Re issue 111 if that is what we get we may have another 'anglia' this time correct diorama wrong car??[...]It may cost you more in the long run with a rerun but with the correct car and or replacements and or refunds
With regards to the first statement...not even, I'm afraid. Take out your GF T-Bird and look at the diorama base. Now compare to the photo. That's right; the only thing they did to the base was repaint it and TURN IT AROUND.
The only silver lining, I think, is that means that UH is using up their T-Bird dioramas as well as cars to buy Ixo some time. I was positive you'd see figures in the new releases (that, umm, unconfirmed rumor seems to be making the rounds in different circles...put it that way), but think of this: if they're just making a model to buy time for another company (Ixo) to get its act together* simply by altering existing COMPLETE DIORAMAS (i.e. car and base, not just car), they're not going to bother with a figure.
*Speaking of which, I find myself wondering why the LALD Impala is taking so long to be released...
With regards to your latter statement...a new car would be fine by me! But then, scrapping the issue entirely would be fine by me. And Fabbri would also ask us why they don't owe us a new Audi from TLD, which neither appeared as it did in the film nor represented a real car. But I suppose we could ask for that, too...
I'd like to see them do another special. The Goldneneye russian armoured train i think would be a cool one many of you would agree right..
Yes, but only if they make it for HO or OO, have articulated (i.e. working) trucks, and at least allow the provision to have a working motor. Trying to make it in O Gauge (1/48 or 1/45, but is traditionally used in conjunction with 1/43 scale cars...ask ANY O Gauge railroader, not just me...) would be awesome...even though it's just an altered British Rail Class 20/English Electric Type 1 Shunter (I'm fairly sure); I'd be running it constantly. But that would be too large. I do run 5.5mm Gauge, though, which is O scale on HO/OO tracks, and could have a lot of fun with that (plus just about anyone can get an HO starter set with all track needed AND a motor for about $30 USD). But trust me when I say train promos (which I've followed for over 15 years) have faired very poorly if they're not capable of running on some kind of regular rails.
I apologise Mr.Dalkowski ,you did bring up the Thunderbird on a previous post.Also,when I said "Its a nice car"I meant the actual T-Bird ,not the model.
I'd like to see them do another special. The Goldneneye russian armoured train i think would be a cool one many of you would agree right..
I like this, Corgi have released a number of engines as part of their diecast range (from the Hornby stable but don't run on tracks I think to follow on from the Hogwarts express they released a number of years back. This would be a great special.
Well if GEF is using UH and its existing moulds to provide stopgaps (and low-cost ones to boot) while new models like the Mercedes 450 SEL are developed, there is quite a pool to dip into.
And before anyone says I (or anyone else on this board) are giving GEF ideas , consider the timelines of when the TB Thunderbird was mentioned on this forum and when it became available from the Hong Kong dealers and you'll see that GEF thought that one up all on their own - even with existing moulds, I cannot see UH allocating a production slot, (re)tooling the machines, training the assembly workers and getting out first shots of both car and diorama between 29 July and 5 August.
So, if the intention with the TB Thunderbird is to provide a stopgap, and maintain as wide a profit margin at the same time, GEF could be thinking of giving us:
*the LALD Mini Moke as a variant from YOLT or TSWLM, as I already mentioned earlier today.
*the TLD Aston Martin V8 Vantage without skids (this was in the release list at one time).
*the GF/TB Aston Martin DB5 as another variant ... GE or CR, perhaps?
*the OHMSS VW Beetle as the OP or QOS one.
*the GE Ferrari F355 as the DAD one (not exactly the same, but since when is that a problem..)
And that's just basically off the cuff from my side. Perhaps we should start a list of them here to say to GEF that these are the ones we DON'T want!
Issue #109, the LALD Chev Impala Custom Coupe, is scheduled to be available at the retailers in the UK this week so should start appearing on ebay from Tues or Weds.
I seriously think Fabbri are having a laugh with this one, l would rather have seen a non-gadget standard DB5 than this. ...............
Could it be some sort of contractual obligation 'left over' from Fabbri's deal with UH by any chance? Like UH had to produce a certain number and couldn't come up with a better idea?
I think it's more what D110 is saying, that this TB Thunderbird is in essence a reproduction of the GF one, albeit with slight modifications; but at the same time that makes it not an exact reproduction, so I would go further and say that this model would have to be the subject of a new or amended contract between GEF & UH.
I'm thinking that the requirement for new model development by UH in terms of the original contract must by now have been discharged, seeing it's now about 15 months since the first Ixo model (Cadillac Hearse) appeared in the collection and 7 months since the last UH new mould (RR Silver Cloud).
I'm sure UH was not going to turn down the business, especially as it required so little adjustment to their already-created patterns for the GF Thunderbird.
I'd still love to know what the production volumes are for these later issues. They must still be high enough to be turning an acceptable profit for all concerned, but how many thousand models is that?
*the TLD Aston Martin V8 Vantage without skids (this was in the release list at one time).
*the GF/TB Aston Martin DB5 as another variant ... GE or CR, perhaps?
Speaking for myself, I'd certainly support the idea of these two. The 'standard' DB5 seen in GE would be a great partner to the Ferrari F355 in terms of the chase scene. I've been considering making one up myself using a spare issue 01 DB5 with spinners 'retracted', but it would be nice if Fabbri saved me the trouble!
The standard LD Vantage is a very definite 'should have been' IMHO - I assumed it was shelved after the rotten tomatoes Fabbri took on the controversial LD drophead version.
BTW, D110 - The model Herald I posted wasn't a joke, it's made by Oxford Die-Cast and is available right now.
And before anyone says I (or anyone else on this board) are giving GEF ideas , consider the timelines of when the TB Thunderbird was mentioned on this forum and when it became available from the Hong Kong dealers and you'll see that GEF thought that one up all on their own - even with existing moulds, I cannot see UH allocating a production slot, (re)tooling the machines, training the assembly workers and getting out first shots of both car and diorama between 29 July and 5 August.
