Ali62

Hi Pete
i am away on a short break till the 30th, then will need to catch up on orders, but hope to get canopies going soon after. I will be sharing some information on scaled up engine and cowling sets, possibly in the next few days, from holiday, but those will only be released and finalised in June, hoping to do so with the canopies of they work out as I hope they will.
cheers Ali

Wow Ben that is absolutely fantastic well done. What thickness is the canopy? I have tried clear but for some 1/48 scale kits and the thickness needs to be no thicker than 1mm at the most, and being small it is really tricky to get access to the inside to sand and polish.

Hi Pete
i am away on a short break till the 30th, then will need to catch up on orders, but hope to get canopies going soon after. I will be sharing some information on scaled up engine and cowling sets, possibly in the next few days, from holiday, but those will only be released and finalised in June, hoping to do so with the canopies of they work out as I hope they will.
cheers Ali

Hi Pete
i am away on a short break till the 30th, then will need to catch up on orders, but hope to get canopies going soon after. I will be sharing some information on scaled up engine and cowling sets, possibly in the next few days, from holiday, but those will only be released and finalised in June, hoping to do so with the canopies of they work out as I hope they will.
cheers Ali

Hi Pete
i am away on a short break till the 30th, then will need to catch up on orders, but hope to get canopies going soon after. I will be sharing some information on scaled up engine and cowling sets, possibly in the next few days, from holiday, but those will only be released and finalised in June, hoping to do so with the canopies of they work out as I hope they will.
cheers Ali

Me too

So you going to give us some pictures, and your thoughts on the model? All the pictures posted up so far are not very crisp, I would really like to see the surface details up close and clear. Would also like to know what you think of the kit overall.

I am really keen to find out what price Mathieu has in mind for this set, it looks great, but price and ease of ordering will play a role. Wish him success.

If you look at the picture of the Z-M poster that John posted on page 1 of this thread, the CAD drawing in the lower right corner appears to suggest that Z-M is contemplating the Ki-100-I Koh (fastback/razorback) version as well as the Ki-100-I Otsu (bubble top).  Good news.  Andy

Took another look and yes it does appear they'll be doing one of each , good catch!

Let's keep it on point fellas, not really the place to discuss a nation's economic situation.

I was a little surprised to see this that Border and doing the Dambuster version.
I know that this was discussed back and forth when the kit was released when would they do the other versions, then we were told emphatically (I do not have the links to hand) NO THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY LIMITED ISSUE. I think that they even mentioned 500 kits at one stage and then maybe 1000. 
Anyway they now copied HK and did the cockpit model and now this release so to be honest we were told a pack of lies, and there is nothing now to say that they will not re-release the kit in a few years time.
For a kit that is in the region of £600.00 retail and for them not to fix the major canopy issues is really bad as far as I am concerned, and it is more than a polish the mould type of job. The canopy section is too thin in places and or the mould is possibly not correctly designed and that is what is causing the ‘shunt lines’ and other issues, added to the point some areas do need polishing.
We may all be surprised in that they may well fix the transparency sprue, but then for the guys that have bought kits there will be a huge demand to get the replacements.

So you going to give us some pictures, and your thoughts on the model? All the pictures posted up so far are not very crisp, I would really like to see the surface details up close and clear. Would also like to know what you think of the kit overall.

I am waiting patiently for someone who has got one on this forum to do an honest out of the box review, although I got a Helldiver and did not like it and moved it on, I am ever hopeful for the Val as I have a soft spot for elliptical gull type wings. 
so come on guys that have already got one tell us all about the kit, please.

I was a little surprised to see this that Border and doing the Dambuster version.
I know that this was discussed back and forth when the kit was released when would they do the other versions, then we were told emphatically (I do not have the links to hand) NO THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY LIMITED ISSUE. I think that they even mentioned 500 kits at one stage and then maybe 1000. 
Anyway they now copied HK and did the cockpit model and now this release so to be honest we were told a pack of lies, and there is nothing now to say that they will not re-release the kit in a few years time.
For a kit that is in the region of £600.00 retail and for them not to fix the major canopy issues is really bad as far as I am concerned, and it is more than a polish the mould type of job. The canopy section is too thin in places and or the mould is possibly not correctly designed and that is what is causing the ‘shunt lines’ and other issues, added to the point some areas do need polishing.
We may all be surprised in that they may well fix the transparency sprue, but then for the guys that have bought kits there will be a huge demand to get the replacements.

