that here in South Africa the distributor also ships in cardboard boxes, similar to how it's done in the UK.
I thought trying to follow convoluted postings on this forum was half the fun of it
I'm glad I'm not the only one who really appreciates the cinematic side of the JBCCollection, and it's interesting to hear that the dioramas are being re-used with other models rather than being ditched in favour of the vehicle by itself. It got me thinking that if some of us start using spare bases with other cars, like your RS with the Pimpmobile base, could there be any mileage in a 'swapathon' amongst us all? For instance I have two LD Landrovers with cracked cases I don't want, they'd have no great value on eBay but I'd be happy to consider swapping for something else if anybody wants the car, figures, background and a desert base. Maybe we could start posting what we've got to swap or would that be against the rules?
On the dioramas I too, fell hook line and sinker for the OP Alfa one, I think it has a peculiar charm of its own, reminiscent of La Route Bleue series (pics of a couple below if anybody's not heard of it)
I reckon a series like this with UK or US period vehicles with dioramas would probably do very well.
Back on track though, I've always really liked the SWLM Lotus sub diorama but my favourite has to be the GF DB5 about to plough into the boxes. Brilliant.
These two dioramas are fantastic. I also believe the collection is just not about the cars but also the dioramas.Most have captured iconic moments in the series of films. I think a movie car collection would be superb with everything from Herbie to Bullit to Great Escape to Jurassic Park all could feature some great cars and brilliant dioramas.
The final issue should be multiple vehicle issue with a fantastic diorama. Figures and a big box ! GEF could even mix scales if they want ! LOL (taking cover) I call for a campaign come on GEF ! 110 or is it 130. Give us the closer the collection deserves
Wow - no posts for a few days and then a blizzard. Just goes to show that collectors have all sorts of interests and the JBCC has partially satisfied many of them which is probably exactly what they would hope to do to sell the collection to widest possible audience.
Some points of info:
(1) Yat Ming 1/43 retail for around £5 upwards at swapmeets in UK so are not that far off JBCC prices here and come in cardboard boxes. But, yes their models are better than the worst UH in fact even New Ray which sell lots cheaper are nearly as good as worse UH models;
(2) Yes Fabbri have done other car series but compared to Altaya or DeAgostini they are amateurs in the field
(3) I wasnt implying Norev or Eligor have own facilities in China - in fact as far as I know Oxford are the only "western company" which has its own facilities everyone else contracts out. IXO and UH are of course both Chinese producers that make under their own labels and on contract.
(4) As far as getting what was advertised JBCC collectors have little to complain about compared to DeAgostini's Tank Collection in UK. Supposed to consist of 60 tanks they incorporate another 50 models from a continental Panzer collection and they now include flak guns, half tracks, armoured cars - hardly what some of the punters signed up for...
(5) Agree about Toyota and Alfa dioramas - those are pretty much worth the model price on thier own.
The point is, that this series is primarily about Bond movie vehicle scenes. I bought the GF Ranchero because of its relevance to the movie and its diorama despite its obvious faults. As I said, it's the fun or entertainment value I find important.
But, given all the complaints that that model received, you're seemingly in a minority about letting the model itself go positively to hell. It may be only about the diorama to you and only about the car to me, but I'm sure that far more people sit in the middle of this one.
It matters to me. Yes, we have cheap die-cast available in the UK but we do not have any alternative James Bond movie vehicle sets with dioramas.
You totally misunderstood my quote. The point I'm still trying to make, evidently, is basically Diecast007 telling us that any kind of detail in a model that costs 6.99 GBP or 7.99 GBP is basically impossible/his defense of the lousy late production UH models. I responded that cheap models with a modicum of detail are indeed possible, and used Yat Ming Road Signature series with its 3 GBP equivalent in the US pricetag as an example. My whole point is why settle for trashy models when we know it's perfectly within the capability of a diecast manufacturer (I'm talking about UH in general, by the way, not Ixo...they understand this point, and pretty well, too). I didn't use Ixo only because 1) I've used Ixo within the context of this series and, umm, "certain people" (not you...I just think you misunderstood my post) still didn't get the message and 2) I wanted to point out just how cheap a reasonable-quality diecast car could cost and that, as such, there was absolutely no excuse for UH to be skimping on its quality for this very reason.
I should also apologize to you, since most of that message was meant for Diecast007 (since he was the one who my post clearly bothered). However, what I'm trying to tell you is that a TWINE Lada Niva is now possible because of the bumper of an unrelated model. That car, if there is an extension, is on several people's wishlists and is VERY much related to Bond. With the new bumper and my humorously long (although evidently, the humor was lost on both you and Diecast007) post on existing Lada Niva moulds, I was simply trying to find a better way of saying "Yes, they have the moulds and now the correct bumper, too," which you have to admit would be a pretty darn boring post to read. I try to inject some humor and possibly side interest whenever I make almost any of my posts. You should know that by now; I've been posting long enough. And you raised no objections when we went on a two-page tangent about a theoretical 1/8 Bullitt Mustang, either, so I'm not buying any "stay on topic" stuff...
One thing that has amazed me is just how little comment is made about the figures, bases and dioramas - that is what makes these models unique and I would have thought important to Bond collectors.
But you have to understand the collection isn't about you or your interests. I understand this pretty well, but am simply outspoken as a car-centric. I've found that in some cases, long before Ixo entered the picture (since many seem to be attacking them for lack of figures and poor dioramas), the figures were borderline terrible and in fact detracted from the model in certain circumstances or the diorama was outright bad.
I imagine they probably thought it safer to stick with conventional cars in future long-term commissioning after that.
I agree with this and share FACT's sentiments on making vehicles like that...although remember, the Parahawk and Q-Boat could at least travel on land, whether via skis and a prop (actually a totally believeable, 100% plausible concept...just google "propeller-driven sled") or simply by jet propulsion and a strong hull (less realistic, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief for the purposes of the film).
what is everyone's opinion on which diorama (diorama base) was best?
The AMC Hornet's diorama for me, hands-down. At least if you're talking about the diorama itself with no car on it. I just loved that thing and literally converted it into an abandoned cargo loading platform. Also very good was the '73 Chevy Nova San Monique Police Car's diorama, which has sort of a "La Route Bleue" feeling to it, and which I dismantled to get the really nice bridge clearance sign. The Tuk-Tuk Taxi diorama was also nice.
I reckon a series like this with UK or US period vehicles with dioramas would probably do very well.
I agree with this, especially since it attracted me...me...to the series. I believe LRB probably had the best dioramas of any partwork, period, and is something to aspire to when creating dioramas with Code 3'd cars.
