chuckschilling

Thanks to everyone who has responded.  I don't have the references some of you do and appreciate the information you have provided.

I'm not trying to stir up trouble.  It's just that it looks out of place.  I haven't seen a similar cowl number on any other FW 190's .  Seems like there would be a reason for it, especially since the aircraft already has a number on it.

Do you know of any wartime photographic evidence of FW 190's with a similar cowl number?  Because I sure don't.

Is anyone else bothered by the white 70?  Not the airframe itself, but the style of the numerals, it's location, it's size, and the fact that, to me at least, it looks so much more freshly painted than the rest of that aircraft's markings?  That, combined with the fact that the photo evidence is of a captured, wrecked aircraft leads me to think that it was added subsequent to this plane's operational life.

Thanks to everyone who has responded.  I don't have the references some of you do and appreciate the information you have provided.

Ummm...we're missing EVERY airframe Martin Aircraft Company ever built (and that's a lot).

I'm not trying to stir up trouble.  It's just that it looks out of place.  I haven't seen a similar cowl number on any other FW 190's .  Seems like there would be a reason for it, especially since the aircraft already has a number on it.

I know I'll never build even a tenth of the kits I've acquired (and continue to acquire) over the years - not even if I somehow were to resume the breakneck build pace of my youth (It was not uncommon for me to "build" as many as three kits in a weekend - though I'll admit the build quality led to most of them being consumed by fireworks, thrown off buildings, etc).
 
But I have a recurring fear that one day I will drop dead and my wife will decide to unload the kits at a yard sale, not knowing how much I've waste...er....invested on them over the years.  Not sure I want to have that discussion with her!

Well I have to insulate the loft with something

I have no strategy - I just accumulate 
 
Cheaper than flying too!
 
Iain

Easy. I look where the roof lacks insulation and buy kits of suitable box sizes.
 
Sometimes when checking the roof I discover a kit I'd like to build and take it to the workbench. Of course the insulation gap has to be filled - see above...
 
 
 
 
Oh, and I also buy stuff I like, just for fun
 
- dutik

My strategy is to hoard more than I can possibly build in my remaining years, determine this hoarding process is insane behavior, accept that insanity is here to stay,... then buy more stuff.

My strategy is simple: I buy models that I know I am going to finish before I die. I have enough now in my stash that I can't die until 2356. So if you want to live a long life...

I've got about 60 LSP's and 30 various scales in the stash. About 13 more 1/32 Phantoms to build also. For some reason I can't resist a good deal on a big Phantom. I really want some of the new releases coming out, I just cannot justify it though....
Oh, and there is no strategy. It just seems to happen! Well, there is the occasion when I get a set of cool decals for say an F-4 Phantom, then I see the same unit with the same scheme in an F-15. Ex: I have plans to build Oregon ANG Phantom and Eagle. Blue Angels in F-4, A-4, F/A-18, Bearcat & Hellcat and a 1/48 Fat Albert. Thunderbirds in F-4, F-100, F-105, and an F-16 and a 1/72 C-119 support bird.
I blame it on the decal manufacturers!

I'm a third generation Martin Middle River worker.  My grandfather was a production foreman on the Marauder assembly line who at one point or another helped supervise production on just about every Martin aircraft from the B-10 to the P6M.  My dad worked for many years as an air traffic controller from the early 50's until the state bought the airport and brought in their own controllers, and I worked at the same plant for many years (albeit in a much less interesting position as an accountant).  To say that Martin blood runs through my veins is a vast understatement!
 
I would love to see a Marauder in the big scale, and if at all possible, in all of the main production variants.  I know that's asking a lot, but I would happily buy a half dozen or more kits if the quality was there.    If you're seriously considering doing this, you should definitely reach out to Stan Piet at the Martin Aircraft museum .

You make a 1/32 B-26 Marauder kit, I'll buy several!
 
-Ro

Castlegaiden was actively inviting suggestions for subject matter on other sites.
Seems he's getting a lot of armchair business strategy musings which are likely far less helpful, as I'm sure he already knows what he's doing.
 
A new player is very welcomed. As are good kits of any subject.
 
Tony

I'd be up for a 1/32nd Marauder, most definitely!

Thank  you for this suggestion!

That's always a risk/possibility.  I've been told that one if not two entities (I know not who) have at some point in time considered this project.  They are at various stages of completion.
 
The good/disruptive thing about my business model is that am taking the role as lead designer so no financial risk starting along this path (yet).  The LSP forum will be in the mix from the very beginning through the end - with "crowdsourced" critiques/comments/suggestions all along the way - complete transparency the whole way through.  I want to hear from the people buying the models!
 
I haven't done all of the math yet, but would love to come it at right around $174.99 per kit.
 
Best, 
 
BRian

I'm a third generation Martin Middle River worker.  My grandfather was a production foreman on the Marauder assembly line who at one point or another helped supervise production on just about every Martin aircraft from the B-10 to the P6M.  My dad worked for many years as an air traffic controller from the early 50's until the state bought the airport and brought in their own controllers, and I worked at the same plant for many years (albeit in a much less interesting position as an accountant).  To say that Martin blood runs through my veins is a vast understatement!
 
I would love to see a Marauder in the big scale, and if at all possible, in all of the main production variants.  I know that's asking a lot, but I would happily buy a half dozen or more kits if the quality was there.    If you're seriously considering doing this, you should definitely reach out to Stan Piet at the Martin Aircraft museum .

I'm a third generation Martin Middle River worker.  My grandfather was a production foreman on the Marauder assembly line who at one point or another helped supervise production on just about every Martin aircraft from the B-10 to the P6M.  My dad worked for many years as an air traffic controller from the early 50's until the state bought the airport and brought in their own controllers, and I worked at the same plant for many years (albeit in a much less interesting position as an accountant).  To say that Martin blood runs through my veins is a vast understatement!
 
I would love to see a Marauder in the big scale, and if at all possible, in all of the main production variants.  I know that's asking a lot, but I would happily buy a half dozen or more kits if the quality was there.    If you're seriously considering doing this, you should definitely reach out to Stan Piet at the Martin Aircraft museum .

I'm a third generation Martin Middle River worker.  My grandfather was a production foreman on the Marauder assembly line who at one point or another helped supervise production on just about every Martin aircraft from the B-10 to the P6M.  My dad worked for many years as an air traffic controller from the early 50's until the state bought the airport and brought in their own controllers, and I worked at the same plant for many years (albeit in a much less interesting position as an accountant).  To say that Martin blood runs through my veins is a vast understatement!
 
I would love to see a Marauder in the big scale, and if at all possible, in all of the main production variants.  I know that's asking a lot, but I would happily buy a half dozen or more kits if the quality was there.    If you're seriously considering doing this, you should definitely reach out to Stan Piet at the Martin Aircraft museum .

Hoping for a Marauder, and that is a lot to go for all at once. On the other hand, how many other companies did something like this, chasing their passion? The LVG C.VI was a strange choice for a first release, as was the Junkers for WNW, and it was pretty big. Likewise, HK jumped right in to a B-25. Neither one started with an XP-85, or some X-planes like X-24A/B, X-20, HL-10 or M2F2, even if I would LOVE to see those in 1/32.
 
Go have fun with your dreams. Don't waste energy on anything that isn't your passion. If you build something of real quality, we will buy it. How many of us buy WNW or Tamiya releases, just because they did it? Whatever you do, do it well.
 
Tnarg

You never know..........................WingScale HKM started out with a B-25