I think he meant it as tongue-in-cheek. At least unless you mean Mr. All-of-Six Posts...in which case, just ignore him. Just how I read it, but I could be and have been wrong. My post was certainly sarcastic. Though ironically, I've not advocated UH to re-use any mould. Or, for that matter, to use any mould. What I've been saying is have Ixo re-use some of their non-JBCC moulds either recycled or partially recycled. Face it: we've not seen a run-of-the-mill UAZ-31512 marketed in the west (the closest we got was an Ist Models UAZ-469B in Afghanistan paint scheme), despite it being a staple of the Russian Army to this day. Ixo's Mercedes-Benz 180D Ponton has also been discontinued for quite a while in black, and they did a pretty nice job on it. Not Minichamps, but you could certainly save money by buying the far-from-unacceptable Ixo version. THAT'S the kind of mould recycling I'm talking about.
I think it's more what D110 is saying, that this TB Thunderbird is in essence a reproduction of the GF one, albeit with slight modifications; but at the same time that makes it not an exact reproduction, so I would go further and say that this model would have to be the subject of a new or amended contract between GEF & UH.
I agree with this, especially given that UH supplied (technically, since it's already been produced) Issue 110 and certainly altered the mould to allow for some dents and the complete removal of the door. The contract was certainly amended, but the real question, at least in my eyes, is "how was it amended?"
By that, I mean, has it become "you're only obligated to produce what amounts to filler from altered moulds" (as you mention: the Yellow Mokes, Vantage sans skids and with tire, another DB5, the QoS or OP Beetle [the latter would actually be acceptable IF AND ONLY IF we have the driver eating a bratwurst with his wife offering Bond a beer...that would be an AWESOME diorama...Ixo actually makes a post-1978 Mexican Beetle that would be correct for QoS, but I'd rather not see it], and possibly the DAD Ferrari...although the "no more Colonel Moon's Supercars" sentiment was running extra-high when the second one, whichever it was, was released) or more along the lines of "you can start producing moulds again...but we're keeping you on a short leash and are going to have Ixo step in the moment you fall down on the job." I would only say one thing positive: the cars seem to have been intended to be produced as GF T-Birds and then given very minor alterations (i.e. stuff you can whip up for the car proper in under three weeks, even for UH, though I can't say the same for the dioramas). Therefore, we can't really conclusively say that there won't be figures. The car just looks too rushed/too much like a stopgap.
I'd still love to know what the production volumes are for these later issues. They must still be high enough to be turning an acceptable profit for all concerned, but how many thousand models is that?
This is a great question to which I'd also love to know the answer. Still, I can put in an educated guess about UH (as opposed to Fabbri in general and also Ixo): here's a complete list of all of the countries involved in the JBCC still on the UH models...
-Finland (Somewhere in the 50's; the site only lists up to 60 so far.)
-Germany (Up to 90, I think)
-Brazil (Up to 86)
-The Netherlands (Not sure)
And I believe there are others. As such, UH is still obviously turning a profit in these countries that either signed on late or just are having the collection released more slowly (appears to be that way in Finland...but they are apparently still going!). They're also logically still producing extra GF T-Birds for these countries since they were still in stock in the late 80's in the UK; the one I bought off eBay was purchased as a back issue then. In other words, they're turning contractual obligation into profit. As FACT said, Fabbri probably approached them (not vice versa) and I would I suppose told them to turn out a car so Fabbri could fill the fortnightly order and Ixo can get themselves righted and have their moulds prepared. They probably said to use the best mould they had...and the GF T-Bird certainly was a terrifically-done car. Fabbri, UH, or both probably figured consumers wouldn't know the difference or could live with one turkey of an issue to prepare for Ixo's production; HIGHLY possible with figures and definitely with improved dioramas. It's just a guess, but there it is.
BTW, D110 - The model Herald I posted wasn't a joke, it's made by Oxford Die-Cast and is available right now.
I know, but as someone (maz? FACT? One of you two very knowledge 1/43 guys) said, this car is quite possibly NOT 1/43 scale and may have some parts that are worth more than their effort to take apart or remove.
EDIT: One last thing that leads me to believe Ixo is tooling up for "doubled" production of the JBCC: their East Bloc partworks, with the BIG exceptions of USSR AvtoLegende (their breadwinner in that market, if you will) and Atlas DDR Trucks, have all suddenly and oddly decided to release a bunch of recycled moulds until the New Year. This is VERY atypical and indicates a re-allocation of resources...
-Kultowe Auta PRL-u has not only slowed production, but also released just one completely new mould out of five releases.
-Kultovni Auta CSSR's next EIGHT moulds are examples where parts were recently released for other markets (mostly from Retroautok a keleti blokkbol).
-Retroautok a keleti blokkbol basically switched up cars with Kultovni Auta CSSR. These two collections do recycle moulds, of course, but they don't usually "leapfrog" like this unless Ixo has something big planned (happens when Ist Models are given their release).
-Masini de Legenda and Atlas DDR Auto-Kollektion have both gone from "delayed" to "complete and total standstill with no news of any new models."
Note that I'm not trying to shift discussion to the East Bloc partworks; I'm just trying to prove a point that SOMETHING big is happening over at Ixo, and my guess is it's JBCC-related.
This is a great question to which I'd also love to know the answer. Still, I can put in an educated guess about UH (as opposed to Fabbri in general and also Ixo): here's a complete list of all of the countries involved in the JBCC still on the UH models...
-The Netherlands (Not sure)
I just bought this week nr. 88. I know subscribers received also nr. 89 the Anglia with the correct base!
This is a great question to which I'd also love to know the answer. Still, I can put in an educated guess about UH (as opposed to Fabbri in general and also Ixo): here's a complete list of all of the countries involved in the JBCC still on the UH models...