(1) Yat Ming 1/43 retail for around £5 upwards at swapmeets in UK so are not that far off JBCC prices here and come in cardboard boxes. But, yes their models are better than the worst UH in fact even New Ray which sell lots cheaper are nearly as good as worse UH models;
(2) Yes Fabbri have done other car series but compared to Altaya or DeAgostini they are amateurs in the field
(3) I wasnt implying Norev or Eligor have own facilities in China - in fact as far as I know Oxford are the only "western company" which has its own facilities everyone else contracts out. IXO and UH are of course both Chinese producers that make under their own labels and on contract.
(4) As far as getting what was advertised JBCC collectors have little to complain about compared to DeAgostini's Tank Collection in UK. Supposed to consist of 60 tanks they incorporate another 50 models from a continental Panzer collection and they now include flak guns, half tracks, armoured cars - hardly what some of the punters signed up for...
Regarding point number one: it's the other way around, here. New Ray is actually more expensive than Road Signature (about $8 to $5). Obviously the markets change, but I do agree that quality of these two makers is both nearly identical AND better than late UH. Regarding point 2, I'm in complete agreement. Regarding point 3, I didn't meant to offend here--sorry if I did--although I will add that Ebbro's diecast stuff (their resin stuff is done by someone else) is actually owned by Tomica, I'm fairly sure. Regarding point four, I agree, which shows you that even the best tend to completely screw it up at times and that while Fabbri is far from being anywhere near the best, they're also pretty far from being the worst (though hilariously, I'd actually put what is technically a DeAgostini series [via their Atlas subsidiary] on the top; that being Atlas DDR Trucks, since nobody has attempted a purely 1/43 truck series of any kind).
Just goes to show that collectors have all sorts of interests and the JBCC has partially satisfied many of them which is probably exactly what they would hope to do to sell the collection to widest possible audience.
I'll end this post by saying I totally and completely agree with this.
But, given all the complaints that that model received, you're seemingly in a minority about letting the model itself go positively to hell. It may be only about the diorama to you and only about the car to me, but I'm sure that far more people sit in the middle of this one.
It's not only about the diorama to me, it's actually about three things - the Bond movie scene, the car, the diorama - they're all important. I judge the entire package by all three elements. If all three are great then fantastic, but sometimes, as in the later IXOs its really only the car element that has any real strength. In the case of the Ranchero, the vehicle was a let down but the Bond scene and diorama were strong enough for me to want to keep the model package. As far as I'm aware there is no other GF movie scene Ranchero model and diorama like this available. If there was a better version, I'd buy that and junk the Fabbri version.
But you have to understand the collection isn't about you or your interests.
Ouch!! Apologies to all if I come across like that, but judging by the responses to my postings re the scene and diorama side of the collection I don't think I'm entirely alone. And I would hope I am supporting the efforts of the designers and modelmakers in what they've been trying to achieve here too. Something a little bit more special than just another plain and simple model Bond car.
Okay, whether this is a total waste of time or not, here is the ammended list. I would hope it may at least serve as some inspiration for those amongst us who may fancy sourcing these cars from other manufacturers and making up our own custom additions. I'm sure most of us have plenty of spare figures and bases to utilise!
GF Merc bad guys pursuit car
LTK Kenworth
TND BMW R1200 bike
LTK Dodge Ram
TLD 59 Chevy Impala drophead
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Police car
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
LTK Lafrance Fire engine
CR Ford Mondeo
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls Royce
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
FRWL Dodge 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
DN 1959 Chevy Impala Convertible
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float
TWINE Lada Niva
Ok having had my wrist slapped again and my comments torn to shreds by our resident diecast Bard i would like to return to the above list as started by Moviecarfan. A fine list , I would like to add another model. Nothing is impossible , nor is the prospect of the collection continuing. Right scale, wrong scale, big box little box even a model supplied on a pink furry cushion all or most would be welcome even the GE UASS sorry UAZ blah blah with or without the right bumper sorry that was the Niva (on sale in britain once again incidently) so may inspire a new eastern bloc invasion of cars , doubt it. (please note only joking) . Normal service resumed (please)
MR Shuttle
MR CABLE CAR
DAD INVISIBLE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH (Would be nice diorama and a see through model)
Any more for this WISH list and maybe just maybe .............................. (returning to shelter)
DAD INVISIBLE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH (Would be nice diorama and a see through model)
Not as silly as it sounds, plenty of 'invisible' toy figures are produced using clear plastic, so why not?
So, the current list:
GF Merc bad guys pursuit car
LTK Kenworth
TND BMW R1200 bike
LTK Dodge Ram
TLD 59 Chevy Impala drophead
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Police car
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
LTK Lafrance Fire engine
CR Ford Mondeo
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls Royce
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
FRWL Dodge 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
DN 1959 Chevy Impala Convertible
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float
TWINE Lada Niva
MR Shuttle
MR Cable Car
DAD Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish
As far as I'm aware there is no other GF movie scene Ranchero model and diorama like this available. If there was a better version, I'd buy that and junk the Fabbri version.
Believe it or not, it wouldn't be impossible. The last year that Ford Falcons were made in Australia to US specs (except of course for the suspension) was 1964, and Trax Models made one of these. Granted, you'd have to saw down the back of the sedan body on a fairly rare model, but fortunately, Trax always sold their defective models as parts pieces/Code 3 fodder. You'd have to relocate the steering column (not as easy as it sounds to people who haven't tried it, but conversely, not as hard as it sounds for those who have done it; inverting the dashboard and re-positioning the steering wheel actually works on certain models!), shave off the back, and have access to a number of good photos, but I still contend it can be done. Granted, I've not seen it done with that particular model, but someone made a Chrysler Valiant AP6 Ute out of Trax Models' AP6 sedan that matched up very nicely with the real thing. It would be a project, and not an easy one, but there's always satisfaction from doing it yourself.
Ouch!! Apologies to all if I come across like that
To be quite honest, you don't. Your one particular quote did, however, and I responded to said quote in what I believed was an appropriate manner. Mainly the expression of astonishment in an almost scolding manner at pretty much everyone else for not praising the dioramas more or focusing on them more. What I'm really trying to say is that if you're astonished about that and are applying it not only to me, but everyone else posting here, then you represent a minority in the collection. Sound more proportionate?
