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Topic: Italeri Higgins Kit Cancelled |
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 17, 2020 - 9:37pm
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This has nothing to do with COVID and everything to do with Hobbico going out of business. They were Italeri's distributor in the US. Because Italeri couldn't get any kind of commitment they delayed the project. I have a message into my friend at Italeri to see if there has been any change.
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 17, 2020 - 10:28pm
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Dave;
Suggest Dragon Hobbies in Northern Virginia to your Italieri contact.
Dragon Hobbies, USA
111-M Carpenter Dr #100, Sterling, VA 20164
Phone: (703) 444-3988
Take care,
TED
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Total Posts: 3058 | Joined:
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 18, 2020 - 5:16am
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Thanks for the suggestion Ted. Hobbico was a big presence in the industry. They owned Revell USA, Revell Germany, and were a big part of Italeri distribution among others. When Hobbico dissolved, Revell USA was closed with no buyer, Revell Germany found a new owner, but Italeri and others were left with no representation and had to scramble to find new partners.
They do have a partner in the USA now which is VSA Inc., dba Model Rectifier Corporation, also known as MRC. They distribute for Academy as well so they do have some experience and committment to ship models.
So now that their distribution is hopefully settling down they may come back to this project. If you're interested in seeing this kit released (I sure am) I would suggest dropping MRC a friendly line with support for this kit. Their email address is mrcsupport@modelrectifier.com.
David Waples |
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 18, 2020 - 6:45am
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Ted,
It's trivia, admittedly, but I think Ritchie (James Gregory, in "PT 109"?) was a Commander, not a Captain.
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Stearman
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jul 18, 2020 - 9:15pm
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Yes, he was a Commander. On a side note, I have been watching reruns of Barney Miller, James Gregory was great as old Inspector Luger!
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Jeff H
Full Member
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Posted on: Jul 20, 2020 - 8:09pm
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David
Thanks for the direction! I did my best with my e mail to them and I tried to be accurate with my info but I was going from memory on this subject. I will include what I sent and hope it doesn’t get too many rocks thrown at it.
“I have been waiting for this kit since it was announced over a year ago and have heard they are not going to produce it now. My uncle was on PT 282 and I was looking forward to building a model of his boat. The guys on the PT boat forum are also very disappointed that this is not going to happen now even though they supplied some info to Italeri to help get this project going. There are no good models of the Higgins PT boat in any scale much less one that would be up to the standard that Italeri has set with their 1:35 scale ELCO PT boats. I have purchased many of Italeri’s models in the past including one of the ELCO models. Is there any way you could help get this project back on track? I understand your company is going to distribute for them in the us now.
Please help us!”
Thanks!
Jeff |
Total Posts: 32 | Joined:
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Jul 21, 2020 - 3:59am
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Nice message Jeff, articulate and to the point. Let's follow his lead guys and girls! And hope David gets some good news...
The first thing that popped up in my little pea brain when I read it: Help me, MRC Kenobi. You're my only hope.
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David Waples
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 21, 2020 - 6:17am
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The Force is not with us Obi-Wan. I have not heard back from my contact at Italeri yet. He may be on vacation. However I wrote MRC. They wrote back after contacting Italeri (after my initial message) and Italeri advised that the project is cancelled. If I hear back from my friend I will let you know.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined:
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