"I have on idea how long the real bondol is, but let's assume it is 25ft in length,"
Your average Venetian gondola is about 30-35 feet long (or so I was told...). Let's assume it's 30 feet long. That puts the Bondola at over 8 inches long when done in 1/43 scale. Shrinking it to 1/50 helps a little; it's just about 7 1/4" long. If Ixo does the case, I think it would be feasible. If it's one of the smaller UH cases, then I think it might get a bit "stunted."
Either way, unfortunately, even assuming the Bondola IS going to use a 25-foot model, it still has to use the large, Ixo case. The UH cases aren't quite 6" long.
maybe they are going to wind some of you guys up by creating another box size - the size of a large and small box combined?!
I suppose one half of it could be produced butting up to the background card, with the remaining half shown behind it as a photograph.
I just wish they'd get on with the remaining cars!!
Beautiful car, but again, it just doesn't play a big enough role. I have a feeling somebody like Brooklin will do one of these eventually, too. Also, I had it pegged as a Zephyr 6?
I think the entry on the IMCDB may be a source of confusion - the shot they feature and refer to as a Zephyr 6 is the passenger section only, which is pretty much identical to the Zephyr 4.
"6. Yellow Mini Moke. Every Bond villain has a fleet of these. Why hasn't it already been done ?"
Probably because unlike the UAZ-469B, whilst every villain has a fleet of them, they're background vehicles. The UAZ-469B's have guys actively shooting at Bond for extended periods of time (especially in GE), chasing Bond (especially in GE), and Renard uses one as a getaway vehicle whilst mowing down Russian Army troops in TWINE. The Yellow Mokes are basically either blowing up or driving around in the background.
The Moke crashing into the Liparus submarine pen isn't particulary in the background ! Can't remember if Bond ever gets to drive/or be driven in one, but the fact they feature in three films and are so distinctive puts them into my classic Bond vehicle list. And I'd certainly rather have seen this version than the white LALD model - and as there have been multiple Astons and Lotus Esprits, I would have thought two Moke variants might not be pushing the boat out too far.
"7. Rolls Royce Silver Shadow convertible. Again an obvious contender. Though I have been a bit disappointed with some of the chrome work on the more modern Rolls Royce releases. It doesn't seem as elegant as that on the Mercedes models."
That's easy. Just take some chrome paint (I use Tamiya, but you have Humbrol in the UK, which has been much better on the few times I've been fortunate enough to use it) and touch it up. But then, once Ixo starts making these, you'll see details that the Universal Hobbies models lacked. Basically, when a model is missing something, just touch it up (another example of this are the hubcaps on the OHMSS Mercedes-Benz 600 SWB) with the aid of real photos of the same car.
Ah, sorry, should have made my point clearer - it wasn't the chrome paintwork I was referring to, but the quality of the moulding of the chrome parts. Certainly on the Shadow that's already been released, and possibly also on the Silver Cloud, I didn't think the chrome part moulding was as good as on the OHMSS Mercedes.
"8. Ford Escort. As seen in the ice rally. More prominently featured than the Mini, so why not ?"
Ultimately because I think the Mini was a mistake in the first place and two wrongs don't make a right.
I think I'd agree that the Mini was a mistake, but a suitably dented Ford might have made a nice addition to an ice rally scene display sandwiched between the Cougar and Mercedes. It does play quite a key part in the action.
Personally. I'd hoped the series might have continued a litttle further, as its potential hasn't quite been exhausted yet. And having now seen the ads for the Aston build partwork, which to me doesn't capture the look of the car very well, I wonder how many here would agree that continuing the car collection might have been a better idea.
I agree with pretty much everything you said, Cooper, except for the bit about the yellow Mokes. The only time one of these is anything more than driving around in the background is in TSWLM when, as you point out, one blows up. However, not *every* Bond villain has a fleet of them. We see one or two driving around in the background in YOLT and...the one in TSWLM...and, well, that was it. With one exception*, the yellow vehicles in Moonraker look like they might be based on the Moke, but the body is completely different.
*I would guess because they probably couldn't attach a trailer hitch to the futuristic-looking bodies that appeared on the made-for-the-movie vehicles and because one scene called for one pulling a trailer.
"Ah, sorry, should have made my point clearer - it wasn't the chrome paintwork I was referring to, but the quality of the moulding of the chrome parts. Certainly on the Shadow that's already been released, and possibly also on the Silver Cloud, I didn't think the chrome part moulding was as good as on the OHMSS Mercedes."
