Posted by Matty on June 19, 2010, 10:09:06 Message modified by board administrator June 19, 2010, 10:11:34
Well, I've just returned from the local hobby shop, once again bearing evidence that Mikey spoke true - about Revell-o-Gram's re-release of the classic Chicago CAG-11:
Note, however - in (yet another of) the most disappointing production decisions ever - Revell (additionally) made a liar out of me, by not packaging this issue in (at least some sort of) a reprise of its classic, (original?) box art:
A truly inscrutable decision, so it would seem - but who knows, a lot of things could (and well may) have gone wrong, on the way to re-printing this gorgeous artwork.
One clue may be the very low price (at top) - even lower than for the re-boxing, late last year, of the classic Revell Helena CA-75:
This is either prima facie evidence for deflation, in the current Great(est Ever) Depression - down %15 in 8 months, or 22.5% annualized, and actually significantly more than that, when you consider the Chicago mold (especially the hull) is vastly better than the Helena - or perhaps it is indeed the case that reviving such classic box art really does cost a full $3 (retail) per unit, though this seems much the more doubtful, IMHO. The most cynical explanation would be that Revell is trying to dupe unwitting buyers, looking at both boxes side-by-side on the shelf, into concluding that the quality inside the nicer Helena box must be that much (%15) better than the Chicago, whose mold is visibly quite good right on the box top, and especially the sides (not shown).
However, for the dedicated modeller, at $20 and with some work the Revell Helena can also be a very respectable CA-, CL- or even "CG waiting-to-happen" . In any case, both these re-releases, at these prices, once again confirm my longstanding outlook: that Unemployment and The Depression are good for modelling.
Finally, in (what may be) "related news":
Click on Image to Enlarge
There has for a month or two now been some buzz that Revell is working to re-release the classic SCB-125 (angled-deck) Essex mold - specifically the Hornet CVS-18 version, as shown (at left), which included S-2 Trackers, E-1 Tracers and SH-3 SeaKings, as well as a tiny Apollo capsule. Also shown in the above are two kits which, like the above Chicago, have some of the best hulls Revell ever molded: the USCG Taney and 4-stacker DD Campbeltown - though the latter has profoundly inaccurate and essentially unfixable planking scribed (beautifully ) throughout its entire deck.
If true, on balance the above would be great news. However the above pic is simply a reseller's PDF download, whose filename (which escapes me) seemed to indicate "fall releases", IIRC. And "buzz" - often AKA bulls**t, brochure pictures or no - doth not an actual confirmation from Revell make, of which I have seen exactly zero. Again, a (maximally) cynical interpretation: Revell-o-Gram is floating a "trial balloon" via the "backdoor" - to which possibility I would respond:
RE-POP THE DAMN ANGLED-DECK ESSEX, ALREADY!
Because I hate "buzz", "balloons" and the "backdoor" - and also because I already have a whole line of upgrades - designed above all for this mold, more than any other, as well as yet more under development).
So - for you Millenium Depression modellers and manufacturers alike: stop bumming a dime for a cuppa joe (yeah - try thirty dimes, now), and send in some pics/updates to ModelFleet!
Cheers,
-Matty
Re: CAG! Reprise of the Monogram CHICAGO: THIS is why I missed this place so much....
