Interesting, isn't it, how people's reactions to manufacturers are so variable? It seems the manufacturers' products can also be variable, perhaps explaining these different reactions. I have not done any modelling since long ago - Revell/Airfix and the like to please a growing family! Recently I found a model of a tug boat that I remember fondly from my own childhood, so I had to have the model. I was encouraged by the fine reputation of Caldercraft and paid quite a bit of money, as many of you will know -in fact there are two messages in this thread quite laudatory of Caldercraft.
I can only say that given my very limited experience, I fail to understand the company's sterling reputation. My plan (just 1) is neither to scale, nor even accurate in conceptual outline. The "instructions" are minimal, inadequate for a newbie anyway, and badly written into the bargain. The GRP
hull and superstructure were badly flawed, including a minor crack in the hull, but were relatively easily fixed; my point though is that all that extra work should not have been necessary. Of the white metal
parts, only one was missing, but quite a number were bent or even broken. If I had been in UK, I would have sent the
kit back, but at this distance what are you going to do? [You wonder if they save rejects to fill overseas orders - an unworthy thought, no doubt!]
Now I'm a newbie and will probably be told that I had no business attempting this model with virtually no experience. On one hand I'm far too long in the tooth to dream I shall ever be spared the time to acquire it, but just about short enough to still believe that all difficulties can be overcome! Maybe I'm too demanding, but are kit-based modellers too ready to put up with worse products than they ought to find acceptable? It's like they enjoy problems and the manufacturers are only too ready to oblige them.
But I guess I'm coming to understand, 'cos I'm having fun anyway!