Oh, I get ya. The Silver Cloud isn't too terribly bad as I turn it over in my hand, but I'm in full agreement about the Silver Shadow II. Regardless, with Ixo taking over, I have a feeling we'll be seeing better-quality models now.
Personally. I'd hoped the series might have continued a litttle further, as its potential hasn't quite been exhausted yet. And having now seen the ads for the Aston build partwork, which to me doesn't capture the look of the car very well, I wonder how many here would agree that continuing the car collection might have been a better idea.
From Fabbri's position not: Even if we all pray that they should expand the car collection again, how many cars can they realistically squeeze out? 120, 125 maximum, which means 15 more than are now planned.
With the 1:8 Aston, Fabbri expects that many JBCC collectors will also subscribe to the large model. Additionally, being just one impressive piece it can appeal to Bond fans who would not collect model cars otherwise. And once you have bought a few magazines, you have to stick to the end with this one, unlike the JBCC which could be cancelled anytime. So for Fabbri selling 85 issues of the Aston kit is obviously better business than continuing the JBCC instead. Though I still have hope that we will see an expansion to 120 issues. The JBCC is now running parallel to the 1:8 Aston anyway, so it would not matter if this would continue a few months longer.
Beautiful car, but again, it just doesn't play a big enough role. I have a feeling somebody like Brooklin will do one of these eventually, too. Also, I had it pegged as a Zephyr 6?
I think the entry on the IMCDB may be a source of confusion - the shot they feature and refer to as a Zephyr 6 is the passenger section only, which is pretty much identical to the Zephyr 4.
I watched Thunderball again over the Xmas break, along with a brunch of other Bond movies, and the army staff car Zephyr featured in both scenes is definitely the same car and it's definitely a Zephyr 4. In the second scene the car is shown approaching head-on and then turning into the entrance to the airbase and driving up to the boom. The camera then switches to the shot featured on IMCDB where the ID's are being checked by the guard.
I suppose that, because IMCDB is based on members' contributions, they are not always going to get it right. Another mis-identification I noticed concerns the Chev Impala Coupe from LALD that is currently scheduled as Issue #109 - one person on IMCDB claims that there was also a silver one used in the Harlem scenes and provides a screen capture to back his claim, but the "silver" one is actually the metallic blue reflecting sunlight, which one can clearly see if you watch the whole episode in the movie.
"I suppose that, because IMCDB is based on members' contributions, they are not always going to get it right. Another mis-identification I noticed concerns the Chev Impala Coupe from LALD that is currently scheduled as Issue #109 - one person on IMCDB claims that there was also a silver one used in the Harlem scenes and provides a screen capture to back his claim, but the 'silver' one is actually the metallic blue reflecting sunlight, which one can clearly see if you watch the whole episode in the movie."
Agreed, and I do stand corrected. I have spotted some rather egregious errors on that site, FWIW. A lot of film noir cars are (badly) misidentified. One especially common error seems to be confusing Chrysler with DeSoto.
(....)
believe me, having a very good friend who works in marketing, they're not just going to spit out two more iterations of the Silver Shadow II. Why? Because that's just stupid and it actively goes against what the consumer wants.
Also recall that the Silver Shadow II mould is Universal Hobbies, not Ixo.
(....)
Recall the backlash against mould-sharing when it's occurred in the past with this series.
First argument: it's a profit-based company, they, excuse me for my language, don't give a sh*t about the consumer as long as they get their money.
Second argument:
LIke i said above, it's all about the money. I can back both of my arguments up. how?
Thís is how:
First: The two-tone is barely visible, from what I can see the "top" part should have been more silver-ish. (like thís.)
Second: the bumpers aren't the right ones.
Third: the interior os black, not blue-green-ish.
Fourth: incorrect rims.
Fifth: again no white stripe on the tires.
Sixth: they re-used the Daimler(49)'s base for the six billionth time.
and as a little remark, no Q figure.
If it wouldn't have been so obvious that this would happen, I would have been outraged and dissapointed. Now, it's just the later one. Times 10.
^ Is that RR Silver Shadow going to be #102 in the collection?
Edit: I just remembered the back of magazine 101 said Bondola was next. Weird we have a picture of a car that is supposed to be 108 in the collection. Obviously shuffling the order/changing the cars...
More images of the new Roller posted above by James John Smythe - who unfortunately appears to be absolutely right about the incorrect colours and detail. Shades of the incorrectly coloured Dr.No 'Harry Potter' Anglia again........ 8-)
More images of the new Roller posted above by James John Smythe - who unfortunately appears to be absolutely right about the incorrect colours and detail. Shades of the incorrectly coloured Dr.No 'Harry Potter' Anglia again........ 8-)
Come to think of it!!! Where is our "Anglia"????? :o -{ :007)
"LIke i said above, it's all about the money. I can back both of my arguments up."
