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Archive for February, 2011
Round 2 Model Kits: This just in…
It seems like I can go on for months doing packaging artwork for our Round 2 model kits or working up PR plans and not have anything of great import to share on the blog. It sucks because I like to show the progress on stuff when I can. I received a package in the mail today that I thought would draw a little interest. Then I looked at what else was sitting around on my desk and thought, “hey, that’s not a bad lot of this and that.” So, there it is.
First, the thing that came in today is the mockup of the Lief Ericson. This is essentially the proof of concept model that the factory developed. Essentially, what it shows is that they understand and can execute all of the tooling changes I asked for to the UFO tooling. Usually, no tooling work is done at this point but this case may be an exception. I believe they are showing test shots for the first time of the clear parts. I hadn’t seen them before now but they’ve had the file long enough and the parts look crystal clear. I’ll be checking on that over night.
I’m also showing the Batmobile snap buildup that arrived the other day. Mike Wherry put this together from a resin mockup and parts from the early test shots. He did an awesome job especially the way he handled the striping. I’ll need to touch up some spots in photoshop including adding the doorbats, etc. The Corvette came in the same shipment. The Batmobile snap box is a package mockup that you’ve probably seen before (Makes for a bigger picture though).
Lastly, you see the Dark Shadows boxes. Barnabas comes from Tom L’s collection. The Werewolf is new to us. We found it just as we needed it. I haven’t started retouching the werewolf yet but I did Barney a while back. Anyone with appreciation for photoshop work should note that I edited out all of that type on the side of the box in order to re-typeset it. It was a bit of a challenge. Like I said. Some of this stuff isn’t so exciting…
Oh, one more thing. We like to put up polls on our website but we haven’t updated it in a while. The Batmobile buildup inspired one that will let you give us a little input on the final kit. Check it out on the Round 2 Models homepage.
Star Trek Model Kits: New movie U.S.S. Enterprise
Many people have been inquiring about the new movie Enterprise model kit. We have the following statement.
Round 2 is not proceeding with development on the U.S.S. Enterprise model kit, as based on the 2009 film, Star Trek. We will continue to focus on classic Star Trek by reissuing nostalgic favorites and enhanced re-releases as well as some all-new tooling of favorite Trek subjects.
Live long and prosper,
The Round 2 Model Kit Team
The Legacy of George Toteff
Many enthusiasts of the plastic kit hobby still don’t know who George Toteff was. Only a select few modelers have met him or had the opportunity to speak with him about his work. We’ve never seen his name on a kit box, but his influence on many aspects of the hobby is impressive by any account. It stretches from the formative years of plastic models right to present day. Many of the people involved in the formation of the model companies that shaped our hobby into what it is today are no longer with us. With his passing in early February, George Toteff is now among them and those of us at Round 2 are deeply saddened.
Read the full story in our news section…
Star Trek Model Kits: 1:350 TOS – To be or not to be? That is the question…
Believe me when I say… “We hear you.” I keep seeing the question coming in and being asked through our website, facebook and on the message boards. Will we or won’t we add a 1:350 scale TOS U.S.S. Enterprise to our lineup of Star Trek model kits? The answer right now is we are talking it through. We in the creative team are doing what we can to make it happen. For right now, all I can say is…
Nothing is official until we say it is despite what others might say, believe or think. We will make a final and formal announcement one way or another at Wonderfest in May. I hope to walk out of the place alive regardless of what that announcement might be.
Please note: Just to be perfectly clear, the red background is not indicative of anything… just my sick attempt at humor.
Round 2 Models: Sneak Peek Announcements
Here are some early “sneak peek” announcements for the original issues of three classic kits, from two different eras.
From 1962, the Auto World Custom Club announcement for the 1949 Ford coupe kit. Another kit was announced along with it, but since that one isn’t available right now we ’ll focus on the 1949 coupe. This kit hasn’t been changed too much over the years, probably because the original AMT Customizing Team got it right in the first place. Most of the customizing features shown are still in the Round 2 issue of the kit, along with nice white plastic. Original issue kits were molded in medium gray, or light blue.
Next up, just a year later, AMT introduced another customizer’s favorite, the 1949 Mercury. Presented here is the original dealer “sell sheet” that hobby shops received. This was likely created before the kit tooling was finished, so some minor details differ. The bumperettes shown on the custom version didn’t make it into the kit, though similar parts can be found in the ’49 Ford coupe mentioned earlier. The Mercury kit has actually had parts added to it over the years, with most of the original options staying in the kit. The exact combination of optional items for the upcoming Round 2 reissue has not been finalized yet.
Finally, from near the back of a 1979 mid-year MPC catalog, here’s the original announcement for one of the best-selling model car kits of all time: The Dukes of Hazzard “General Lee” Charger. Molded in red? We guess the copy writer hadn’t seen the show yet!
Polar Lights Models: 1966 Batmobile Snap Kit Update
After a month of work, our factory has revised the tooling of our new 1966 Batmobile snap kit. The first test shots had their share of problems that was to be expected from a brand new tool. There is still work to do. The body still needs some blemishes worked out and more polishing. There are still a few fit and assembly issues to work out but all in all, the kit is really starting to shape up.
So here it is folks, for all intents and purposes, this is what it looks like. Like I said, we’ll still do some refining here and there. I also forgot to go ahead and glue in some parts that weren’t snapping. So fear not about the missing fire extinguisher. You know it’ll be there.
Star Trek Model Kit: 1:350 Refit Decal Set At Long Last
At last year’s Wonderfest we announced that we would be releasing our 1:350 U.S.S. Enterprise Refit decal set. Modelers have been clamoring for them since we first released them in our re-release of the Star Trek model kit. We thought we would be able to release them in the fall of last year. The timing didn’t quite work out for them to make it back then.
Well, the stars have aligned and we have finally been able to finalize our plans and release the 1:350 Refit decals set at long last. As a bonus for those that have been waiting so long, we are including a fifth large sheet of registries and engineering colors. We have even made an attempt to make them look more like the Motion Picture version in color and design.
The product is beginning production now and should arrive in April. Here’s a preview look at the final fifth sheet. The printed colors are more subtle than their onscreen appearance.
