Hilarious, I see the next instalment of johnny English is out very soon. Rowan Atkinson was on top gear showing off the bentley featuring in the new movie. I believe also the movie is yet to be finished also.
Hilarious, I see the next instalment of johnny English is out very soon. Rowan Atkinson was on top gear showing off the bentley featuring in the new movie. I believe also the movie is yet to be finished also.
I was tempted to suggest the last JBCC model could be a Vanquish being clamped or towed away - a reflection on contemporary life in the UK - but didn't want to push my luck too far!!!
In all seriousness, I thought your idea of the 'vanished Vanquish' was a cracking suggestion, especially as a finale
Ok worryingly I just called The James bond car collection to update my new card details. I asked about number of issues to go. Long pause and lots of clicking could be heard on computer. There are 110 issues sir. ( cue eastenders drums). Now I'm putting this down to an inexperienced member of staff who does not know the system because he did also add " I don't normally work on this magazine part work" but did briefly feel disappointed but all the posts ahead of this one can't be wrong. Even my conversation with gefabbri earlier suggested otherwise but in a cloak and dagger kind of way.
I’m glad it’s carrying on, & I guess it will begin to include the cars from Bond 23 near to its conclusion, (If there ever is one - conclusion that is) it would be daft not to. Let’s face it; the production should be starting very soon, so the cars, locations etc will soon be known.
I’ve just read on another forum, that there’s a good chance Bonds new car could be the Bentley Continental, but I thought Ford had the franchise for the 3 films including CR & QoS & the next. (Aston was owned by Ford at that point) so not sure how true that is.
Also, there is "supposedly" a motorbike chase along the Great Wall of China! Idea for a model & diorama me thinks.
I wait in anticipation.
I predict the collection will extend beyond 130 , there is enough models we have on our wish list already plus many I'm sure waiting in the wings. This will ensure bond 23 is included. I read again that lotus has been muted as bonds next car. This would be brilliant as maybe just maybe the iconic Aston is a bit tired. I think I mentioned BMW also have put a case forward again a nod to GE, TWINE, TND
I also think that we could go well beyond 130. Note that the letter says "We are delighted to announce that the collection will be extended so we can include the most demanded models" without mentioning "extended to 130 issues" ... And as long as Fabbri includes not-so-demanded models like another boring Lada :v the demand for other models will never stop.
Also note: "the laser-carrying Dodge M-43 ambulance" and not "Dodge M-43 ambulance with laser cannon" so my first thought was that we will see the (in the film laser-carrying) Dodge, modelled before opening and revealing the laser ... Well, maybe it's just me and I am getting cynical?
On Lotus: As soon as Lotus presented the new Esprit for 2012/13 on the Paris Auto Salon I said that this could/should be Bond's new car. With Bond 23 showing in late 2012 this would be ideally timed with the introduction of the car. Lotus even presented the Esprit in white ... I also think that the Aston should be replaced now. Since the DB7 there have been no significant styling changes - somehow Aston Martin reminds me of Audi where all cars look the same for the last 15 years.
I wouldn't like a BMW as the Bond car again, but wouldn't mind if they provided a 6-series convertible as the Bondgirl's car (although more likely that BMW would want to show some Minis for the girls), and the bad guys are driving X6's anyway in the real world.
I predict the collection will extend beyond 130 , there is enough models we have on our wish list already plus many I'm sure waiting in the wings. This will ensure bond 23 is included. I read again that lotus has been muted as bonds next car. This would be brilliant as maybe just maybe the iconic Aston is a bit tired. I think I mentioned BMW also have put a case forward again a nod to GE, TWINE, TND
I also think that we could go well beyond 130. Note that the letter says "We are delighted to announce that the collection will be extended so we can include the most demanded models" without mentioning "extended to 130 issues" ... And as long as Fabbri includes not-so-demanded models like another boring Lada :v the demand for other models will never stop.
Also note: "the laser-carrying Dodge M-43 ambulance" and not "Dodge M-43 ambulance with laser cannon" so my first thought was that we will see the (in the film laser-carrying) Dodge, modelled before opening and revealing the laser ... Well, maybe it's just me and I am getting cynical?
On Lotus: As soon as Lotus presented the new Esprit for 2012/13 on the Paris Auto Salon I said that this could/should be Bond's new car. With Bond 23 showing in late 2012 this would be ideally timed with the introduction of the car. Lotus even presented the Esprit in white ... I also think that the Aston should be replaced now. Since the DB7 there have been no significant styling changes - somehow Aston Martin reminds me of Audi where all cars look the same for the last 15 years.
I wouldn't like a BMW as the Bond car again, but wouldn't mind if they provided a 6-series convertible as the Bondgirl's car (although more likely that BMW would want to show some Minis for the girls), and the bad guys are driving X6's anyway in the real world.
I would be amazed if the ambulance appears kitted out with the laser. A: because the interior would have to be modelled/painted as well as the laser and B: I wasn't joking about the size of the box - with the laser in place, I would have thought the box would have to be the biggest yet.
DC's Bond seems to have a completely different attitude to his vehicles than previous Bonds - no gadgets, no petrol-head posing, just a means to an end. Going by this, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bond using a number of cars which could include both an Aston and a Lotus, OR alternatively, there could possibly be a chase involving the two, like the DAD Vanquish and XKR scenario.
I agree on the beemers. Great as a secondary vehicle, but there's too many idiots driving around in said cars who already think they're James Bond - and really don't need more encouragement!!
I think the main reason that UH's later models weren't as good as earlier was because they couddn't keep pace with the 2-week release time. [...] I think that UH was overrun by Fabbri. They started months before the start of the collection, from the assumption that there would be 40 issues, perhaps 50 if all went well. Then came 60, 70, 85 - and UH simply did not have the resources to crank out a car every two weeks. I don't know what happened then, if the relations between UH and Fabbri were really that strained ("burnt bridges") as we have read here. Maybe UH just said "Sorry guys, we can't manage this any longer, look for another manufacturer if you want the collection to continue."
Strange as this may sound, I think we're approaching the same problem/trying to get at the same thing merely by using different wording. UH could not keep pace, and I believe that has to do with financial reasons (i.e. they weren't set up to do what they did). Essentially, saying they lacked the resources is the same thing. I actually think we agree on this.
I think there is a difference. If cost per model is the problem, say you lose a cent with every model you produce because of rising labour costs, but could make 5 cents profit if you don't include figures then you will simply no longer include figures.
But if you are still making profit but can't keep up with planning, sculpting, mould-making in two weeks: You would have to hire additional people, highly skilled for pre-production or lots of workers for painting the figures and dioramas if the time problem lies here. So you have to calculate if the hassle and expenses would pay off enough or if it would be better to use the existing resources for other customers. I think that was the situation with UH.
But a boring car which you don't remember from the film, done without figures or diorama, is still boring whether it's a inferior UH Anglia or a better quality Ixo Consul.
But therein lies the problem: if you're forced to choose between a scenario where you're getting literally NOTHING that's of good quality (the Anglia) vs. a car of very good quality with no figures and a weak diorama, which do you choose? It's not only a question I'm asking IF Fabbri fails to convince Ixo to include figures, but I also imagine this is Ixo's defense vs. Fabbri's complaints. Think hard before choosing, because if Ixo CAN'T be convinced, then these are your only two choices. Is a "nothing" offering from UH like the Anglia really of the same quality when Ixo AT LEAST can include a competently-made car
No, there is a third choice: I could cancel the subscription and buy the cars that appeal to me. And the Consul, no matter how good it is, would not be one of them (as would the Anglia but I already have got this from the subscription). The Dodge ambulance with laser cannon is a memorable vehicle from one of the best films, so this is clearly a must-have, even on a standard gravel/pavement base. Without the laser, just as a Dodge ambulance, it would lose its appeal completely.
