Ali62

Hi Andy Thanks that will be great, I am sure that you know but I live in Scotland, sorry cannot remember where in the world you live. Hi Tony Thanks for the offer, will see what can be arranged with Andy, BUT if you and or others can assist with pictures/ information / sketches/ kit parts marked up, especially of where the kit parts need improving that will help me a lot. Also any really good pictures of real aircraft that you or others may have, showing where the errors are. I always do a lot of research when I make things but if other have information to hand in any format that obviously saves a lot of time and hassle. Thanks Mike, see the above comments, sure we can get it to work out one way or another, but thanks for your offer. cheers Ali

Hi Tony and Guys I do not mind having a look at this canopy for the A-7 but I would need some help, as I cannot purchase a fairly expensive kit that I have no real interst in myself. Secondly I do not always know what is wrong or what needs a few tweaks on every kit. So if you guys come across issues and are prepared to help me with some information as to what is wrong, and then for some kind soul to lend me parts from a kit that are relevant i.e in this case the fuselage halves and the original canopy, then I can look at what can be done. The person that sends the kit parts gets say two free castings if all works and in most cases gets their original parts back in 100% condition or as near as possible to 100%, what I am saying most times I do not need to destroy or damage any donor parts but if I have to then I will discuss that with you before that happens. So let me know as and when you have something. I NO longer own A2Zee Models / Alley Cat but I do pattern making and casting, opaque and clear, for various guys, and I am prepared to look at projects IF I get a little help as explained. The best way to contact me is via my email uc27studio@gmail.com cheers Ali

Well I sort of agree with you guys BUT, I think he would get more customers and there would be more belief if there were some images of some sort. Some parts / patterns must be made by now, I have not invested but just may if I could see something a little more substantial than just words. I think other would feel the same way. Do not forget I know all about pattern making and casting and running a business but what I have seen and heard so far I am a little more on the sceptical side, with no actual proof of any sort being shown for almost 6 months as far as I know. I hope it works out all round and that it is a success, but let us see some evidence? Ali

Kev, aircraft only is fine for me, as that is what I build, hope this group build comes to be, have a few ideas, well FAR to many I think...........

I may even join in if I can manage my time, also I think 6 months build time could be a good thing, also the cut off date is quite important and I do not think that if we see early Spitfires and Bf 109's that it will be a huge problem as most are not really catered for in the early versions as straight out of the box, to make them accurate. So would certainly like a BETWEEN THE WARS, all included from 1919 to 1939 20 years makes sense........ I presume this could also include armour, and or any other themed large model..... Ali

Guy's From my side the Phantom conversion is a long story, will keep this fairly brief, just have lots on the go (patterns to finish for other projects and have started a 'full time job', to get some regular and consistant income. If you read what some of you have said in the post you are answering your own questions, take 4-6 months off work do the project etc. and make lots of money... Then say that is not a real option. The crowd funding idea is GOOD but is also a bad idea. I am curious like many other of the Blenheim project, and without knowing the man or any more than what I have read on the forums with regards to prices and numbers of kits to be made etc. I am very cautious, and before I upset anybody or the man himself I am just not 100% convinced that it can be done for the price quoted and for the anticipated sales, and not to mention we have not seen any drawings or even basic parts. I re-iterate I will be the first to raise a cheer if the project does come to frutition and if availabel and IF I have money I will probably purchase one. Ok so crowd funding you all give me or MR X so many £/$ or whatever, the producer then has to produce the goods at a set price, and when and if it all goes belly up then how on earth does he pay everybody all back, and if he does not then how does he live with himself and or face the modelling world again???? the other problem with this project is it is so large that a pattern that gets made the first time may not work and there are so many areas that need attention that there are so many variables with cut lines and then with the tolerancing of the new parts to fit the injection parts. In some ways it could work out cheaper and better to make a brand new multi-media kit than do a conversion, obviously the best and easiest would be a IM kit by somebody. Believe me there is a few that have looked at the project, GT Models, Derek Bradshaw, and my self under my own old banner of Alley Cat, and more recently for S & M models, this was an idea that we spoke of at last Telford. S & M announced it to the world with not even a budget price from me to do the project. When I quoted him as far back as April he was not sure, we then spent most of the summer months talking and re-considering the plan, wel as you now as for now the project is on the back burner. As like many other I have spent the last few years looking at the project, and have purchased kits, books and even made the special trip to Carlisle to take pictures of and airframe, and dragged my wife along for the day. On top of I have read the articels spoken with Tommy Thomason, and many others, had a lone of a Cutting edge kit to look at and measure etc etc....... So all told I have spent a lot of money on time and research all from my own pocket. I still do not know everything about the conversion but and each time I look on the forums I learn even more points. Believe me with at least three of us fairly in the know and have looked at some costings, I am sure most types of construction have been thought of and looked at, from resin to vacform etc. None of them offer a full and or easy option, also some are now saying well the exhausts will help and I am sure that they will but in the scheme of it to make an accurate K or M Phantom that is the easiest part once it is drawn as is shown by Canuck Models. Now if I or another company made a set of exhausts and put them to market and said here is your converion for a K / M, I do not think many would be impressed. I am over emphasising the point, what I am trying to say is some of you would be happy with a basic and cheap conversion option and others would expect all the bells and whistles with everything provided in the box, so where is the happy medium I ask. Decals are another issue as we all know to do it correctly a full set of stencils are also required but there again there is at least two maybe three differnt colours for many of those, depending what colour scheme you wish to model? Then on top of that what other markings etc. would be best and roundel types etc......AND WE ALL HAVE OUR FAVORITE, and none of these decals are small, so that alone is a huge task. It is all about numbers and when you look at the poll on LSP the yes votes are still just over 100 and that is been up for a few years, and even those guys are saying it is a good idea and have not sworn an oath to the cause. I could go on a lot longer but patterns are calling me, but if some rich person would like to fund the project I am sure my arm could be twisted. cheers Ali

I just think that it should be pointed out that much if not all the marked up drawings and photographs are from Tommy Thompson's website and is his hard work, see Tailhook, anyway I know it is his as he supplied all this information to me. ali

Hi Contact Alec via the link I posted above, there is a contact button, this set is not available as yet but I am sure he will be able to assist you for some other items. Slowly the items are being returned into production. Ali

Yes there are decals for this as well, I will post these up when I have the new files from Alec. I believe that there will be two different decal sheets so two alternative box offerings.