-The Netherlands (Not sure)
I just bought this week nr. 88. I know subscribers received also nr. 89 the Anglia with the correct base!
Thanks very much! You've still got a number of UH models to go, then!
You can definately count us dutchies is
I know Greece was in it a while ago, but I haven't heard anything from there regarding expansions lately...
So, we are officialy at 88, with subscribers ahead at 89. I have to say, the Anglia, except for the colour of course is a véry decent model, dare I say one of UH's better ones.
Thanks very much! You've still got a number of UH models to go, then!
And, lucky us, some of the best in the series with both the classic Rollers, the ambulances, the miller hearse, the brand-new Econoline and even the acrostar and Bondola are issues i'm looking forward to!
About the standstill at other IXO-series, I really dó hope they have 'learned' from the reception of the ford consul and give it their best this time as far as the 'presentation' is concerned (presentation is figures, base and all other things.)
And yes, my post about giving them ideas wás cynical. hence the smileys ^^
EDIT By the way. There was this website of a small german manufacturer wich makes models in very limited runs, and they did a few Bond-ones as well. Their site was online again, so here it goes:
The Licence-Roller as it was supposed to be. What I meant with "very limited": they made 50 of this one:
The battered Vanquish:
The brílliant Moon-cars ) :
and Bond's DBS after the record-breaking crash:
Makes the UH ones looks like toys, right?
...
Well, considered the price of €699 (yes, that's six hundred and ninety nine euros! ) I think we shoud by happy with what we got
- Baseplate turned 180*
- different licence plates,
- thunderbird logo instead of T H U N D E R B I R D
- fake air vents instead of thunderbird-emblems
- the antenna-base is painted black.
- figures removed.
HAHA. I love how quick you were to notice this blatant cheap entry into the collection. Its so funny cos it literally is the same base and car.
The 3 confirmed editions we know from GeFabbri sound alright (although they have confirmed and then not produced before). Lets just hope we do get some pearlers to really make this collection a truly amazing series. My wants would be:
- FRWL Flower Truck
- LALD Decapitated Bus (come on GF, we are way past the 7/7 excuse)
- LTK Kenworth
- LTK Datsun 620 (with wheels on fire)
- CR Cevrolet G-Series Van (With DC on back before he jumps fence)
- CR International 4900 fuel truck (with DC on roof)
- CR Airport passenger bus or baggage trailer.
PLUS some specials. But we all wish this and going by the first sighted new release, I think we are in for some disappointment unfortunately. Looking forward to the Bond 23 inclusions though.
Looks like the only way to avoid being ripped off by Fabbri by buying the same models from them many times over is to cancel the subscription and buy whatever is interesting on eBay. Doesn’t look like I will continue beyond 110 then. I think this has just gone too far.
Looks like the only way to avoid being ripped off by Fabbri by buying the same models from them many times over is to cancel the subscription and buy whatever is interesting on eBay. Doesn’t look like I will continue beyond 110 then. I think this has just gone too far.
I wonder who many subscribers have re-thought their plans since the series got so long. When it first started I ordered them on a regular collection basis from a newsagent, then cancelled when it got to the Corvorado (didn't want it) and have bought 'back issues' selectively direct from Fabbri ever since (a perk of being in the UK, I know). I now have about 80 out of 106/7 available and will continue to cherry pick until the series ends. The great thing about these models is that, ignoring the magazines, none of them are numbered - so unless you're a die-hard 'must have them all' collector, you can pick and choose or display them as you wish. I think, had I been a subscriber, I simply would have sold off any models I was really disappointed with as they arrived. Some will even sell for twice the price.
So it's very easy for me to ignore this re-issued T-Bird, but I really think it's going to try the patience of even the most determined subscribers amongst us, at exactly the wrong time with the extension announcement. Fabbri, it would be a very wise move to release some more expansive and hopefully tempting info on planned future models as soon as possible if you want to keep your subscribers on board - I really don't think you can rely on teasing little snippets of information any more, especially after the appearance of this near identical T-Bird. Failing that, make this model a freebie for subscribers only!
Looks like the only way to avoid being ripped off by Fabbri by buying the same models from them many times over is to cancel the subscription and buy whatever is interesting on eBay. Doesn’t look like I will continue beyond 110 then. I think this has just gone too far.
That's exactly the way to go! Thank you, GE Fabbri, for making this decision so easy!
Thank you, Universal Hobbies, for always letting boxes of finished models "drop off the truck" so easily, so we can have an advanced preview of what to expect!
I will cancel my subscription after 97, that's four more deliveries for me. So I don't even need to buy one of the horrid Silver Shadows. The OP Range Rover then is a must for me, as are the Silver Cloud and Country Squire.
I am a huge T-Bird fan, and I can well understand economical reasons. But Largo's car is just too much of a rip-off to accept. If they had just made a new bumper/grille unit and new taillights (although not seen in the film, very different from '64 - you can see the wide six-segment '65 taillight on the left in the T-Bird photo D110 provided. Piles of unused '65 T-Bird taillights were used up by Ford for the '68-'70 Shelby Mustangs, so a cheap Ertl or Yat Ming '68 could be a possible source for a code 3 improvement), maybe even some plastic glued-in fender skirts - and this would still be quite a cheaply to produce issue with 80, 90 percent recycled parts.
I can live with the just-printed-on side grille, but this could have been done at least with an additional grey/black tampo-print to simulate shadow and create some depth.
Turning the base around is actually a clever solution, but we just don't get that little extra now that we were used to. The French policeman saluting and Largo behind the car, a No Parking sign - and even the recycled car and diorama would have an instant appeal. The little difference between "Yeah, the car looks just the same but I will buy it anyway" and "What a blatant rip-off!"
And I don't get that "buying Ixo some extra time" thing. If they need more time then why revert back to a 2-week schedule instead of monthly?