Technically untrue, but let's go with it for a minute. As James John Smythe has repeated wisely, "GE Fabbri is a profit-driven company." Profit-driven companies may not be perfect, but they generally don't staff their marketing departments with blithering idiots either (a crime we've all been guilty of basically accusing them of, myself included). They know things that we don't know. They follow the secondary market via eBay and sales at the Newsagents as we realistically can't. They known their own demographic better than we do and frankly, I'm willing to bet that more car-centrics have stayed on than Bond-centrics. If they have to make good-looking cars to keep the series afloat, that's exactly what they're going to do. Why do you think they tried sticking to Ixo whenever possible down the last stretch? Or likely sticking with Ixo should there be any kind of extension (remember, with Ixo coming in so late, it is possible, though unlikely, that they've still not fulfilled their contract)? This isn't personal...it's called the law of supply and demand. Where there is no demand, you have a turkey. Where there is demand, especially if it outstrips supply thus boosting the secondary market value and sales at the Newsagents, you have a success. Many of the people who buy at the Newsagents or off eBay (especially) are decidedly car-centric. If Fabbri sees what succeeds and what doesn't, then quite a bit is, while not completely impossible, so close to it that you might as well call certain proposed models impossible.
all or most would be welcome even the GE UASS sorry UAZ blah blah with or without the right bumper sorry that was the Niva (on sale in britain once again incidently) so may inspire a new eastern bloc invasion of cars , doubt it.
At least I responded maturely, if bitingly. Jeez, did it take you two days to think this up? Wow.
You trash my part of the hobby and then backpedal in the next paragraph demanding to move on? Excuse me, but who are you trying to kid? If this is sarcasm, it's ineffective. If it's an insult, it's immature and I would expect better. If it's serious, it's flat-out pathetic. I really did expect a more mature post from you regarding a serious response, based on your past posts. Color me disappointed.
Ouch!! Apologies to all if I come across like that
To be quite honest, you don't. Your one particular quote did, however, and I responded to said quote in what I believed was an appropriate manner. Mainly the expression of astonishment in an almost scolding manner at pretty much everyone else for not praising the dioramas more or focusing on them more. What I'm really trying to say is that if you're astonished about that and are applying it not only to me, but everyone else posting here, then you represent a minority in the collection. Sound more proportionate?
The comment was generalised and not directed at anyone in particular, just an observation on the entire thread from page one. It does not mean I was criticising you or anybody in particular, merely that generally, not a huge amount has been said overall since day one about the cinematic/diorama side. No scolding, just an observation. If you are correct in thinking that I'm in a minority, and I could be, and that most people here are only interested in the cars, not the Bond movie scenes or the dioramas, then that's totally fine, each to their own. What it does mean, however, is that Fabbri have clearly failed, spectacularly, in their attempt to give its customers something far better than plain cars in plain boxes. My astonishment is not with you or any other contributors here, it's with the prospect that such an almighty off-target marketing failure could be true.
But, having said that, I suspect from the subsequent posts in support of the cinematic / diorama aspect, this probably isn't the case. I now think with most of us being blokes the first natural port of call is discussing the cars a la Top Gear, and whilst the cinematic/ diorama side is obviously appreciated, it just gets overlooked in postings. A bit like anniversaries.
You trash my part of the hobby and then backpedal in the next paragraph demanding to move on? Excuse me, but who are you trying to kid? If this is sarcasm, it's ineffective. If it's an insult, it's immature and I would expect better. If it's serious, it's flat-out pathetic. I really did expect a more mature post from you regarding a serious response, based on your past posts. Color me disappointed.
I am not trashing any part of the hobby, I am only expressing my right to post on this forum with my own opinion that you do frequently and at length. Sarcasm, Insult, serious???? None of the above it's humour and it got the reaction i expected. If the cap fits . Colour me satisfied !!
I will not be patronised on this forum or any other and yet again I have had dressing down by our resident bard. This is diecast cars for goodness sake not world politics .
You trash my part of the hobby and then backpedal in the next paragraph demanding to move on? Excuse me, but who are you trying to kid? If this is sarcasm, it's ineffective. If it's an insult, it's immature and I would expect better. If it's serious, it's flat-out pathetic. I really did expect a more mature post from you regarding a serious response, based on your past posts. Color me disappointed.
I am not trashing any part of the hobby, I am only expressing my right to post on this forum with my own opinion that you do frequently and at length. Sarcasm, Insult, serious???? None of the above it's humour and it got the reaction i expected. If the cap fits . Colour me satisfied !!
I will not be patronised on this forum or any other and yet again I have had dressing down by our resident bard. This is diecast cars for goodness sake not world politics .
Geez !:(
Fair point. Certain individuals seem to be taking both themselves and their opinions a bit too seriously of late ....
The comment was generalised and not directed at anyone in particular, just an observation on the entire thread from page one. It does not mean I was criticising you or anybody in particular, merely that generally, not a huge amount has been said overall since day one about the cinematic/diorama side. No scolding, just an observation.
This is fair. You do have to admit, however, that the atmosphere on both sides of the debate was pretty charged, and even if you didn't mean it to come across that way, it did. Don't worry about it; I've done that before.
If you are correct in thinking that I'm in a minority, and I could be, and that most people here are only interested in the cars, not the Bond movie scenes or the dioramas, then that's totally fine, each to their own.
But I didn't say that and in fact do not even agree with that. My putting you into a minority is your view that a diorama can make up for a poorly-done model. This is why I'm saying you're in a minority...I mean, you admit to general (neutral and benign...mea culpa) astonishment as to how little attention the dioramas receive from day one...isn't that logically a sign that you're, at the very least, more concerned with the dioramas than a majority of people?
My astonishment is not with you or any other contributors here, it's with the prospect that such an almighty off-target marketing failure could be true.
Okay, and PLEASE don't take this as an insult, because it's not and I'm geuinely curious, but how many partwork car collections have you either collected or followed from start to finish? I've done a few and you really have to believe me when I say that partworks can change. Sometimes radically, as was the case maz stated regarding the disastrous second half of the DeAgostini tank collection (which I admittedly did NOT follow, but do know of simply because so many people got angry with it) and sometimes we've even had partworks that were doing well cut off for no real logical reason (Altaya's French Cars series that was doing really well and then abruptly ended...to be fair, they replaced it with La Route Bleue, and some people have theorized they may have had a time limit to decide on LRB, but it's all speculation...I think they just couldn't wait to release LRB, personally, as we see some of the planned French Cars releases included later in the series.).
But, having said that, I suspect from the subsequent posts in support of the cinematic / diorama aspect, this probably isn't the case.
If you mean "not giving two whits about the dioramas," then you're absolutely right and I'm on your side. If you mean people suddently felt all the dioramas became more important to talk about, I would think it's from the question being asked "okay, who had a favorite diorama?" and we listed them and went into some detail...but you have to admit, not the detail we've generally discussed the cars in. But I have to shift to another ongoing debate right now...
[...], I am only expressing my right to post on this forum with my own opinion that you do frequently and at length.
Then I'll give you some advice, since you obviously need it: when you criticize someone's idea, make it constructive as opposed to juvenile. The 180 degree turn isn't really helping you, either. 'Fess up and admit it. At least then I'd not have reason to continue bothering with you.
Whoops. Looks like you're trying to have your cake and eat it, too, as evidenced by the "free speech now for all!" trope (but, logically, wouldn't that include me continuing to express my opinions, too?) immediately followed by this, umm, bizarre add-on. If you posted that mess and expected the response I gave it, then why in blue blazes are you so emotional and angry? Shouldn't you be satisfied, if anything?
