I looked at enlarged images of the Type 26 offerings. Indeed, I now see the surface not as smooth as at first glance, but also not at all like the old Shapeways printings, and I failed to see any print lines. Plus, I was looking at enlarged photos of the 1/700 version. That's getting up pretty close to a small model to see the surface quality. The printing itself looks okay...the shapes of things look correct. On the old Shapeways prints in PA-12 it was not uncommon to get a blob instead of what the feature was supposed to be.
I am still going to wait and evaluate his Constellation FFG images whenever that comes out, and make a decision then. Certainly everyone else is free to do their own analyses. And no one has to buy. I am just informing folks of what I discovered. Previous Message
OUCH!! Very nice Garnet Grade 10 surface + printing lines! Previous Message
Dutch Fleet Naval Miniatures was a popular designer on Shapeways, but his designs were no longer available after they folded. Now, I have discovered that he has formed a partnership with 3D-Wild to print his designs.
At the current moment, he only has the RN Type 26 frigate available, but his site lists the next designs he will be working on, and his Facebook page shows that he seems to plan the Constellation class FFG as his next release.
While I was very much aware of his Shapeways models, their prices did not suit me, so I never purchased from him. The cheapest 1/700 Constellation FFG was in the horrible PA-12 material. The "good one" in acrylic resin was well over $100. Based on photos of, and the price of, his current Type 26, I am hoping/expecting his Constellation to be of better quality and for a better price than it was back on Shapeways. I will be keeping my eye on it.
Just FYI to all.
His website, which will give a link to his 3D Wild page for ordering:
https://www.dfnm.nl/
His Facebook page:
https://m.facebook.com/navalminiatures/
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