I just recieved (a day late, but eh) them this morning, now up to No. 89. Only thing bothering me now is that i already got the Acrostar, as I wanted to make sure that i'd get it. I am really astonished by the quality of the Cadillac, and putting it next to the Anglia ( still exactly the same, this is probably going to be code-3'd ) only makes it stand out more. Love it!
On the subject of the Anglia, I posted this pic back in March 2010 of one of Vanguards early offerings that appears to be far closer in colour to the movie car than the JBCC version. For the die-hard purists amongst us who'd like a closer likeness but don't want to have to respray their JB model, this one could no doubt be swapped for the 'Harry Potter' without too much difficulty!
The news comes from a fairly... "dubious" fanclub, so I wouldn't be worried
This "dubious" fanclub is right! And look what a reactions from all!
On one hand it is nice it continues, but I was also looking forward to be ended. So I have mixed feelings of the continuation.
Also note: "the laser-carrying Dodge M-43 ambulance" and not "Dodge M-43 ambulance with laser cannon" so my first thought was that we will see the (in the film laser-carrying) Dodge, modelled before opening and revealing the laser ... Well, maybe it's just me and I am getting cynical?
I don't think you can read into it either way. Remember, the ZIL-117 was described until the end as "with dead Obanno in the trunk". The Ford Country Squire specifically mentioned Bond in the back seat. Even had they stated "Dodge Ambulance with laser cannon", I don't think anything conclusive could be drawn from it. With that said, it is too big to fit in the case with the laser cannon out. However, think of this: we DO know that a Dodge Ambulance with that funky control panel on the side could easily fit into the case. If you get an external figure of Kish working the controls about to get the laser out...how would you react to that?
And as long as Fabbri includes not-so-demanded models like another boring Lada[...]
You don't have to beat a dead horse. We're no longer arguing; I've quit, the other side's quit, and we're trying to get back on track. There isn't a need for this unless the model comes out and actually proves deficient.
But you raise a point about "Not-so-demanded". To which I say: what about the Lada Niva from TWINE that multiple people were asking for a couple pages back? Or "one of those Russian Jeeps from GE" (UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512)? I don't think that would be fair to FACT (who long championed the Lada Niva...certainly before I came along), maz, or Jag as well who said he'd like to see several of the Soviet cars as opposed to me alone. Am I asking for these cars the most? Yes, I admit that. Am I the only person asking for them at all? No.
And on this, we agree. Bond drives a BRITISH car, and, having read the novels, I can say that Ian Fleming would NOT have wanted Bond in a German car (I imagine it was tough for Fleming to even have him using a German gun). Lotus or Bentley (i.e. the new Bentley) would look nice if looking for a replacement for the Aston Martin. Personally, I would go with Lotus if no Aston Martin can be found. It was in Roger Moore's best two films (just my opinion) and was quite fun.
On the subject of the Anglia, I posted this pic back in March 2010 of one of Vanguards early offerings that appears to be far closer in colour to the movie car than the JBCC version. For the die-hard purists amongst us who'd like a closer likeness but don't want to have to respray their JB model, this one could no doubt be swapped for the 'Harry Potter' without too much difficulty!
Nice model! I'm also on the Vanguards bandwagon (anyone else absolutely love the sadly-now-discontinued "Hidden Treasures" series for creativity? They sort of revived it with the Ford Transit Mk. I, but if you compare that to the HT-proper release of the later Ford Transit, I think the latter wins out...) and believe they're a very good value for the money, though here's a technical question: I've never particularly liked the sequin headlights on their older cars (their newer cars are next to flawless). I've replaced some of them with more conventional plastic lenses and gotten cars which I think look really nice. But is there any manufacturer (small, large, could even be an unrelated manufacturer whose headlights happen to fit) who makes more conventional headlights with Corgi/Lledo Vanguards in mind? Thanks a bunch!
@D110, re. the production batches of models, what springs to mind is the term "reproduction" as used by Minichamps to describe the production of a second or third batch of a model previously released. I reckon with the expansion of the collection into new markets GEF has at times found themselves low on stock of certain models and had to place a reproduction order with UH for replenishments. The Ranchero I got was date-stamped 2010 on the packaging but that model's initial production run would have had to have been in 2009 as it was released in the UK in November 2009. Despite whatever is currently going between GEF and UH, I would imagine that the contract they signed obliges UH to do reproductions whenever GEF needs them.
Thanks again, FACT! I did know UH was contractually obligated to replace damaged or defective models, even after the bad blood between them and Fabbri. I now agree that clause extended beyond damaged/defective models to countries where the JBCC is either behind or needs to replenish its stocks of extras. I also suppose this is why they were able to get #110 produced by UH; i.e. "you still have the moulds for a good car, so why not make an alteration?"
Minichamps made a Stone Golf a while back, which shows there is a market for the more unusual pieces.
The final point is that of course we would like them all to be accurate and well finished.
I agree with this, but the Vanish is sort of a special case. It's an easy model to either make or break...for example, while the 1/64 model shown was certainly close, it wasn't QUITE transparent enough and still had the axles. I think the suggestions of it being a single piece of sculpted, hollow plastic are the best way to go, if for no other reason than things like the aforementioned clear Beetle were neither cheap to make or cheap to sell. I also think this one would make an excellent gift, since affixing it to a base would present a bit of a problem (the screw hole). It almost seems as if it could be done exceedingly well or exceedingly poorly with very little inbetween.
I was tempted to suggest the last JBCC model could be a Vanquish being clamped or towed away - a reflection on contemporary life in the UK - but didn't want to push my luck too far!!!
Not bad! I laughed out loud on this one, and that's not easy for me to do with 'net humor. ) ) )
So if 130 is the conclusion it's gotta be a good one.
As I said, I can't imagine a theatrical trailer not being out by August. If they show Bond's car alone in perfect condition as the only car from Bond 23 (bearing in mind, of course, that they unfortunately can't use Daniel Craig figures)...how would that seem (i.e. just speeding down a road)?
Some good discussion here. Obviously no series will make everyone happy but I hope that Fabbri are getting a good feel from this site - what a gift to marketing staff!
Atlas military series being done in France is 1/43 and the cases are BIG. Laser Ambulance would be fabulous but would need a bigger box BUT if IXO already have them for Atlas series then maybe...
Personally I am fine with Eastern Bloc vehicles as long as they are genuinely Bond Versions and there are not so many of them that they squeeze too many of the other suggestions out. Like I said before if IXO already have the mould for the model then maybe the effort that saves could go into a diorama.
Going back a bit it was interesting to hear two weekly model release being "confirmed". When I spoke to Database warehouse they expected to stay on one a month. But given that they had heard nothing about what was to come it may simply be that Fabbri have failed to brief their fulfilment agents....
On the subject of the Anglia, I posted this pic back in March 2010 of one of Vanguards early offerings that appears to be far closer in colour to the movie car than the JBCC version. For the die-hard purists amongst us who'd like a closer likeness but don't want to have to respray their JB model, this one could no doubt be swapped for the 'Harry Potter' without too much difficulty!