Or perhaps not (also, you took what I said out of context when I distinctly said "spitting out TWO more iterations of the Silver Shadow II"...this is ONE more iteration...). Remember, Ixo essentially took over manufacture of the cars themselves. That car is Universal Hobbies. We know that, from all available information, relations between G.E. Fabbri and U.H. seem strained at least, possibly worse. To me, this is U.H.'s way of wrapping up their contract obligation. Perhaps the delay wasn't in making new moulds in the sense that we thought, i.e. having U.H. do a bunch of new, detailed moulds. Instead, they seemed to give time to Ixo to make their own. Also buying for time for the re-shuffling of everything and then trying to retain U.H. to squeeze out one or two more vehicles.
As dickiebart points out, why would they bump an issue so far up unless U.H. simply had to fill its contract, pack up, and leave? It's a fairly poor way of Fabbri saying "we're switching manufacturers, but you still owe us one car; churn it out as fast as possible and then don't let the door hit you on the way out." I agree the model is pretty poor, incidentally, and my guess is that U.H. rushed it out to be done with it and Fabbri.
Let's hope that, as I expect they will, Ixo will wind up doing a better job than U.H.
"But even if it wasn't the case, don't tell me you didn't saw it coming..."
I did see it coming, although not quite in this way. To be honest, I thought they were going to throw the Bondola together, do an awful job, and then bow out, with U.H. (emphasis on U.H.) moulded cars like the LTK Roller being cancelled. Ixo probably figured out their own schedule, made their own Bondola, and/or were slated to do the Bondola to begin with. That meant that U.H. was freed up for one or possibly two more models, and, as a result, we get the Roller lobbed at us while Ixo tools up production. It could even have been released now to give Ixo extra time to work on their moulds (the only confirmed car I know they have at least close to ready is the ZIL-117; same mould as USSR AvtoLegende). Little more than a stopgap if you will. I must say I am disappointed although not ultimately surprised.
I did see it coming, although not quite in this way. (....) I must say I am disappointed although not ultimately surprised.
That makes 2 of us, then. I mean, they could have at least paint the interiour the right colour. IT's the same story as with the Lincoln Continental ( #48). You don't see it well, so why would you focus on it? The Daimler (#49) as well, the interiour should be ( partially) beige. And so on...
"they could have at least paint the interiour the right colour."
That actually doesn't really bother me. Just take some Tamiya or Humbrol paint and do it yourself. It's actually relatively easy once you get the hang of it (which I would recommend on some of the really cheap stuff like Yat Ming Road Signature before you go up to the JBCC).
Take this one, for instance. I didn't like the way it looked, untill I found some decent whitewall tires. changed the tires, painted the interior ét Vóila, it look so mutch better:
And another one of my "projects" :
And as for the statement "Wheels make or break a car"
Just added a touch of plack here & there, makes the whole car look so mutch less toy car-like..
Hi, I do agree with most with the augments, but i have to point out, the customer orders the cars in this case Fabbri, and therefore would have final say and approve of the moulds and would have received samples of the finished cars for approval, I do have experience with this as many many years ago in England I worked on a lot of moulds for Corgi and Revell and the customer always had the final say before the tooling was put in production.
Dear All,
Thought you might appreciate it if I dropped in to give you a little update. You're absolutely right about the reasons for the delay. Ixo have taken over production of some of the models though UH will continue to produce others. All of this has caused a few delays. It takes an enormous amount of effort to get a new car out every two weeks and after 100 issues or so we've finally reached the point where we can't keep up. Some of the delays have been caused because the cars have proved a lot harder to research. In fact, there's going to be another delay between issues 101 and 102, but after that we're pretty confident that the cars will ship every four weeks. After the Bondola we've only got a few cars left. I don't want to promise the order just yet, but there will be a couple more Rolls-Royces and some rare cars from DAF and LALD.
Hope you all enjoy them.
Well I'm going to take JohnSteed's words at face value, namely that the production of the remaining models in the JBCC will be split between UH and IXO. Therefore, it's no surprise to me to see another UH offering coming up for release and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the remaining others are done by UH as well.
So far all we have had on this board before & since his post is speculation as to why GE Fabbri brought in IXO as a second manufacturer - no harm in that, in fact it's quite fun in a way. But do not lose sight of the fact that none of us know for sure why this change occured and, as JohnSteed is unlikely to share that with us (why would he?), speculation is all you're going to read here.
