Tecnikit

All versions were improved in depth. And they now include decals, so the low relief options have been eliminated. We show you a good resolution picture of the fairing version for the Tamiya F-16, with open petals and with the engine off. This REAL picture shows how they come out of the laser printer. Without sanding or smoothing anything. This is the quality we are looking for. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

It's an interesting idea. 😄 But to be honest, I'm not paying high taxes and costs to have to hide. After studying the situation further, I understand how this works. Those who establish their companies in "opaque" countries have no problems.

It has been delayed a lot but although it has been said several times, this week is going to be the definitive one. Fortunately none of the customers who ordered it have pushed the delivery time. They have all understood that this is something very special and have preferred to give us space to get it right. This photograph is from a long time ago of the prototype Before completely redoing the fuel pump for the afterburner which can be seen to the left of the oil tank. ( RIght ) Since then there are much more new piping and 3D print support points made by hand one by one to reduce as much as possible their number and place them just where we wanted them. You can see an excess of support points on the left part that now, for example, no longer exist. The afterburner part, not shown, is a separate part. Although it has already been said several times, this time it will be finished in its final version and ready for shipment this coming week. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

Very bad news. The projects they had underway were sensational. Javier

Very accurate, Tony. I feel the same way. And it's a sure way for the big manufacturers to have no competition. Except if they are in China. Anyway we have already contacted a large American aviation manufacturer and they are at least evaluating the request. That's not to mention the immense politeness with which they have treated us. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

The discussion on quality has been interesting. I still remember the debates about the quality of manufacturers based on their injection molds. However it seems that with 3D printing this doesn't matter and all is forgiven. The concept of sanding is valid as if we were talking about airplanes made from balsa wood. That is my opinion and agrees with @Starfighter. I have bought models from a well known Chinese manufacturer and nothing happens. But if someone in a debate tells me that the parts are bad, I wouldn't dispute it because it's a fact. And not only that. Even the plastic is bad, and getting worse in many brands. Every time I see more and more elastic or soft plastic (ABS type so that we understand each other) to make it easier to take it out of the molds. And nothing happens. It is recognized and that's it. But what is not acceptable is the tone of uniformity or complacency, under which "all STL are the same", "they cost the same", "3D printers do all the same" ... or as said in a comment, with a lens of x20 you can see the defects. No. Not with a x20. Even if you're cross-eyed and without glasses. Is it possible to be permissive ? Of course you can. I can too. Is it all the same ? Of course not. And that's what @Starfighter was trying to explain.

You can find case law from the European Court of Appeal on the Internet. This appeals court is the final instance, affecting all of Europe, and it already has well-known cases. I found them when I received the message. Kagemusha pointed to the Tamiya Opel Blitz truck. This is no coincidence. One of the most well-known cases I found involved Opel or Volkswagen (I can't remember now). The case was based on the reproduction of the brand's logo and its exact position on the radiator grille. Not on the car. I understand this is done this way because the only other patents that can be legalized are those for inventions related to the operation of the machinery. And since the models are not functional, they do not copy the mechanisms and do not infringe patent rights. But since Dassault has its own line of scale models, you're competing with the designer of the real object and the designer of the scale model builded under license in both ways. Registering the model not as an aircraft, but as a toy or scale model. It's funny that so much jurisprudence doesn't affect what is now officially the world's second-largest power: China.

Yes, the B-58 is also incredible. The only problem is that would go from 75 cms to 94 cms. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

Things can be more complicated than they seem. Dasault Aviation already directly markets a model of the Mirage IV in 1/72nd scale. https://www.ebay.es/itm/256421166081?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286568%26meid%3D539d48df200a455993fa952843bb2533%26pid%3D101224%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D256167930037%26itm%3D256421166081%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRankerWithCassiniEmbRecall%26brand%3DHobby%2BMaster&_trksid=p2332490.c101224.m-1 If they are marketing it under their name, it could be that Dassault Aviation has also registered for tax purposes as a scale model manufacturer. That would complicate things even more. On the other hand, the Mirage IV, like all Mirages, has its name on the nose. Therefore, not being able to use its name would limit the decals, promotion and positioning on the Internet.......... more and more.... I got into this to market the details I made for myself with the novel quality that I would like to have and couldn't find. I have no intention or need to be dodging lawyers. Will be other try in 1 month. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

I appreciate the push. But as someone said, it implied a tribute, and tribute implied an admiration that justified the effort. That's over. I've been considering new alternatives for a couple of days now. Nothing is clear yet, but at the moment the lines are these. 1/32: Convair B-58 The J79 GE3 engine for F-104A is on design long time ago. The B-58 uses an update of this. Lockheed SR-71 The engine is on printer now. BAC TSR2 1/48: Kawanishi H8K North American XB-70 Valkyrie I must walk around a lot while I finish and send present orders to think on a winner. Of course I prefer 1/32. But the size almost doubles that of the Mirage IV.

