Model Fleet: 2/18/07: FBM Rudder & Tailplanes upgrades: Are you Ready?

2/18/07: FBM Rudder & Tailplanes upgrades: Are you Ready?

Posted by Matty on August 24, 2008, 17:04:39, in reply to "RUDDER, TAIL- & SAIL PLANES"
Message modified by board administrator August 24, 2008, 21:42:42

--Originally Posted 2/18/07--

Or rather, the question is: do you think they're ready? :

This is the present appearance (as assmbled) of the Matt Stein Models 1/200 scale FBM rudder and tailplanes (plus J-prop); designed to fit the Revell-Germany Andrew Jackson (ex-Renwal Ethan Allen, etc.) kit.

These parts have actually been refined to the state you see here for over 6 months now, but I have been holding back on their release because they are still not as accurate as I wanted:

Click on Image to EnlargeThe main problem is that the smaller, bottom rudder (left) should "start" - that is, its leading edge should begin - slightly further aft than that of the large, top rudder. And - running a close second as a problem here - is the tail diving planes (center) which, though they have the correct overall outline, are hinged in the wrong place; the fixed stabilizers (forward) should be much wider, and the moveable (trailing) planes correspondingly narrower.

In the center pic you can also see the reason I didn't correct both the above problems; the rudders and tailplanes are all connected through holes (visible through the resin) to internal linkages (not visible here) designed for this position within the tailcone. To accurize the lower rudder and hinge points of the tailplanes, the only solution I've come up with in the last 6 months would be to develop an entire, replacement tailcone - and the internal linkages - as well.

Of course, builders of a completely static display can easily modify the bottom rudder and tailplanes to 100% accuracy. But for everyone else I really don't want to lose the above functionality; the sight of that big, beautiful top rudder turning as a single piece is quite satisfying! The problem is that further accurization by replacing the entire tailcone assembly would basically double the cost of the upgrade set - from about $15 to $30; not something which I (nor, presumably, you) would be eager to see.

Now if I can at all avoid it, Matt Stein Models will never release any upgrade(s) whose design is deliberately half-a**ed. On the other hand, take another look at just how much this particular upgrade already improves the appearance of this kit (especially when accompanied by the J-prop as well) :

Click on Image to EnlargeSo the question is: would you, the consumer, be interested in using this upgrade set as it already exists; providing the improvement you see here - or would you rather pay another (approximately) $15 for that last bit of accuracy?

Let me know what you think - either with a response right here or e-mail me privately. "It's Your World"; ask and ye shall receive!

-Matt "Matty" Stein
Matt Stein Models
P.O.Box 772
Sanibel, Florida
33957-0772
USA