Back to the new Roller, in the past the China/Hong Kong ebayers have received these items around 6 to 8 weeks prior to release in the UK, making this Roller a candidate for issue #104 (note, I'm speculating!! ). Only a couple more weeks and then the Bondola's magazine will confirm what model is going to be issue # 103. {[]
First off...excellent modifications and interiors James John Smythe! Very nice-looking indeed!
"Well I'm going to take JohnSteed's words at face value, namely that the production of the remaining models in the JBCC will be split between UH and IXO."
As will I. But let's dissect Mr. Steed's exact quote...
"Ixo have taken over production of some of the models though UH will continue to produce others."
The implication is obvious: Ixo took over production of some models. For them to have taken over production, there had to have been a pre-existing agreement with U.H. for said models. Also, note that just prior to Mr. Steed's post, there had been some discussion about bad blood between Fabbri and U.H. (which I admit to speculating heavily about, but it was derekaustralia who actually contacted G.E. Fabbri and who got the response that a "new manufacturer" would be "taking over.")
Meanwhile, Mr. Steed adds that "U.H. will continue to produce others." Well...of course. They have to. They're under contractual obligation to. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II had been promised and was on the cusp of being released, but it was not officially released. That one was made by U.H. Since a second Silver Shadow II, if it was going to be made, would have been made by U.H., that's two. I still have a feeling that they might turn out another model (the DBS with damage, most likely, since it's made on an existing U.H. mould...also possibly the GF Ford Galaxie Country Squire, simply because U.H. announced it so long ago, though Ixo may have since tooled up for it...maybe even the Bondola just to get UH's vehicles out of the way) before the ZIL-117, so that's three (also, whilst this is a complete hunch with nothing to back it up, I would believe the Ford Econoline to be Ixo simply due to its size/having to be in one of the larger cases that Ixo so favors).
In this scenario, Ixo makes seven, possibly six or even five models and U.H. makes three, possibly four or even five. Therefore, what he says is still technically true. Somehow, I would really doubt Mr. Steed would come on here with an existing and outstanding (i.e. still a few cars to make) U.H. contract and say "oh yeah, the fellas at Universal Hobbies are impossible to deal with, behind schedule, and we're really glad that Ixo's replacing most of what they're doing for us!" That's called jeopardizing your job. Of course he can't say that, even if the situation is even worse. I think the "Ixo taking over" (something where you frankly can't get much more literal) and "UH will continue to produce others" (as in, fill out their contractual obligation by making models from existing moulds or that they had pre-production prototypes of anyway) is just about as far as he can go.
"the customer orders the cars in this case Fabbri, and therefore would have final say and approve of the moulds and would have received samples of the finished cars for approval"
Exactly. Which is why I'm tending to think that relations between Fabbri and Universal Hobbies are strained to the breaking point. One company seemingly wants to rid itself of the other rather quickly and is cutting corners to fill out UH's contract. Whatever cars UH was slated to make may have already been produced. You may also have hit the nail on the head as to why Ixo is getting cars to make: their pre-production samples could be better than UH's.
I don't think that we will get another Silver Shadow II, from LTK, after such a short time.
Oh boy, this is a disappointment! If they had to reuse an existing casting then why not a GoldenEye DB5 instead of the ugly Silver Shadow with its dragster wheels? And in a wrong colour too - you don't need a calibrated monitor to see that the blue sides should be darker than the silver-blue top ...
I have to say that the quality of the releases has now taken a downturn again. Reusing the same old bases and omitting the figures - this is very poor. Of course I understand that Fabbri has to make money but compared to earlier dioramas and up to four figures inside the last issues seem to lack finesse.
A few weeks ago I wished that Fabbri would continue to 120, 125, but now I think they should just end this drama as soon as possible. Let's hope that the upcoming Ixo releases will be better than the final UH ...
I don't think that we will get another Silver Shadow II, from LTK, after such a short time.
Oh boy, this is a disappointment! If they had to reuse an existing casting then why not a GoldenEye DB5 instead of the ugly Silver Shadow with its dragster wheels? And in a wrong colour too - you don't need a calibrated monitor to see that the blue sides should be darker than the silver-blue top ...
I have to say that the quality of the releases has now taken a downturn again. Reusing the same old bases and omitting the figures - this is very poor. Of course I understand that Fabbri has to make money but compared to earlier dioramas and up to four figures inside the last issues seem to lack finesse.
The real shame of this is that LTK has been the most under-represented Bond movie out of the whole bunch, with only one model up until now. This Roller could and should have been a brilliant model.
