Looks like the usual high standard, although the dio is - suprise suprise - without figures and a gravel road. I'm afraid we're going to see that one quite a few times more, together with the generic tarmac road...
Just an aside, back on the Code3ing theme, can anybody recommend any particular makes of acrylic paint for re-painting JBCC figures? Is Games Workshop paint any good?
Just an aside, back on the Code3ing theme, can anybody recommend any particular makes of acrylic paint for re-painting JBCC figures? Is Games Workshop paint any good?
I use Revell model kit paint, and haven't had any problems yet.
james john smythe...EXCELLLENT pictures! Having the luxury of owning the Ixo-for-Altaya Mercedes-Benz partwork W115, I can now size the license plates correctly and have them ready for when it arrives!
Just an aside, back on the Code3ing theme, can anybody recommend any particular makes of acrylic paint for re-painting JBCC figures?
FineScale Modeller (the paint, not the magazine, although that's great, too!) has always done well, though I prefer applying a primer and usually use it for complete repaints instead of touch-ups.
I have used Games Workshop paints a lot for painting white metal models but not sure about plastic. If the plastic is hard like kit plastics then will be fine if flexible then may have issues.
Without checking every single JBCC model I've got, it appears the figures are soft vinyl (I presume it makes them easier to 'manoeuvre' into position at the assembly stage). Vallejo Paints seem to get a lot of mention on forums - anybody used them?
Yep have a couple of white paints from them seem OK slightly better than Humbrol acrylic I thought. Problem with soft vinyl is getting a key on the model. I am pretty sure some modellers would suggest cleaning off existing paint and then spraying with a self-etch primer to give a really good surface for next coat to go on. Myself I would be tempted to take one into a games workshop shop if you are in the uk and ask if you can borrow some paint to see if it works... They are pretty obliging even if I am about 40 years older than their typical customer...
The first vehicle from Skyfall that might be modelled(...)
"Better make that two."
Sorry couldn't let quoting Tim there. Anyway, there are some pictures including both the Rover and a Jááááááááág XJ-L with Judi in it, si that may be our next staff car. And I for one sure wouldn't mind having a model of a black XJL for only 13 quid!
Yes a Jaguar XJL would be a good model. (Cheaper than Minichamps etc.)
I thought of a vehicle from OHMSS that could be modelled and that is the Mercedes Minibus that picks up the girls after they leave the cable car station. (Christmas time.)
Got the Mercedes-Benz 220 and I love it! The ONLY negative is that basically, what they did (and you can see this if you flip the car over) for the front license plate is that they actually mounted it over the old bracket for the Mercedes-Benz partwork and it juts out *slightly*. You can fix this pretty easily by removing the plate, taking the bracket off, and then reaffixing the plate, but I think it's frankly nitpicking.
The details for the car itself are wonderful. The interior...which is what struck me...is what you'd expect from an Ixo Classic model and features painted dials, interior logos, and yes, the vaunted right-hand drive. The door handles were also installed completely correctly, as was the side mirror, so I guess I got a good one. Nothing wrong with the hubcaps, either, and I must say that they are quite well-done and quite detailed.
The headlights and rear lights are both in order and correct. The colors "blended" somewhat in the photos taken above and unfortunately, did not do the model justice. If you have a problem with the little pins attaching the lights, just cut them off and glue a piece of foil over them as has been suggested by someone before (and I apologize for forgetting who it was...). Yes, this does work, and makes the car look awesome.
One other thing I noticed that is admittedly somewhat random but also significant regarding quality is that, when I held the car in my hand and held the other Mercedes-Benz W115 from the M-B partwork (also Ixo with the same moulded body) in my hand, the JBCC model was noticeably heavier and seemed to be more carefully put together (and also sold me on the other W115 scheduled to be released, as I do like the car). Big plus!
I would say that the paint quality, especially, on this one is actually slightly above the ZIL-117, Ford Country Squire, Ford Econoline, and Chevy Impala Custom Coupe. It's Ixo Classic in all but name, you have the finished interior replete with Mercedes-Benz STEERING WHEEL LOGO, and the tampo-printing is of high quality. The diorama and base are unfortunately what we've come to expect. However, the car completely carries it in this issue. Even though I converted mine to Australian (NSW) license plates, it's also obviously a great Code 3 for the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, India, etc. and is the first RHD Mercedes-Benz in "classic" form that I think we'll see make its way to the marketplace. I was surprised by how much I liked this car, kept going back, looking at it, and this one, for me, will likely only be outdone by the East Bloc and some of the American cars. The grade I give it is A+.
Just writing some news in here: my dealer friend expects to get in the VAZ-2106 around the beginning of December. They HAVE changed the release schedule, evidently.
Seeing as Issues 111 & 112 have been released at four week intervals following the release of Issue 110, another 4-week gap would make Wednesday 30 November the retail release date for Issue 113 (VA-2106) - matching your dealer's expectation, yes.
At this rate of release, Issue 130 will only be in the shops in early-April 2013
Seeing as Issues 111 & 112 have been released at four week intervals following the release of Issue 110, another 4-week gap would make Wednesday 30 November the retail release date for Issue 113 (VAZ-2106) - matching your dealer's expectation, yes.