And before anyone says I (or anyone else on this board) are giving GEF ideas , consider the timelines of when the TB Thunderbird was mentioned on this forum and when it became available from the Hong Kong dealers and you'll see that GEF thought that one up all on their own - even with existing moulds, I cannot see UH allocating a production slot, (re)tooling the machines, training the assembly workers and getting out first shots of both car and diorama between 29 July and 5 August.
Well, Dalko posted this back in January - more than enough lead-time for changed tampo-printing:
BTW, here are some of my own suggestions if you do indeed want to make your own Bond cars [...]
-1965 Ford Thunderbird (Largo's car). Take the one from GF, take out Felix and the other CIA guy, re-do the number plates, and put in a Largo figure. I believe it's literally the same car.
But I think Fabbri does know IMCDB as well as we do, so didn't need our suggestion for this one. If at least they had read the part with the Largo figure!
As for my personal wish list and predictions: I hope that we will cars where you don't have to watch the film again to see where they appeared. Cars were you instantly know in which scene they featured. A very good example is the laser-cannon Dodge. Bad examples are the Ford Consul and Anglia or the Dr. No taxi, and both LALD Impalas.
I respectfully disagree based on the grounds that not only do people have favorite cars, but favorite scenes and favorite films. Saying that the latter LALD Impala was forgettable (the former was) is really subjective because I remember that car clear as day, as did others who pointed out very quickly that it was NOT Harold Strutter's car and that it in fact belonged to the villain who eventually met a firey end when his speedboat slammed into a derelict LST. On the flipside, I barely remember Sheriff Pepper's car (mostly because we get shots of the driver's side window) and really remember the State Trooper variant well.
You are absolutely right: "Memorable" is very subjective. But to notice that the Impala was not Strutter's car was not that difficult. We had the IMCDB photos of the cars to expect, and as Strutter's Impala was shown as light blue with dark blue roof, it wasn't that hard to figure that a dark blue car with white roof can't be his. Even I did manage this, and I still don't remember the car from the film.
But I was speaking as a subscriber, and one who pays twice as much as a UK subscriber (€14 per model + €4 shipping from Germany). Now that I am a cherry-picker I am fine with a Dr. No taxi, a Willy's Jeep from every Bond movie we see one, a yellow Mini Moke, even a third Silver Shadow from the Peninsula Hotel's Rolls-Royce fleet in TMWTGG. I will just no longer buy them all!
Ah, yes, one suggestion: Please Fabbri, do the OP horsebox trailer. As a cherry-picker, preferred as a standard issue and not a subscriber's gift, as the latter are more difficult to get. But whom am I kidding? Subscriber's gifts? There will be none, that's for sure. As there will be no figures; no Roger Moore about to kick down the Mercedes, nothing.
It' now just to get as many cars as possible and these made as cheaply as possible. Perhaps the main reason they went to Ixo. "Fabbri would logically be paying Ixo more for each model simply because they're Ixo." Why should they? Ixo is not a top brand name - we're not talking about "Minichamps" here. Fabbri will probably pay Ixo less than UH but no longer have exclusivity rights.
as far as i know,this Thunderbird info has not been released by fabbri, ...it is another model from the factory back door, they dont come with magazines, so they are not official releases.....but they do seem to confirm that there are others coming.......i for one am very happy about the extention , and if only half a dozen of the previous lists actually appear, it will be worth it........it is the loyalty of all subscribers that has allowed them to continue and extend the series.....WELL DONE EVERYONE........now lets keep our fingers crossed!!
I saw this diorama a couple of years ago for sale, and was kind of quarter-tempted - it's a lot of money, but in the cinema I found this scene extremely amusing.
HOWEVER once again it's wrong. The Ferrari should be an F355 , and the car in the diorama is a 348tb. It's the predessor to the 355, and simply the wrong car. They have used the Herpa 348 as the basis.
Please, model makers, just get it right! I don't want to buy models that are completely wrong.
As a further point, if GE Fabbri need to delve into UH moulds for a couple of issues, how about digging out the F355 from Goldeneye and re-issuing it as the yellow car from Die Another Day? It's not a bad model of the F355, and it is one of the best-loved of all Ferraris.
I saw this diorama a couple of years ago for sale, and was kind of quarter-tempted - it's a lot of money, but in the cinema I found this scene extremely amusing.
HOWEVER once again it's wrong. The Ferrari should be an F355 , and the car in the diorama is a 348tb. It's the predessor to the 355, and simply the wrong car. They have used the Herpa 348 as the basis.
Please, model makers, just get it right! I don't want to buy models that are completely wrong.
As a further point, if GE Fabbri need to delve into UH moulds for a couple of issues, how about digging out the F355 from Goldeneye and re-issuing it as the yellow car from Die Another Day? It's not a bad model of the F355, and it is one of the best-loved of all Ferraris.
as far as i know,this Thunderbird info has not been released by fabbri, ...it is another model from the factory back door, they dont come with magazines, so they are not official releases.....but they do seem to confirm that there are others coming.......i for one am very happy about the extention , and if only half a dozen of the previous lists actually appear, it will be worth it........it is the loyalty of all subscribers that has allowed them to continue and extend the series.....WELL DONE EVERYONE........now lets keep our fingers crossed!!
Two more ideas for the wishlist.
The OHMSS Bobsleighs - could you fit 2 in one box?!
Then the "Pig" pipeline escape car from TLDaylights.
Bleuville. "I know where you keep your gun. S'pose that's something." CR.
We had the IMCDB photos of the cars to expect, and as Strutter's Impala was shown as light blue with dark blue roof, it wasn't that hard to figure that a dark blue car with white roof can't be his. Even I did manage this, and I still don't remember the car from the film.
I remembered the car, and well...a shame you don't.
Why should they? Ixo is not a top brand name - we're not talking about "Minichamps" here.
Simple: Ixo puts out a more detailed car than UH (well...these days), although you are right in that they lose mould exclusivity rights (albeit NOT for figures or dioramas). But why would they want mould exclusivity rights when they could turn a larger profit off Ixo, anyway? After all, Ixo can make moulds faster. Their hangup was figures and dioramas.