I'm wondering if I can't find some more realistic wheels for this car at the very least and make a decent Code 3 of it, minus the color. I doubt it'll sell well on eBay and would be something I could afford to make modifications to.
I don't think that we will get another Silver Shadow II, from LTK, after such a short time.
Oh boy, this is a disappointment! If they had to reuse an existing casting then why not a GoldenEye DB5 instead of the ugly Silver Shadow with its dragster wheels? And in a wrong colour too - you don't need a calibrated monitor to see that the blue sides should be darker than the silver-blue top ...
I have to say that the quality of the releases has now taken a downturn again. Reusing the same old bases and omitting the figures - this is very poor. Of course I understand that Fabbri has to make money but compared to earlier dioramas and up to four figures inside the last issues seem to lack finesse.
The real shame of this is that LTK has been the most under-represented Bond movie out of the whole bunch, with only one model up until now. This Roller could and should have been a brilliant model.
As you say this could and should have been one of the best models up till now
I have a lot of 1:43 cars, up to and including a lot of handbuilt, wonderfully detailed models and a few hundred Minichamps. I only buy models I like and that I think are of decent quality.
This Shadow is far from the best model I have ever seen. That said, it is far from the worst.
The bumpers look OK and the colour is not that far wrong - at least according to this still I found.
I would say that this model is about the same standard as one of the better Solido cars like the Alfa 166 and the Alfa 1998 Spider, or some of the Vitesse cars from the 1990s like their Lancia integrale. It's far from a cutting edge model, but it's not really a complete disaster. It is also the only time we are likely to get a model of it made, as it's hardly the most important Bond car.
That said, why did they not do whitewall tyres? It really is not that hard.
"I have a lot of 1:43 cars, up to and including a lot of handbuilt, wonderfully detailed models and a few hundred Minichamps. I only buy models I like and that I think are of decent quality.
This Shadow is far from the best model I have ever seen. That said, it is far from the worst."
I definitely agree with this.
"I would say that this model is about the same standard as one of the better Solido cars like the Alfa 166 and the Alfa 1998 Spider, or some of the Vitesse cars from the 1990s like their Lancia integrale."
If you mean every single detail aside from the wheels and tires, I agree. But, as James John Smythe pointed out, wheels can indeed make or break a model car. I fear that they broke this one. They jut out far too much, the hubcaps are completely wrong, there are as you point out no whitewhalls, and the tires themselves are much too large. However, despite the lack of detail on the Solido Rolls-Royce Corniche, they did seem to get one thing right: the wheels.
What I'm wondering if is I can't just take apart a "scrapyard condition" Solido and see I can't fit the wheels to either this car or my other UH Silver Shadow II (Valentin's). I do happen to have such a Solido. I'll keep you updated.
This Shadow is far from the best model I have ever seen. That said, it is far from the worst.
The bumpers look OK and the colour is not that far wrong - at least according to this still I found.
That said, why did they not do whitewall tyres? It really is not that hard.
That's true, it's by far not the worst model - the casting is okay but the track or the tyres are too wide and it looks not right. Maybe this can be changed easily but I keep my models in the sealed blister so I have to live with the factory-original look.
Those narrow-band whitewalls that James John Smythe put on his Continental do really enhance that model and would have been great on the Silver Shadow, too.
Is it now confirmed that the LTK Rolls is issue 103?
I actually think all things considered the roller is fine, For £7.99 its pretty good value.
I see the DB5 kit is now being plugged left right and centre . 75 issues or 1 and quarter years later and £519.25 out of pocket you will have your completed model. I think this is over priced and undermined the collection we are all subscribing too. Our collection is great value and given us opprtunity to own individuall models of cars that under normal circumstances would not have been made. I don't think the makers really care about the box size or detail that has been discussed. I think what is made is made due to what is available and is cost effective. UH and IXO , both competent makers and offered above average modelsfor the price.
Sadly it looks like we are on the last lap thanks to the kit but for those of us that have stuck it out we have a collection to be proud of and ultimately great value for money. If they do extend it which I doubt there is opportunity for some real gems and the demand is certainly there.
Okay, here we are...opinions please? The car still sits too high, but we have the whitewalls, the track is narrower as are the tires themselves, and the wheels look much less "dragster-like." Incidentally, please forgive the hasty touch-up job on the chipped paint for the whitewalls. I will get around to correcting that.
Comments
I suppose one half of it could be produced butting up to the background card, with the remaining half shown behind it as a photograph.
I just wish they'd get on with the remaining cars!!
Ditto!!