I will not be patronised on this forum or any other and yet again I have had dressing down by our resident bard. This is diecast cars for goodness sake not world politics .
I go back to the whole (rather pivotal) bit about expecting the response you got. If you make all these complaints, then why the heck post the thing in the first place? You trash my hobby (sorry, the thinly-veiled "joke" isn't working) AND expect no resistence? That's ridiculous as well as poorly-thought-out. You're going to get a response from me. Don't like it because it's in pointed, stern language, albeit addressing you directly? Tough. You got yourself into it, so I suggest you try and get yourself out.
Certain individuals seem to be taking both themselves and their opinions a bit too seriously of late ....
I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here. Look, if you go back and read from about Page 85, you'll see I'm a VERY hardcore 1/43 collector. A hardcore 1/43 collector will almost always have their own little section of the hobby they specialize in, regardless of if they dabble in a little bit of everything. When that little section gets attacked, since they're hardcore and serious collectors, they respond in a serious manner. I think that's pretty straight-forward.
Comments
Production Politics not being important - sorry have to disagree there. There are a very small number of contract factories in China capable of delivering models to the required standard at the expected costs. Fabbri appear to have burned their boats with several now (Norev, Eligor and Universal Hobbies) and these factories have a queue of clients like Altaya and DeAgostini who do much, much more business with them. IXO appear to be churning out models they have contracted to do and possibly are just getting it out of the way to concentrate on other production some of which is much more profitable. Some of the others like Oxford (Who actually own their own production facility in China) have a full schedule of their own and are unlikely to do contract work like this at expense of their own releases. Politics and economics of Chinese production make sure that Fabbri are simply not able to dictate terms they are not big enough to do so and the good producers have very limited spare capacity anyway.
Finally Eastern models not being of interest is also contentious. Go to the NEC toyfair and you will see several traders selling these models successfully, and the air mail from the Ukraine brings in quite few more EBay purchases - well it has to me for a start. The Bond Collection has been interesting and I am looking forward to Econoline and Impala but suspect that Fabbri is happy enough to end the project and get ready for producing Olympics sticker albums, Doctor Who stickers and Premier League albums which are much more their core business.
GE Fabbri also did The Ferrari Collection of 50 issues, which is just ending here in South Africa. I bought the first issue two years ago - I can't remember what I did with the model but I seem to remember that it was made by Ixo.
Off on a tangent, Eaglemoss is running a partwork called Rally Champions or somesuch - those models are all Ixo sourced (and many must be from existing moulds).
We were promised 1/43 model cars/light trucks/land-going or at least amphibious vehicles and I expect 1/43 model cars/light trucks/land-going or at least amphibious vehicles.
"UH v IXO again not bothered"
So the horrendous quality of the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, the last DBS...this is of NO concern to you?
"Forgive my ignorance but the eastern block collections have little or no interest here in the UK or indeed Western Europe and bare no real relevance to this collection. I read your posts and admire your detail but in basic terms GEF needs models so GEF will get them from the cheapest bidder , I don't think company politics will feature in any negotiations either. "
Look, I'm not trying to insult you here, but this paragraph shows not only ignorance of the East Bloc collections, but also ignorance of the 1/43 model market in general as well as completely misunderstanding my post and failing to read why I made it. I was ASKED about the Lada Niva and if Ixo had any moulds. The sheer number of models of Lada Niva they put out was meant to be humorous. Evidently, you didn't get the humor. Regarding the UK...I'm not sure, since I don't know any collectors there, but I don't think you can speak for Western Europe. Look at the HUGE number of sellers of Ist Models and even the old Soviet stuff (Radon Models, Tantal Models, Elecon/Arek Models, Dvigatel Models) in France and Germany (the latter to the point where exclusives for the former DDR are sold nation-wide and also made by companies like Schuco and Minichamps...and are bought nation-wide, else they wouldn't make them...).
As for company politics...maz easily said it as well as I could (if not better), and there's no sense beating a dead horse there. But I will say this in response to maz:
"and possibly are just getting it out of the way to concentrate on other production some of which is much more profitable."
This is correct. Avtomobili na Sluzhba for Russia AND Masini de Legenda for Romania (which features completely new moulds and won't features the "numberplate changing" that you see in the Czech Republic and Hungary) are both slated to hit full-tilt production in September (the month 110 is reached) and neither are subscriptions. The buying base for both is expected to be quite large. Indeed, Ixo does have something more profitable planned.
But back to you, Diecast007. With statements like...
"Vehicle detail is good but sometimes artistic license is also acceptable."
...and...
"I am also dismayed at the number of complaints regarding vehicle quality at delivery."
...and...
"Sorry to sound hard but sometimes a reality check is needed here and these are models costing £7.99."
...you're just not being realistic from either a "car-centric" or a Bond-centric perspective. The former perspective demands uniform scale and not "taking liberties." The latter also demands faithfulness to the films; i.e. NOT "taking liberties" or making a mess of the model. It is a fact that the more you down-size a model, the less detail can be put into it on a mass-production basis. Why do you think practically everyone complained about the 1/72 Bondola? Oh, and those Eastern Bloc models you don't really seem to care about? They're quite a bit more detailed/faithful to the original vehicle than most of what UH did and sell for a bit less, actually. Your standards should be higher...you're putting them unrealistically low, actually. You'd be surprised what the diecast industry can actually do for 7.99 GBP. We're not living in the 1990's anymore. For $30, you can buy yourself an Ebbro model of a perfectly-scaled Japanese car with photo-etched details, realistic headlights, one heck of an amazing interior, and everything Minichamps is capable of. That's about 18 GBP; just over twice what the JBCC is charging us for. In the case of UH, some of their later stuff is even below the quality of Yat Ming Road Signature...which costs about $5 USD per model. Or, in other words, just over THREE POUNDS. There's a distinct difference between chruning out affordable models (Ixo) and churning out barely passable turkeys (late UH).
"Maz, I'm not sure that Norev have their own factory in China - from what I understand a lot of their production is contracted to Creative Master (who also do a lot of work for Mattel & PMA/Minichamps)."
Excuse the horrible pun, but this is a fact, FACT.
And finally...
"FRWL Dodge 1-Ton Stakebed Truck"
This is my own mistake!!!! I meant CHEVROLET!!! WHOOPS!
Dalkowski is right here, the collection was meant to be 1:43 scale, full stop. The Bondola is the worst release not because it is not interesting or not detailed or accurate enough, but because it is the WRONG scale. There may be many Bond collectors who are not concerned about the scale or accuracy, but JBCC was supposed to be about both, and not about "artistic licence", so it's too late to change it now. Personally, I don't mind figures or no figures, but scale is of paramount importance to me. You can easily find many other models on eBay that you can include in your Bond collection. There are many space shuttles, for example. Just get one, in the scale of your choice, and if you want a diorama you can make your own - a lot of fun and satisfaction from a completed project guaranteed!