But I was speaking as a subscriber, and one who pays twice as much as a UK subscriber (€14 per model + €4 shipping from Germany). Now that I am a cherry-picker I am fine with a Dr. No taxi, a Willy's Jeep from every Bond movie we see one, a yellow Mini Moke, even a third Silver Shadow from the Peninsula Hotel's Rolls-Royce fleet in TMWTGG. I will just no longer buy them all!
[...]
Well, Dalko posted this back in January - more than enough lead-time for changed tampo-printing:
Sarcastically attacking MovieCarFan's ideas and my ideas? All right, I guess with me, it's fair game. But literally somehow linking me to a poorly-done, place-holder issue because you're angry with said poorly-done issue...? I'm hoping you're being sarcastic and it's just not coming across well...
as far as i know,this Thunderbird info has not been released by fabbri, ...it is another model from the factory back door, they dont come with magazines, so they are not official releases.....but they do seem to confirm that there are others coming.......i for one am very happy about the extention , and if only half a dozen of the previous lists actually appear, it will be worth it........it is the loyalty of all subscribers that has allowed them to continue and extend the series.....WELL DONE EVERYONE........now lets keep our fingers crossed!!
I have had my debit card charged for 108 and 109 so hopefully will get some info regarding extention. I will post any news here. I agree with yourmovemrbond it is the loyalty of all the subscribers that has pushed for the extention. However GEFAbbri should not take that loyalty for Granted. I really hope this thunderbird is a seconds that has slipped the net or even potential code 3 . We have had no official notification of this issue . Like I said earlier the reaction it is causing is a potential 'Anglia 2' scenario but this time correct box but wrong car. I'm an optimist and I am sure if this is an issue it will be overshadowed by some real gems to come........dont let me down GEFabbri.....I've got my fingers crossed too!:)
Like I said earlier the reaction it is causing is a potential 'Anglia 2' scenario but this time correct box but wrong car.
Perfectly justified, and I agree, but my guess is their excuse will then be "then why didn't you ask for a new Aston Martin Volante from TLD or Audi from TLD?"
Like I said earlier the reaction it is causing is a potential 'Anglia 2' scenario but this time correct box but wrong car.
Perfectly justified, and I agree, but my guess is their excuse will then be "then why didn't you ask for a new Aston Martin Volante from TLD or Audi from TLD?"
I know what you are saying but the other two vehicles had not appeared in the collection previously so nothing to compare too, in essence we could argue something against each issue but we haven't and accepted the product. I think the TB is a blatant manufactured release Code 3 done badly hence I am not convinced/hoping it is not an actual release. I know Kings models have had a heads up with a number of releases so it looks a given it is an official release. Thats why I dont think GEFabbri should take their subscribers for granted fair enough no figures, lesser dioramas but substandard models is just taking the michael ! In which case I do hope this folly will be overshadowed by news of other releases.
I know what you are saying but the other two vehicles had not appeared in the collection previously so nothing to compare too, in essence we could argue something against each issue but we haven't and accepted the product. I think the TB is a blatant manufactured release Code 3 done badly hence I am not convinced/hoping it is not an actual release. I know Kings models have had a heads up with a number of releases so it looks a given it is an official release. Thats why I dont think GEFabbri should take their subscribers for granted fair enough no figures, lesser dioramas but substandard models is just taking the michael ! In which case I do hope this folly will be overshadowed by news of other releases.
They made 'em, so you can bet they'll release 'em. On the other hand, you do have a point: the Audi and Volante were new. This isn't.
On the other hand, I'm genuinely wondering if they don't change the release order at a moment's notice. They've done it before. I.e. give Ixo more time to work on the LALD Impala Custom Coupe (possibly giving us a diorama and figures) and just spit something out at a moment's notice. The LALD Impala becomes 111. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS TOTAL GUESSWORK. But seeing as Fabbri was in talks with Ixo as to including figures, well...all I'm saying is that I'm wondering if they didn't push 109 back to 111. The DBS gets pushed forward to 109, the TB T-Bird comes out at 110. The Impala itself would of course stay the same, but the diorama might change (whatever it is) and you might get a figure or figures. Again, this is GUESSWORK, and not even all-that-educated guesswork, but there you have my longshot of a theory.
Comments
With regards to the first statement...not even, I'm afraid. Take out your GF T-Bird and look at the diorama base. Now compare to the photo. That's right; the only thing they did to the base was repaint it and TURN IT AROUND.
The only silver lining, I think, is that means that UH is using up their T-Bird dioramas as well as cars to buy Ixo some time. I was positive you'd see figures in the new releases (that, umm, unconfirmed rumor seems to be making the rounds in different circles...put it that way), but think of this: if they're just making a model to buy time for another company (Ixo) to get its act together* simply by altering existing COMPLETE DIORAMAS (i.e. car and base, not just car), they're not going to bother with a figure.
*Speaking of which, I find myself wondering why the LALD Impala is taking so long to be released...
With regards to your latter statement...a new car would be fine by me! But then, scrapping the issue entirely would be fine by me. And Fabbri would also ask us why they don't owe us a new Audi from TLD, which neither appeared as it did in the film nor represented a real car. But I suppose we could ask for that, too...
Yes, but only if they make it for HO or OO, have articulated (i.e. working) trucks, and at least allow the provision to have a working motor. Trying to make it in O Gauge (1/48 or 1/45, but is traditionally used in conjunction with 1/43 scale cars...ask ANY O Gauge railroader, not just me...) would be awesome...even though it's just an altered British Rail Class 20/English Electric Type 1 Shunter (I'm fairly sure); I'd be running it constantly. But that would be too large.
Thanks, i really appreciate this. It's good to see the forum full size again.
I like this, Corgi have released a number of engines as part of their diecast range (from the Hornby stable but don't run on tracks I think to follow on from the Hogwarts express they released a number of years back. This would be a great special.