I think the entry on the IMCDB may be a source of confusion - the shot they feature and refer to as a Zephyr 6 is the passenger section only, which is pretty much identical to the Zephyr 4.
The Moke crashing into the Liparus submarine pen isn't particulary in the background ! Can't remember if Bond ever gets to drive/or be driven in one, but the fact they feature in three films and are so distinctive puts them into my classic Bond vehicle list. And I'd certainly rather have seen this version than the white LALD model - and as there have been multiple Astons and Lotus Esprits, I would have thought two Moke variants might not be pushing the boat out too far.
Ah, sorry, should have made my point clearer - it wasn't the chrome paintwork I was referring to, but the quality of the moulding of the chrome parts. Certainly on the Shadow that's already been released, and possibly also on the Silver Cloud, I didn't think the chrome part moulding was as good as on the OHMSS Mercedes.
I think I'd agree that the Mini was a mistake, but a suitably dented Ford might have made a nice addition to an ice rally scene display sandwiched between the Cougar and Mercedes. It does play quite a key part in the action.
Personally. I'd hoped the series might have continued a litttle further, as its potential hasn't quite been exhausted yet. And having now seen the ads for the Aston build partwork, which to me doesn't capture the look of the car very well, I wonder how many here would agree that continuing the car collection might have been a better idea.
*I would guess because they probably couldn't attach a trailer hitch to the futuristic-looking bodies that appeared on the made-for-the-movie vehicles and because one scene called for one pulling a trailer.
"Ah, sorry, should have made my point clearer - it wasn't the chrome paintwork I was referring to, but the quality of the moulding of the chrome parts. Certainly on the Shadow that's already been released, and possibly also on the Silver Cloud, I didn't think the chrome part moulding was as good as on the OHMSS Mercedes."
Oh, I get ya. The Silver Cloud isn't too terribly bad as I turn it over in my hand, but I'm in full agreement about the Silver Shadow II. Regardless, with Ixo taking over, I have a feeling we'll be seeing better-quality models now.
From Fabbri's position not: Even if we all pray that they should expand the car collection again, how many cars can they realistically squeeze out? 120, 125 maximum, which means 15 more than are now planned.
With the 1:8 Aston, Fabbri expects that many JBCC collectors will also subscribe to the large model. Additionally, being just one impressive piece it can appeal to Bond fans who would not collect model cars otherwise. And once you have bought a few magazines, you have to stick to the end with this one, unlike the JBCC which could be cancelled anytime. So for Fabbri selling 85 issues of the Aston kit is obviously better business than continuing the JBCC instead. Though I still have hope that we will see an expansion to 120 issues. The JBCC is now running parallel to the 1:8 Aston anyway, so it would not matter if this would continue a few months longer.
I suppose that, because IMCDB is based on members' contributions, they are not always going to get it right. Another mis-identification I noticed concerns the Chev Impala Coupe from LALD that is currently scheduled as Issue #109 - one person on IMCDB claims that there was also a silver one used in the Harlem scenes and provides a screen capture to back his claim, but the "silver" one is actually the metallic blue reflecting sunlight, which one can clearly see if you watch the whole episode in the movie.
Agreed, and I do stand corrected. I have spotted some rather egregious errors on that site, FWIW. A lot of film noir cars are (badly) misidentified. One especially common error seems to be confusing Chrysler with DeSoto.
First argument: it's a profit-based company, they, excuse me for my language, don't give a sh*t about the consumer as long as they get their money.
Second argument:
LIke i said above, it's all about the money. I can back both of my arguments up. how?
Thís is how:
First: The two-tone is barely visible, from what I can see the "top" part should have been more silver-ish. (like thís.)
Second: the bumpers aren't the right ones.
Third: the interior os black, not blue-green-ish.
Fourth: incorrect rims.
Fifth: again no white stripe on the tires.
Sixth: they re-used the Daimler(49)'s base for the six billionth time.
and as a little remark, no Q figure.
If it wouldn't have been so obvious that this would happen, I would have been outraged and dissapointed. Now, it's just the later one. Times 10.
Edit: I just remembered the back of magazine 101 said Bondola was next. Weird we have a picture of a car that is supposed to be 108 in the collection. Obviously shuffling the order/changing the cars...
Come to think of it!!! Where is our "Anglia"?????
Or perhaps not (also, you took what I said out of context when I distinctly said "spitting out TWO more iterations of the Silver Shadow II"...this is ONE more iteration...). Remember, Ixo essentially took over manufacture of the cars themselves. That car is Universal Hobbies. We know that, from all available information, relations between G.E. Fabbri and U.H. seem strained at least, possibly worse. To me, this is U.H.'s way of wrapping up their contract obligation. Perhaps the delay wasn't in making new moulds in the sense that we thought, i.e. having U.H. do a bunch of new, detailed moulds. Instead, they seemed to give time to Ixo to make their own. Also buying for time for the re-shuffling of everything and then trying to retain U.H. to squeeze out one or two more vehicles.