Nice model! I'm also on the Vanguards bandwagon (anyone else absolutely love the sadly-now-discontinued "Hidden Treasures" series for creativity? They sort of revived it with the Ford Transit Mk. I, but if you compare that to the HT-proper release of the later Ford Transit, I think the latter wins out...) and believe they're a very good value for the money, though here's a technical question: I've never particularly liked the sequin headlights on their older cars (their newer cars are next to flawless). I've replaced some of them with more conventional plastic lenses and gotten cars which I think look really nice. But is there any manufacturer (small, large, could even be an unrelated manufacturer whose headlights happen to fit) who makes more conventional headlights with Corgi/Lledo Vanguards in mind? Thanks a bunch!
Here's a better shot of the Vanguards Anglia:
This one's available on eBay's UK site right now and appears to have silvered headlamps (can post the link if you want it).
On the spare parts topic, we have a company in the UK that supplies repro parts for a wide variety of die-cast:
If you haven't heard of them it might be worth your while taking a look at their lists or sending them an enquiry, they could have a stack of stuff of interest to you
Atlas military series being done in France is 1/43 and the cases are BIG. Laser Ambulance would be fabulous but would need a bigger box BUT if IXO already have them for Atlas series then maybe...
Alternately, they also make very large plinths (and possibly cases...you'll see what I mean in a minute) designed for 1/43 scale models for the Atlas DDR Trucks series. Thus far, the plinths themselves have latches where perspex cases were meant to be snapped on, but we've yet to actually see Perspex cases themselves and the models arrive in carboard boxes protected by vacu-formed plastic on the inside. They could use one of these plinths as the basis for a large diorama, at the very least. That's the only way I see a laser actually protruding from the truck. But then, we've not seen any actual cases, either, so that may have been scratched for whatever reason.
Personally I am fine with Eastern Bloc vehicles as long as they are genuinely Bond Versions and there are not so many of them that they squeeze too many of the other suggestions out.
I agree completely, though do hope we see the UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 with Russian soldiers firing AK-74's at the driver's hatch on Bond's tank. As for being correct, the existing mould for the VAZ-2106 is the correct variant. The Lada Niva would also presumably be correct; I'm sure they can whip up new side mirrors in no time. If I see these three and no others, I'll be perfectly happy. I also agree it gives Ixo more time to develop figures and/or a diorama.
Going back a bit it was interesting to hear two weekly model release being "confirmed". When I spoke to Database warehouse they expected to stay on one a month. But given that they had heard nothing about what was to come it may simply be that Fabbri have failed to brief their fulfilment agents....
I'm wondering if it was changed at some point. My contact doesn't work on the JBCC, though does work for Fabbri and he was rather adamant about it staying one car per month.
If you haven't heard of them it might be worth your while taking a look at their lists or sending them an enquiry, they could have a stack of stuff of interest to you
Thanks very much! I've not heard of them! They do indeed have a stack of stuff that looks interesting, and it's the type of site that seems like it just has so much stuff you need a few days to browse there to see what you want! B-) -{
Some suggested that rising production costs may have had something to do with increasingly bland dioramas and lack of figures. I do not think that this is the case. The collection is being sold in many countries, and currency exchange rates vary. In Australia, for instance, the models are sold for $19.99. 4 years ago this was equivalent to about GBP8. Now this is more like GBP12, due the rise of the Aussie dollar and fall of the pound. So if we think in terms of GBP, Australian subscribers are now paying about 50% more! This should more than cover any rising production costs. In addition, there is no doubt that Fabbri is doing this for profit. If they were not making profit, they would wind down the series at the earliest opportunity instead of arranging another extension. I think the only way of getting what we want (and what we had been promised) is by constantly reminding the publishers that we were promised outstanding dioramas and figures, and that they are able of delivering them. Bissett in Australia has note yet announced the latest extension. If they do, this is exactly what I will be asking for before commiting to further subscription.
Having been inspired by the announcement of the GF M-43 Dodge (weapons carrier) ambulance, I'm going to stick my neck out here and plead the case for a GF Willys 1940's WW2 Jeep.
I'll admit to a personal agenda here, one of my other collecting interests is genuine WW2 and Vietnam era US militaria (the link still being movies; Private Ryan, Platoon etc) and I'd love to see this model in the JBCC. For such an iconic vehicle, I found the Willys Jeep to be surprisingly under-modelled until recent years, so I think there's still room for it in this collection, especially when IXO already make one. I know Cararama do a very good inexpensive range that could be used for a 'do it yourself' job if all else fails, but I'm one of those collectors who prefers to buy the article already manufactured if possible!
Therefore I'm adding it to the current wish list as a personal choice:
DN 1961 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Sedan (This was Felix's Chase Car)
FRWL Chevy 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
GF Merc 180 bad guys pursuit car
GF Merc 220S Odd Job car
GF WW2 Willys Jeep
TB 1964 Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson stretch limo
TB 1965 Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible (top up)*
TB Fiona Volpe's BSA motorcycle
TB Bomb Sled with Tow Sled outriders
YOLT 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Sedan
OHMSS 1968 Ford Escort Mk. I Rallye
OHMSS Draco's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible
DAF Ford LVPD police car (blue/white)
DAF 1971 Ford Thunderbird
DAF Honda tricycle from Moonbuggy chase
DAF Bathosub
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Sheriff Pepper's car
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
TMWTGG 1974 AMC Matador Sedan "Thai Police Car"
MR Shuttle
MR Cable Car
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
OP 1977 (i.e. second generation) Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan
AVTAK American LaFrance Fire engine
AVTAK 1984 Jeep Cherokee
TLD Audi 200 Avant (but please a real 200 and no Audi V8 clone)
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float
TLD 59 Chevy Impala Convertible/ Street Rod
LTK Kenworth
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
LTK Dodge Ram Pickup
LTK Utilimaster Aeromaster Van
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI
TND BMW R1200C bike
TWINE Lada Niva
DAD Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish
DAD Rocket sled
CR Ford Mondeo
CR 2005 Škoda Octavia Police
Again, anybody who wants to add to this list is welcome to copy, paste and post
I'm glad we're getting more models. The only downside is that I've also subscribed to the JBDB5 magazine, so I'll be having both subscriptions running simultaneously till the very end. That's not good for my wallet.
I imagine that Fabbri are commited to USD $ payments to China this seems to be the general practice as far as I can make out. So currency fluctuations will have gone against them there even if some markets like Australia have gone in their favour. Of course we just dont know how many models they sell in each market so have no idea whether they are winners/losers overall - and of course any currency advantage may get added to Fabbri's profit margin rather than be spent on buying the models themselves.
However I think the main point is that the big rise in costs is in China and I would bet that IXO unit costs to Fabbri are higher than UH's were especially since they will have been negotiated in 2011 and not way back at part 40ish. I agree that Fabbri must still be making a respectable profit or the range would have been terminated. But the main thing that determines what IXO can produce is chinese costs and how much Fabbri is prepared to pay per produced model run. The French Route Bleu partwork which is the only other with a diorama in that I am aware of has always been much dearer on the newstand than the Bond Collection which shows to me that Fabbri and IXO are probably working to relatively tight margins at current price in UK.
I can heartily recommend the model supplies business mentioned above. Steve Flowers is well established and I have been happy with my purchases. In US I understand there is as source of nice stick on lights i.e. sticky backing with clear plastic lens over silver reflective backing. BTS Mouldings in the UK also used to be a good source of supplies and K&R replicas also sell quite a few of their parts such as wheels etc direct and on EBay.
The Vanguards Anglia is a nice model and in one version it's colour is correct unlike the UH one. I think that later production will have standard lenses even if earlier models used "gems". But havent gone to check mine.
Still waiting for my Econoline and for the first decent views of the Impala
I'm glad we're getting more models. The only downside is that I've also subscribed to the JBDB5 magazine, so I'll be having both subscriptions running simultaneously till the very end. That's not good for my wallet.