SPECIALS WISH LIST
TB AVRO VULCAN
GE RUSSIAN ARMOURED TRAIN
Feel free to add to list.
And before anyone says I (or anyone else on this board) are giving GEF ideas , consider the timelines of when the TB Thunderbird was mentioned on this forum and when it became available from the Hong Kong dealers and you'll see that GEF thought that one up all on their own - even with existing moulds, I cannot see UH allocating a production slot, (re)tooling the machines, training the assembly workers and getting out first shots of both car and diorama between 29 July and 5 August.
So, if the intention with the TB Thunderbird is to provide a stopgap, and maintain as wide a profit margin at the same time, GEF could be thinking of giving us:
*the LALD Mini Moke as a variant from YOLT or TSWLM, as I already mentioned earlier today.
*the TLD Aston Martin V8 Vantage without skids (this was in the release list at one time).
*the GF/TB Aston Martin DB5 as another variant ... GE or CR, perhaps?
*the OHMSS VW Beetle as the OP or QOS one.
*the GE Ferrari F355 as the DAD one (not exactly the same, but since when is that a problem..)
And that's just basically off the cuff from my side. Perhaps we should start a list of them here to say to GEF that these are the ones we DON'T want!
Issue #109, the LALD Chev Impala Custom Coupe, is scheduled to be available at the retailers in the UK this week so should start appearing on ebay from Tues or Weds.
I'm thinking that the requirement for new model development by UH in terms of the original contract must by now have been discharged, seeing it's now about 15 months since the first Ixo model (Cadillac Hearse) appeared in the collection and 7 months since the last UH new mould (RR Silver Cloud).
I'm sure UH was not going to turn down the business, especially as it required so little adjustment to their already-created patterns for the GF Thunderbird.
I'd still love to know what the production volumes are for these later issues. They must still be high enough to be turning an acceptable profit for all concerned, but how many thousand models is that?
Speaking for myself, I'd certainly support the idea of these two. The 'standard' DB5 seen in GE would be a great partner to the Ferrari F355 in terms of the chase scene. I've been considering making one up myself using a spare issue 01 DB5 with spinners 'retracted', but it would be nice if Fabbri saved me the trouble!
The standard LD Vantage is a very definite 'should have been' IMHO - I assumed it was shelved after the rotten tomatoes Fabbri took on the controversial LD drophead version.
BTW, D110 - The model Herald I posted wasn't a joke, it's made by Oxford Die-Cast and is available right now.
No need! I just find the irony of me singling this car out a week ago as literally THE car to avoid somewhat darkly funny.
I think he meant it as tongue-in-cheek. At least unless you mean Mr. All-of-Six Posts...in which case, just ignore him. Just how I read it, but I could be and have been wrong. My post was certainly sarcastic. Though ironically, I've not advocated UH to re-use any mould. Or, for that matter, to use any mould. What I've been saying is have Ixo re-use some of their non-JBCC moulds either recycled or partially recycled. Face it: we've not seen a run-of-the-mill UAZ-31512 marketed in the west (the closest we got was an Ist Models UAZ-469B in Afghanistan paint scheme), despite it being a staple of the Russian Army to this day. Ixo's Mercedes-Benz 180D Ponton has also been discontinued for quite a while in black, and they did a pretty nice job on it. Not Minichamps, but you could certainly save money by buying the far-from-unacceptable Ixo version. THAT'S the kind of mould recycling I'm talking about.
I agree with this, especially given that UH supplied (technically, since it's already been produced) Issue 110 and certainly altered the mould to allow for some dents and the complete removal of the door. The contract was certainly amended, but the real question, at least in my eyes, is "how was it amended?"
By that, I mean, has it become "you're only obligated to produce what amounts to filler from altered moulds" (as you mention: the Yellow Mokes, Vantage sans skids and with tire, another DB5, the QoS or OP Beetle [the latter would actually be acceptable IF AND ONLY IF we have the driver eating a bratwurst with his wife offering Bond a beer...that would be an AWESOME diorama...Ixo actually makes a post-1978 Mexican Beetle that would be correct for QoS, but I'd rather not see it], and possibly the DAD Ferrari...although the "no more Colonel Moon's Supercars" sentiment was running extra-high when the second one, whichever it was, was released) or more along the lines of "you can start producing moulds again...but we're keeping you on a short leash and are going to have Ixo step in the moment you fall down on the job." I would only say one thing positive: the cars seem to have been intended to be produced as GF T-Birds and then given very minor alterations (i.e. stuff you can whip up for the car proper in under three weeks, even for UH, though I can't say the same for the dioramas). Therefore, we can't really conclusively say that there won't be figures. The car just looks too rushed/too much like a stopgap.
FACT, you can sign me up for that list!
This is a great question to which I'd also love to know the answer. Still, I can put in an educated guess about UH (as opposed to Fabbri in general and also Ixo): here's a complete list of all of the countries involved in the JBCC still on the UH models...
-Finland (Somewhere in the 50's; the site only lists up to 60 so far.)
-Germany (Up to 90, I think)
-Brazil (Up to 86)
-The Netherlands (Not sure)
And I believe there are others. As such, UH is still obviously turning a profit in these countries that either signed on late or just are having the collection released more slowly (appears to be that way in Finland...but they are apparently still going!). They're also logically still producing extra GF T-Birds for these countries since they were still in stock in the late 80's in the UK; the one I bought off eBay was purchased as a back issue then. In other words, they're turning contractual obligation into profit. As FACT said, Fabbri probably approached them (not vice versa) and I would I suppose told them to turn out a car so Fabbri could fill the fortnightly order and Ixo can get themselves righted and have their moulds prepared. They probably said to use the best mould they had...and the GF T-Bird certainly was a terrifically-done car. Fabbri, UH, or both probably figured consumers wouldn't know the difference or could live with one turkey of an issue to prepare for Ixo's production; HIGHLY possible with figures and definitely with improved dioramas. It's just a guess, but there it is.