As dickiebart points out, why would they bump an issue so far up unless U.H. simply had to fill its contract, pack up, and leave? It's a fairly poor way of Fabbri saying "we're switching manufacturers, but you still owe us one car; churn it out as fast as possible and then don't let the door hit you on the way out." I agree the model is pretty poor, incidentally, and my guess is that U.H. rushed it out to be done with it and Fabbri.
Let's hope that, as I expect they will, Ixo will wind up doing a better job than U.H.
True. But even if it wasn't the case, don't tell me you didn't saw it coming...
I did see it coming, although not quite in this way. To be honest, I thought they were going to throw the Bondola together, do an awful job, and then bow out, with U.H. (emphasis on U.H.) moulded cars like the LTK Roller being cancelled. Ixo probably figured out their own schedule, made their own Bondola, and/or were slated to do the Bondola to begin with. That meant that U.H. was freed up for one or possibly two more models, and, as a result, we get the Roller lobbed at us while Ixo tools up production. It could even have been released now to give Ixo extra time to work on their moulds (the only confirmed car I know they have at least close to ready is the ZIL-117; same mould as USSR AvtoLegende). Little more than a stopgap if you will. I must say I am disappointed although not ultimately surprised.
That makes 2 of us, then. I mean, they could have at least paint the interiour the right colour. IT's the same story as with the Lincoln Continental ( #48). You don't see it well, so why would you focus on it? The Daimler (#49) as well, the interiour should be ( partially) beige. And so on...
That actually doesn't really bother me. Just take some Tamiya or Humbrol paint and do it yourself. It's actually relatively easy once you get the hang of it (which I would recommend on some of the really cheap stuff like Yat Ming Road Signature before you go up to the JBCC).
And another one of my "projects" :
And as for the statement "Wheels make or break a car"
Just added a touch of plack here & there, makes the whole car look so mutch less toy car-like..
Well I'm going to take JohnSteed's words at face value, namely that the production of the remaining models in the JBCC will be split between UH and IXO. Therefore, it's no surprise to me to see another UH offering coming up for release and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the remaining others are done by UH as well.
So far all we have had on this board before & since his post is speculation as to why GE Fabbri brought in IXO as a second manufacturer - no harm in that, in fact it's quite fun in a way. But do not lose sight of the fact that none of us know for sure why this change occured and, as JohnSteed is unlikely to share that with us (why would he?), speculation is all you're going to read here.
Back to the new Roller, in the past the China/Hong Kong ebayers have received these items around 6 to 8 weeks prior to release in the UK, making this Roller a candidate for issue #104 (note, I'm speculating!!
"Well I'm going to take JohnSteed's words at face value, namely that the production of the remaining models in the JBCC will be split between UH and IXO."
As will I. But let's dissect Mr. Steed's exact quote...
"Ixo have taken over production of some of the models though UH will continue to produce others."
The implication is obvious: Ixo took over production of some models. For them to have taken over production, there had to have been a pre-existing agreement with U.H. for said models. Also, note that just prior to Mr. Steed's post, there had been some discussion about bad blood between Fabbri and U.H. (which I admit to speculating heavily about, but it was derekaustralia who actually contacted G.E. Fabbri and who got the response that a "new manufacturer" would be "taking over.")
Meanwhile, Mr. Steed adds that "U.H. will continue to produce others." Well...of course. They have to. They're under contractual obligation to. At the time, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II had been promised and was on the cusp of being released, but it was not officially released. That one was made by U.H. Since a second Silver Shadow II, if it was going to be made, would have been made by U.H., that's two. I still have a feeling that they might turn out another model (the DBS with damage, most likely, since it's made on an existing U.H. mould...also possibly the GF Ford Galaxie Country Squire, simply because U.H. announced it so long ago, though Ixo may have since tooled up for it...maybe even the Bondola just to get UH's vehicles out of the way) before the ZIL-117, so that's three (also, whilst this is a complete hunch with nothing to back it up, I would believe the Ford Econoline to be Ixo simply due to its size/having to be in one of the larger cases that Ixo so favors).