Incredible !! And is Tamiya !! Although it does have the 2 plates on the grille where it should say Opel Blitz 😄

Hubert, I grew up in Valencia ( Spain ) next to the WING 11 base, composed of Mirage IIIE. Also my parents and grandparents paid the taxes with which the IIIE's and later the F1's were paid. And I have also had that feeling when I received the message. Today I sent the message indicating that the advertisement of the product that had not even been designed ( Mirage IV ) has been withdrawn and that the few superdetails made to complement the ITALERI modelkit ( Mirage IIIE ) were withdrawn from sale. I think I understand why this happened. I am not referring to the law and its strict enforcement. If it were strictly enforced most of the existing products would not exist now. Why do I know that ? Because unlike most of the competition I do have price ranges that would allow me to consider including a cost for a license fee. Others do not. That's sure for me. I believe that it is due more to a casual accident or a complaint, than to a persecution. I can not be more explicit because I hope that I can reach an agreement as the project would be exceptional. The only case that I can recall where an aircraft manufacturer sued a model maker was in the USA, and from what I saw in the news in my country, it was not for a license infringement. It was a court case of espionage because the model was too much detailed and revealed parts of an aircraft that was still secret and had not been presented. I don't remember if it was the F-22. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

I will try to contact them again later to make a final attempt. The Jaguar has too many suitors. From BAC I would be more inclined to go for the TSR2. But in view of the outcome... other issues are going to come into play.

Closure of the Mirage IV project:

As you know, it had announced the preparation and launch of the Mirage IV in 1/32 scale as a major target in 2025 and 2026. Due to unrelated circumstances, we have received a notification from Dassault Aviation demanding the withdrawal of any product or use of the Mirage IV name. I have tried to raise a discussion on the terms of a possible license, but there seems to be no interest on their part. The message refers to the prohibition of the express use of the Mirage IV name and object but not other models. However given that we have partial parts of the Mirage IIIE, and although it could get into a debate whether it affects or not, the Mirage IIIE parts are going to be withdrawn. Without discussion the best parts in the world in 1/32 for this model. As an exception, we will leave out of this recall the parts of the ATAR 09C5 engine, understanding that it is a completely different manufacturer's proprietary design. Since the recall notice has a 5-day deadline, they will be removed from the web store in 4 days. Regarding the Mirage IV, I am truly sorry. I am convinced that many Dassault Aviation executives and workers would have purchased the model. And that it would even have been an exceptional eye-catcher in the center of a boardroom table where to leave with open mouths dignitaries from all over the world. But unfortunately this is something that only modelers know. On the positive side, we are relieved of all our self-imposed workload obligations and can rethink new objectives. We will think of another machine. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

Hello Pete: I'm so sorry I couldn't reply sooner. I received everything from you, and everything was as you requested. It seems there was only a problem sending the automatic email to your address. Anyway, I've sent you a suggestion through the internal LSP chat. I'll also email it to you in case you'd like me to include it. And thank you so much for your support !!!

Hi Tony: I don't like to get ahead of myself because I could get my fingers burned. Everything will depend on the manufacturing system for the fuselage and wings. This system will allow the flight model with super-detailed afterburners and nozzles to go from a minimum of 500-600 euros with the rigid engineering resin for laser that it normally use, to a guideline minimum of 350-450 euros. The model with all the interiors shouldn't cost more than 850 euros. But this maximum price is a self-imposed top limit. The idea is to work under this and lower it to down. And of course there will be a pre-sale discount. There's also other cheaper plan about the system to build the fuselage and wings. But until I do a few experiments, I can't know if it will be viable. I can't be more precise. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