Only one smashed box? You are indeed lucky! I even lost count how many I've had to have replaced. Cracked cases, paint flaws, loose parts, missing parts, you name it - probably 1/4 to 1/3 of the collection had to be replaced. While some of the replacement arrived in boxes (doesn't happen anymore), most regular releases and replacements come in a soft plastic bag, and the blister pack and bag are often not sturdy enough to survive postage. I am paying a fair price for the models, and they were promised to be "a perfect representation". Therefore if the publisher/distributor can't be bothered with quality control and/or proper packaging, it is their responsibility to replace faulty models. I am not happy doing their quality control work for them for free, and would rather receive a perfect model in perfect condition every time, but have no other choice. I'm not fussy, I just still remember what I subscribed to all those many years ago. If "All deliveries now arrive boxed and in perfect condition" where you are then great, but many of us cannot say the same thing.
Woah I certainly opened the flood gates here!
Listen I'm neither carcentric nor bondcentric, I'm a realist and I think some of you guys read too much into what is happening or not happening.
I just looked back to my welcome pack and there is no mention of 1.43rd scale or if it is to continue as a standard scale throughout the collection. I would also argue that most collectors who collect 1.43rd would also accept 1.50 larger vehicles in the same collection. The Bondola is not 1.72 that makes it longer and taller than a 1.72 diecast BAE Hawk . it is near as damit in scale to the cars like i said artistic license. I actually like the Bondola, the rollers and the DBS albeit I think and have said already it is a poor end to the collection.
Enough said I think !
I would agree with most of this. The models actually cost £6.99 allowing for the postage cost per model included in the subscriber price and if you have problems with damage or poor finish, Fabbri appear to replace without question and even allow you to keep the offending model. Try getting that sort of service from your average internet dealer.
I've been collecting die-cast now for many years and have not seen anything quite like this collection. No other partwork has interested me enough to buy into it so heavily and I seriously doubt will again. My primary interest in this is Bond movies, not scales, not Eastern Bloc, not wonky bits and bobs but the dioramas, the figures, the inventiveness, the fun of it. That is actually what the series promised at the beginning, a set of Bond movie cars with dioramas and that is what they delivered, and then some. The fact that it went off into boats, bikes, different scales etc is immaterial as far as I'm concerned, it shows they were prepared to give us more of what we wanted. I for one will miss it when it's finished, A: because it clearly could have gone on a while longer, the 'wish list' proves that, and B: because after it finishes there is likely to be nothing other than the occasional, clinical, uninspired movie offering from Minichamps, Corgi etc at an extortionate price.
As I said before in a previous post, I think the only serious gripe with the series that can be supported is the lack of a grand finale special for all the loyal subscribers. Unless there is a surprise yet to be revealed on this one, I think it's a pity it'll end with 110, which doesn't appear to be rocking many people's boat. This is a shame, because I suspect Fabbri saw the forum's reaction to the first version (58) and how many thought it should have been crash-damaged, even to the point of chopping out the door themselves, and I reckon Fabbri thought it would be a good idea to provide a second version at the end based on this. Despite the complaints of lack of damage shown on 110, I've got no problem with it, I've seen the real car up in Keswick and apart from the missing door it isn't overly damaged, mostly just dinged and dirty - certainly nothing that taking a small metal file and coarse sandpaper to the model wouldn't fix.
Thanks Fabbri, it's been a brilliant series whether it ends now or at 130
Hear Hear ! Well said !
If it carrys on, so shall, I, if it doesnt, so be it.
I collect 1/43 scale, but I also have loads of other scales in Bond vehicles too, so slightly different scales wouldnt be an issue with me.
If you look underneath your Bondola you will clearly see that the manufacturers themselves stated it was scale 1/72. I quite like the model too - but IT DOES NOT belong in this collection at all - purely based on the scale.
Ok I stand corrected as my Bondola is still in its diorama, however I still can't believe it is actually 1/72. I collect 1/72 aircraft and as said this would make it longer and taller than a Red Arrows Hawk . I don't think so!
Anyway lets campaign for a big finish. GEF i have spent £878 on your collection, honour the specials you promised us and conclude the collection with a real gem
For a change, I'm in full agreement with you, Diecast007, however like many others I really doubt that Fabbri will come up with a finishing special. Although it would be really nice and leave a nice aftertaste in the mouth.
I knew you would see the light eventually. LOL
Yeh I also have done the same however having been a tourist in Venice. The Gondolas are long but i don't remember them being as big as small jet aircraft .
Then why are you partaking in any speculation at all?
"Enough said I think !"
Well, if your standards are that low, go right on ahead...
"I collect 1/72 aircraft and as said this would make it longer and taller than a Red Arrows Hawk . I don't think so!"
See my commentaries several pages back on Venetian gondolas...before the model came out. A gondola is typically 35 feet long, but can be much longer. About 40-45 feet is about the limit, though with the Bondola prop actually used in MR, you have to figure they had to add a small vehicle underneath it to provide the land scenes, thus possibly lengthening it and forcing perspective on the average movie goer. Still, even if it WAS only 40-45 feet, that still has it possibly longer than the BAE Hawk 128...which is 40 feet, 9 inches long.
"My primary interest in this is Bond movies"
That's fine. As is your approval of the DBS. But are you really happy with the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, and other "late model" UH? As someone interested in the movies, I would expect you to want faithfulness to the films, not radical deviations from them.
"That is actually what the series promised at the beginning"
And 1/43 to 1/45 scale (UH, as I've often said, was big on "Dinky 48'ing") models, as Jag mentioned.
"The models actually cost £6.99"
It doesn't matter. The fact that I can get Yat Ming Road Signature Models (granted, with no diorama) for the rough equivalent of 3 GBP featuring better detail than late UH should say something.
"not scales, not Eastern Bloc"
We were promised 1/43 to 1/45 as per Jag in the very beginning, then promised 1/43. I expect, at the very least, 1/43 to 1/45. And before you get on me for Eastern Bloc, I would appreciate it if you went back and read my post that opened this ridiculous can of worms...FACT asked me a question, I answered in humorous and purposely long-winded-though-correct manner. The last line...about a different front bumper assembly being fitted to one variant if that's what you're complaining about...is actually quite relevant to what FACT asked. The TWINE Lada Niva's front bumper assembly did NOT exist prior to that recently-released model, but now does. What's the issue here? Who is the one REALLY blowing this out of proportion?
"that it went off into boats, bikes"
But that's the whole issue; it barely did. And when it did, we've only had one bike, and every "boat" has thus far proven itself capable of travelling on land, as well.