In this scenario, Ixo makes seven, possibly six or even five models and U.H. makes three, possibly four or even five. Therefore, what he says is still technically true. Somehow, I would really doubt Mr. Steed would come on here with an existing and outstanding (i.e. still a few cars to make) U.H. contract and say "oh yeah, the fellas at Universal Hobbies are impossible to deal with, behind schedule, and we're really glad that Ixo's replacing most of what they're doing for us!" That's called jeopardizing your job. Of course he can't say that, even if the situation is even worse. I think the "Ixo taking over" (something where you frankly can't get much more literal) and "UH will continue to produce others" (as in, fill out their contractual obligation by making models from existing moulds or that they had pre-production prototypes of anyway) is just about as far as he can go.
"the customer orders the cars in this case Fabbri, and therefore would have final say and approve of the moulds and would have received samples of the finished cars for approval"
Exactly. Which is why I'm tending to think that relations between Fabbri and Universal Hobbies are strained to the breaking point. One company seemingly wants to rid itself of the other rather quickly and is cutting corners to fill out UH's contract. Whatever cars UH was slated to make may have already been produced. You may also have hit the nail on the head as to why Ixo is getting cars to make: their pre-production samples could be better than UH's.
Oh boy, this is a disappointment! If they had to reuse an existing casting then why not a GoldenEye DB5 instead of the ugly Silver Shadow with its dragster wheels? And in a wrong colour too - you don't need a calibrated monitor to see that the blue sides should be darker than the silver-blue top ...
I have to say that the quality of the releases has now taken a downturn again. Reusing the same old bases and omitting the figures - this is very poor. Of course I understand that Fabbri has to make money but compared to earlier dioramas and up to four figures inside the last issues seem to lack finesse.
A few weeks ago I wished that Fabbri would continue to 120, 125, but now I think they should just end this drama as soon as possible. Let's hope that the upcoming Ixo releases will be better than the final UH ...
The real shame of this is that LTK has been the most under-represented Bond movie out of the whole bunch, with only one model up until now. This Roller could and should have been a brilliant model.
As you say this could and should have been one of the best models up till now
I have a lot of 1:43 cars, up to and including a lot of handbuilt, wonderfully detailed models and a few hundred Minichamps. I only buy models I like and that I think are of decent quality.
This Shadow is far from the best model I have ever seen. That said, it is far from the worst.
The bumpers look OK and the colour is not that far wrong - at least according to this still I found.
http://img509.imageshack.us/i/licencerolls2ok9.jpg/
I would say that this model is about the same standard as one of the better Solido cars like the Alfa 166 and the Alfa 1998 Spider, or some of the Vitesse cars from the 1990s like their Lancia integrale. It's far from a cutting edge model, but it's not really a complete disaster. It is also the only time we are likely to get a model of it made, as it's hardly the most important Bond car.
That said, why did they not do whitewall tyres? It really is not that hard.
This Shadow is far from the best model I have ever seen. That said, it is far from the worst."
I definitely agree with this.
"I would say that this model is about the same standard as one of the better Solido cars like the Alfa 166 and the Alfa 1998 Spider, or some of the Vitesse cars from the 1990s like their Lancia integrale."
If you mean every single detail aside from the wheels and tires, I agree. But, as James John Smythe pointed out, wheels can indeed make or break a model car. I fear that they broke this one. They jut out far too much, the hubcaps are completely wrong, there are as you point out no whitewhalls, and the tires themselves are much too large. However, despite the lack of detail on the Solido Rolls-Royce Corniche, they did seem to get one thing right: the wheels.
What I'm wondering if is I can't just take apart a "scrapyard condition" Solido and see I can't fit the wheels to either this car or my other UH Silver Shadow II (Valentin's). I do happen to have such a Solido. I'll keep you updated.
Those narrow-band whitewalls that James John Smythe put on his Continental do really enhance that model and would have been great on the Silver Shadow, too.
Is it now confirmed that the LTK Rolls is issue 103?
I actually think all things considered the roller is fine, For £7.99 its pretty good value.
I see the DB5 kit is now being plugged left right and centre . 75 issues or 1 and quarter years later and £519.25 out of pocket you will have your completed model. I think this is over priced and undermined the collection we are all subscribing too. Our collection is great value and given us opprtunity to own individuall models of cars that under normal circumstances would not have been made. I don't think the makers really care about the box size or detail that has been discussed. I think what is made is made due to what is available and is cost effective. UH and IXO , both competent makers and offered above average modelsfor the price.
Sadly it looks like we are on the last lap thanks to the kit but for those of us that have stuck it out we have a collection to be proud of and ultimately great value for money. If they do extend it which I doubt there is opportunity for some real gems and the demand is certainly there.
All the best
Diecast 007