Unfortunately I have an ominous feeling we're all going to have our wallets plundered for some time yet to come. I can't imagine that once the two JB partworks are over, there won't be something else waiting in the wings to tempt us.
My money's on an extensive James Bond figure series, similar to the Corgi Icon range a few years back. Maybe with 'Mini Me' as a free gift
Problem with figures is the lack of Daniel Craig ones in JBCC must be due to the fact that his contract with Bond Producers keeps such rights to himself so negotating rights to these may need him to be paid as well? May all be too expensive with greedy licencing companies involved working on a %.
Dioramas would make this very attractive to many fans I suspect but without I suspect it would only run to about 40 parts especially without DC. If you had nice dioramas you would be happy to have same Bond in many poses and outfits without they would have less appeal. The less popular Corgi Bond figures were being sold at a heavy discount last year so their sales can't have been too strong.
Maybe that is an idea for a special for JBCC to end it with the undersea sledges from Thunderball to encourage you to sign up for the James Bond Figure Collection which will supply the divers to go with it as a special introductory offer for JBCC subscribers.........
Problem with figures is the lack of Daniel Craig ones in JBCC must be due to the fact that his contract with Bond Producers keeps such rights to himself so negotating rights to these may need him to be paid as well? May all be too expensive with greedy licencing companies involved working on a %.
Dioramas would make this very attractive to many fans I suspect but without I suspect it would only run to about 40 parts especially without DC. If you had nice dioramas you would be happy to have same Bond in many poses and outfits without they would have less appeal. The less popular Corgi Bond figures were being sold at a heavy discount last year so their sales can't have been too strong.
Maybe that is an idea for a special for JBCC to end it with the undersea sledges from Thunderball to encourage you to sign up for the James Bond Figure Collection which will supply the divers to go with it as a special introductory offer for JBCC subscribers.........
The Corgi Icon range were certainly bland - upright and static, almost like shop front clothes dummies. If a figure range were to be realised, It'd be great to see more dynamic poses - The classic Ursula Andress 'walking out of the sea' scene for instance. I don't know if anyone here is familiar with old Aurora model kits, they did their best to bring figures to life many moons ago, such as the 'Men From UNCLE' and even Bond:
This sort of approach to figure sculpting would be great to see. And in the same way the car series dioramas can be paired up, the same thing could be done with figures: Bond and Oddjob at Fort Knox, Jinx and Agent Frost on the plane and so on
Having been inspired by the announcement of the GF M-43 Dodge (weapons carrier) ambulance, I'm going to stick my neck out here and plead the case for a GF Willys 1940's WW2 Jeep.
Great idea, especially if Ixo includes figures! There's only one downside to the diorama: in the film, it got the most screen time on that dirt road by Ixo that everyone (including myself) by now really dislikes. However, if it comes with figures, I would imagine you could negate some of this, plus you could save Ixo development time (they've done Jeeps not only for Atlas Military, but one WWII surplus Jeep inexplicably appears in La Route Bleue! That was actually the first LRB diorama I got because I love the idea of military surplus vehicles!). I think it would be a nice edition and Ixo, as usual, could re-use the mould.
If they were not making profit, they would wind down the series at the earliest opportunity instead of arranging another extension. [...]Bissett in Australia has note yet announced the latest extension.
I completely agree with your first statement. To keep a series afloat that was losing money makes little sense. As for your second...perhaps Bissett has decided "enough of this"? Just a guess, or alternately they could be filled in later.
I can heartily recommend the model supplies business mentioned above. Steve Flowers is well established and I have been happy with my purchases. In US I understand there is as source of nice stick on lights i.e. sticky backing with clear plastic lens over silver reflective backing. BTS Mouldings in the UK also used to be a good source of supplies and K&R replicas also sell quite a few of their parts such as wheels etc direct and on EBay.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely be getting some stuff from him then! Also good to know about the White Metal guys selling headlights on eBay. I'll be sure to look for them.
However I think the main point is that the big rise in costs is in China and I would bet that IXO unit costs to Fabbri are higher than UH's were especially since they will have been negotiated in 2011 and not way back at part 40ish. I agree that Fabbri must still be making a respectable profit or the range would have been terminated. But the main thing that determines what IXO can produce is chinese costs and how much Fabbri is prepared to pay per produced model run.
This makes sense. Fabbri would logically be paying Ixo more for each model simply because they're Ixo. This is why I specifically mentioned I believe that Fabbri will win regarding putting figures back and getting decent poses, but the actual plastic dioramas themselves, while almost by default will probably improve, won't be TOO terribly much better.
I also see a lot of mould recycling. How much? I don't know, but in theory, Ixo is capable of A LOT. This is ONLY theoretical, AND DOES NOT REPRESENT MY OWN OPINION before anyone suggests it does, but how many models can Ixo re-use or partially re-use moulds to make (note that a partial re-use of a mould speeds up production time)? I'll go from movie to movie, with asterisks indicating partial moulds...
DN Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II Jamaican Taxi (Made by Ixo for LRB)
GF Mercedes-Benz 180D "Chase Car"
GF Mercedes-Benz 220S "Oddjob's Car"
GF Willys Jeep
GF Dodge M43 Ambulance* (Fore of the A-pillar, axles, wheels)
TB Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson Limousine* (Modifications would have to be made to the grille, front of the car, and elimination of the antenna aerial)
LALD Chevrolet Bel Air Louisiana State Police* (Would need to be stretched from the Impala Custom Coupe)
OP Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan* (Although literally all they need to do is rebadge it)
TLD GAZ-3102 Volga (General Leonid Pushkin's car in Bratislava; it actually gets a fair amount of screen time. By literally changing the license plates, they could take the USSR AvtoLegende variant and make it into the same car. Even the color and trim would be the same.)
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI
TWINE Lada Niva
CR 2005 Škoda Octavia Police (Although Abrex, which strives to make practically every Škoda product in existence, is not Ixo, they do more mould-sharing with Ixo than anyone else I can think of and has borrowed their moulds for partworks before.)
That's THIRTEEN CARS, two of which have been confirmed (the Dodge M-43 Ambulance and VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI), plus we also know there's going to be a FYEO Mercedes-Benz 450SEL Sedan. The worst-case scenario is that we only see seven completely original moulds, although I doubt Ixo uses THAT many re-used moulds. More realistically, I could see something along the lines of this (IN TERMS OF MOULD RE-USE ONLY)...
DN Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II Jamaican Taxi (We saw a couple of these in DN, including one Bond rides in. It had a striking livery, looked awesome, and even if all we see is Bond and the taxi driver sitting inside it, I think the uniqueness of the paint scheme and model would grab people. Call me car-centric, but this really is, I think, one of the few cases where you don't really need that much action to "grab" someone. Besides, Ixo's never released it outside LRB! Check it out here... http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_18685-Austin-A55-Cambridge-ADO9A-1959.html )
GF Mercedes-Benz 180D "Chase Car" (With so many people lobbying for this car, I'd be surprised if it WASN'T in the collection. Alternately, they could make Oddjob's 220S by shortening their "Adenauer" limousine. The one innaccuracy, if they include figures, is liable to be only having one gunman firing out the passenger side instead of two gunmen [one behind the driver] because of how the mould is physically constructed/knocking out one of the windows would make it a bit difficult. If the 220S, then you're more likely to see a nice diorama with a bunch of guys standing around an empty car.)
GF Willys Jeep (It's been asked for quite a bit, plus Ixo gets to re-use the Unpaved Road of Boredom, so...)
