Infinity Models Aichi D3A Val

[LSP_Kevin]

5 hours ago, Archimedes said:

HI Kev, I don’t think you have touched a nerve here necessarily. HpH’s bread and butter business is making real sailplanes in 1:1. I suspect this might have been a diversification exercise for them and I suspect they may have found the effort and investment required to produce accurate injection molded miniatures is very high compared to that producing a far more profitable HpH 304S Shark  or Twin Shark sailplane. Of course that is speculative on my part but based on some educated guesses about how their business may work.

 

Kind regards,

Paul

 

Heinz sent me this message over on Britmodeller, just to clarify the situation:

 

Quote

Archimedes post on LSP-Forum that HpH Models are producing sailplanes is completely wrong.

HpH Models and HpH Sailplanes are two separate companies.

Jiri Hodan is running HpH Models and CEO of HpH Sailplanes is Jaroslav Potmesil.

HpH Sailplanes are producing the laminate parts for HpH Models, as they have the skills and machinery.

 

I knew that Jiri and Jaroslav were in partnership somehow, but I didn't know the details, and like you Paul, assumed they were the same company.

 

Kev

[Zola25]

On 6/13/2023 at 3:14 PM, RadBaron said:

 Awe man, that middle scheme is way too cool to not have a go of!!

My thoughts exactly 

 

/Niels

[Tony T]

Torn about getting this kit. Japanese subjects are so scarce, but money so tight at the moment. 

The selling point is the joined-up and separate canopy parts, giving a back-up in effect. 

I'll look at the Hannants deal at £100 all-in and delay a couple of 1/48 jet kits that still beckon.

 

The Vals with the fiery red breath or goldfish orange scales are quite strking.

 

Tony

[LSP_Mike]

Yeah, at a show a couple weeks ago, the price was up from 150 to 180.

    Oh well...

[CRAZY IVAN5]

Oooooook, here we go sports fans, price is going to start to skyrocket with the recent and unfortunate news from Infinity. I'm glad I got mine when I did . I may have to go for 2nd one if I can if the  the money gods dictate.

[firefly7]

Just got one from Squadron for $ 147.99, including shipping. 

[CRAZY IVAN5]

20 minutes ago, firefly7 said:

Just got one from Squadron for $ 147.99, including shipping. 

That's about what I paid through M&Models. My order was a little more because I ordered the wing fold add on, but still a pretty good price.

[Mirek O]

VAL by Marek Hlusek https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=149645

[ChuckD]

Is it even in stock anywhere now?  All the usual shops are sold out.  I wonder if aftermarket companies like the decal and seatbelt shops get angry when they put effort into to researching and creating products only to have the kit manufacturer pull the plug.

[Dave Williams]

On 6/15/2023 at 10:03 PM, CRAZY IVAN5 said:

That's about what I paid through M&Models. My order was a little more because I ordered the wing fold add on, but still a pretty good price.

What was shipping?  In my experience, M&M charges something like $20 for even a couple of small decal sheets and small resin bits.  Their shipping costs keep me from buying much from them.

[ChuckD]

1 hour ago, Dave Williams said:

What was shipping?  In my experience, M&M charges something like $20 for even a couple of small decal sheets and small resin bits.  Their shipping costs keep me from buying much from them.

 

Kind of a moot point, unfortunately.  They're out of stock too.  Grab the last one on ebay from Hong Kong if you want it.

[Hans]

The kit sold out within a week at the Aviation Megastore at Schiphol/Amsterdam. I'm waiting for the restock..

[thierry laurent]

8 hours ago, Hans said:

The kit sold out within a week at the Aviation Megastore at Schiphol/Amsterdam. I'm waiting for the restock..

So do I. I have the aftermarket sets for weeks but not yet the kit!

[CRAZY IVAN5]

12 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

What was shipping?  In my experience, M&M charges something like $20 for even a couple of small decal sheets and small resin bits.  Their shipping costs keep me from buying much from them.

Well, the kit was $144[ preorder], the wing fold was $24, and the shipping was $32[ ouch!].The kit was $144, so like i said before about the same price[the kit]

[Kagemusha]

Here's a photo Heinz posted on Britmodeller, they still have one thousand Val kits at Infinity, if it sells well, might give Jiri pause to reconsider releasing the Kate, or make it a more viable kit for someone else to take on...