I am really keen to find out what price Mathieu has in mind for this set, it looks great, but price and ease of ordering will play a role. Wish him success.

Good estimations on the Ki-100 sets, I know from decals printed it was in the region of 250 for each option bubble and razor back, under my ownership. So Dean KB you were right on the button. I gauge most sets as paying for them selves on the 100 plus number and nicely profitable over the 200, but then I am a small producer and not got huge overheads, do as much as I can in house and try and keep things as simple as possible.
So yes not huge numbers but all being told I think that a new injection Ki-100 will be superb, I am sure it will sell well and cannot see why ZM would make it too much more expensive than their other current single seat aircraft.
 

I think the Ki-100 is a great choice, at least it is something different. I never understand it, people moan when it is another Spitfire, 109, 190, P-51 etc…..yes I know we all want a P-51 B/C and other things but why not a Ki-100. As has been said many times as well, the Japanese companies such as Hasegawa and Tamiya have supposedly done very well on home soil with doing their aircraft so maybe ZM will tap into that.
I am also curious about what you say about the Alley Cat Ki-100, as it was born by the company that I used to own I have a fairly good idea how many we made and sold, do you guys have any real idea? I would love to know what you are basing your thoughts on. Yes we did not sell them in the thousands but there are very few SMALL cottage industry resin kits that sell at those numbers without going through major dealerships etc. Also remember back then even the internet and Facebook/ YouTube etc were not even at the place we are at with all that now and we did not have huge flashing adverts………..
As I have said before a very talented craftsman in my friend Phil Edwards made the masters for that and many other Alley Cat projects when under my ownership, he is unfortunately no longer with us. However he did eventually came to the conclusion that there were some errors in regards to the wing roots etc. but that was after he had gained more direct access to the one that was at Cosford. To be honest it looked and felt like a Ki-100, and that it was all old style model making created no fancy computers, 3D printing etc. in a time that must be at least 15 years ago now. I think it was a bold attempt to what gets dished up now by far larger companies resin or injection moulded with more resources and more technology than was available to a man in his shed in Shropshire.
Put it this way we made more than a return out of the Ki-100 and Ki-61 family that Phil mastered and I sold, and even after the moulds we’re not in my ownership Phil told me how many he was still having to make for the new owner.
So guess away to how many were sold in a ball park and I will tell you when you are nearly at the correct type number, I do not have an exact figure obviously but have a very good idea.

I think the Ki-100 is a great choice, at least it is something different. I never understand it, people moan when it is another Spitfire, 109, 190, P-51 etc…..yes I know we all want a P-51 B/C and other things but why not a Ki-100. As has been said many times as well, the Japanese companies such as Hasegawa and Tamiya have supposedly done very well on home soil with doing their aircraft so maybe ZM will tap into that.
I am also curious about what you say about the Alley Cat Ki-100, as it was born by the company that I used to own I have a fairly good idea how many we made and sold, do you guys have any real idea? I would love to know what you are basing your thoughts on. Yes we did not sell them in the thousands but there are very few SMALL cottage industry resin kits that sell at those numbers without going through major dealerships etc. Also remember back then even the internet and Facebook/ YouTube etc were not even at the place we are at with all that now and we did not have huge flashing adverts………..
As I have said before a very talented craftsman in my friend Phil Edwards made the masters for that and many other Alley Cat projects when under my ownership, he is unfortunately no longer with us. However he did eventually came to the conclusion that there were some errors in regards to the wing roots etc. but that was after he had gained more direct access to the one that was at Cosford. To be honest it looked and felt like a Ki-100, and that it was all old style model making created no fancy computers, 3D printing etc. in a time that must be at least 15 years ago now. I think it was a bold attempt to what gets dished up now by far larger companies resin or injection moulded with more resources and more technology than was available to a man in his shed in Shropshire.
Put it this way we made more than a return out of the Ki-100 and Ki-61 family that Phil mastered and I sold, and even after the moulds we’re not in my ownership Phil told me how many he was still having to make for the new owner.
So guess away to how many were sold in a ball park and I will tell you when you are nearly at the correct type number, I do not have an exact figure obviously but have a very good idea.