At this rate of release, Issue 130 will only be in the shops in early-April 2013
My personal theory is that Fabbri/Eaglemoss realized they've pretty much lost the Bond-Centrics and were approched by Ixo, who promptly told them that yes, they could do a car in two weeks, but the end result wouldn't appeal to Car-Centrics at all. Hence why I think we're seeing not only a slow schedule, but a schedule actually slowed down from what we were getting earlier.
I received 110 last week. A door cleanly taken off and some paint swipes along the driver side...Kind of a bad edition I thought. Next is the rereleased Thunderbird. Maybe I should stop at 110.
I suppose if the JBCC issues are only going to be released at the rate of one a month for the remaining term, we'll just have to write more s-l-o-w-l-y
Seriously though, I would have thought it's a situation Fabbri/EM would be just as unhappy about as we customers. Mostly because their profits per month from the series will be halved. If IXO can't speed things up, Fabbri/EM might want to consider commissioning extra models from another supplier that could run in relay with IXO's releases - one from each company per month, taking us back to fortnightly issues. There's plenty to choose from on our 'wants' list, and we might even see figures and diorama bases again. Furthermore, I'm sure that as with IXO, another company might have plenty of existing moulds that could be raided.
On another note, I've got my code3 QOS DBS and a 'GF bad guys black Merc 180' well and truly underway, but sourcing cheap donor vehicles seems to be a complete pain in the proverbial! Trying to find JBCC models for just a few quid on e-bay is a nightmare, especially when (including postage) the bidding seems to edge very close to the £7.99 back issue figure. And for those of you who buy your models on e-bay and put your faith in the sellers' descriptions, you have my DEEPEST sympathy. ALL the ones I've bought so far have had terminally cracked cases, either this has been described as 'might have a few scratch marks' or not mentioned at all. Muppetry.
I suppose if the JBCC issues are only going to be released at the rate of one a month for the remaining term, we'll just have to write more s-l-o-w-l-y
Seriously though, I would have thought it's a situation Fabbri/EM would be just as unhappy about as we customers. Mostly because their profits per month from the series will be halved. If IXO can't speed things up, Fabbri/EM might want to consider commissioning extra models from another supplier that could run in relay with IXO's releases - one from each company per month, taking us back to fortnightly issues. There's plenty to choose from on our 'wants' list, and we might even see figures and diorama bases again. Furthermore, I'm sure that as with IXO, another company might have plenty of existing moulds that could be raided.
On another note, I've got my code3 QOS DBS and a 'GF bad guys black Merc 180' well and truly underway, but sourcing cheap donor vehicles seems to be a complete pain in the proverbial! Trying to find JBCC models for just a few quid on e-bay is a nightmare, especially when (including postage) the bidding seems to edge very close to the £7.99 back issue figure. And for those of you who buy your models on e-bay and put your faith in the sellers' descriptions, you have my DEEPEST sympathy. ALL the ones I've bought so far have had terminally cracked cases, either this has been described as 'might have a few scratch marks' or not mentioned at all. Muppetry.
I don't think Fabbri/EM are unhappy. If they were, the collection would have been wound up ages ago. As you will recall, it was supposed to be 40 issues long. Any new extension is just a bonus, extra profit that was not even originally expected. Of course, selling 2 models a month means higher profit than selling just one, but there is only so much Fabbri can do. Whether they sell one model per week or per month, there is only a certain number they can sell in total anyway, and from the business point of view it may be better to stretch thinner profits over a longer period of time rather than have a series with higher profits that ends sooner. This buy them time which they need to develop new partworks.
From what I've seen on eBay, most models sell for much less than the official price (even allowing for postage), although you don't usually get the magazine. As for the cracked cases, this certainly would be a problem - but how about lodging a PayPal claim if this happens and the seller will not replace the case?
I suppose if the JBCC issues are only going to be released at the rate of one a month for the remaining term, we'll just have to write more s-l-o-w-l-y
Seriously though, I would have thought it's a situation Fabbri/EM would be just as unhappy about as we customers. Mostly because their profits per month from the series will be halved. If IXO can't speed things up, Fabbri/EM might want to consider commissioning extra models from another supplier that could run in relay with IXO's releases - one from each company per month, taking us back to fortnightly issues. There's plenty to choose from on our 'wants' list, and we might even see figures and diorama bases again. Furthermore, I'm sure that as with IXO, another company might have plenty of existing moulds that could be raided.
On another note, I've got my code3 QOS DBS and a 'GF bad guys black Merc 180' well and truly underway, but sourcing cheap donor vehicles seems to be a complete pain in the proverbial! Trying to find JBCC models for just a few quid on e-bay is a nightmare, especially when (including postage) the bidding seems to edge very close to the £7.99 back issue figure. And for those of you who buy your models on e-bay and put your faith in the sellers' descriptions, you have my DEEPEST sympathy. ALL the ones I've bought so far have had terminally cracked cases, either this has been described as 'might have a few scratch marks' or not mentioned at all. Muppetry.
I don't think Fabbri/EM are unhappy. If they were, the collection would have been wound up ages ago. As you will recall, it was supposed to be 40 issues long. Any new extension is just a bonus, extra profit that was not even originally expected. Of course, selling 2 models a month means higher profit than selling just one, but there is only so much Fabbri can do. Whether they sell one model per week or per month, there is only a certain number they can sell in total anyway, and from the business point of view it may be better to stretch thinner profits over a longer period of time rather than have a series with higher profits that ends sooner. This buy them time which they need to develop new partworks.