Now that there are many of them on ebay UK, it looks like it is in a regular box.
That's fine. As is your approval of the DBS. But are you really happy with the Rollers (not counting the Phantom III Sedanca de Ville), the Anglia, and other "late model" UH? As someone interested in the movies, I would expect you to want faithfulness to the films, not radical deviations from them.
The point is, that this series is primarily about Bond movie vehicle scenes. I bought the GF Ranchero because of its relevance to the movie and its diorama despite its obvious faults. As I said, it's the fun or entertainment value I find important.
"That is actually what the series promised at the beginning"
And 1/43 to 1/45 scale (UH, as I've often said, was big on "Dinky 48'ing") models, as Jag mentioned.
It's clear there's a fair few folk who don't find scale important, but for those who do, I can well understand the issue.
"The models actually cost £6.99"
It doesn't matter. The fact that I can get Yat Ming Road Signature Models (granted, with no diorama) for the rough equivalent of 3 GBP featuring better detail than late UH should say something.
It matters to me. Yes, we have cheap die-cast available in the UK but we do not have any alternative James Bond movie vehicle sets with dioramas.
"not scales, not Eastern Bloc"
We were promised 1/43 to 1/45 as per Jag in the very beginning, then promised 1/43. I expect, at the very least, 1/43 to 1/45. And before you get on me for Eastern Bloc, I would appreciate it if you went back and read my post that opened this ridiculous can of worms...FACT asked me a question, I answered in humorous and purposely long-winded-though-correct manner. The last line...about a different front bumper assembly being fitted to one variant if that's what you're complaining about...is actually quite relevant to what FACT asked. The TWINE Lada Niva's front bumper assembly did NOT exist prior to that recently-released model, but now does. What's the issue here? Who is the one REALLY blowing this out of proportion?
Sorry, Mr.D, I wasn't having a go. It's just that I think people are losing sight of the fact that this series is about James Bond movies. One thing that has amazed me is just how little comment is made about the figures, bases and dioramas - that is what makes these models unique and I would have thought important to Bond collectors. Take them away and you just have a vehicle that happened to appear in a Bond movie. In that event, the correctness of finish, scale etc. would be absolutely critical because there are no other factors to consider.
"that it went off into boats, bikes"
But that's the whole issue; it barely did. And when it did, we've only had one bike, and every "boat" has thus far proven itself capable of travelling on land, as well.
There's a number that can't possibly be considered 'cars'. Some people on Bond forums started complaining about the deviation when it first happened (About the time of the Q boat, Parahawk etc) and possibly their remarks set off alarm bells in the Fabbri camp. I imagine they probably thought it safer to stick with conventional cars in future long-term commissioning after that. Personally I thought the non-cars were a very brave and inventive move to make.
@MovieCarFan: I was one of those who wasn't that keen when the JBCC started including "any Bond vehicle that moved across land" and still feel that way. I sit in both camps: Bond-centric (got all the DVDs, all the novels, although not much memorabilia) and Car-centric (1/43 scale collector for many years) so this collection seemed a perfect marriage.
I guess with my car-centric side I didn't find the non-cars as attractive as an alternative to some Bond-featured car that will now go unmade, but at the same time I realise that other collectors feel differently and, as there are less than 10 of those out of the whole collection of 110, it's not such a big deal.
I do like the dioramas very much, especially when an effort has been made to make them something other than a plain asphalt surface - and I have bought several duplicates along the way, turfed out the JBCC vehicle and substituted one of my diecast cars from elsewhere (e.g. I have a Minichamps RS2000 now cruising where a LALD Pimpmobile was once hogging the left lane). As for the figures - way too many appear to be underscale for the model and result in the "people" being barely visible above the windowsills when viewed from the side (e.g. the OHMSS Mercedes 220S) - a bit of a dropped ball there.
Perhaps that's a topic for a new line of dialogue - what is everyone's opinion on which diorama (diorama base) was best?
For me it was the YOLT Toyota 2000 GT one - phonebox, crates, trampled vegetables and all
The OP Alfa Romeo GTV6 "village square" one is a close second.
The best one for re-use with non-Bond diecast: the CR Jaguar XJ8 - neat gravel & grass verge.
PS. the smashed-in-post thing seems to be happening mostly in Australia(?). I know that here in South Africa the distributor also ships in cardboard boxes, similar to how it's done in the UK.
I thought trying to follow convoluted postings on this forum was half the fun of it
I'm glad I'm not the only one who really appreciates the cinematic side of the JBCCollection, and it's interesting to hear that the dioramas are being re-used with other models rather than being ditched in favour of the vehicle by itself. It got me thinking that if some of us start using spare bases with other cars, like your RS with the Pimpmobile base, could there be any mileage in a 'swapathon' amongst us all? For instance I have two LD Landrovers with cracked cases I don't want, they'd have no great value on eBay but I'd be happy to consider swapping for something else if anybody wants the car, figures, background and a desert base. Maybe we could start posting what we've got to swap or would that be against the rules?
On the dioramas I too, fell hook line and sinker for the OP Alfa one, I think it has a peculiar charm of its own, reminiscent of La Route Bleue series (pics of a couple below if anybody's not heard of it)
I reckon a series like this with UK or US period vehicles with dioramas would probably do very well.
Back on track though, I've always really liked the SWLM Lotus sub diorama but my favourite has to be the GF DB5 about to plough into the boxes. Brilliant.
These two dioramas are fantastic. I also believe the collection is just not about the cars but also the dioramas.Most have captured iconic moments in the series of films. I think a movie car collection would be superb with everything from Herbie to Bullit to Great Escape to Jurassic Park all could feature some great cars and brilliant dioramas.
The final issue should be multiple vehicle issue with a fantastic diorama. Figures and a big box ! GEF could even mix scales if they want ! LOL (taking cover) I call for a campaign come on GEF ! 110 or is it 130. Give us the closer the collection deserves
Some points of info:
(1) Yat Ming 1/43 retail for around £5 upwards at swapmeets in UK so are not that far off JBCC prices here and come in cardboard boxes. But, yes their models are better than the worst UH in fact even New Ray which sell lots cheaper are nearly as good as worse UH models;
(2) Yes Fabbri have done other car series but compared to Altaya or DeAgostini they are amateurs in the field
(3) I wasnt implying Norev or Eligor have own facilities in China - in fact as far as I know Oxford are the only "western company" which has its own facilities everyone else contracts out. IXO and UH are of course both Chinese producers that make under their own labels and on contract.
(4) As far as getting what was advertised JBCC collectors have little to complain about compared to DeAgostini's Tank Collection in UK. Supposed to consist of 60 tanks they incorporate another 50 models from a continental Panzer collection and they now include flak guns, half tracks, armoured cars - hardly what some of the punters signed up for...
