So, they can't use a US company? Hm, I guess they hate America. Just sayin' :unsure
Goerge
Re-reading the thread, I came upon this again and felt a need to inject a little reality.
Years back, in the '90's I was visiting with the Accurate Miniatures folks at their "plant" in Charlotte, NC. After learning of the difficulties working with a production vendor on the other side of the planet, I was told that cutting steel for plastic model kits was just not something that could be found in the US. Apparently, those with the know-how and skills (meaning companies) would not take on the job because of the risk involved and the long amortization required. Production injection molded plastic tooling is very expensive, even more so in this country where folks actually make (mostly...don't want to start a flame-crisis) working wage. Also, with the general decline of the plastic model hobby from its apparent peak in the 60'-70's, expected sales can cause the return on investment to take a very long time. Result is, unless folks are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for even 'small' model kits, it just cannot be economically done using domestic vendors. Unless a company has it's own in-house resources (like Revell does), tooling has to go elsewhere. Even then, it is a toss up (noting that Revell does send work overseas...)
Lets face it, it is a "bean-counters" world out there. If you want something that is being done in spite of the bottom line, you're talking passionate fan-boys taking up the torch, not companies responsible to their stockholders and (to an often lesser degree), their employees. It is indeed a money thing, though not as simple as sometimes portrayed (as in 'greedy corporate goons'.) But then, the real world has always included uneven playing fields and this is just another case of 'life ain't fair'.
R/ Robert
Yeah! Milestone - 500 posts