From what I've seen on eBay, most models sell for much less than the official price (even allowing for postage), although you don't usually get the magazine. As for the cracked cases, this certainly would be a problem - but how about lodging a PayPal claim if this happens and the seller will not replace the case?
I think Fabbri/EM could be on dodgy ground if they're being that complacent. There's a four prong problem they need to consider i.e. no figures, no dioramas to speak of, twice the waiting time and cars having limited appeal (as against the really well known vehicles). There could be a danger of even the car-centrics walking away if it's going to be that drawn out, reducing the expected thinner profits even more - I worked out the next issue I'll be buying won't be until next April. If they won't approach another manufacturer for extra 'infill' models, maybe IXO could be persuaded to speed things up a bit - maybe a model every 21 days instead of 30 days.
Luckily the models I bought on e-bay were primarily for parts, so I didn't kick up any fuss. It just would have been useful to have some intact covers included. Regarding e-bay sale prices I think the return depends on what you're selling, for example I couldn't get rid of a perfect VTAK Corvette without dropping to £2.99 whereas I sold a spare Country Squire for £18, so it's a bit of a mixed bag really.
I think Fabbri/EM could be on dodgy ground if they're being that complacent. There's a four prong problem they need to consider i.e. no figures, no dioramas to speak of, twice the waiting time and cars having limited appeal (as against the really well known vehicles).
Normally, and under the "rules" we operated under prior to say, about Issue 100, you'd be absolutely right. The problem is, though, that as Jag's pointed out, the game has changed, figuratively speaking. Both EM/Fabbri and Ixo are making boatloads of money off secondary market sales on eBay. I'm seeing more cars actually being ordered by the dealers I consider the usual suspects (maybe 12 instead of 8), which speaks to their confidence in reselling the product. The VAZ-2106 sold out in one day for three different dealers who'd ordered twelve cars, incidentally. And that was on the first day of pre-ordering! An increase of four cars may not sound like much, but apply it to the actual distributors and you're actually seeing sales go up, not down. Regardless of Fabbri/EM possibly screwing over their customer base, they're making a profit doing so. I'm not going to defend that...I'm just stating the facts.
Further, as I said earlier, their target market has changed, and radically so. All you needed to know about the Mercedes-Benz 220 that was issue 112 was how much it weighed and the interior detailing. This was a great quality car that was surpassing even past winners amongst car-centrics like the Country Squire, ZIL-117, etc. This particular Merc practically screams "I'M AIMED AT THE CAR-CENTRICS!"
The thing about Car-Centrics (and I should know because I am one, though sympathize with the Bond-Centrics) is that we're just that: we're in it for the car we saw on the screen and we want that car to be accurate/true to movie form, but not much else (i.e. figures and dioramas are secondary). The cars having limited appeal is something I strongly disagree with. Go down to a bunch of Car-Centrics with something like a RHD Mercedes-Benz, a REAL St. Petersburg Militsia GAI car (some of the cars were actually real in that chase scene, apparently!), the first ever true Mercedes-Benz S-Class without paying out the nose as you would for Minichamps (and thus allowing Code 3's), and some of the cars later on in the series like the Dodge Ram Pickup would have enormous appeal...just not to Bond-Centrics and as I said, I think we're basically turning into a "Car-Centric Collection of Cars that Appeared in James Bond Movies". But you do raise one very good point about wait time.
Usually, a partwork will go maybe 2-3 weeks between cars unless it's something that's an out-and-out masterwork like the La Route Bleue series that appealed to anyone and everyone. Waiting a month might be too long for some people, and I could see a definite demand for three weeks amongst maybe half us Car-Centrics. But then, you also have a very vocal portion of the Car-Centrics that stresses patience and, by virtue of that, better attention to detail. I'm sorta neutral on this one in general, but I don't think it's unreasonable to ask Ixo for a model every 21 days. Still, FACT has repeatedly raised the question "I'd love to know: what's the production run for these models?" My guess is it's rather low (at least in comparison to the earlier UH models) and releasing a model every four weeks is probably best suited to said production run.
Bottom line, though, times...and the buyers of these cars...have changed.
I think Fabbri/EM could be on dodgy ground if they're being that complacent. There's a four prong problem they need to consider i.e. no figures, no dioramas to speak of, twice the waiting time and cars having limited appeal (as against the really well known vehicles).
Normally, and under the "rules" we operated under prior to say, about Issue 100, you'd be absolutely right. The problem is, though, that as Jag's pointed out, the game has changed, figuratively speaking. Both EM/Fabbri and Ixo are making boatloads of money off secondary market sales on eBay. I'm seeing more cars actually being ordered by the dealers I consider the usual suspects (maybe 12 instead of 8), which speaks to their confidence in reselling the product. The VAZ-2106 sold out in one day for three different dealers who'd ordered twelve cars, incidentally. And that was on the first day of pre-ordering! An increase of four cars may not sound like much, but apply it to the actual distributors and you're actually seeing sales go up, not down. Regardless of Fabbri/EM possibly screwing over their customer base, they're making a profit doing so. I'm not going to defend that...I'm just stating the facts.