GF Dodge M43 Ambulance (Well, it's been confirmed...I wonder how they work the diorama, though...)
TB Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson Limousine (It's been asked for a lot, plus you have the potential to see a unique diorama if they have Jacques Bouvar in drag...)
LALD Chevrolet Bel Air Louisiana State Police (Yes, the one with a powerboat crashed through it would be nice, but how do you fit it into a case? Since 1/43 is PROBABLY what they're going to do, I imagine this car...which has been repeatedly asked for...comes in instead. A great diorama would be having the two state troopers rolling their eyes with Sheriff Pepper shouting out the back window at the Mack AB Oyster Truck's driver, who could presumably be seen on the paper...).
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4 (Regardless of what you think of this vehicle, I think it could be a great diorama: having two Russian soldiers firing at the driver's compartment of Bond's tank with AK-74 assault rifles would be pretty awesome with the top down...or even one on the passenger side with the top UP...)
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI (Confirmed...I wonder how they'd work the diorama since these cars were basically darting all over the place?)
TWINE Lada Niva (My prediction: Davidov about to open the trunk with Bond hiding in it or Bond driving it to the airfield with dead Davidov in the [see-through] trunk. Will probably re-use Ixo's "paved road" diorama, but I don't have a problem with this if Bond is driving since that's exactly where he was.)
That's nine re-used or partially re-used moulds, or about half the collection. It's still a minority and definitely allows Ixo more time to release other, completely new cars (eleven in all) as well as focus on figures and hopefully dioramas. We already know that one new car...Locque's Mercedes-Benz 450SEL (which fits in with Ixo's introducing progressively more modern M-B moulds)...will be released. So could this be 10 of 20? Maybe, maybe not, although I'd not be completely shocked if it were. But of course, that still allows ten completely original moulds we don't know about, too.
Minor action vehicle or used in only a short scene.
I rest my case
They're not always right. In fact, someone gave another two stars to different but identically colored vehicle at the bottom of the post (i.e. the same with the exception of the number plates). And they actually give the Mercedes-Benz 180D in GF ZERO stars, despite the fact that it appeared for far longer than Oddjob's 220S (which gets three stars). And in fact, let's have a look at everyone's wishlist as rated by IMCDB (note that I'm only rating those that CAN be rated)...
DN 1959 Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II Taxi--Two stars
DN 1961 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Sedan (This was Felix's Chase Car)--Two stars, same as the Cambridge. Despite the fact it was involved in a car chase.
FRWL Chevy 1-Ton Stakebed Truck--Three stars (Vehicle used by a character or in a car chase)
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith--Three stars
GF Merc 180 bad guys pursuit car--No stars. It was literally missed by IMCDB.
GF Merc 220S Odd Job car--Three stars
GF WW2 Willys Jeep--Two stars (Bizarrely, the Dodge M-43 Ambulance is also only given two!)
TB 1964 Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson stretch limo--Two stars.
TB 1965 Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible (top up)--Two stars.
TB Fiona Volpe's BSA motorcycle--Two stars
TB Bomb Sled with Tow Sled outriders--Unrated
YOLT 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Sedan--Two stars
OHMSS 1968 Ford Escort Mk. I Rallye--Two stars
OHMSS Draco's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible--Three stars
DAF Ford LVPD police car (blue/white)--Three stars
DAF 1971 Ford Thunderbird--Two stars
DAF Honda tricycle from Moonbuggy chase--Three stars
DAF Bathosub--Unrated
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck--Three stars
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Sheriff Pepper's car--Two stars
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police--Three stars
TMWTGG 1974 AMC Matador Sedan "Thai Police Car"--Three stars
MR Shuttle--Unrated
MR Cable Car--Unrated
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL--Three Stars
OP 1977 (i.e. second generation) Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan--Three stars
AVTAK American LaFrance Fire engine--Three stars
AVTAK 1984 Jeep Cherokee--Two stars
TLD Audi 200 Avant (but please a real 200 and no Audi V8 clone)--Two stars
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float--Two stars (the unmentioned Lada 1600, which I figured was redundant the second I found out we're getting the same car in St. Petersburg Militsia paint, gets three!)
TLD 59 Chevy Impala Convertible/ Street Rod--Two stars
LTK Kenworth--Four stars (Vehicle used a lot by a main character or for a long time)
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)--Three stars
LTK Dodge Ram Pickup--Three stars
LTK Utilimaster Aeromaster Van--Three stars
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4--Three stars
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI--Three stars
TND BMW R1200C bike--Three stars
TWINE Lada Niva--Two stars
DAD Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish--Four Stars
DAD Rocket sled--Unrated
CR Ford Mondeo--Two stars
CR 2005 Škoda Octavia Police--Two stars
You can't go by IMCDB's rankings. If you did, you'd get the following in order of being deserving...
1. Kenworth Truck Cab (Fine by me)
2. Aston Martin Vanquish "Vanish"
3. Chevy 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
4. Kerim Bey's Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
5. Mercedes-Benz 220S "Oddjob Car"
6. Draco's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible
7. Ford LVPD police car (blue/white)--Three stars
8. Honda tricycle from Moonbuggy chase--Three stars
9. AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
10. 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
11. 1974 AMC Matador Sedan "Thai Police Car"
12. FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
13. 1977 (i.e. second generation) Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan
14. American LaFrance Fire engine
15. Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
16. Dodge Ram Pickup
17. Utilimaster Aeromaster Van
18. UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
19. VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI
20. TND BMW R1200C bike
I have a feeling a lot of cars were underrated (the Dodge M43 Ambulance and Wales & Edwards Rangemaster...both criminally!) and overrated (Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan and AMC Matador Thai Police Car) based on the whims of the users of something very much like wikipedia in that anyone can edit it...
Comments
I was tempted to suggest the last JBCC model could be a Vanquish being clamped or towed away - a reflection on contemporary life in the UK - but didn't want to push my luck too far!!!
In all seriousness, I thought your idea of the 'vanished Vanquish' was a cracking suggestion, especially as a finale
Ok worryingly I just called The James bond car collection to update my new card details. I asked about number of issues to go. Long pause and lots of clicking could be heard on computer. There are 110 issues sir. ( cue eastenders drums). Now I'm putting this down to an inexperienced member of staff who does not know the system because he did also add " I don't normally work on this magazine part work" but did briefly feel disappointed but all the posts ahead of this one can't be wrong. Even my conversation with gefabbri earlier suggested otherwise but in a cloak and dagger kind of way.
I’ve just read on another forum, that there’s a good chance Bonds new car could be the Bentley Continental, but I thought Ford had the franchise for the 3 films including CR & QoS & the next. (Aston was owned by Ford at that point) so not sure how true that is.
Also, there is "supposedly" a motorbike chase along the Great Wall of China! Idea for a model & diorama me thinks.
I wait in anticipation.
Also note: "the laser-carrying Dodge M-43 ambulance" and not "Dodge M-43 ambulance with laser cannon" so my first thought was that we will see the (in the film laser-carrying) Dodge, modelled before opening and revealing the laser ... Well, maybe it's just me and I am getting cynical?
On Lotus: As soon as Lotus presented the new Esprit for 2012/13 on the Paris Auto Salon I said that this could/should be Bond's new car. With Bond 23 showing in late 2012 this would be ideally timed with the introduction of the car. Lotus even presented the Esprit in white ... I also think that the Aston should be replaced now. Since the DB7 there have been no significant styling changes - somehow Aston Martin reminds me of Audi where all cars look the same for the last 15 years.