I know, but as someone (maz? FACT? One of you two very knowledge 1/43 guys) said, this car is quite possibly NOT 1/43 scale and may have some parts that are worth more than their effort to take apart or remove.
EDIT: One last thing that leads me to believe Ixo is tooling up for "doubled" production of the JBCC: their East Bloc partworks, with the BIG exceptions of USSR AvtoLegende (their breadwinner in that market, if you will) and Atlas DDR Trucks, have all suddenly and oddly decided to release a bunch of recycled moulds until the New Year. This is VERY atypical and indicates a re-allocation of resources...
-Kultowe Auta PRL-u has not only slowed production, but also released just one completely new mould out of five releases.
-Kultovni Auta CSSR's next EIGHT moulds are examples where parts were recently released for other markets (mostly from Retroautok a keleti blokkbol).
-Retroautok a keleti blokkbol basically switched up cars with Kultovni Auta CSSR. These two collections do recycle moulds, of course, but they don't usually "leapfrog" like this unless Ixo has something big planned (happens when Ist Models are given their release).
-Masini de Legenda and Atlas DDR Auto-Kollektion have both gone from "delayed" to "complete and total standstill with no news of any new models."
Note that I'm not trying to shift discussion to the East Bloc partworks; I'm just trying to prove a point that SOMETHING big is happening over at Ixo, and my guess is it's JBCC-related.
I just bought this week nr. 88. I know subscribers received also nr. 89 the Anglia with the correct base!
Thanks very much! You've still got a number of UH models to go, then!
I know Greece was in it a while ago, but I haven't heard anything from there regarding expansions lately...
So, we are officialy at 88, with subscribers ahead at 89. I have to say, the Anglia, except for the colour of course is a véry decent model, dare I say one of UH's better ones.
And, lucky us, some of the best in the series with both the classic Rollers, the ambulances, the miller hearse, the brand-new Econoline and even the acrostar and Bondola are issues i'm looking forward to!
About the standstill at other IXO-series, I really dó hope they have 'learned' from the reception of the ford consul and give it their best this time as far as the 'presentation' is concerned (presentation is figures, base and all other things.)
And yes, my post about giving them ideas wás cynical. hence the smileys ^^
EDIT By the way. There was this website of a small german manufacturer wich makes models in very limited runs, and they did a few Bond-ones as well. Their site was online again, so here it goes:
The Licence-Roller as it was supposed to be. What I meant with "very limited": they made 50 of this one:
The battered Vanquish:
The brílliant Moon-cars
and Bond's DBS after the record-breaking crash:
Makes the UH ones looks like toys, right?
...
Well, considered the price of €699 (yes, that's six hundred and ninety nine euros!
HAHA. I love how quick you were to notice this blatant cheap entry into the collection. Its so funny cos it literally is the same base and car.
The 3 confirmed editions we know from GeFabbri sound alright (although they have confirmed and then not produced before). Lets just hope we do get some pearlers to really make this collection a truly amazing series. My wants would be:
- FRWL Flower Truck
- LALD Decapitated Bus (come on GF, we are way past the 7/7 excuse)
- LTK Kenworth
- LTK Datsun 620 (with wheels on fire)
- CR Cevrolet G-Series Van (With DC on back before he jumps fence)
- CR International 4900 fuel truck (with DC on roof)
- CR Airport passenger bus or baggage trailer.
PLUS some specials. But we all wish this and going by the first sighted new release, I think we are in for some disappointment unfortunately. Looking forward to the Bond 23 inclusions though.
Great looking models and dioramas - I hope they might inspire whoever's responsible for the presentation of future JBCC issues!
Diecast007 - how about the two moon cars stuck in the paddy field as a free gift/ series finale?
I wonder who many subscribers have re-thought their plans since the series got so long. When it first started I ordered them on a regular collection basis from a newsagent, then cancelled when it got to the Corvorado (didn't want it) and have bought 'back issues' selectively direct from Fabbri ever since (a perk of being in the UK, I know). I now have about 80 out of 106/7 available and will continue to cherry pick until the series ends. The great thing about these models is that, ignoring the magazines, none of them are numbered - so unless you're a die-hard 'must have them all' collector, you can pick and choose or display them as you wish. I think, had I been a subscriber, I simply would have sold off any models I was really disappointed with as they arrived. Some will even sell for twice the price.
So it's very easy for me to ignore this re-issued T-Bird, but I really think it's going to try the patience of even the most determined subscribers amongst us, at exactly the wrong time with the extension announcement. Fabbri, it would be a very wise move to release some more expansive and hopefully tempting info on planned future models as soon as possible if you want to keep your subscribers on board - I really don't think you can rely on teasing little snippets of information any more, especially after the appearance of this near identical T-Bird. Failing that, make this model a freebie for subscribers only!
Thank you, Universal Hobbies, for always letting boxes of finished models "drop off the truck" so easily, so we can have an advanced preview of what to expect!
I will cancel my subscription after 97, that's four more deliveries for me. So I don't even need to buy one of the horrid Silver Shadows. The OP Range Rover then is a must for me, as are the Silver Cloud and Country Squire.
I am a huge T-Bird fan, and I can well understand economical reasons. But Largo's car is just too much of a rip-off to accept. If they had just made a new bumper/grille unit and new taillights (although not seen in the film, very different from '64 - you can see the wide six-segment '65 taillight on the left in the T-Bird photo D110 provided. Piles of unused '65 T-Bird taillights were used up by Ford for the '68-'70 Shelby Mustangs, so a cheap Ertl or Yat Ming '68 could be a possible source for a code 3 improvement), maybe even some plastic glued-in fender skirts - and this would still be quite a cheaply to produce issue with 80, 90 percent recycled parts.
I can live with the just-printed-on side grille, but this could have been done at least with an additional grey/black tampo-print to simulate shadow and create some depth.