Further, as I said earlier, their target market has changed, and radically so. All you needed to know about the Mercedes-Benz 220 that was issue 112 was how much it weighed and the interior detailing. This was a great quality car that was surpassing even past winners amongst car-centrics like the Country Squire, ZIL-117, etc. This particular Merc practically screams "I'M AIMED AT THE CAR-CENTRICS!"
The thing about Car-Centrics (and I should know because I am one, though sympathize with the Bond-Centrics) is that we're just that: we're in it for the car we saw on the screen and we want that car to be accurate/true to movie form, but not much else (i.e. figures and dioramas are secondary). The cars having limited appeal is something I strongly disagree with. Go down to a bunch of Car-Centrics with something like a RHD Mercedes-Benz, a REAL St. Petersburg Militsia GAI car (some of the cars were actually real in that chase scene, apparently!), the first ever true Mercedes-Benz S-Class without paying out the nose as you would for Minichamps (and thus allowing Code 3's), and some of the cars later on in the series like the Dodge Ram Pickup would have enormous appeal...just not to Bond-Centrics and as I said, I think we're basically turning into a "Car-Centric Collection of Cars that Appeared in James Bond Movies". But you do raise one very good point about wait time.
Usually, a partwork will go maybe 2-3 weeks between cars unless it's something that's an out-and-out masterwork like the La Route Bleue series that appealed to anyone and everyone. Waiting a month might be too long for some people, and I could see a definite demand for three weeks amongst maybe half us Car-Centrics. But then, you also have a very vocal portion of the Car-Centrics that stresses patience and, by virtue of that, better attention to detail. I'm sorta neutral on this one in general, but I don't think it's unreasonable to ask Ixo for a model every 21 days. Still, FACT has repeatedly raised the question "I'd love to know: what's the production run for these models?" My guess is it's rather low (at least in comparison to the earlier UH models) and releasing a model every four weeks is probably best suited to said production run.
Bottom line, though, times...and the buyers of these cars...have changed.
I think we’re talking in circles here. Personally I wouldn’t dispute that the JBCC has evolved into a different animal with a different consumer demographic, and that disgruntled mainstream Bond fans have left the building to be replaced by a different audience. The point is, that lack of figures, poor dioramas, unappealing cars have all been raised as issues as to why people have been jumping over the side of the ship, and that IMHO the delivery time factor could be a possible new reason for more to join them.
By ‘more’ I’m talking about the middle ground, of people like myself who have a foot equally in both camps – equally car-centric and Bond centric, but where many may not have the admirable patience of the committed car-centrics. This ‘middle ground’ may be a considerable number or just a few, but I suspect the former - otherwise we’d be seeing models in plain boxes for the car-centrics alone. Either way, I reckon slow deliveries could compromise sales in this group.
I still see no reason why other manufacturers couldn’t be approached to supply models, possibly from existing moulds, alongside IXO’s schedule. In that event, any pressure on IXO would slacken off and we’d get more models to choose from in the remaining months/years the JBCC continues to run.
I think we’re talking in circles here. Personally I wouldn’t dispute that the JBCC has evolved into a different animal with a different consumer demographic, and that disgruntled mainstream Bond fans have left the building to be replaced by a different audience. The point is, that lack of figures, poor dioramas, unappealing cars have all been raised as issues as to why people have been jumping over the side of the ship, and that IMHO the delivery time factor could be a possible new reason for more to join them.
By ‘more’ I’m talking about the middle ground, of people like myself who have a foot equally in both camps – equally car-centric and Bond centric, but where many may not have the admirable patience of the committed car-centrics. This ‘middle ground’ may be a considerable number or just a few, but I suspect the former - otherwise we’d be seeing models in plain boxes for the car-centrics alone. Either way, I reckon slow deliveries could compromise sales in this group.
I still see no reason why other manufacturers couldn’t be approached to supply models, possibly from existing moulds, alongside IXO’s schedule. In that event, any pressure on IXO would slacken off and we’d get more models to choose from in the remaining months/years the JBCC continues to run.
You're partly right, MovieCarFan - but...
1. As a Bond-centric, I wouldn't mind waiting a month or two for a single model - in fact, it means that you spend less every month, so it's easier to budget. So I would never have cancelled my subscription for that reason - and I think many are like me.
2. The lack of figures and detailed dioramas is not a big problem either. I'd rather have a great model with poor diorama than the other way round.
3. Fabbri promised dioramas when the series was released. Getting rid of them is just not an option for many reasons. They know they need to honour this promise no matter what - but they are trying to save money by using generic dioramas and no figures.
4. The major single reason why car-centrics are cancelling their subscription is simply because most of the models produced now did not play any noticeable role in the movies. A secondary reason is that you can pick and choose the models and buy them cheaper online.
I think we’re talking in circles here. Personally I wouldn’t dispute that the JBCC has evolved into a different animal with a different consumer demographic, and that disgruntled mainstream Bond fans have left the building to be replaced by a different audience.
I would dispute the bit about talking in circles...I think this is actually very nice discussion...but so far, I agree otherwise.
