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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.
Round 2 Models: Tribbles and Werewolves and Tractor-Trailers, Oh My!
2010 has been quite a year here at Round 2 Models. Let’s hit the high points: K-7 Space Station, Clear Enterprise D, 1:2500 scale Enterprises, and let’s not forget a BRAND NEW 1:1000 Enterprise Refit! Then there are the Glo-Heads, Batcycle, Batboat and classic BATMOBILE, not to mention the Munsters Tin Edition including the long out of production Drag-U-La! The NEW 2009/2010 Corvette kits and our four ALL NEW NASCAR COT kits showed the car guys we DO INDEED tool new automotive subject matter.
This was the first full year where we’ve had more than one person solely dedicated to the model kit line. Up until this year, John had been handling the car stuff 100% by himself but he also pitched in on other products like our line of Auto World slot cars. Bob and I would tag team on sci-fi and pop culture stuff while also working on our Forever Fun line of holiday products.
Early this year, we brought Chuck Z. onboard to help John out with the automotive kits and I phased out of Forever Fun to concentrate on the sci-fi kit development. Bob still pitched in considerably, handling the bigger chunk of packaging for the sci-fi models. It has been a difficult transition. We had to figure out who was best to handle what. Some of us had to take responsibility for big picture planning while others had to give up aspects of the product they had hoped to do themselves. (We would probably each do it all ourselves if we had our own way.) As we’ve worked through the year, we’ve settled in on our responsibilities. The happy result is we now know what we are capable of. We know when too much is too much and we’ve adjusted our plans for 2011 accordingly. Now, knowing how the business goes, I would hesitate to promise that we’d hit every ship date on the nose next year. I will say, however, we are in a much better position this year than last, to be able to do exponentially better.
There is a lot to look forward to next year… like stuff that should have been out this year (gulp!). Speaking to the sci-fi side of things, pretty much all of the Star Trek kits that were supposed to be out way back in September and November are on the water now. They should hit our warehouse mid-January and store shelves by February 1st. The MPC Pilgrim Observer should be here at the end of February. 2011 product will follow in March and April with Spider-Man, KISS Gene Simmons and Dark Shadows Barnabas. The 1966 Batmobile snap kit will come after that, at long last. Mid-year brings back the Leif Ericson, Klingon Battle Cruiser, Captain America and more.
On the automotive side, you will see the return of the 1/16 Dukes of Hazzard General Lee Charger, Kenworth K-123, Texaco 1950 Chevy Pickup and ’62 Thunderbird with custom parts never before included…The list doesn’t end there…
Happy New Year
1966 Batmobile Model Kit: Here’s your chance!
Hi folks. I got word yesterday that 1966 Batmobile model kit test shots are on their way here. Like I did with the 1:1000 scale U.S.S. Enterprise 1701 Refit kit, I’m giving one of these test shots away.
I’ve been working with Eric Seltzer who runs the 1966 Batmobile website on the Batmobile model project all along. He has been my go-to guy for information on the car. His website holds a wealth of information on the car. In return for his help, I’ve been sharing exclusive pics and info on the kits. So I’ll be using his message board as the contest site. Just go here… http://1966batvehicles.yuku.com/topic/4157 …to for the details to sign up. You’ve got about a week to register so don’t wait and miss out. Good luck.
Jimmie Johnson Wins Nascar Title #5!
Jimmie Johnson has been a force to be reckoned with, these past 5 years. With unwavering precision he has kept his winning grip tight on the Nascar circuit, when all was said and done. Johnson was behind by 15 points to Denny Hamlin prior to the Homestead race in Miami, but ended up claiming the championship yet again with 39 points over Hamlin. Johnson was noted as being very thankful for his race team and the lucky position he has found himself in.
AMT is proud to be producing a pre-painted snap assembly kit of Jimmie Johnson’s #48 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The feedback on the this and the other 3 kits in AMT’s Nascar series has been fantastic, with many enthusiasts being very receptive to the inclusion of both peel and stick markings for the young or novice modeler as well as water-release decals for the adult kit builder.
Don’t miss out on this great kit. It’s an easy kit to build, thanks to AMT’s engineering. It ensures a very rewarding display model to celebrate Jimmie Johnson‘s 5 Nascar title wins! Click here for more information.