First of all and once again in this forum, thank you very much for addressing the subject with such education and maturity. This matter is in mind and is continuously circling around looking for ways to reduce the price in this particular case. But as Rafju pointed out in the other thread, I can't tell you the price until I have made no progress. I understand that the price of the Mirage IV is tried to be foreseen taking as reference the J-58 engine. But the J-58 has been something exceptional. You can see in the Tecnikit webstore the SAFRAN ATAR 09C5 engine used by the Mirage IIIE and Mirage V. Very similar to the ATAR 09K that equips the Mirage IV. If you compare it with the J-58 of the SR-71, there is no point of comparison. The J-58 has a maximum level of complexity and that makes the price much more expensive. The buttresses that serve as support points in the 3D printing had to be designed one by one due to the exaggerated existence of pipes, many of them corrugated, with separate engine runs, which the software, despite being one of the best, was not able to solve without filling the model with too many contact points. On the other hand, in airplanes that use twin engines, a 50% discount is made on the second engine. And as I have already mentioned, an alternative mode for the fuselage and wings is being sought to reduce the cost but not the definition. It has gone unnoticed but we are the first modeling company to launch custom models. The PW 229 range of nozzles has 54 variants. For F-15, F-16CJ TAMIYA and F-16I ACADEMY. And x2 with the bas-relief for the NO-STEP stencils = 108 variants. By the way, we are going to reinforce the whole range with decals for NO STEP stencils by eliminating the bas-relief variants for all of them. In this way the modeler can give a distinctive touch and maximum realism. And then Tony... yes. With the Mirage IV and to facilitate the access, we are going to do the same. At the time of purchase you will be able to choose if you want all, some or none of the superdetailed cockpits, avionics compartment and landing gear wells. The minimum would be an in-flight version with everything enclosed. But the decks in this case will not be enclosed. So if a modeler wants to scratch build the interiors, he can do it. In the other side, as ever all the detailsets will be of top quality. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

Here is the upscaled dummy result for the tests. This prototype was printed around 1 month ago. Now the final model has much more pipes, corrections and much less contact points. The afterburner is other different piece not shown in the photo. Around 1/4 or 1/3 of additional length. In our opinion, it is in itself a beautiful exhibition model. The client who commissioned the project loved this scale. And the collaboration has been so extraordinary that we could not say no. So we will also launch it in a scale greater than 1/32 but very limited serie. https://www.tecnikit.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=page&id=31&language=en It has been delayed again one more week the departure of the engines in 1/32 for having opened a new session of retouching that will end tomorrow. This will allow customers who already purchased the engine in the pre-sales stage, scale to this new scale. The number will be possibly limited to 10 units on this special scale. The unit of the customer who ordered the project will be printed with the zero number of the serie. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

A video about the J58.

I truly appreciate your strength. It's a risky bet, but I share your opinion. That era was very special. There will be a pre-sale period when everything is advanced. We'll talk in 2026. But I'll publish the progress. About the J-58... 23 cms of pipe labyrinths. The final model has 60% more pipes than shown in the design displayed on the website. An architect friend when saw it, didn't believe it" 😵 . An... interesting experience. 😄 Javier Povedano Tecnikit

Hello Stephan: We have the rear landing gear for the Mirage IIIE. But it is different from the IIIC. The photograph is magnified about 30% of the real object. includes 2 other tubes and actuators not shown in the picture. And the second redesign includes a ring on the ball joint that serves as a pin for the wiring. It is delivered to the customer as shown. With the tubes already inserted. Which implies cutting, drilling and gluing them. It was thought to serve them optionally disassembled to sell them cheaper. But even knowing the parts very well, it is not uncommon to break the ball joint of the shock absorber when passing the brass through the resin sleeve that is extremely tight to the main brass tube to reinforce the structure. As it has only a couple of millimeters at the ball joints. Once attached and glued, the upper and lower parts are firmly fixed without any possibility of stretching that could break the ball joint. It has the connectors to insert the hydraulic wiring to be done by the customer with metal wire as scratch work. This gives a very fine and precise finish. For us, adding the design time, printing, cost of tubes, cutting, drilling, insertion and packaging, makes it one of the cheapest pieces in relation work done / price. Javier Povedano Tecnikit

All the Mirage family ( III, V, F1, 2000 ) are fighter bombers. But the Mirage IV is out of that serie. It is a nuclear strategic bomber. Like a B58 Hustler or a Vulcan. Javier

We will see what we can do to bring the price closer in certain cases. There is plenty of time to think of something. I have the Italeri model of the Mirage IIIE. ( 2 Times ). To adjust the detailsets. The prices of certain Italeri models have fluctuated a lot in price. The model is fine. I like it. They have captured the line of the plane very well. It has some problem with the fit of the tail and the air intakes. And in my first model the clear canopy came with a problem. But otherwise fine. It is made of plastic mold. It measures 46 cms. The Mirage IV will measure around 75 cms. Javier

😂😂 No.... 3. Javier Povedano Tecnikit