I wouldn't like a BMW as the Bond car again, but wouldn't mind if they provided a 6-series convertible as the Bondgirl's car (although more likely that BMW would want to show some Minis for the girls), and the bad guys are driving X6's anyway in the real world.
I would be amazed if the ambulance appears kitted out with the laser. A: because the interior would have to be modelled/painted as well as the laser and B: I wasn't joking about the size of the box - with the laser in place, I would have thought the box would have to be the biggest yet.
DC's Bond seems to have a completely different attitude to his vehicles than previous Bonds - no gadgets, no petrol-head posing, just a means to an end. Going by this, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bond using a number of cars which could include both an Aston and a Lotus, OR alternatively, there could possibly be a chase involving the two, like the DAD Vanquish and XKR scenario.
I agree on the beemers. Great as a secondary vehicle, but there's too many idiots driving around in said cars who already think they're James Bond - and really don't need more encouragement!!
But if you are still making profit but can't keep up with planning, sculpting, mould-making in two weeks: You would have to hire additional people, highly skilled for pre-production or lots of workers for painting the figures and dioramas if the time problem lies here. So you have to calculate if the hassle and expenses would pay off enough or if it would be better to use the existing resources for other customers. I think that was the situation with UH.
No, there is a third choice: I could cancel the subscription and buy the cars that appeal to me. And the Consul, no matter how good it is, would not be one of them (as would the Anglia but I already have got this from the subscription). The Dodge ambulance with laser cannon is a memorable vehicle from one of the best films, so this is clearly a must-have, even on a standard gravel/pavement base. Without the laser, just as a Dodge ambulance, it would lose its appeal completely.
I have just recieved the Ford anglia and Cadillac Hearse, and, guess what:
The Anglia is printed "Dr. No.
So, I guess you across the pond got a free "lemon", as all the other country's will receive it with the proper movie title on it...
No, not all the other countries. In Australia we received the wrong plinth as well, and we are still waiting for a replacement.
Ah, but unless your replacement Anglia is now in the correct shade of green, it's still a lemon!
What number are you guys up to now?
This "dubious" fanclub is right! And look what a reactions from all!
On one hand it is nice it continues, but I was also looking forward to be ended. So I have mixed feelings of the continuation.
I don't think you can read into it either way. Remember, the ZIL-117 was described until the end as "with dead Obanno in the trunk". The Ford Country Squire specifically mentioned Bond in the back seat. Even had they stated "Dodge Ambulance with laser cannon", I don't think anything conclusive could be drawn from it. With that said, it is too big to fit in the case with the laser cannon out. However, think of this: we DO know that a Dodge Ambulance with that funky control panel on the side could easily fit into the case. If you get an external figure of Kish working the controls about to get the laser out...how would you react to that?
You don't have to beat a dead horse. We're no longer arguing; I've quit, the other side's quit, and we're trying to get back on track. There isn't a need for this unless the model comes out and actually proves deficient.
But you raise a point about "Not-so-demanded". To which I say: what about the Lada Niva from TWINE that multiple people were asking for a couple pages back? Or "one of those Russian Jeeps from GE" (UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512)? I don't think that would be fair to FACT (who long championed the Lada Niva...certainly before I came along), maz, or Jag as well who said he'd like to see several of the Soviet cars as opposed to me alone. Am I asking for these cars the most? Yes, I admit that. Am I the only person asking for them at all? No.
And on this, we agree.
Nice model! I'm also on the Vanguards bandwagon (anyone else absolutely love the sadly-now-discontinued "Hidden Treasures" series for creativity? They sort of revived it with the Ford Transit Mk. I, but if you compare that to the HT-proper release of the later Ford Transit, I think the latter wins out...) and believe they're a very good value for the money, though here's a technical question: I've never particularly liked the sequin headlights on their older cars (their newer cars are next to flawless). I've replaced some of them with more conventional plastic lenses and gotten cars which I think look really nice. But is there any manufacturer (small, large, could even be an unrelated manufacturer whose headlights happen to fit) who makes more conventional headlights with Corgi/Lledo Vanguards in mind? Thanks a bunch!
Thanks again, FACT! I did know UH was contractually obligated to replace damaged or defective models, even after the bad blood between them and Fabbri. I now agree that clause extended beyond damaged/defective models to countries where the JBCC is either behind or needs to replenish its stocks of extras. I also suppose this is why they were able to get #110 produced by UH; i.e. "you still have the moulds for a good car, so why not make an alteration?"
I agree with this, but the Vanish is sort of a special case. It's an easy model to either make or break...for example, while the 1/64 model shown was certainly close, it wasn't QUITE transparent enough and still had the axles. I think the suggestions of it being a single piece of sculpted, hollow plastic are the best way to go, if for no other reason than things like the aforementioned clear Beetle were neither cheap to make or cheap to sell. I also think this one would make an excellent gift, since affixing it to a base would present a bit of a problem (the screw hole). It almost seems as if it could be done exceedingly well or exceedingly poorly with very little inbetween.
Don't worry, you're not alone...
Not bad! I laughed out loud on this one, and that's not easy for me to do with 'net humor.
I'm starting to wonder myself...
As I said, I can't imagine a theatrical trailer not being out by August. If they show Bond's car alone in perfect condition as the only car from Bond 23 (bearing in mind, of course, that they unfortunately can't use Daniel Craig figures)...how would that seem (i.e. just speeding down a road)?
As long as it's not a gravel road
Touche!
Atlas military series being done in France is 1/43 and the cases are BIG. Laser Ambulance would be fabulous but would need a bigger box BUT if IXO already have them for Atlas series then maybe...
Personally I am fine with Eastern Bloc vehicles as long as they are genuinely Bond Versions and there are not so many of them that they squeeze too many of the other suggestions out. Like I said before if IXO already have the mould for the model then maybe the effort that saves could go into a diorama.
Going back a bit it was interesting to hear two weekly model release being "confirmed". When I spoke to Database warehouse they expected to stay on one a month. But given that they had heard nothing about what was to come it may simply be that Fabbri have failed to brief their fulfilment agents....
Here's a better shot of the Vanguards Anglia:
This one's available on eBay's UK site right now and appears to have silvered headlamps (can post the link if you want it).
On the spare parts topic, we have a company in the UK that supplies repro parts for a wide variety of die-cast:
http://www.model-supplies.co.uk/
If you haven't heard of them it might be worth your while taking a look at their lists or sending them an enquiry, they could have a stack of stuff of interest to you
Alternately, they also make very large plinths (and possibly cases...you'll see what I mean in a minute) designed for 1/43 scale models for the Atlas DDR Trucks series. Thus far, the plinths themselves have latches where perspex cases were meant to be snapped on, but we've yet to actually see Perspex cases themselves and the models arrive in carboard boxes protected by vacu-formed plastic on the inside. They could use one of these plinths as the basis for a large diorama, at the very least. That's the only way I see a laser actually protruding from the truck. But then, we've not seen any actual cases, either, so that may have been scratched for whatever reason.
I agree completely, though do hope we see the UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 with Russian soldiers firing AK-74's at the driver's hatch on Bond's tank. As for being correct, the existing mould for the VAZ-2106 is the correct variant. The Lada Niva would also presumably be correct; I'm sure they can whip up new side mirrors in no time. If I see these three and no others, I'll be perfectly happy. I also agree it gives Ixo more time to develop figures and/or a diorama.
I'm wondering if it was changed at some point. My contact doesn't work on the JBCC, though does work for Fabbri and he was rather adamant about it staying one car per month.
No worries, I can find it. Besides, I don't want to be out-bid or "out-Buy-It-Now'd".
