(Login TopGunBob) Registered Users from IP address 71.254.112.110
Just a quick note, yes folks the XTRA DETAIL 105mm turret is available. Item #48012 is back in production after being modified to accept the older split-hatch cupola. Both style cupolas/hatches are now included with that conversion. I've blown the dust off of the Rivetted M4 Lower Hull conversion and will be completing it soon. Unfortunately, it will probably be the last item we will produce for quite a while.
Bob
Bob and Steve
Top Gun Military/IRON DIVISON Resins
http:www.topgunmilitary.com
I suspect, to misquote Mr Shakespeare, ' There are more things other than 48th scale model tanks in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy, ...'
So No M4A3E8 "fix it" parts for the HobbyBoss suspension??
July 3 2008, 10:00 PM
Bob:
A short while ago I inquired as to the arrival date of your proposed M4A3E8 suspension "fix it" set for the HobbyBoss kits. You said they were coming. But this latest posting indicates that perhaps you have changed your mind? Please advise.
The problem is that there is no money there right now to invest in anything new due to almost non-exhistant sales. You see, Iron Division is part of a larger business. It is not done, like many others, by someone who has a full-time job somewhere and casts parts for extra income or just for fun. As in business, if something is not performing like it should it either gets it's funding cut or goes the way of the Dinosaur. I was hoping that the increased sales of our Braille Scale items would provide the funding for new 48th projects but even that area has dropped-off drastically. Right now the future of Iron Division is not looking very bright! Yes, I have a few items (M4A3E8 Suspension units included) that could go into the Rubber by next Monday and I'd love to put them out but can't under the current situation. Take, for example, our new M4 Direct vision conversion. There were a few interested in it if I remember correctly. How many have we sold since it's been available? Zero. Another problem is my own time to work on the resin line itself (ie, posting photos). Since sales are low, I've been pulled for other duties. Anyone know the number of a good Cloning Lab?
Bob
This message has been edited by TopGunBob from IP address 71.254.112.110 on Jul 3, 2008 11:06 PM This message has been edited by TopGunBob from IP address 71.254.112.110 on Jul 3, 2008 11:04 PM
There are still things I would like to order (I placed a small order a couple days ago). Am I understanding correctly that the 1/48th scale line will go away? How much longer will you be offering the current line? Will the cast hood M4A2 hull be offered?
Basically, should I be (panic) ordering now before production stops?
Bob, don't like hearing things are so slow. I was one of the people interested in the M4 DV but since it was wrong for Africa it fell off a bit for me. Perhaps someone here like Bruce can help me find a "theme", what can I do with the M4 DV and the early turret? US North Africa? British Palestine, Syria, Iraq? Sicily, Italy? Which hull and transmission cover would I need? I'll have to source tracks from Tim and bogies from somewhere else. Come on guys, let's put some support behind Iron Division.
I, too said I would order the DV hull, but I was waiting to see if it would include hatches with separate periscopes. I have to look at my spare parts and decide which of the ID products I need and then order.
Bob, what do you mean when you describe the 105mm turret as mid-production. Since there is no picture posted I want to know if this turret has the oval loader's hatch.
I've never been able to figure out early, mid or late production Shermans other than very broadly myself.
However, my ID M-4 105 turret arrived yesterday. Beautiful casting! It has a high bustle, an oval loader's hatch and the 2nd vent. It also comes with both kinds of commander's hatches. I haven't taken it out of the bag yet, but I couldn't see any bubbles.
Bob, what is the mounting bracket on the aft vent for?
This is a great value for the money. I'd hate to see it go away!
That one I do know. The mounting bracket on the rear ventilator is for the .50 cal mounting. You would probably need to use the one in the HobbyBoss kit.
The model I need the turret for is a bit of a mish-mash of things. It will be a Sherman used by Israel in the 1948 war named 'Tamar. Tamar was an an M-4/105 in acquired from a dump in Italy. the entire gun mounting was replaced (as delivered she had no gun) with a surplus 75mm M-3 gun with the early mantlet. SO I will ahve to drill out the gun mounting of the ID turret and replace with a Tamiya one.
Arthur, that bracket over the rear vent is for the mounting for the .50 Browning HMG; there literally was no other way to mount the gun with the second vent.
Hi Marlowe, It means that it has both early and late style TC Cupolas which are with the kit. I also added the Maw Deuce mount (M-2 Cal.50) over the rear roof vent.
Thanks for the comments on it Arthur, glad you liked it. Still trying to get all those missing pics posted, been spending the majority of my work time waiting on customers in the Store, unfortunately!
Sorry, tried to take off as much as I could over the weekend and enjoy some quality time with the Lady Freind. I have your orders and quite a few others and I'll be shooting you an email later tonight. Playing "Catch-Up"n this evening.
Bob and Steve
Top Gun Military/IRON DIVISON Resins
http:www.topgunmilitary.com
Bob, no rush here....just that a few people have had orders vanish into the teleporter, never to be seen again. I hope the order is satisfactory, and again, if you want to hold it until you get the rivetted hulls done, all the better. Looking forward to your email later....
