If you have any knowledge of Scale Ship Model Kits, like those you may
have built as a kid, you know that they were made primarily of
plastic. Then, if you stuck to it, as you got older, you would
graduate to wood kits. They are more difficult and scare some
modelers off. They are also very expensive. Plastic kits were
cheaper, but in time they too got expensive. Then they all but
disappeared from the market. Those who built $200 - $1,800 wood ship
kits soon ran out of new kits to buy, and so became bored. In time,
like everything else, wood kits began to be imported from overseas and
U.S. manufacturers gave them up. My plan, I hope, will help revive
this hobby for some, bring back those older guys who used to build
plastic kits and only wished they could tackle the wood ones, and
bring in new kids (and adults) to the hobby.
I have an idea for a composite scale model, based on historical ships,
that will a metal hull. But I need help.
I need: (1) a trustworthy potential manufacturer for the 30" hull and,
(2) a person/company who can help me get into the market place
quickly, who is also trustworthy. I think its worth a try. |
Request for Question Clarification by
techtor-ga
on
26 Apr 2004 10:19 PDT
Hello Santini,
After seeing you mention ship model kits, I couldn't help getting
interested. I'm a ship modeler myself, doing topics like the Dragon
and Tamiya 1/350 plastic warships and some 1/700s. But I'm still into
plastic, and the problem with being a ship modeler is that the topics
do tend to be expensive and a bit hard to do, even in plastic. I did
shudder though when you mentioned your plan to make a large *metal*
hull. From my experience, metal parts and ships, even those made of
other metals, do tend to be more expensive than even the plastic and
resin kits. Resin kits especially are astronomically expensive. I
wonder what metal do you plan to use, and are you going to make a kit
or pre-assembled model? Anyway, all this talk of ship modeling got me
hooked.
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Clarification of Question by
santini-ga
on
27 Apr 2004 17:47 PDT
Thanks for the come back. Picture if you will, a 1/96 scale hull
about the size of the Revell plastic ship Cutty Sark. About 30" give
or take an inch or two.
Then see it made the same way (2 piece), only in metal. The rest of
the fittings, deck furniture, masts, yards, etc., would be in either
wood or metal - depending on the ship's plans - per my research. (I
have 3 ships in mind for starters.) What metal will be used? That
depends on what is available and, of course, price. There is a big
markup on model kits, just watch those Model Expo sales catalogs when
prices drop 25% to 75% on wood kits normally selling for $200 to
$1,000.
The hull can be a white metal (poured into a mold) or a stamped metal
(like automobile fenders). As long as the look is good and it looks
realistic and authentic. Most importantly, the KIT must be fun to
build. And the end product a show piece for the builder. That will
whip up the creative instincts in kids and adults alike, and, will
bring people back for kits #2 and #3.
I've had this idea for years, I've been a model ship builder since age
12, and I'll turn 60 in 3 months. I'm tired of just dreaming about
it. I need people with the means and knowhow to help me get it
started. I'll supply the brawn and labor to get it packaged and
shipped - directly to modelers if necessary. I know there are a lot of
us out there. I know the kit will be well received.
Thanks friend. Its nice to hear from someone with the same passion
for the "Hobby of Kings."
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Request for Question Clarification by
techtor-ga
on
01 May 2004 11:17 PDT
Hello Santini,
Sorry I've not responded for a while. I was busy tinkering with my
Tamiya 1/350 King George V and DML/Dragon USS Ohio. :)
Admittedly, I find it difficult to imagine a metal ship kit that is
easy to assemble and inexpensive. But I believe, if you are to
manufacture this kit, the manufacturing process could be the
troublesome part. I know metal manufacturers like Neptun and Navis who
make 1/1250 and smaller ship models, that are not kits, but despite
their small size, they sometimes go as much or higher in price than
plastic 1/350 kits. I guess you do know these ships are made of white
metal or pewter, expensive but easy to form metals. I'm sure cheaper
metals would be harder to form. I'm not really sure how much a metal
caster would charge for a special mold for a ship kit, I know that is
what you're asking me to research, but I have a hunch it might cost a
bit. Maybe a smaller scale would do, like 1/192 or 1/200, if the 1/96
proves difficult. But let me see what I could find.
By the way, I see you're into sailing ships. I, on the other hand,
prefer WW1 to the current era warships - battleships (the best! :) ),
cruisers, destroyer, submarines, and other kinds of boats.
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Clarification of Question by
santini-ga
on
02 May 2004 08:08 PDT
Pewter does sound too expensive. I was thinking along the lines of
white metal or even aluminum (hope I spelled that right). Also, like
anything else, the more that are sold, the cheap the production cost.
I see an initial, introductory, 1st edition, of 10,000 - 20,000, at
between $125.00 and $150.00 each. $125.00 is a lot cheaper than most
good kits (been to the hobby shop lately). Yes, kits. The buyer has
to get that same good feeling you get when you work on "your" kits.
You know, that creative feeling of pride when you show it to others.
No, it will not be easy to slap together. But it won't be too
difficult for a young person willing to take the time and learn some
patience in the process. Most of the parts will be pre-cut laser
(wood), pre-cast (metal). As to the price of each hull, I have no
idea. I'm sure the start up costs for the molds and metal will be a
bit expensive, but thats true in anything new on the market. Take
care, and thanks for your input.
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