...Just hearing everybody talk about the classic kits is worth it.. Anyways, having gone through FOUR shift changes in the last three weeks (and one more coming up on Monday), the nice people who pay my bills finally gave me a weekend off and the first thing I did was head down to HobbyLandUSA and grab my Chicago. I gotta admit, the um...unusual box art got my attention, but I was slightly rattled by the pic on the side that showed a huge gap between the deck and hull at the fantail. Fear not, it's nothing that can't be fixed. Other than that, first thoughts:
* The molding seems a little soft compared to the parts I have from the early 80s re-release, but I'm guessing that's to be expected from molds nearly 40 years old. * Noticed for the first time that the forward superstructure really is going to need some work, but we can do that. * The decal sheet is, on the one hand, beautifully colored and printed, but what's on it is a little unusual - besides the usual hull numbers and ship's name, you get about a dozen signal flags, TWO of the blue flags that fly at a USNs ship's bow (My apologies to my USN brethren, this wing wiper has no idea what those things are actually called) and two representations of the ship's crest. I have the Starfighter Models sheet specifically for the Chicago kit, it's cheap and good and has a lot of neat stuff on it. *Two '3 inch guns'. Matty's stuff has spoiled me rotten, and another order will be going out soon to Matty's Models, Ordnance Works, and Snooker Ball Factory. *The SH-2 actually isn't that bad, and lends itself to corrective work quite nicely. One question though - would the Tall Ladies have ever operated SH-3 Sea Kings? *Save your pennies for the GMM PE set. *What exactly are the missiles on either side of the forward superstructure? The instructions call them out as Terriers, but they seem awfully small for that...And also, the instructions call out a couple items aft of the Terriers as searchlights, but I think they might be directors of some sort or the other.
However, I need not nitpick, not that I could say that three times quickly. One thing I've learned here is that you can't judge Kits Of A Certain Age by the standards of today, and I am simply glad to see a Tall Lady on the shelves again.
One more thing: I was talking with the HLUSA's manager - an RC fan but very styrene friendly - and he states absolutely that the Revell Essex is going to be on the shelves late this fall...along with the Long Beach! Once he gets a definite date, he'll be taking preorders....and I wonder if I can sneak TWO past Melissa.
Cheers, Mike
PS for Matt - You've probably discussed this, but in regards to the Essex - my understanding is that the kit is like so many of that era and actually depicts no exact ship but is instead a mix of details from several different ships. I would love it if you could elaborate on that a bit!
Tartars - "Snooker Ball"? - and SEND ME YOUR PICS, Mikey!
Yes, Mike, those instructions (same as mine, I'm sure, but I hadn't bothered to check) are all wrong. The teeny AA missiles are Tartars - short range missiles, in the days before the Phalanx (gattling-cannon), etc.. And the "searchlights" are missile illuminators - which, I guess, are basically searchlights, except in radar wavelengths.
Now, to "Snooker Ball Factory" - what the f- is that? Of course, I'm going to appreciate your order - I think I still owe you some promised parts, no? But then, I know that you owe me pics of your finished Boston! And remember, I still have all your article submissions on it, so if you want to write up a "capper" to finish it out, I'll gladly re-post the whole series, all in order and organized, so we can all read and enjoy it, buddy.
Good to see you again, Mikey - eMail away whatever you want, whenever you're ready, buddy!
Actually that's a compliment! Allow me to explain...
Snooker is a variation of what is better known as pool or biliards. Back in the Old Days, it was a pretty popular game, and every saloon (and there were a bunch of 'em in the old 'hood) had its own pool table. Accordingly, snooker balls were in high demand and just about any outfit that could make them did, along with whatever else they made. So - according to my Grammy Kozlowski, God rest her soul - if you threw 'snooker ball factory' onto the end of a list of things an outfit made, you were saying they could make just about anything.
Okay - sending out a few emails at this moment - got one with the pics from the Region 12 show, and one with the Boston pics!
Cheers, Mike
"Chicago....Chicago....that's my kind of town......."
Ooops. Sorry for the song reference. Yes, I can't wait for the re-pop either. The economy (if you can call it that) does appear to be rather interesting at the moment. But what can we do?
Chicago was always one of my favorite Cold War ships. Futuristic looks plus heavy fire power.
"...not 'ere! ...as we celebrate the merger- I mean, union - of my daughter with the brave, but dangerous Sir Lancelot--"
(Guest): "'e's killed the Best Man!"
(Lancelot): "Sorry..."
Yes, the Columbus' were very cool. And that kit's hull I am also going to adapt - one way or another - to make excellent full-hull builds from the other two (Helena and Boston), as well.
And that's what we can do to fight the Depression, buddy! Oh, and also buy gold bullion and have a Revolution - we can also do those, too...