Thanks very much! I've not heard of them! They do indeed have a stack of stuff that looks interesting, and it's the type of site that seems like it just has so much stuff you need a few days to browse there to see what you want!
I'll admit to a personal agenda here, one of my other collecting interests is genuine WW2 and Vietnam era US militaria (the link still being movies; Private Ryan, Platoon etc) and I'd love to see this model in the JBCC. For such an iconic vehicle, I found the Willys Jeep to be surprisingly under-modelled until recent years, so I think there's still room for it in this collection, especially when IXO already make one. I know Cararama do a very good inexpensive range that could be used for a 'do it yourself' job if all else fails, but I'm one of those collectors who prefers to buy the article already manufactured if possible!
Therefore I'm adding it to the current wish list as a personal choice:
DN 1961 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Sedan (This was Felix's Chase Car)
FRWL Chevy 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
GF Merc 180 bad guys pursuit car
GF Merc 220S Odd Job car
GF WW2 Willys Jeep
TB 1964 Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson stretch limo
TB 1965 Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible (top up)*
TB Fiona Volpe's BSA motorcycle
TB Bomb Sled with Tow Sled outriders
YOLT 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Sedan
OHMSS 1968 Ford Escort Mk. I Rallye
OHMSS Draco's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible
DAF Ford LVPD police car (blue/white)
DAF 1971 Ford Thunderbird
DAF Honda tricycle from Moonbuggy chase
DAF Bathosub
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Sheriff Pepper's car
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
TMWTGG 1974 AMC Matador Sedan "Thai Police Car"
MR Shuttle
MR Cable Car
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
OP 1977 (i.e. second generation) Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan
AVTAK American LaFrance Fire engine
AVTAK 1984 Jeep Cherokee
TLD Audi 200 Avant (but please a real 200 and no Audi V8 clone)
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float
TLD 59 Chevy Impala Convertible/ Street Rod
LTK Kenworth
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
LTK Dodge Ram Pickup
LTK Utilimaster Aeromaster Van
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI
TND BMW R1200C bike
TWINE Lada Niva
DAD Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish
DAD Rocket sled
CR Ford Mondeo
CR 2005 Škoda Octavia Police
Again, anybody who wants to add to this list is welcome to copy, paste and post
However I think the main point is that the big rise in costs is in China and I would bet that IXO unit costs to Fabbri are higher than UH's were especially since they will have been negotiated in 2011 and not way back at part 40ish. I agree that Fabbri must still be making a respectable profit or the range would have been terminated. But the main thing that determines what IXO can produce is chinese costs and how much Fabbri is prepared to pay per produced model run. The French Route Bleu partwork which is the only other with a diorama in that I am aware of has always been much dearer on the newstand than the Bond Collection which shows to me that Fabbri and IXO are probably working to relatively tight margins at current price in UK.
I can heartily recommend the model supplies business mentioned above. Steve Flowers is well established and I have been happy with my purchases. In US I understand there is as source of nice stick on lights i.e. sticky backing with clear plastic lens over silver reflective backing. BTS Mouldings in the UK also used to be a good source of supplies and K&R replicas also sell quite a few of their parts such as wheels etc direct and on EBay.
The Vanguards Anglia is a nice model and in one version it's colour is correct unlike the UH one. I think that later production will have standard lenses even if earlier models used "gems". But havent gone to check mine.
Still waiting for my Econoline and for the first decent views of the Impala
Unfortunately I have an ominous feeling we're all going to have our wallets plundered for some time yet to come. I can't imagine that once the two JB partworks are over, there won't be something else waiting in the wings to tempt us.
My money's on an extensive James Bond figure series, similar to the Corgi Icon range a few years back. Maybe with 'Mini Me' as a free gift
Dioramas would make this very attractive to many fans I suspect but without I suspect it would only run to about 40 parts especially without DC. If you had nice dioramas you would be happy to have same Bond in many poses and outfits without they would have less appeal. The less popular Corgi Bond figures were being sold at a heavy discount last year so their sales can't have been too strong.
Maybe that is an idea for a special for JBCC to end it with the undersea sledges from Thunderball to encourage you to sign up for the James Bond Figure Collection which will supply the divers to go with it as a special introductory offer for JBCC subscribers.........
The Corgi Icon range were certainly bland - upright and static, almost like shop front clothes dummies. If a figure range were to be realised, It'd be great to see more dynamic poses - The classic Ursula Andress 'walking out of the sea' scene for instance. I don't know if anyone here is familiar with old Aurora model kits, they did their best to bring figures to life many moons ago, such as the 'Men From UNCLE' and even Bond:
This sort of approach to figure sculpting would be great to see. And in the same way the car series dioramas can be paired up, the same thing could be done with figures: Bond and Oddjob at Fort Knox, Jinx and Agent Frost on the plane and so on
Great idea, especially if Ixo includes figures! There's only one downside to the diorama: in the film, it got the most screen time on that dirt road by Ixo that everyone (including myself) by now really dislikes. However, if it comes with figures, I would imagine you could negate some of this, plus you could save Ixo development time (they've done Jeeps not only for Atlas Military, but one WWII surplus Jeep inexplicably appears in La Route Bleue! That was actually the first LRB diorama I got because I love the idea of military surplus vehicles!). I think it would be a nice edition and Ixo, as usual, could re-use the mould.
I completely agree with your first statement. To keep a series afloat that was losing money makes little sense. As for your second...perhaps Bissett has decided "enough of this"? Just a guess, or alternately they could be filled in later.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely be getting some stuff from him then! Also good to know about the White Metal guys selling headlights on eBay. I'll be sure to look for them.
This makes sense. Fabbri would logically be paying Ixo more for each model simply because they're Ixo. This is why I specifically mentioned I believe that Fabbri will win regarding putting figures back and getting decent poses, but the actual plastic dioramas themselves, while almost by default will probably improve, won't be TOO terribly much better.
I also see a lot of mould recycling. How much? I don't know, but in theory, Ixo is capable of A LOT. This is ONLY theoretical, AND DOES NOT REPRESENT MY OWN OPINION before anyone suggests it does, but how many models can Ixo re-use or partially re-use moulds to make (note that a partial re-use of a mould speeds up production time)? I'll go from movie to movie, with asterisks indicating partial moulds...
DN Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II Jamaican Taxi (Made by Ixo for LRB)
GF Mercedes-Benz 180D "Chase Car"
GF Mercedes-Benz 220S "Oddjob's Car"
GF Willys Jeep
GF Dodge M43 Ambulance* (Fore of the A-pillar, axles, wheels)
TB Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson Limousine* (Modifications would have to be made to the grille, front of the car, and elimination of the antenna aerial)
LALD Chevrolet Bel Air Louisiana State Police* (Would need to be stretched from the Impala Custom Coupe)
OP Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan* (Although literally all they need to do is rebadge it)
TLD GAZ-3102 Volga (General Leonid Pushkin's car in Bratislava; it actually gets a fair amount of screen time. By literally changing the license plates, they could take the USSR AvtoLegende variant and make it into the same car. Even the color and trim would be the same.)
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI
TWINE Lada Niva
CR 2005 Škoda Octavia Police (Although Abrex, which strives to make practically every Škoda product in existence, is not Ixo, they do more mould-sharing with Ixo than anyone else I can think of and has borrowed their moulds for partworks before.)
That's THIRTEEN CARS, two of which have been confirmed (the Dodge M-43 Ambulance and VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI), plus we also know there's going to be a FYEO Mercedes-Benz 450SEL Sedan. The worst-case scenario is that we only see seven completely original moulds, although I doubt Ixo uses THAT many re-used moulds. More realistically, I could see something along the lines of this (IN TERMS OF MOULD RE-USE ONLY)...