The point is, that lack of figures, poor dioramas, unappealing cars have all been raised as issues as to why people have been jumping over the side of the ship
Judging by the fact you're not seeing not only no figures, but also no images of any actors credited, I'm thinking Fabbri had their license revoked. As for boring cars...aside from the Morris Minor 1000 and Austin FX4 London Taxi, these are FASCINATING cars to everyone I've asked who isn't really all that into Bond.
I still see no reason why other manufacturers couldn’t be approached to supply models, possibly from existing moulds, alongside IXO’s schedule.
I do. Ixo's management has to win an award for "world's most stubborn diecast company" in terms of doing it their way or the highway. Ixo likely already HAS these moulds made up. If Fabbri/EM went in and said "Okay Ixo guys, we want you to speed up!" the Ixo reps would likely respond "Then find someone else and good luck doing so with the price of diecasting skyrocketing...and oh by the way, since you signed the mould rights over to us, we're taking them with us and selling them as non-Bond cars. Have a nice day!" Ixo has enough trouble working with Hongwell as it is, slowing down the Russian Nash Avtoprom series (NOT a partwork, but technically a series). When you sign a contract with Ixo, you're guaranteed great cars, but not much else.
Either way, I reckon slow deliveries could compromise sales in this group.
I'm going to disagree here and make my case once more that Car-Centrics are VERY divided over this. I don't really care have the attitude of "it gets here when it gets here, so long as I DO get it and it lives up to my expectations". Also, as Jag points out below, the Bond-Centrics seem equally divided on the time issue.
1. As a Bond-centric, I wouldn't mind waiting a month or two for a single model - in fact, it means that you spend less every month, so it's easier to budget. So I would never have cancelled my subscription for that reason - and I think many are like me.
And you see a direct analog on the Car-Centric side. Again, it's divided, but I think both Bond-Centrics and Car-Centrics have the issues with clashing mentalities of "do whatever it takes to make a good model" vs. "I want my model and I know you can make it faster than this!"
A secondary reason is that you can pick and choose the models and buy them cheaper online.
Jag, this is probably the only thing I'll disagree with you on, and even then, only partly, because I imagine that in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, you can get them cheaper online. BUT here in the US, most of the UK dealers sell the UH models cheap, but it's the Ixo models people want. Naturally, therefore, the UK dealers that ship to the US charge more for the Ixo models and they still sell out BLINDINGLY fast. The VAZ-2106 just beat the Ford Country Squire's weekly record for pre-orders. They also have a nasty tendency to take forever to go down in price unless the packaging is somehow defective, though the model is perfectly okay (I've gotten a few like this on purpose since I don't use the dioramas).
Judging by the fact you're not seeing not only no figures, but also no images of any actors credited, I'm thinking Fabbri had their license revoked. As for boring cars...aside from the Morris Minor 1000 and Austin FX4 London Taxi, these are FASCINATING cars to everyone I've asked who isn't really all that into Bond.
That's the point - No figures, rudimentary bases and no actor images are negative factors that are already, as I see it, upsetting people whose postings seem to put them in the 'middle ground'. I'm pretty sure you have mainstream Bond-centric fans who like Bond more than the cars, then the middle ground (equally Bond and cars) and the car-centrics where it's more about the car than Bond. It appears to me from previous (or lack of) postings here that the early Bond group has largely lost interest, leaving the remaining two groups. Whilst I can appreciate the car-centrics are still happy to wait long periods for the remaining cars, I'm not so convinced about the majority of the others in the middle ground (Jag - I know you're ok with this but we're not hearing from those who have said they're annoyed by lack of figures etc, about prospective waiting times) I would have thought Fabbri/EM would want to keep all of this theoretical 'middle ground' customer group happy because I'd imagine that's where most of the remaining subscribers are. But as you have reasoned, Fabbri/EM may be too busy rubbing their hands over the newer car-centrics 'dealer sales market', which hopefully is a healthily expanding group.
Ixo's management has to win an award for "world's most stubborn diecast company" in terms of doing it their way or the highway. Ixo likely already HAS these moulds made up. If Fabbri/EM went in and said "Okay Ixo guys, we want you to speed up!" the Ixo reps would likely respond "Then find someone else and good luck doing so with the price of diecasting skyrocketing...and oh by the way, since you signed the mould rights over to us, we're taking them with us and selling them as non-Bond cars. Have a nice day!" Ixo has enough trouble working with Hongwell as it is, slowing down the Russian Nash Avtoprom series (NOT a partwork, but technically a series). When you sign a contract with Ixo, you're guaranteed great cars, but not much else.
Not sure if you get what I'm driving at here. I'm not saying for one minute that anyone else should take on the models due to be produced by Ixo to speed things up, - I'm suggesting that Fabbri/EM could commission some EXTRA models from other suppliers to 'fill in' the waiting times. So, in the four weeks between Ixo's JBCC releases, a model from another source could be dropped in. I've banged on about a GF WW2 Willys Jeep before now and that could be one example, there's plenty of them around. Fabbri/EM could quite easily approach other die-cast companies and say "What have you got in your existing moulds catalogue that's on the James Bond movie database?" (IMCDb). This would potentially mean double the number of cars released in the remaining time schedule for the JBCC, taking the heat off Ixo time-wise in producing the cars already commissioned, and taking us back to fortnightly deliveries.
