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Posted by Ralph Wood on November 9, 2026, 04:23, in reply to "Not so..."
Thank you for these details. I am delighted to get the story straight from the source rather than piecing things together from my memory of old posts and internet info.
However, I am curious what is "not so?"
I wrote that Richard Harden runs WEM. You confirm this.
I wrote that Keith Richardson owns Colourcoats. You confirm this.
I wrote that Richard Harden is the authorized US supplier. You confirm this.
You did not address why a US agent was chosen to sell Colourcoats. My understanding is that it is because the mail (US or Royal Mail, or both) will not handle them since they contain hazardous chemicals. I had read that they could not be mailed retail overseas, but could be imported in bulk by a stockist, then sold retail within that stockist's country. That is then what I wrote. You seem to confirm this. You had three US stockists at one time, and I read that there were other stockists in other countries. People in this thread complain they've no access to it in their country any more despite Keith still owning it and being in business. Is that because there's no stockist for their country? Why can't they order direct from Keith? If this is wrong, please correct me. I do not like being a source of misinformation, and the opportunity to get the strory straight from you I find to be a treasure of inestimable value.
At this point, I am at a loss to see what is wrong (not so) in what I wrote, and am dying to now get the story straight. Please do so! Thank you. 
Previous Message
In 2014 when the original White Ensign Models Ltd went into insolvency, the company and its assets were sold off in three parts:
- Lot 1 was White Ensign Models brand rights, website, stock inventory and rights to White Ensign Models branded detail sets and kits
- Lot 2 was Colourcoats paint sub-brand and rights, stock inventory and rights to Colourcoats
- Lot 2 was stock inventory of third party products
Lot 1 was sold to Richard Harden of Tom's Modelworks. Lot 2 was sold to me. Lot 3 was sold to Hannants.
I thus set up Sovereign Hobbies Ltd as a side venture to continue manufacturing and selling Colourcoats paints and developed both the colour range and chemical product throughout the 10 years I remained in business. I imported WEM detail sets from Richard and sold them in the capacity of his UK agent, and reciprocally Richard imported Colourcoats paints from me and sold them as one of three US agents I had at one point. Richard was always the biggest buyer of the three.
It was always a side venture for us and as my day job became ever more senior in role and demanding, and my wife became a PhD student, something had to go and it was making model paints.
I sold Colourcoats rights and inventory to Keith Richardson, an enthusiastic UK-based customer who had recently retired from Nissan's manufacturing plant in N.E. England. Keith set up his own business called Resolution Hobbies Ltd where he continues to make and sell Colourcoats in the UK. I understand Richard Harden still imports Colourcoats and acts as a US agent for them. Previous Message
Richard Harden runs both Tom's Modelworks and WEM. There's a post some ways down the page from this one by Felix Bustelo:
https://members.boardhost.com/Warship/msg/1793190188.html
In it, Richard posts in with the link. Here's his reply:
https://members.boardhost.com/Warship/msg/1793387314.html
The colors offered are listed. Yes, they're enamel.
James Duff indicated Keith Richardson still owns them, but his website doesn't work, and Facebook indicated the reason is because he had a stroke. So, I have no idea how you order overseas. In the US, Richard is the authorized supplier, and you've got the link.
The chemicals in enamel paint are considered hazardous, so most (if not all) mail services will not handle them. That means another courier service would be used. IIRC, you're in Canada? Richard is the final word, but there could be issues getting them to you, just so that doesn't surprise you if it happens. One reason Richard Harden became the US supplier is because they could not be shipped retail from the UK overseas, so they ended up being sold by authorized retailers in various countries. Hazardous chemicals "don't cross borders easily." Previous Message
Did toms model works take over the Colourcoats paints and white ensign? thanks Previous Message
Good afternoon, I am wondering where I can buy colourcoats paints direct? also, where could I check out a color sheet with the colors that they offer? they are enamel correct? hope so.. who owns them now? thanks guys for any info..
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