DN Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II Jamaican Taxi (We saw a couple of these in DN, including one Bond rides in. It had a striking livery, looked awesome, and even if all we see is Bond and the taxi driver sitting inside it, I think the uniqueness of the paint scheme and model would grab people. Call me car-centric, but this really is, I think, one of the few cases where you don't really need that much action to "grab" someone. Besides, Ixo's never released it outside LRB! Check it out here... http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_18685-Austin-A55-Cambridge-ADO9A-1959.html )
GF Mercedes-Benz 180D "Chase Car" (With so many people lobbying for this car, I'd be surprised if it WASN'T in the collection. Alternately, they could make Oddjob's 220S by shortening their "Adenauer" limousine. The one innaccuracy, if they include figures, is liable to be only having one gunman firing out the passenger side instead of two gunmen [one behind the driver] because of how the mould is physically constructed/knocking out one of the windows would make it a bit difficult. If the 220S, then you're more likely to see a nice diorama with a bunch of guys standing around an empty car.)
GF Willys Jeep (It's been asked for quite a bit, plus Ixo gets to re-use the Unpaved Road of Boredom, so...)
GF Dodge M43 Ambulance (Well, it's been confirmed...I wonder how they work the diorama, though...)
TB Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson Limousine (It's been asked for a lot, plus you have the potential to see a unique diorama if they have Jacques Bouvar in drag...)
LALD Chevrolet Bel Air Louisiana State Police (Yes, the one with a powerboat crashed through it would be nice, but how do you fit it into a case? Since 1/43 is PROBABLY what they're going to do, I imagine this car...which has been repeatedly asked for...comes in instead. A great diorama would be having the two state troopers rolling their eyes with Sheriff Pepper shouting out the back window at the Mack AB Oyster Truck's driver, who could presumably be seen on the paper...).
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4 (Regardless of what you think of this vehicle, I think it could be a great diorama: having two Russian soldiers firing at the driver's compartment of Bond's tank with AK-74 assault rifles would be pretty awesome with the top down...or even one on the passenger side with the top UP...)
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI (Confirmed...I wonder how they'd work the diorama since these cars were basically darting all over the place?)
TWINE Lada Niva (My prediction: Davidov about to open the trunk with Bond hiding in it or Bond driving it to the airfield with dead Davidov in the [see-through] trunk. Will probably re-use Ixo's "paved road" diorama, but I don't have a problem with this if Bond is driving since that's exactly where he was.)
That's nine re-used or partially re-used moulds, or about half the collection. It's still a minority and definitely allows Ixo more time to release other, completely new cars (eleven in all) as well as focus on figures and hopefully dioramas. We already know that one new car...Locque's Mercedes-Benz 450SEL (which fits in with Ixo's introducing progressively more modern M-B moulds)...will be released. So could this be 10 of 20? Maybe, maybe not, although I'd not be completely shocked if it were. But of course, that still allows ten completely original moulds we don't know about, too.
They're not always right. In fact, someone gave another two stars to different but identically colored vehicle at the bottom of the post (i.e. the same with the exception of the number plates). And they actually give the Mercedes-Benz 180D in GF ZERO stars, despite the fact that it appeared for far longer than Oddjob's 220S (which gets three stars). And in fact, let's have a look at everyone's wishlist as rated by IMCDB (note that I'm only rating those that CAN be rated)...
DN 1959 Austin A55 Cambridge Mk. II Taxi--Two stars
DN 1961 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Sedan (This was Felix's Chase Car)--Two stars, same as the Cambridge. Despite the fact it was involved in a car chase.
FRWL Chevy 1-Ton Stakebed Truck--Three stars (Vehicle used by a character or in a car chase)
FRWL Kerim Bey's Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith--Three stars
GF Merc 180 bad guys pursuit car--No stars. It was literally missed by IMCDB.
GF Merc 220S Odd Job car--Three stars
GF WW2 Willys Jeep--Two stars (Bizarrely, the Dodge M-43 Ambulance is also only given two!)
TB 1964 Lincoln Continental Lehmann-Peterson stretch limo--Two stars.
TB 1965 Lincoln Continental 4-door convertible (top up)--Two stars.
TB Fiona Volpe's BSA motorcycle--Two stars
TB Bomb Sled with Tow Sled outriders--Unrated
YOLT 1964 Dodge Polara 500 Sedan--Two stars
OHMSS 1968 Ford Escort Mk. I Rallye--Two stars
OHMSS Draco's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible--Three stars
DAF Ford LVPD police car (blue/white)--Three stars
DAF 1971 Ford Thunderbird--Two stars
DAF Honda tricycle from Moonbuggy chase--Three stars
DAF Bathosub--Unrated
LALD AEC REGENT Bus without top deck--Three stars
LALD Power boat crashed into side of Sheriff Pepper's car--Two stars
LALD 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police--Three stars
TMWTGG 1974 AMC Matador Sedan "Thai Police Car"--Three stars
MR Shuttle--Unrated
MR Cable Car--Unrated
FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL--Three Stars
OP 1977 (i.e. second generation) Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan--Three stars
AVTAK American LaFrance Fire engine--Three stars
AVTAK 1984 Jeep Cherokee--Two stars
TLD Audi 200 Avant (but please a real 200 and no Audi V8 clone)--Two stars
TLD Wales & Edwards Rangemaster Milk Float--Two stars (the unmentioned Lada 1600, which I figured was redundant the second I found out we're getting the same car in St. Petersburg Militsia paint, gets three!)
TLD 59 Chevy Impala Convertible/ Street Rod--Two stars
LTK Kenworth--Four stars (Vehicle used a lot by a main character or for a long time)
LTK Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)--Three stars
LTK Dodge Ram Pickup--Three stars
LTK Utilimaster Aeromaster Van--Three stars
GE UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4--Three stars
GE VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI--Three stars
TND BMW R1200C bike--Three stars
TWINE Lada Niva--Two stars
DAD Invisible Aston Martin Vanquish--Four Stars
DAD Rocket sled--Unrated
CR Ford Mondeo--Two stars
CR 2005 Škoda Octavia Police--Two stars
You can't go by IMCDB's rankings. If you did, you'd get the following in order of being deserving...
1. Kenworth Truck Cab (Fine by me)
2. Aston Martin Vanquish "Vanish"
3. Chevy 1-Ton Stakebed Truck
4. Kerim Bey's Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
5. Mercedes-Benz 220S "Oddjob Car"
6. Draco's Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible
7. Ford LVPD police car (blue/white)--Three stars
8. Honda tricycle from Moonbuggy chase--Three stars
9. AEC REGENT Bus without top deck
10. 1973 Chevy Bel Air Louisiana State Police
11. 1974 AMC Matador Sedan "Thai Police Car"
12. FYEO 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
13. 1977 (i.e. second generation) Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan
14. American LaFrance Fire engine
15. Lincoln Mk. VII Coupe (Felix's Lincoln)
16. Dodge Ram Pickup
17. Utilimaster Aeromaster Van
18. UAZ-469B/UAZ-31512 4x4
19. VAZ-2106 Sedan St. Petersburg Militsia GAI
20. TND BMW R1200C bike
I have a feeling a lot of cars were underrated (the Dodge M43 Ambulance and Wales & Edwards Rangemaster...both criminally!) and overrated (Scaldia-Volga M24 Luxe Sedan and AMC Matador Thai Police Car) based on the whims of the users of something very much like wikipedia in that anyone can edit it...