I prefer the cars to have figures and film stills on the dioramas. These latest ones have been plain, using the same plinths and bases and zero 007-ness. Its all dragging on and getting boring. Not worth the money anymore. But as a collector I feel I need to go on. Grrr!
I prefer the cars to have figures and film stills on the dioramas. These latest ones have been plain, using the same plinths and bases and zero 007-ness. Its all dragging on and getting boring. Not worth the money anymore. But as a collector I feel I need to go on. Grrr!
That's exactly what Fabbri want! And that's precisely why I cancelled the subscription - I don't want to be a pawn in the hands of a greedy corporation. From now on I decide what is part of my Bond collection!
And despite Mr D calling the Austin London Taxi "boring" it is one model that I definitely want!
Comments
A beauty! Still going to Code 3 this one into an Aussie Mercedes-Benz 220. I found NSW plates from a 180 W115 in black, which I think is close enough.
I know. But there hasn't been a pic posted up until this one that's really showed it being RHD with any clarity. So there.
Looks like the usual high standard, although the dio is - suprise suprise - without figures and a gravel road. I'm afraid we're going to see that one quite a few times more, together with the generic tarmac road...
Just an aside, back on the Code3ing theme, can anybody recommend any particular makes of acrylic paint for re-painting JBCC figures? Is Games Workshop paint any good?
I use Revell model kit paint, and haven't had any problems yet.
FineScale Modeller (the paint, not the magazine, although that's great, too!) has always done well, though I prefer applying a primer and usually use it for complete repaints instead of touch-ups.
Without checking every single JBCC model I've got, it appears the figures are soft vinyl (I presume it makes them easier to 'manoeuvre' into position at the assembly stage). Vallejo Paints seem to get a lot of mention on forums - anybody used them?
Yes a Jaguar XJL would be a good model. (Cheaper than Minichamps etc.)
I thought of a vehicle from OHMSS that could be modelled and that is the Mercedes Minibus that picks up the girls after they leave the cable car station. (Christmas time.)
Bleuville.
The details for the car itself are wonderful. The interior...which is what struck me...is what you'd expect from an Ixo Classic model and features painted dials, interior logos, and yes, the vaunted right-hand drive. The door handles were also installed completely correctly, as was the side mirror, so I guess I got a good one. Nothing wrong with the hubcaps, either, and I must say that they are quite well-done and quite detailed.
The headlights and rear lights are both in order and correct. The colors "blended" somewhat in the photos taken above and unfortunately, did not do the model justice. If you have a problem with the little pins attaching the lights, just cut them off and glue a piece of foil over them as has been suggested by someone before (and I apologize for forgetting who it was...). Yes, this does work, and makes the car look awesome.
One other thing I noticed that is admittedly somewhat random but also significant regarding quality is that, when I held the car in my hand and held the other Mercedes-Benz W115 from the M-B partwork (also Ixo with the same moulded body) in my hand, the JBCC model was noticeably heavier and seemed to be more carefully put together (and also sold me on the other W115 scheduled to be released, as I do like the car). Big plus!
I would say that the paint quality, especially, on this one is actually slightly above the ZIL-117, Ford Country Squire, Ford Econoline, and Chevy Impala Custom Coupe. It's Ixo Classic in all but name, you have the finished interior replete with Mercedes-Benz STEERING WHEEL LOGO, and the tampo-printing is of high quality. The diorama and base are unfortunately what we've come to expect. However, the car completely carries it in this issue. Even though I converted mine to Australian (NSW) license plates, it's also obviously a great Code 3 for the UK, New Zealand, South Africa, India, etc. and is the first RHD Mercedes-Benz in "classic" form that I think we'll see make its way to the marketplace. I was surprised by how much I liked this car, kept going back, looking at it, and this one, for me, will likely only be outdone by the East Bloc and some of the American cars. The grade I give it is A+.
At this rate of release, Issue 130 will only be in the shops in early-April 2013
My personal theory is that Fabbri/Eaglemoss realized they've pretty much lost the Bond-Centrics and were approched by Ixo, who promptly told them that yes, they could do a car in two weeks, but the end result wouldn't appeal to Car-Centrics at all. Hence why I think we're seeing not only a slow schedule, but a schedule actually slowed down from what we were getting earlier.
Personally I don't mind, but it will unfortunately slow this thread down considerably.
Seriously though, I would have thought it's a situation Fabbri/EM would be just as unhappy about as we customers. Mostly because their profits per month from the series will be halved. If IXO can't speed things up, Fabbri/EM might want to consider commissioning extra models from another supplier that could run in relay with IXO's releases - one from each company per month, taking us back to fortnightly issues. There's plenty to choose from on our 'wants' list, and we might even see figures and diorama bases again. Furthermore, I'm sure that as with IXO, another company might have plenty of existing moulds that could be raided.
On another note, I've got my code3 QOS DBS and a 'GF bad guys black Merc 180' well and truly underway, but sourcing cheap donor vehicles seems to be a complete pain in the proverbial! Trying to find JBCC models for just a few quid on e-bay is a nightmare, especially when (including postage) the bidding seems to edge very close to the £7.99 back issue figure. And for those of you who buy your models on e-bay and put your faith in the sellers' descriptions, you have my DEEPEST sympathy. ALL the ones I've bought so far have had terminally cracked cases, either this has been described as 'might have a few scratch marks' or not mentioned at all. Muppetry.