(5) Agree about Toyota and Alfa dioramas - those are pretty much worth the model price on thier own.
Sorry about that, I'll make it a bit easier.
But, given all the complaints that that model received, you're seemingly in a minority about letting the model itself go positively to hell. It may be only about the diorama to you and only about the car to me, but I'm sure that far more people sit in the middle of this one.
You totally misunderstood my quote. The point I'm still trying to make, evidently, is basically Diecast007 telling us that any kind of detail in a model that costs 6.99 GBP or 7.99 GBP is basically impossible/his defense of the lousy late production UH models. I responded that cheap models with a modicum of detail are indeed possible, and used Yat Ming Road Signature series with its 3 GBP equivalent in the US pricetag as an example. My whole point is why settle for trashy models when we know it's perfectly within the capability of a diecast manufacturer (I'm talking about UH in general, by the way, not Ixo...they understand this point, and pretty well, too). I didn't use Ixo only because 1) I've used Ixo within the context of this series and, umm, "certain people" (not you...I just think you misunderstood my post) still didn't get the message and 2) I wanted to point out just how cheap a reasonable-quality diecast car could cost and that, as such, there was absolutely no excuse for UH to be skimping on its quality for this very reason.
I should also apologize to you, since most of that message was meant for Diecast007 (since he was the one who my post clearly bothered). However, what I'm trying to tell you is that a TWINE Lada Niva is now possible because of the bumper of an unrelated model. That car, if there is an extension, is on several people's wishlists and is VERY much related to Bond. With the new bumper and my humorously long (although evidently, the humor was lost on both you and Diecast007) post on existing Lada Niva moulds, I was simply trying to find a better way of saying "Yes, they have the moulds and now the correct bumper, too," which you have to admit would be a pretty darn boring post to read. I try to inject some humor and possibly side interest whenever I make almost any of my posts. You should know that by now; I've been posting long enough. And you raised no objections when we went on a two-page tangent about a theoretical 1/8 Bullitt Mustang, either, so I'm not buying any "stay on topic" stuff...
But you have to understand the collection isn't about you or your interests. I understand this pretty well, but am simply outspoken as a car-centric. I've found that in some cases, long before Ixo entered the picture (since many seem to be attacking them for lack of figures and poor dioramas), the figures were borderline terrible and in fact detracted from the model in certain circumstances or the diorama was outright bad.
I agree with this and share FACT's sentiments on making vehicles like that...although remember, the Parahawk and Q-Boat could at least travel on land, whether via skis and a prop (actually a totally believeable, 100% plausible concept...just google "propeller-driven sled") or simply by jet propulsion and a strong hull (less realistic, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief for the purposes of the film).
The AMC Hornet's diorama for me, hands-down. At least if you're talking about the diorama itself with no car on it. I just loved that thing and literally converted it into an abandoned cargo loading platform. Also very good was the '73 Chevy Nova San Monique Police Car's diorama, which has sort of a "La Route Bleue" feeling to it, and which I dismantled to get the really nice bridge clearance sign. The Tuk-Tuk Taxi diorama was also nice.
I agree with this, especially since it attracted me...me...to the series. I believe LRB probably had the best dioramas of any partwork, period, and is something to aspire to when creating dioramas with Code 3'd cars.
Regarding point number one: it's the other way around, here. New Ray is actually more expensive than Road Signature (about $8 to $5). Obviously the markets change, but I do agree that quality of these two makers is both nearly identical AND better than late UH. Regarding point 2, I'm in complete agreement. Regarding point 3, I didn't meant to offend here--sorry if I did--although I will add that Ebbro's diecast stuff (their resin stuff is done by someone else) is actually owned by Tomica, I'm fairly sure. Regarding point four, I agree, which shows you that even the best tend to completely screw it up at times and that while Fabbri is far from being anywhere near the best, they're also pretty far from being the worst (though hilariously, I'd actually put what is technically a DeAgostini series [via their Atlas subsidiary] on the top; that being Atlas DDR Trucks, since nobody has attempted a purely 1/43 truck series of any kind).
I'll end this post by saying I totally and completely agree with this.
It's not only about the diorama to me, it's actually about three things - the Bond movie scene, the car, the diorama - they're all important. I judge the entire package by all three elements. If all three are great then fantastic, but sometimes, as in the later IXOs its really only the car element that has any real strength. In the case of the Ranchero, the vehicle was a let down but the Bond scene and diorama were strong enough for me to want to keep the model package. As far as I'm aware there is no other GF movie scene Ranchero model and diorama like this available. If there was a better version, I'd buy that and junk the Fabbri version.
Ouch!! Apologies to all if I come across like that, but judging by the responses to my postings re the scene and diorama side of the collection I don't think I'm entirely alone. And I would hope I am supporting the efforts of the designers and modelmakers in what they've been trying to achieve here too. Something a little bit more special than just another plain and simple model Bond car.
Ok having had my wrist slapped again and my comments torn to shreds by our resident diecast Bard i would like to return to the above list as started by Moviecarfan. A fine list , I would like to add another model. Nothing is impossible , nor is the prospect of the collection continuing. Right scale, wrong scale, big box little box even a model supplied on a pink furry cushion all or most would be welcome even the GE UASS sorry UAZ blah blah with or without the right bumper sorry that was the Niva (on sale in britain once again incidently) so may inspire a new eastern bloc invasion of cars , doubt it. (please note only joking) . Normal service resumed (please)
MR Shuttle
MR CABLE CAR
DAD INVISIBLE ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH (Would be nice diorama and a see through model)
Any more for this WISH list and maybe just maybe .............................. (returning to shelter)
Not as silly as it sounds, plenty of 'invisible' toy figures are produced using clear plastic, so why not?
So, the current list:
GF Merc bad guys pursuit car
LTK Kenworth
TND BMW R1200 bike
LTK Dodge Ram
TLD 59 Chevy Impala drophead
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Police car
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
LTK Lafrance Fire engine
CR Ford Mondeo
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls Royce
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
FRWL Dodge 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
DN 1959 Chevy Impala Convertible
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float
TWINE Lada Niva
MR Shuttle
MR Cable Car
DAD Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish
I'm heading back for cover too...........
Believe it or not, it wouldn't be impossible. The last year that Ford Falcons were made in Australia to US specs (except of course for the suspension) was 1964, and Trax Models made one of these. Granted, you'd have to saw down the back of the sedan body on a fairly rare model, but fortunately, Trax always sold their defective models as parts pieces/Code 3 fodder. You'd have to relocate the steering column (not as easy as it sounds to people who haven't tried it, but conversely, not as hard as it sounds for those who have done it; inverting the dashboard and re-positioning the steering wheel actually works on certain models!), shave off the back, and have access to a number of good photos, but I still contend it can be done. Granted, I've not seen it done with that particular model, but someone made a Chrysler Valiant AP6 Ute out of Trax Models' AP6 sedan that matched up very nicely with the real thing. It would be a project, and not an easy one, but there's always satisfaction from doing it yourself.