I think the Ki-100 is a great choice, at least it is something different. I never understand it, people moan when it is another Spitfire, 109, 190, P-51 etc…..yes I know we all want a P-51 B/C and other things but why not a Ki-100. As has been said many times as well, the Japanese companies such as Hasegawa and Tamiya have supposedly done very well on home soil with doing their aircraft so maybe ZM will tap into that.
I am also curious about what you say about the Alley Cat Ki-100, as it was born by the company that I used to own I have a fairly good idea how many we made and sold, do you guys have any real idea? I would love to know what you are basing your thoughts on. Yes we did not sell them in the thousands but there are very few SMALL cottage industry resin kits that sell at those numbers without going through major dealerships etc. Also remember back then even the internet and Facebook/ YouTube etc were not even at the place we are at with all that now and we did not have huge flashing adverts………..
As I have said before a very talented craftsman in my friend Phil Edwards made the masters for that and many other Alley Cat projects when under my ownership, he is unfortunately no longer with us. However he did eventually came to the conclusion that there were some errors in regards to the wing roots etc. but that was after he had gained more direct access to the one that was at Cosford. To be honest it looked and felt like a Ki-100, and that it was all old style model making created no fancy computers, 3D printing etc. in a time that must be at least 15 years ago now. I think it was a bold attempt to what gets dished up now by far larger companies resin or injection moulded with more resources and more technology than was available to a man in his shed in Shropshire.
Put it this way we made more than a return out of the Ki-100 and Ki-61 family that Phil mastered and I sold, and even after the moulds we’re not in my ownership Phil told me how many he was still having to make for the new owner.
So guess away to how many were sold in a ball park and I will tell you when you are nearly at the correct type number, I do not have an exact figure obviously but have a very good idea.

I think the Ki-100 is a great choice, at least it is something different. I never understand it, people moan when it is another Spitfire, 109, 190, P-51 etc…..yes I know we all want a P-51 B/C and other things but why not a Ki-100. As has been said many times as well, the Japanese companies such as Hasegawa and Tamiya have supposedly done very well on home soil with doing their aircraft so maybe ZM will tap into that.
I am also curious about what you say about the Alley Cat Ki-100, as it was born by the company that I used to own I have a fairly good idea how many we made and sold, do you guys have any real idea? I would love to know what you are basing your thoughts on. Yes we did not sell them in the thousands but there are very few SMALL cottage industry resin kits that sell at those numbers without going through major dealerships etc. Also remember back then even the internet and Facebook/ YouTube etc were not even at the place we are at with all that now and we did not have huge flashing adverts………..
As I have said before a very talented craftsman in my friend Phil Edwards made the masters for that and many other Alley Cat projects when under my ownership, he is unfortunately no longer with us. However he did eventually came to the conclusion that there were some errors in regards to the wing roots etc. but that was after he had gained more direct access to the one that was at Cosford. To be honest it looked and felt like a Ki-100, and that it was all old style model making created no fancy computers, 3D printing etc. in a time that must be at least 15 years ago now. I think it was a bold attempt to what gets dished up now by far larger companies resin or injection moulded with more resources and more technology than was available to a man in his shed in Shropshire.
Put it this way we made more than a return out of the Ki-100 and Ki-61 family that Phil mastered and I sold, and even after the moulds we’re not in my ownership Phil told me how many he was still having to make for the new owner.
So guess away to how many were sold in a ball park and I will tell you when you are nearly at the correct type number, I do not have an exact figure obviously but have a very good idea.

So you going to give us some pictures, and your thoughts on the model? All the pictures posted up so far are not very crisp, I would really like to see the surface details up close and clear. Would also like to know what you think of the kit overall.

Thanks Jan, that is already a good and fairly balanced short type review. I do not think any of us would expect these models to be up to some standards by companies that obviously have more elaborate and expensive injection moulding capacity. That is why the surface and the hardness is not up to other companies. One add on extra that seems to be strangely offered is the resin engine, I am not sure why they have cast it like they have, and how that will be more beneficial than the plastic parts? 
It would be great to see your WIP and some pictures, I will wait patiently for my backorder to arrive at Hannants but knowing my luck I will be away on holiday when it does, so I may only see one in my hands at the beginning of June.

So you going to give us some pictures, and your thoughts on the model? All the pictures posted up so far are not very crisp, I would really like to see the surface details up close and clear. Would also like to know what you think of the kit overall.

Good estimations on the Ki-100 sets, I know from decals printed it was in the region of 250 for each option bubble and razor back, under my ownership. So Dean KB you were right on the button. I gauge most sets as paying for them selves on the 100 plus number and nicely profitable over the 200, but then I am a small producer and not got huge overheads, do as much as I can in house and try and keep things as simple as possible.
So yes not huge numbers but all being told I think that a new injection Ki-100 will be superb, I am sure it will sell well and cannot see why ZM would make it too much more expensive than their other current single seat aircraft.