I don't think Fabbri/EM are unhappy. If they were, the collection would have been wound up ages ago. As you will recall, it was supposed to be 40 issues long. Any new extension is just a bonus, extra profit that was not even originally expected. Of course, selling 2 models a month means higher profit than selling just one, but there is only so much Fabbri can do. Whether they sell one model per week or per month, there is only a certain number they can sell in total anyway, and from the business point of view it may be better to stretch thinner profits over a longer period of time rather than have a series with higher profits that ends sooner. This buy them time which they need to develop new partworks.
From what I've seen on eBay, most models sell for much less than the official price (even allowing for postage), although you don't usually get the magazine. As for the cracked cases, this certainly would be a problem - but how about lodging a PayPal claim if this happens and the seller will not replace the case?
I think Fabbri/EM could be on dodgy ground if they're being that complacent. There's a four prong problem they need to consider i.e. no figures, no dioramas to speak of, twice the waiting time and cars having limited appeal (as against the really well known vehicles). There could be a danger of even the car-centrics walking away if it's going to be that drawn out, reducing the expected thinner profits even more - I worked out the next issue I'll be buying won't be until next April. If they won't approach another manufacturer for extra 'infill' models, maybe IXO could be persuaded to speed things up a bit - maybe a model every 21 days instead of 30 days.
Luckily the models I bought on e-bay were primarily for parts, so I didn't kick up any fuss. It just would have been useful to have some intact covers included. Regarding e-bay sale prices I think the return depends on what you're selling, for example I couldn't get rid of a perfect VTAK Corvette without dropping to £2.99 whereas I sold a spare Country Squire for £18, so it's a bit of a mixed bag really.
Normally, and under the "rules" we operated under prior to say, about Issue 100, you'd be absolutely right. The problem is, though, that as Jag's pointed out, the game has changed, figuratively speaking. Both EM/Fabbri and Ixo are making boatloads of money off secondary market sales on eBay. I'm seeing more cars actually being ordered by the dealers I consider the usual suspects (maybe 12 instead of 8), which speaks to their confidence in reselling the product. The VAZ-2106 sold out in one day for three different dealers who'd ordered twelve cars, incidentally. And that was on the first day of pre-ordering! An increase of four cars may not sound like much, but apply it to the actual distributors and you're actually seeing sales go up, not down. Regardless of Fabbri/EM possibly screwing over their customer base, they're making a profit doing so. I'm not going to defend that...I'm just stating the facts.
Further, as I said earlier, their target market has changed, and radically so. All you needed to know about the Mercedes-Benz 220 that was issue 112 was how much it weighed and the interior detailing. This was a great quality car that was surpassing even past winners amongst car-centrics like the Country Squire, ZIL-117, etc. This particular Merc practically screams "I'M AIMED AT THE CAR-CENTRICS!"
The thing about Car-Centrics (and I should know because I am one, though sympathize with the Bond-Centrics) is that we're just that: we're in it for the car we saw on the screen and we want that car to be accurate/true to movie form, but not much else (i.e. figures and dioramas are secondary). The cars having limited appeal is something I strongly disagree with. Go down to a bunch of Car-Centrics with something like a RHD Mercedes-Benz, a REAL St. Petersburg Militsia GAI car (some of the cars were actually real in that chase scene, apparently!), the first ever true Mercedes-Benz S-Class without paying out the nose as you would for Minichamps (and thus allowing Code 3's), and some of the cars later on in the series like the Dodge Ram Pickup would have enormous appeal...just not to Bond-Centrics and as I said, I think we're basically turning into a "Car-Centric Collection of Cars that Appeared in James Bond Movies". But you do raise one very good point about wait time.
Usually, a partwork will go maybe 2-3 weeks between cars unless it's something that's an out-and-out masterwork like the La Route Bleue series that appealed to anyone and everyone. Waiting a month might be too long for some people, and I could see a definite demand for three weeks amongst maybe half us Car-Centrics. But then, you also have a very vocal portion of the Car-Centrics that stresses patience and, by virtue of that, better attention to detail. I'm sorta neutral on this one in general, but I don't think it's unreasonable to ask Ixo for a model every 21 days. Still, FACT has repeatedly raised the question "I'd love to know: what's the production run for these models?" My guess is it's rather low (at least in comparison to the earlier UH models) and releasing a model every four weeks is probably best suited to said production run.
Bottom line, though, times...and the buyers of these cars...have changed.
I think we’re talking in circles here. Personally I wouldn’t dispute that the JBCC has evolved into a different animal with a different consumer demographic, and that disgruntled mainstream Bond fans have left the building to be replaced by a different audience. The point is, that lack of figures, poor dioramas, unappealing cars have all been raised as issues as to why people have been jumping over the side of the ship, and that IMHO the delivery time factor could be a possible new reason for more to join them.
By ‘more’ I’m talking about the middle ground, of people like myself who have a foot equally in both camps – equally car-centric and Bond centric, but where many may not have the admirable patience of the committed car-centrics. This ‘middle ground’ may be a considerable number or just a few, but I suspect the former - otherwise we’d be seeing models in plain boxes for the car-centrics alone. Either way, I reckon slow deliveries could compromise sales in this group.
