Attn: All ARC resin casters/companies

[raptor22]

you know... at the end of the day, speaking from a consumer point of view, if you're an ARCer and you're making a cool product, I'm gonna support you with my cash! nuff said... look at all the excellent products that have come out of this online community!!!

all I gotta say is... GOOD JOB GUYS!!!

[ravensfan6711]

When it comes to decals or resin, I think you just have to have faith in the quality of the product you put out. Superscale's going to do their thing no matter what, and their subject matter is usually very current. Most of the time they'll beat out just about everyone on a new "hot" scheme. Doesn't bother me one bit. Their product is completely different than Afterburner's. What bugs me is when someone "claims" ownership of a scheme simply because its been announced on ARC. That just doesn't fly with me. There's going to be subject duplication, and that's just inevitable. Communication between the companies would be ideal when practical, but it just doesn't always work.

[Brian P: Fightertown Decals]

I'll echo Scott above - the cooperation and communication with those of us doing decals is outstanding!!! I think we've got a great handle on how cooperation and communication can work. It's been an amazing pleasure dealing with Darren, Scott, Geoff, Brian M, Mike, Dave. I think what makes is so good is we're all interested in doing stuff that we're excited about and want to build. We're (mostly) modelers first, though if I can learn Corel better, I may do this full time for a few months.

I think we help each other put out better products and work well together. Yes, there can be some competition, but I think that can be a good thing. The big key is getting the exposure beyond ARC and the online communities.

And on the subject of gentlemen - Scott handed over some great reference when we started up that they weren't going to get to for a while - some of which we are doing. And when I begged him to let me do something he had on his to-do list, he was gracious and agreed.

So, I say on the decal aspect, I think we're on a great track. As far as resin goes, I'd say the fact that there is the communication that there is here on ARC puts things in a good way. I'm thrilled to see all the new stuff coming out and I think for many the different levels of quality and price are also a benefit. IE - I wouldn't spend $35 on an Aires cockpit for a Revellogram Tomcat, but I'd definitely spend $10-20 on a whole host of Steel Beach parts and upgrades. And what about 1/48 GE engines? I've got a single set of Shawn Hulls exhausts, but they're impossible to come by (and I really hope he starts recasting them), but I do have 10 sets of DrPepperResins exhausts and they are amazing. If it weren't for him pushing forward on these, I'd be using kit parts for quite a while (shudders at the thought). And if DrP hadn't done the cans in 1/72, the community would be lacking an incredible and much needed product.

Ok, I think the last martini kicked in... I'm out - gotta go do a hollywood thing now...

-brian

[GreyGhost]

I wouldn't feel safe driving anywhere NEAR Hollywood anymore with all the "Celebutaunts" DUI-ing about ! Stay Safe Brain, Stay Safe !

Gregg

[niart17]

also as just a builder, not a resin caster, i think quality stands on it's own. if there are 3 different casters doing the same thing, i'll try to get the best for the buck.

i could see one way that such a cooperative effort would benefit all envolved. let's say caster "a" announces he's working on plane "XYZ's" wheel wells. that would let caster "b" think "hey, he does good work, i think instead, i'll do the intake for that plane or the cockpit or gunbays or whatever". i think the variety of A.M. parts for the plane might help each caster sell something that may not have sold if it were on it's own. now the builder has everything he could ever want for "XYZ" and casters are making parts they may not have thought to make in the first place.

i see benefits both ways. JMHO

Bill

[doctorpepper]

but I do have 10 sets of DrPepperResins exhausts and they are amazing. If it weren't for him pushing forward on these, I'd be using kit parts for quite a while (shudders at the thought). And if DrP hadn't done the cans in 1/72, the community would be lacking an incredible and much needed product.

hey thanks..

did i mention that the exhaust petal decals will also be for 1/72?

[dsmith]

i could see one way that such a cooperative effort would benefit all envolved. let's say caster "a" announces he's working on plane "XYZ's" wheel wells. that would let caster "b" think "hey, he does good work, i think instead, i'll do the intake for that plane or the cockpit or gunbays or whatever"

It sounds good in principle, but I think the problem is when people sit on the idea for too long. Then things might never get done. I know I am always starting and shelving projects....

-Doug

[niart17]

It sounds good in principle, but I think the problem is when people sit on the idea for too long. Then things might never get done. I know I am always starting and shelving projects....

-Doug :D

what i meant is, if you see a person that you know is going to produce it, and do a good job, then you might pause a moment, and think of something else that said model needs. i think the reputation of the really good casters is pretty well known on this site. of course, if someone feels that the other person won't actually do the parts, or if they'll do sub-standard, then it would be wise to go ahead a cast what you want to.

it's like going to the gym to play pick up basketball. if you see Michael Jordon on the other team, you may reconsider getting in that game. know what i mean vern?

[Harold]

what i meant is, if you see a person that you know is going to produce it, and do a good job, then you might pause a moment, and think of something else that said model needs. i think the reputation of the really good casters is pretty well known on this site. of course, if someone feels that the other person won't actually do the parts, or if they'll do sub-standard, then it would be wise to go ahead a cast what you want to.

it's like going to the gym to play pick up basketball. if you see Michael Jordon on the other team, you may reconsider getting in that game. know what i mean vern?

I think you hit the old nail on the head.

Harold

[j-basset]

This is an interesting thread:

As for me, F-4DableModels can't be considered a real resin AM producer since we only produced a single PE/resin aftermarket item.

Two of our 'future' products previously announced here have been held up due to production issues - we go through a third party to get our stuff cast. We have no plan to do it ourselves, since time is a premium on our side.

It personally pains me greatly to be unable to deliver what we announced, so we will make every effort to come through, although it will take time. In that time, it's perfectly fair game for anyone else to produce the same items.

I wouldn't go to any length to stop anybody from producing something I may have intention to do, or was working on half way, or just plain sitting on.

Instead I will adopt the policy of not making announcements until the product is 'code one' and ready to ship. There are too many variables that may preclude us from delivering as planned, so it's better not to make any announcements.

As to the issue of multiple parties producing the same item, personally, what dictates what we decide to make is a combination of personal interest and perceived demand.

For example, we wanted to do LAU-128 launch rails because amongst my team, we had enough F-15 mdels lying around to justify producing them for 'internal use', but decided to go further. As for the F-16 Block 15/25/30/32 wheels, well, the F-16 is 3rd on my favourite jet list, and I have a whole boat load of F-16 kits myself.

If something does get hammered out amongst all the AM guys represented here, and a guild is formed, I would be happy to submit to it.

Jason