Turning the base around is actually a clever solution, but we just don't get that little extra now that we were used to. The French policeman saluting and Largo behind the car, a No Parking sign - and even the recycled car and diorama would have an instant appeal. The little difference between "Yeah, the car looks just the same but I will buy it anyway" and "What a blatant rip-off!"
And I don't get that "buying Ixo some extra time" thing. If they need more time then why revert back to a 2-week schedule instead of monthly?
Well, Dalko posted this back in January - more than enough lead-time for changed tampo-printing: But I think Fabbri does know IMCDB as well as we do, so didn't need our suggestion for this one. If at least they had read the part with the Largo figure!
You are absolutely right: "Memorable" is very subjective. But to notice that the Impala was not Strutter's car was not that difficult. We had the IMCDB photos of the cars to expect, and as Strutter's Impala was shown as light blue with dark blue roof, it wasn't that hard to figure that a dark blue car with white roof can't be his. Even I did manage this, and I still don't remember the car from the film.
But I was speaking as a subscriber, and one who pays twice as much as a UK subscriber (€14 per model + €4 shipping from Germany). Now that I am a cherry-picker I am fine with a Dr. No taxi, a Willy's Jeep from every Bond movie we see one, a yellow Mini Moke, even a third Silver Shadow from the Peninsula Hotel's Rolls-Royce fleet in TMWTGG. I will just no longer buy them all!
Ah, yes, one suggestion: Please Fabbri, do the OP horsebox trailer. As a cherry-picker, preferred as a standard issue and not a subscriber's gift, as the latter are more difficult to get. But whom am I kidding? Subscriber's gifts? There will be none, that's for sure. As there will be no figures; no Roger Moore about to kick down the Mercedes, nothing.
It' now just to get as many cars as possible and these made as cheaply as possible. Perhaps the main reason they went to Ixo. "Fabbri would logically be paying Ixo more for each model simply because they're Ixo." Why should they? Ixo is not a top brand name - we're not talking about "Minichamps" here. Fabbri will probably pay Ixo less than UH but no longer have exclusivity rights.
I saw this diorama a couple of years ago for sale, and was kind of quarter-tempted - it's a lot of money, but in the cinema I found this scene extremely amusing.
HOWEVER once again it's wrong. The Ferrari should be an F355 , and the car in the diorama is a 348tb. It's the predessor to the 355, and simply the wrong car. They have used the Herpa 348 as the basis.
Please, model makers, just get it right! I don't want to buy models that are completely wrong.
As a further point, if GE Fabbri need to delve into UH moulds for a couple of issues, how about digging out the F355 from Goldeneye and re-issuing it as the yellow car from Die Another Day? It's not a bad model of the F355, and it is one of the best-loved of all Ferraris.
Two more ideas for the wishlist.
The OHMSS Bobsleighs - could you fit 2 in one box?!
Then the "Pig" pipeline escape car from TLDaylights.
Bleuville. "I know where you keep your gun. S'pose that's something." CR.
They have something coming, I'll say that...the slowdown proves that. I'm not sure what it is, but they've got something.
I remembered the car, and well...a shame you don't.
Simple: Ixo puts out a more detailed car than UH (well...these days), although you are right in that they lose mould exclusivity rights (albeit NOT for figures or dioramas). But why would they want mould exclusivity rights when they could turn a larger profit off Ixo, anyway? After all, Ixo can make moulds faster. Their hangup was figures and dioramas.
Sarcastically attacking MovieCarFan's ideas and my ideas? All right, I guess with me, it's fair game. But literally somehow linking me to a poorly-done, place-holder issue because you're angry with said poorly-done issue...? I'm hoping you're being sarcastic and it's just not coming across well...
I have had my debit card charged for 108 and 109 so hopefully will get some info regarding extention. I will post any news here. I agree with yourmovemrbond it is the loyalty of all the subscribers that has pushed for the extention. However GEFAbbri should not take that loyalty for Granted. I really hope this thunderbird is a seconds that has slipped the net or even potential code 3 . We have had no official notification of this issue . Like I said earlier the reaction it is causing is a potential 'Anglia 2' scenario but this time correct box but wrong car. I'm an optimist and I am sure if this is an issue it will be overshadowed by some real gems to come........dont let me down GEFabbri.....I've got my fingers crossed too!:)
I hate to say this, but KINGsMODEL has a 100% accuracy rate in terms of models being released thus far...
Perfectly justified, and I agree, but my guess is their excuse will then be "then why didn't you ask for a new Aston Martin Volante from TLD or Audi from TLD?"
I know what you are saying but the other two vehicles had not appeared in the collection previously so nothing to compare too, in essence we could argue something against each issue but we haven't and accepted the product. I think the TB is a blatant manufactured release Code 3 done badly hence I am not convinced/hoping it is not an actual release. I know Kings models have had a heads up with a number of releases so it looks a given it is an official release. Thats why I dont think GEFabbri should take their subscribers for granted fair enough no figures, lesser dioramas but substandard models is just taking the michael ! In which case I do hope this folly will be overshadowed by news of other releases.
They made 'em, so you can bet they'll release 'em. On the other hand, you do have a point: the Audi and Volante were new. This isn't.
On the other hand, I'm genuinely wondering if they don't change the release order at a moment's notice. They've done it before. I.e. give Ixo more time to work on the LALD Impala Custom Coupe (possibly giving us a diorama and figures) and just spit something out at a moment's notice. The LALD Impala becomes 111. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS TOTAL GUESSWORK. But seeing as Fabbri was in talks with Ixo as to including figures, well...all I'm saying is that I'm wondering if they didn't push 109 back to 111. The DBS gets pushed forward to 109, the TB T-Bird comes out at 110. The Impala itself would of course stay the same, but the diorama might change (whatever it is) and you might get a figure or figures. Again, this is GUESSWORK, and not even all-that-educated guesswork, but there you have my longshot of a theory.