mrol

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there something seriously wrong with the tank on that sprayer? It appears to have been flattened....

Binham stores doesn't usually have much - maybe 1 or 2 things (one of which is usually a landrover) and their normally in the 'general merchandise' area to the left as you walk in (and yes, I do mean the one with the petrol pumps - the shop is to the right of the pumps).

On harvesters - Britains are releasing a new JD on tracks at some point soon - so that could be good if you like dark green. Or Siku have a Claas Lexion 770 on tracks due later in the year as well - if you prefer light green! UH also have a New Holland coming out on tracks - I suspect that will be pretty pricey - £70-80. There were a few non-track machines last year - but this year all seems to be about harvesters with tracks!

A beautiful part of the country up there - I know it well as my parents took me on holiday up there every year until I learned to drive! Still go up there pretty regularly now with my wife and kids - stay near Stiffkey - which I don't think is far from Gav based on the pictures posted up over the last couple of years.

Did your latest Britains models come from Starlings in Holt by any chance? They don't have much of a range there but they still have 1 or 2 bits around. There used to be a great toy shop near the war memorial a few years ago - I bought a Siku Lexion 480 from it - but it's sadly gone now. Sometimes Trevor has a Britains model or two kicking around at Howell's 'Superstores' in Binham - might also be worth a look....

The Steiger 535 is ok for a Britains model - it's worth having a close look when you buy one as some of them have quite a range of different shades of red in use across the different bodywork and plastic parts. Front lights are also stickers rather than plastic jewels. I did a review of the wheeled versions (with their NH siblings) a few months back in Model Farmer if you have back issues of that.

Both Siku and Universal Hobbies are bringing out a Quadtrac version this year, so might be worth hanging on for one of them if you prefer more detail on your models.

Sounds good and should make for interesting viewing. Will you be posting episodes after each visit?

Incredible build. The fine detailing around the rear axle (with hydraulic pipes), engine, grain tank, cab and header are just brilliant.

A Claas 218 mega and a Case 2088.

Didn't the indicator stems change length at some point during the gen 1 period? I seem to remember the brochure including pictures with different stems to many of those I've seen in real life.

No, not really, they didn't No-one seems able to get down to the bottom of the actual structure of the company behind UH, but there certainly seem to be a few 'grey' areas, and they erupted onto the diecast scene in the 90's with a host of models - not issued at the huge rate that they do now, but they certainly didn't tentatively enter the market with one or two items and gradually build up from that.

Raised the bar? Whilst I would agree that most of their modern image stuff is excellent, you really need to sit down and have a really close look at some of their vintage and classic releases (particularly in 16th)

...by which time, there will vast numbers more new models that those people will want - the wants lists will get longer and longer, and that is the point which is depressing some people. It isn't easy and clear cut as you seem to imagine.

I'm not at all surprised to hear that UH weren't that tentative about market entry - but either way, a small group of people got together, decided to invest some of their own money with a big chunk of risk associated to it, and started producing die cast models. That company has grown up to be UH and they are now reaping the benefits and so are we.

On the second point, people are still under no compulsion to buy anything more from them when more come out (although some seem to suggest there are few left to make...). I'm not sure why a long want list is a bad thing? As a child it was the excitement of saving up for something and then being able to buy it. I think that excitement still persists into adulthood (at least with me anyway!).

I have to say that I applaud UH's success in the market. I'm guessing that at one stage they started out as a small scale model builder but have been brave, taken a few risks and now created a very successful business. They've helped raise the bar on quality ( not just at the model level but also with Siku and Britains) and I think are responsible for expanding the breadth and appeal of the hobby to a much larger group. This broader appeal must be good for the conversionists as there are now more people who will potentially buy their product.

Hopefully Imber can soon reset and have a second crack at being the next successful growth story as it would be great to have a second succesful British player in this market.

On the number of models, as has been said before, it isn't necessary to buy them all as soon as they come out - people can always wait months/ years before adding them to the collection. I'd prefer to have the broader choice and grow the collection at my own pace rather than the other way around.

Re: Moira - I'm surprised that a small increase in entrance fee wouldnt be a better way to go. An extra 50p on every ticket would prob go unnoticed by most and allow exhibitors to remain a free presence (for the non-trade group). Was this considered and ruled out?

That I am afraid is rather typical of an attitude I come across all too often - some folk expect to be given everything for free.

In most exhibitions, shows and rallies you will find exhibitors will have to pay a fee to admit their entry. If folks want to have specific areas for displays at shows, the space for which costs the organisers money (sometimes lots of it), and they want to show off their collections they have to be willing to pay something towards that.

If they are not willing to pay, they are unlikely to see any great amount of space set aside for such things at future events.

Take Spalding for example - what is the logic in expecting to have an area set aside for exhibitors to display their models for free, if there are plenty of traders willing to pay good money for that space. Fair enough where there is a lot of space and insufficient paying sellers to occupy it, but not where selling space is oversubscribed (which has been the case at Spalding sometimes).

I think the counter argument to this is that displays etc attract more entrance fee paying members of the public to attend due to the broader range of exhibits on show. The organisers therefore recoup their costs this way rather than through the exhibitors themselves having to pay. As an example, I won't be attending any more Spalding shows as its always the same stuff every time and I'd prefer to spend the £50 petrol money it takes to get there and back on more models for the collection. However, I would still attend if there were a range of decent dioramas on show in addition to the trade stands as it would be worth the money (in my opinion).

Don't think they are rare - all the ones I've seen at G&M are in Claas boxes.

On the basis that Farm Models has the 6640 and 5640 industrial on sale at 35 pounds under the title 'stock reduction sale' I'm guessing there are still quite a few of this run waiting to be sold and will prob need to be sold before any more 40 series are produced.

The County seems to have the correct air cleaner I think?

Reading this topic makes you realise just how many Ford models there still are to come out despite all the recent releases from UH and Marge. The 6 cylinder 79/8210 (was the 7710 also the same frame just with a 4 cylinder engine?), the short wheel base TW, plenty of 1970s models, the larger 40 series, quite a few variants of the more modern New Holland ranges (I'm surprised replicagri haven't produced the TM range as the 60series is already produced by them)....and prob more that I have missed

is it me or does the cab look wrong on the roof on the super q tw 25. the front work light will come of obviously.

Do you mean the Q cab version? The front edge of the roof looks a bit odd but might just be the angle of the photo and I'm assuming all the holes are because it is a prototype.

The New Holland T8 definitely has quite a few black paint over spray mistakes. Myself and a local farm models dealer went thru two separate batches he had received and of the 5 or 6 we checked, each had black paint over spray around the front air intake area. I guess to keep at the lower price points, quality control isn't as robust as the model manufacturers. But they are still good models and a big step forward from where they were in the 90s

That looks immense. Is this the same model that Ros have just announced? (according to the Ros 2012 topic)

I'm guessing end of June will be open farm Sunday won't it?

Surely it would be simpler (if a lot more expensive) to put the Marge TW25 super q cab on the county wouldn't it?

What does the boss make of the new trailer fleet? Made the right call?

They look good and very reasonably priced

I haven't got this exact machine, but I'd say you are perhaps being a little harsh on the Norev model, I'd say it is quite a way better than the case. The fineness and precision of much of the detailing (rails, engine, lighting, intake elevator to name a few) are all considerably higher quality. But it's very useful to see pictures side by side and as you say, reviews are always handy.

Oh yes - so it is. Presumably you could always swap the wheels with the UH model if you wanted more authentic size tyres.