Squadron dilemma on loz.

StephenLawson · 28 August 2007, 12:13 PM

When Squadron purchased Eagle Strike / Aeromaster one concern was evidently not fielded. The fellows who printed the Eagle Strike loz. were not in the USA. Squadron usually has Krasel industries do their decal sheets and the cost of 4-5 colour lozenge is pretty steep. Even Copper State Models has had concerns with their lozenge printed by Krasel industries.

Even though there are at least two minor companies working on this now (one in the USA "not Squadron" the other is SPADA in Europe) Squadron has at least contacted Krasel on this subject and is not planning on more than a small run sometime in the future.

Galloway · 28 August 2007, 04:22 PM

Stephen,

Thank Goodness I stocked up on 4 & 5 color Eagle Strike lozenge when I had the chance!

Ken

Rob_Owens · 28 August 2007, 05:46 PM

My money is on Spada. Given the quality of their other WWI sheets, if they get the colors right (or even 3/4 right), they're going to corner the market. Okay, so I'm hoarding my last 1/32 A/G 5-color sheets for the Roden Pfalz D.IIIa, just in case. . . Is it a crime to hedge bets????

WarrenD · 29 August 2007, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenLawson

When Squadron purchased Eagle Strike / Aeromaster one concern was evidently not fielded. The fellows who printed the Eagle Strike loz. were not in the USA. Squadron usually has Krasel industries do their decal sheets and the cost of 4-5 colour lozenge is pretty steep. Even Copper State Models has had concerns with their lozenge printed by Krasel industries.

Even though there are at least two minor companies working on this now (one in the USA "not Squadron" the other is SPADA in Europe) Squadron has at least contacted Krasel on this subject and is not planning on more than a small run sometime in the future.

Well, maybe the guy that bought Squadron, and VLS, AND Aeromaster/Eagle Strike should have let well enough alone. All three have gone to Hades in a handcart since their acquisition by this fellow: higher prices, a seemingly constant result of "item out of stock, check back later", etc. I wrote them to voice my displeasure at the new format they went to on their flyer, and their reply was something to the effect of "modelers were too stupid to understand it the way it was organized, and needed color too in order to make it pretty so they would buy something". Squadron has gone from being my hobby shop of choice to being my shop of absolute last resort now. They still send me flyers, but I keep them in the bathroom for when I run short of paper and don't want to go to the store.

Personally, I think we suffered a far greater blow when we lost A/G, but that was inevitable I guess. I know some people prefer E/S over A/G, and it seems to be a Pepsi vs. Coke thing. I have had more people recommend the A/G lozenge to me over E/S hands down, probably 2:1, and I know you are partial to E/S Stephen, especially since your name is on the credits.
As for me and my house, I am counting on Spada, or someone like Dr. Merrill to come along and start doing WWI decals again as a labor of love despite the cost. Rant off.

Warren
Disappointed at what passes for progress these days.

Brad Cancian · 29 August 2007, 04:18 AM

This really is a bit of a shame - back when I started getting into WW1 kits about 2 years ago, E/S lozenge wasn't the easiest to get over here in Aus, but you could at least mail order it in (unlike A/G which I have never been able to get hold of). Now you can't even do that.

Maybe again this is indicative of our niche market, being largely overlooked by decal manufacturers. The trick with this unfortunately is that any manufacturer that jumps in needs particularly accurate colours and maleable decals - not only is it tough enough mass-manufacturing these decals (and making a product for a niche market), by the very nature of ww1 modellers, we tend to be very critical of lozenge colours and steer away from anything we don't think is "right" (just look at how Eduard's lozenge, especially their early releases, and even in their latest releases, was received...) - so it's a pretty tough gig for a decal manufacturer to jump into. Whilst I await Spada's releases as much as everyone else and hope they come out as soon as possible, I am giving them the time they need to get the most accurate product they can, for their and our sake! If they get it right, they will take the market with them.

BC

mgtaylor · 2 September 2007, 02:01 PM

Dear W I agree about MMD a source of last resort. Greatmodels was at the show this year. I don't remember seeing MMD ther at all ? I know for a fact there were no Roden Kits what so ever available there.

I am personally pissed at them for perpetrating the whole BattleAXE FRAUD Upon all of us. THIS is what is driving the Cost of large scael WWI kits through the roof ! Sp Hby Ni-11 is 50 + ( Worth it but dawg it hurts )
Roden Large Scale 50-65 + OUCH ! I dont think the price of these Quality kits would nearly be so high so quickly as they are if it had NOT been for MMD's four to five run with BattleAXE. Selling a SLICK Beautiful Box Profile ARTwork with an Empty One Part Sprue Hunk of Mishapen heavy injected molded Resin/plastic ? Vertiable Sctrach Builds in a BOX for near 100 bucks for nutin honey ! Even a kind reveiwers have said they are near only worth the box they come in.

Mike

WarrenD · 2 September 2007, 04:27 PM

Well, I just know that when the new owner took over that Roden prices went way up.

They tried to blame it on transportation costs, but that didn't wash with me as no one else's prices went up at that time that I recall. IIRC it seems all of their prices are higher, fewer sales, and a seemingly constant "this item is out of stock at this time" for items in their flyer that I am interested in.
I don't even build 1/32nd at this time, but if you become an importer of Roden kits I'll buy a couple from you for protest value alone. If you decide to import their 1/72nd offerings I will buy a bunch!

Warren

StephenLawson · 2 September 2007, 08:51 PM

Lozenge guys, this one is about lozenge.

WarrenD · 3 September 2007, 08:43 AM

Yes, ahem! <clearing throat>, sorry folks, Stephen is right, it IS about the lozenge.

Warren
Off to take his meds.

WarrenD · 3 September 2007, 08:44 AM

Has anyone here used the Montex Masks for lozenge? I wish they would produce them in 1/72nd.
Warren