biggtim

Deleted due to image issues - will update later.

Here's the progress on the F4U-2 Radome, so far. Before (original AMS version): After some re-work: Now onto the rest of it...

Time for an update!! We've got things set up enough to start casting, so here's how we're going to do this for the time being: I will post a google drive link to a new "catalog" at the end of this message. If you see something on there you want, either PM me here or email us at the address provided on the catalog, and we'll dig up the molds (or make new ones as needed) and cast it for you. If you can't open it, just email us at bnbresindesign@gmail.com, and we'll send it to you. As I mentioned before, this is very much a side business for us, as we both have full time jobs (plus a part-time one for me), and would like to not spend ALL our free time casting resin! We're not trying to make a living from this - it's more for fun and a little extra cash, and to keep Harold's great work available to those who want it. Plus, it gives me an outlet for some of my own designs. Since we will carry no inventory (limited space), it may take a weeks or two to get things made and shipped out, so please be patient with us. That said, we'll do everything we can to get it done as quick as possible for you. We will be using the exact same resin AMS used, so you shouldn't see any difference in that respect. The prices are also exactly the same. Shipping costs (to anywhere) will be estimated when you provide your address, and payment will be accepted via paypal. I will provide you with the paypal user ID when you order (because that will be changing soon once the business account is set up properly, so I don't want to post it here yet). For now, we will not be selling through Sprue Brothers, BnA, or any other outlet, though I will be making contact with them so we can consider that for the future. I apologize to the folks outside North America, but we want to ease into this and see how things go before biting that off. We'll do everything we can to keep the shipping costs down for all of you, especially those overseas. So far, I've been able to ship to anywhere in the continental US for about 7-8 USD. We do not have a website yet, but are considering setting one up if things go well enough to warrant that kind of commitment. If you want to see photos of an item, either email, PM, or you can find most of the former AMS items on the Scalemates database, or online by searching the the item number. To make that even easier, the new item numbers are exactly the same as the old AMS numbers, just with a "BB" prefix. In most cases, we will be using the same molds Harold used to cast these parts. If the mold is too old, damaged, or we just can't find it, we'll make a new one from the masters. One caveat: To the best of our knowledge, we've already located either the molds or have masters to make new molds from for everything on the list. However, it is possible that we missed something, and will find it is no longer available after you ask for it. If that happens, we'll communicate that to you asap and refund your money if you've already paid. You'll see a couple of things at the end of the 1:32 list that are my own designs, so please take a look! One of them you have seen, one is new. I am developing a few new items, so I will update the catalog periodically. Please post any questions or suggestions you have here, or by email or PM. Thanks a lot!! Tim https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QSfVNtxAaFRyXGnRz58SFo1f5Y10AIlA/view?usp=sharing

Yes, indeed I am. The list of things to master is growing quickly! I will add this to it.

I see what you mean! They've sold recently on ebay for between 88 and 190 USD, with most being 135 and up. That's a chunk of change for sure. I see one on there right now for 225 or best offer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/175768409575?hash=item28ec9d15e7:g:1JUAAOSwRKtkDhCy&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4KsGvA7MByuU2%2F1o72guD3zyik8dBffXp3mP3B4wVrVqpRLjPu4ZoMtsAHwWugEBQNlEDeGwyYgej6rPGy71So7lfR00xUwiOdiZpamxXUbihFP%2FOcbyOIukjcSFjOM2areaAX%2BgPbUBt5TaVuCu1HY7POyyQMKBWIt6sLQJTDGzv5vsBhVP6ePfkn%2F787D7rWmn9uUB9Wm%2B3Febk1tT0U1MnoXQ37XaHTG%2B9cwldraYEFjwonJJbSnlavjDLRI8cKRlZ6i0MBPYVEVGieTvykZ%2B94zsoxl48O%2FlNd%2BFumAJ|tkp%3ABk9SR8SWsJOWYg and another more reasonable one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/125742350907?hash=item1d46d4023b:g:WTsAAOSw9Y1j1asK&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwNKZenYKA%2BPcM9Srk1kF%2FXx2upYx5Fq5UduQSl3EQyr5Nd2RKIGbEoB%2FnhPYbOIvwcKTmcmewAUQK8FtUlattr%2B7Mqsj%2Bam86K9SwDA4ohC5pqh3Yqm2QNbzS%2Fvmj8ORBwtvsYXtWH2rCh7Q9SUKr1pjDgQoI1Yr1mc5ejgx8mNhYLJaYEEhcb%2Fvl4hG3vQblJmFTU3zlbRFfVBI4wDrJKQTjTUPSpTHxvPZQn8awZc6M%2Box5rxknuoQh6N5Mc1PBQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4b7vJOWYg

Let me know via PM if you do. Another person asked for that one, so I've already been working on getting the parts all hunted down and put together. Should be ready soon.