Hi Kevin Thanks for the reply, I have NO control on release and or price anymore, that is up to the new owner, Alec. You can contact him via his website, he is still getting his feet under the table as it were. I would think that they will be going on sale towards the end of May? Ali

Hi Guys I have just completed the master patterns for this new set. This will be released by Alec Smith of Alley Cat Models http://www.alleycatmodels.co.uk in the next 3-4 weeks. I would particularly like to thank Matt Low for his help with some images and the main source of reference used was Messerschmitt Bf 109 by Harald Helmut Vogt, ISBN 978-3086619-068-9. Note that the instrument panels for the rear have been 3D drawn and printed, and match up very well to the Revell parts. Here are a few taster images, more may follow in the next few days. Last but not least please PM me should you wish to discuss any pattern making projects that you may like for me to look at. cheers Ali

Hi Radu Ok cool, I may as well get a kit from you as well then, add that to the pile................ cheers Ali

I have already booked one for Telford, but now I will have also stretch to getting the model, it never ends does it!!!!!!!!!!!! see you at SMW Radu............ Ali

Thanks for all the posts messages and emails guys, soon I will get the moderators to close my old forum name as that will no longer be relevant and will get confusing, and will re-join just as me. Really looking to being more active on the forums all round, and so far so good for my future, all exciting for me. I am sure I will see many of you at Telford. cheers Ali

Well the waiting is over, it has been a crazy 20 days since the last announcement that I made on the 11th, so much has happened and changed in a very short space of time, mostly for the good, so as one chapter closes a few new ones open. Firstly I would like to thank everybody for their support not only over the last few weeks but for many years, direct customers, trade customers and to my suppliers, all of whom have helped in many ways. Closing of A2Zee Models was not an easy decision for me to make but it was one that had to be made for a few reasons, so once the decision was made the chapter started unrolling at a very fast rate, so with all that is happened I can now say where things are at and what will be happening in the future. I will be breaking this down into three areas so please take note of each. Alley Cat I am pleased to announce that most of the Alley Cat patterns have been purchased by Alec Smith and he will be continuing the Alley Cat brand in the future. Alec has decided to now call his company Alley Cat Models, so in time the name A2Zee Models will be no more. I wish him all the best and I will be doing my best to transfer all products and information to him to enable a smooth start. There is still some final arrangements to be made between Alec and I so the Alley Cat range will not be available immediately, so please be patient, I am sure Alec will keep you all informed as his new venture progresses. I do hope that all of you will support Alec in his new venture and he already has some of his own ideas for future releases. In the meantime Alec can be contacted at the following email address AlleyCatModels@outlook.com Rotor Craft I am pleased to announce that a deal was secured through Colin Burgess (Rotor Craft) and Colin Strachan of Freightdog Models, so the Rotor Craft patterns and name will now be in the hands of Colin. Once again I wish Colin well and will assist him in the same way for a smooth transition. Freightdog can be contacted via freightdog@btopenworld.com Alistair McLean Lastly a quick note about my future. Well a few weeks ago it was very uncertain, and as of now it looks like I will still be around in the model making world, so you have not got rid of me as yet. I hope to continue to do some casting work, mainly clear casting but some general casting as well. However quite a few opportunities have opened up for me to do pattern making for other companies and this includes possibly developing new products for Alec and Colin. There are other prospects as well for other companies so it looks as if I could be extremely busy, and I am looking forward to using more of my creative ability and hopefully I will start building models again for my own enjoyment. My new contact email address is as follows, uc27studio@gmail.com Well that is the end of the story and this will be my last announcement from A2Zee Models and Alley Cat. I will be visiting SMW at Telford next weekend and I am really looking forward to meeting with many of you and this time I think I will really enjoy the show. Cheers Alistair

A2Zee Models as of today is entering a restructuring process and as of now no products are available through the website. All current stock of Alley Cat, Rotor Craft and Rhino Models, has been sold to Hannants, this includes all the Montex masks that we stock. Unfortunately we will not be attending SMW at Telford on the 8th and 9th of November. All outstanding orders are being worked through, so if you do have an item outstanding do not panic it will be sorted out very soon. Exact future plans are not known at this stage but I will keep you informed as the changes happen. Thank you all for your support over the last 9 years, and hope to be speaking too many of you again soon. Regards Alistair

Hi Guys Thanks, Mike thanks for the order, well why not it is almost a WHAT IF subject so anything is possible really Ali

Hi Martin We did consider what do we add or remove from the upgarde set to add here BUT it gets tricky and thought we would keep the price down, but as the gun deck is a separate set we thoug we would add the one to the set. I hope this explanation helps. cheers Ali

Hi All Here is something different for all you Bf 109 fans. cheers Ali

Hi All Please see latest specials available until the 6th June only while stocks last.

Hi All Please see the attached latest newsletter

Hi All See latest news letter, any one that would like masks that are out of stock please email your orders, and as long as it is before next week Wednesday the 14th May you will still receive the discounted price. cheers Ali

Hi Kevin Well it is a good offer and is for a limited time and quantities are also limited, so have a think?? cheers Ali