I still see no reason why other manufacturers couldn’t be approached to supply models, possibly from existing moulds, alongside IXO’s schedule. In that event, any pressure on IXO would slacken off and we’d get more models to choose from in the remaining months/years the JBCC continues to run.
You're partly right, MovieCarFan - but...
1. As a Bond-centric, I wouldn't mind waiting a month or two for a single model - in fact, it means that you spend less every month, so it's easier to budget. So I would never have cancelled my subscription for that reason - and I think many are like me.
2. The lack of figures and detailed dioramas is not a big problem either. I'd rather have a great model with poor diorama than the other way round.
3. Fabbri promised dioramas when the series was released. Getting rid of them is just not an option for many reasons. They know they need to honour this promise no matter what - but they are trying to save money by using generic dioramas and no figures.
4. The major single reason why car-centrics are cancelling their subscription is simply because most of the models produced now did not play any noticeable role in the movies. A secondary reason is that you can pick and choose the models and buy them cheaper online.
I would dispute the bit about talking in circles...I think this is actually very nice discussion...but so far, I agree otherwise.
Judging by the fact you're not seeing not only no figures, but also no images of any actors credited, I'm thinking Fabbri had their license revoked. As for boring cars...aside from the Morris Minor 1000 and Austin FX4 London Taxi, these are FASCINATING cars to everyone I've asked who isn't really all that into Bond.
I do. Ixo's management has to win an award for "world's most stubborn diecast company" in terms of doing it their way or the highway. Ixo likely already HAS these moulds made up. If Fabbri/EM went in and said "Okay Ixo guys, we want you to speed up!" the Ixo reps would likely respond "Then find someone else and good luck doing so with the price of diecasting skyrocketing...and oh by the way, since you signed the mould rights over to us, we're taking them with us and selling them as non-Bond cars. Have a nice day!" Ixo has enough trouble working with Hongwell as it is, slowing down the Russian Nash Avtoprom series (NOT a partwork, but technically a series). When you sign a contract with Ixo, you're guaranteed great cars, but not much else.
I'm going to disagree here and make my case once more that Car-Centrics are VERY divided over this. I don't really care have the attitude of "it gets here when it gets here, so long as I DO get it and it lives up to my expectations". Also, as Jag points out below, the Bond-Centrics seem equally divided on the time issue.
And you see a direct analog on the Car-Centric side. Again, it's divided, but I think both Bond-Centrics and Car-Centrics have the issues with clashing mentalities of "do whatever it takes to make a good model" vs. "I want my model and I know you can make it faster than this!"
Jag, this is probably the only thing I'll disagree with you on, and even then, only partly, because I imagine that in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, you can get them cheaper online. BUT here in the US, most of the UK dealers sell the UH models cheap, but it's the Ixo models people want. Naturally, therefore, the UK dealers that ship to the US charge more for the Ixo models and they still sell out BLINDINGLY fast. The VAZ-2106 just beat the Ford Country Squire's weekly record for pre-orders. They also have a nasty tendency to take forever to go down in price unless the packaging is somehow defective, though the model is perfectly okay (I've gotten a few like this on purpose since I don't use the dioramas).
That's the point - No figures, rudimentary bases and no actor images are negative factors that are already, as I see it, upsetting people whose postings seem to put them in the 'middle ground'. I'm pretty sure you have mainstream Bond-centric fans who like Bond more than the cars, then the middle ground (equally Bond and cars) and the car-centrics where it's more about the car than Bond. It appears to me from previous (or lack of) postings here that the early Bond group has largely lost interest, leaving the remaining two groups. Whilst I can appreciate the car-centrics are still happy to wait long periods for the remaining cars, I'm not so convinced about the majority of the others in the middle ground (Jag - I know you're ok with this but we're not hearing from those who have said they're annoyed by lack of figures etc, about prospective waiting times) I would have thought Fabbri/EM would want to keep all of this theoretical 'middle ground' customer group happy because I'd imagine that's where most of the remaining subscribers are. But as you have reasoned, Fabbri/EM may be too busy rubbing their hands over the newer car-centrics 'dealer sales market', which hopefully is a healthily expanding group.
Not sure if you get what I'm driving at here. I'm not saying for one minute that anyone else should take on the models due to be produced by Ixo to speed things up, - I'm suggesting that Fabbri/EM could commission some EXTRA models from other suppliers to 'fill in' the waiting times. So, in the four weeks between Ixo's JBCC releases, a model from another source could be dropped in. I've banged on about a GF WW2 Willys Jeep before now and that could be one example, there's plenty of them around. Fabbri/EM could quite easily approach other die-cast companies and say "What have you got in your existing moulds catalogue that's on the James Bond movie database?" (IMCDb). This would potentially mean double the number of cars released in the remaining time schedule for the JBCC, taking the heat off Ixo time-wise in producing the cars already commissioned, and taking us back to fortnightly deliveries.
That's exactly what Fabbri want! And that's precisely why I cancelled the subscription - I don't want to be a pawn in the hands of a greedy corporation. From now on I decide what is part of my Bond collection!
And despite Mr D calling the Austin London Taxi "boring" it is one model that I definitely want!