It has been requested that I might want to make these, but I need some help with reference research for these rails. They are the ones that went on the FB VI version with the 100 gallon slipper drop tank that AMS already offered, so it seems like an interesting idea. I know MDC makes a very nice set of standard rocket rails, but I am not aware that these have been done. Thanks in advance, Tim

Yep Roy's stuff is simply fantastic! Now that I see first hand how hard it is to do well, I'm even more impressed.

Well, WNW are simply the best out there, IMO. BUT, the Roden kits are pretty nice, too, and are way less expensive. I am kinda cheap, so if I were trying it on for size, I would try Roden first, and if I liked that, then pick up a WNW, or the Meng Fokker triplane (it's a WNW mold, too) If you like 1/24, then another option might be the Meng 1/24 Fokker Triplane, though it is also a bit pricy. The larger size might be more to your liking. It certainly has been tempting me. Tim

Due to a LOT of extra expenses this summer, and a LOT of time sucking things to do, I regret that I will not be able to make it to TX for Nats this year. I was sure hoping to hang out with some of my good friends from that part of the country, but it's just not feasible for us right now, unless something drastically changes. I will however, plan ahead for Nats in Madison next year. We'll be set up and casting by then, so I might be able to go as a vendor and write it off as a business expense! I'm also planning to go to the Oregon show this fall, so if any of you are going, I'll plan to see you there. Tim

I exhausted my Google foo doing the same thing a while back. The only way I could find to do it was to buy an expensive later model kit and add a bunch of really expensive resin conversion stuff. I am holding out hope that Andy's HHQ will do one. I have asked him via email a couple of times. Please help me bug him about it.

The answer is no, not yet, unfortunately.

Update 19 November - see end of thread! Ok, not exactly, but.... Most of you know that Harold of AMS Resin announced his retirement from resin casting recently, and that AMS Resin would close up shop as a result. However, Harold has been gracious enough to allow my wife and I to acquire all of his molds, masters, equipment, and his blessing to continue producing his great designs under our own business! So, over the next month or two, we will be sorting through everything, cataloguing it all, getting set up, and casting some tests to make sure we can match the level of quality that AMS Resin delivered. We will also be adding some new items of our own design to the lineup. While I’ve done quite a bit of casting for my own use, I have nowhere near the experience Harold does, so please bear with us as we develop our business plan and get things up to speed. As both of us have full time jobs (and I have a second part-time one already), we will not be able to spend as much time on this as Harold did, so we will likely do it on a much smaller scale. Stay tuned, and I will keep you all posted here as those decisions are made. In the mean time, what you can do to help us is to let us know what AMS Resin items you would like to see come to market again. As we sort through things, we will watch out for those items and make sure we give those a shot first. Feel free to post it here, or contact me via PM. Once we get the business properly set up, I will provide a new e-mail for direct contact. Thanks a bunch, and a BIG thanks again to Harold for trusting us with his excellent work! Tim & Christie B&B Resin Design

I was told that Marines do not read books!!!

Diaphanous? Were you not a Marine at some point? I thought it was illegal for Marines to use such flowery language.

I'd love to paint one just like that rusty one in the last picture!

Very cool! I LOVE T-55s! Has anyone ever made a conversion set for those armor upgrades?

Holy crap, you made my eyes water just thinking about it!! Cool project! I really want one at some point.

McSquizzie!!!!

Right there with you on that one. been wearing orthotics for years, and my knees and back are still crap because of my dumb feet! Might help if I took some weight off of them......

You might not believe this, but I plan to buy ZERO new kits this year. I even went to a large model show last weekend and spent nothing but the entry fee. I'd like to say it's because I have the utmost self control, but it's really just because I have too many other hobbies (and those annoying other expenses) that are drawing my interest right now. The only things that tempt me a little are the Kotare Spit, some of the 1/16 armor stuff from Andy's, and that Pfalz DVIII kit that Aviattic is putting out, and the Pfalz kit is around 250USD on pre-order, so that's a big no from me!! T

Holy crap! If that is for real, that would be a game changer!

Nope. The price exceeds my level of interest in that plane.

28 November: Still can't track Tim down. Does anyone have a way to find him? As I also mentioned on LSP, I am trying to track down Tim Skelton (formerly of Grey Matter Figures). Since the website is down, their emails no longer work. Does anyone know of a way to contact him, especially some of our UK members? Thanks, Tim

Hubert, I'm glad I'm not the only one left who is appalled by this trend!!