To be quite honest, you don't. Your one particular quote did, however, and I responded to said quote in what I believed was an appropriate manner. Mainly the expression of astonishment in an almost scolding manner at pretty much everyone else for not praising the dioramas more or focusing on them more. What I'm really trying to say is that if you're astonished about that and are applying it not only to me, but everyone else posting here, then you represent a minority in the collection. Sound more proportionate?
Technically untrue, but let's go with it for a minute. As James John Smythe has repeated wisely, "GE Fabbri is a profit-driven company." Profit-driven companies may not be perfect, but they generally don't staff their marketing departments with blithering idiots either (a crime we've all been guilty of basically accusing them of, myself included). They know things that we don't know. They follow the secondary market via eBay and sales at the Newsagents as we realistically can't. They known their own demographic better than we do and frankly, I'm willing to bet that more car-centrics have stayed on than Bond-centrics. If they have to make good-looking cars to keep the series afloat, that's exactly what they're going to do. Why do you think they tried sticking to Ixo whenever possible down the last stretch? Or likely sticking with Ixo should there be any kind of extension (remember, with Ixo coming in so late, it is possible, though unlikely, that they've still not fulfilled their contract)? This isn't personal...it's called the law of supply and demand. Where there is no demand, you have a turkey. Where there is demand, especially if it outstrips supply thus boosting the secondary market value and sales at the Newsagents, you have a success. Many of the people who buy at the Newsagents or off eBay (especially) are decidedly car-centric. If Fabbri sees what succeeds and what doesn't, then quite a bit is, while not completely impossible, so close to it that you might as well call certain proposed models impossible.
At least I responded maturely, if bitingly. Jeez, did it take you two days to think this up? Wow.
Uh-huh, yeah, sure...
You trash my part of the hobby and then backpedal in the next paragraph demanding to move on? Excuse me, but who are you trying to kid? If this is sarcasm, it's ineffective. If it's an insult, it's immature and I would expect better. If it's serious, it's flat-out pathetic. I really did expect a more mature post from you regarding a serious response, based on your past posts. Color me disappointed.
The comment was generalised and not directed at anyone in particular, just an observation on the entire thread from page one. It does not mean I was criticising you or anybody in particular, merely that generally, not a huge amount has been said overall since day one about the cinematic/diorama side. No scolding, just an observation. If you are correct in thinking that I'm in a minority, and I could be, and that most people here are only interested in the cars, not the Bond movie scenes or the dioramas, then that's totally fine, each to their own. What it does mean, however, is that Fabbri have clearly failed, spectacularly, in their attempt to give its customers something far better than plain cars in plain boxes. My astonishment is not with you or any other contributors here, it's with the prospect that such an almighty off-target marketing failure could be true.
But, having said that, I suspect from the subsequent posts in support of the cinematic / diorama aspect, this probably isn't the case. I now think with most of us being blokes the first natural port of call is discussing the cars a la Top Gear, and whilst the cinematic/ diorama side is obviously appreciated, it just gets overlooked in postings. A bit like anniversaries.
I am not trashing any part of the hobby, I am only expressing my right to post on this forum with my own opinion that you do frequently and at length. Sarcasm, Insult, serious???? None of the above it's humour and it got the reaction i expected. If the cap fits . Colour me satisfied !!
I will not be patronised on this forum or any other and yet again I have had dressing down by our resident bard. This is diecast cars for goodness sake not world politics .
Geez !:(
Fair point. Certain individuals seem to be taking both themselves and their opinions a bit too seriously of late ....
This is fair. You do have to admit, however, that the atmosphere on both sides of the debate was pretty charged, and even if you didn't mean it to come across that way, it did. Don't worry about it; I've done that before.
But I didn't say that and in fact do not even agree with that. My putting you into a minority is your view that a diorama can make up for a poorly-done model. This is why I'm saying you're in a minority...I mean, you admit to general (neutral and benign...mea culpa) astonishment as to how little attention the dioramas receive from day one...isn't that logically a sign that you're, at the very least, more concerned with the dioramas than a majority of people?
Okay, and PLEASE don't take this as an insult, because it's not and I'm geuinely curious, but how many partwork car collections have you either collected or followed from start to finish? I've done a few and you really have to believe me when I say that partworks can change. Sometimes radically, as was the case maz stated regarding the disastrous second half of the DeAgostini tank collection (which I admittedly did NOT follow, but do know of simply because so many people got angry with it) and sometimes we've even had partworks that were doing well cut off for no real logical reason (Altaya's French Cars series that was doing really well and then abruptly ended...to be fair, they replaced it with La Route Bleue, and some people have theorized they may have had a time limit to decide on LRB, but it's all speculation...I think they just couldn't wait to release LRB, personally, as we see some of the planned French Cars releases included later in the series.).
If you mean "not giving two whits about the dioramas," then you're absolutely right and I'm on your side. If you mean people suddently felt all the dioramas became more important to talk about, I would think it's from the question being asked "okay, who had a favorite diorama?" and we listed them and went into some detail...but you have to admit, not the detail we've generally discussed the cars in. But I have to shift to another ongoing debate right now...
Evidently, you completely forgot what you posted. Would you mind going back and reading it again? Thanks.
Then I'll give you some advice, since you obviously need it: when you criticize someone's idea, make it constructive as opposed to juvenile. The 180 degree turn isn't really helping you, either. 'Fess up and admit it. At least then I'd not have reason to continue bothering with you.
Whoops. Looks like you're trying to have your cake and eat it, too, as evidenced by the "free speech now for all!" trope (but, logically, wouldn't that include me continuing to express my opinions, too?) immediately followed by this, umm, bizarre add-on. If you posted that mess and expected the response I gave it, then why in blue blazes are you so emotional and angry? Shouldn't you be satisfied, if anything?
I go back to the whole (rather pivotal) bit about expecting the response you got. If you make all these complaints, then why the heck post the thing in the first place? You trash my hobby (sorry, the thinly-veiled "joke" isn't working) AND expect no resistence? That's ridiculous as well as poorly-thought-out. You're going to get a response from me. Don't like it because it's in pointed, stern language, albeit addressing you directly? Tough. You got yourself into it, so I suggest you try and get yourself out.
I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here. Look, if you go back and read from about Page 85, you'll see I'm a VERY hardcore 1/43 collector. A hardcore 1/43 collector will almost always have their own little section of the hobby they specialize in, regardless of if they dabble in a little bit of everything. When that little section gets attacked, since they're hardcore and serious collectors, they respond in a serious manner. I think that's pretty straight-forward.