SPN

Smallclaas knows a lot about Wind Turbines

The TG is 3.331 metres high.

The Kverneland - no contest!

Welcome back Bill The NH TG305 is a super model. (we won't go into my thoughts on the silly buggers at NH Europe who came up with the T8000 nonsense! ). The detail on the model is superb, particularly your take on the SuperSteer system. The hitch could do with being stronger, but I prefer how it looks to the way the competition's versions look. The balers are very nice also. Like F-P, I too bought a John Q in 2006 - the Precision 8530. I look forward to more of these precision models in the future - hopefully with some in other colours. I haven't bought the re-released Ford FW yet, but I'm delighted to see these older classics being re-released. Hopefully the David Brown 1690 and International 784 will see the light of day again in the not too distant future. The only negative I can think of has the potential to be a positive. Might you be able to make narrower headers for your combines and SPFH models? The extra-wide headers are very USA, whereas in Europe we use much narrower heads. There are a couple of ways you could approach this, but it'd be interesting if you could suck it and see. The tooling cost should be relatively small - the marketing opportunities quite large. Great news that you are remaking the Ford 5000. I'm really hoping it will have 14x34 rear tyres I'm also hoping that this trend (John Q 4020, Ford 5000) will continue and that we'll see other "world" models from that era being made in 1:32. The Massey 175, 178, 185, 188 series, David Brown (Case) 1200, 1210, 1212, 1410, 1412 series, and International 574, 674, Hydro series. I'm also very happy to see the upcoming John Q forestry models in 1:32. (Any chance of some more Construction models in 1:32?) To answer your question directly: What you've done right is to up the detail on your models, introduce some long awaited models (TG/MX), reintroduce some legends, and to promise some interesting new implements in the near future. What you've done wrong is very little - but primarily; not addressing the hitch issues, going for prairie size machines rather than farm size machines, and not having a complete range of implements (ploughs, harrows, drills, sprayers, root crop equipment, etc.) What tillage implements can one put on the TSA135? ; The JQ 7930? ; The TG/MX? ; The MF 1505? I can honestly say that in 2006 you moved back ahead of Siku in many respects, although they made a strategic mistake by taking on UH head to head on the Claas Ares and Deutz K series models. That was a battle they were never going to win. You've done trojan work over the past few years Bill, and it is very much appreciated. Keep up the good work in 2007, and have a very happy Christmas in the meantime. SPN:

Shall we just wait and see what Udimore comes back with before we go spitting the dummy?

Nice manicure there F-P.

I think Julian should visit the board and do a Q&A in relation to his plans for the mag. There are a number of formats he could use, but the approach taken by Bill Walters and Rory Day strikes me as the most appropriate. Worst case scenario, he can use the Craig Varley approach! Whatever grief Bill & Rory might get in an individual thread, they also get huge respect for coming and talking to us - and this translates into both sales and market research opportunities. This is the era of the Interwebs. There are a couple of hundred people on here who are a the most likely customers for his mag. He has the opportunity to talk directly to us, and sell us on the idea of supporting his venture. He might take a bit of flack initially (hopefuly not), but he is guaranteed lots of cheques in the post if he can promise a good product, and persuade us that we should support him.

It might be an idea to organise some sort of Q&A with this Julian character. Ideally get him to log on here some day (pre determined day and time) so that people can throw Qs at him. Alternatively, use the tried and tested technique that works with the Exeter crowd. (oops, nearly used the B word ) I'd be prepared to take out a sub to F&S if the guy could make a good case for me parting with my hard earned. I'm sure many others would be open to doing the same. What's everyone think?

Ford 5000 with round mudguards and drawbar hitch. (closely followed by the cabbed/pickup hitch version)

Limited Edition600 : ?45 yoyos from the Claas stand at the ploughing. (Norscot 580 and Jag 900 ?40 each!)

Tyro will do them with grass pickups too - but they are v expensive. Gama did a Claas SF60, but they are low quality, but expensive (due to scarcity). If you hang around here for a while, you will be converting those cheap plastic harvesters you see in the sets in Toymaster into all the above in no time.

Strawberry flavoured!

Such a pity they made the LB115 in 1:50 and not 1:32.

While I have huge admiration for your convo and scratch building skills, your ability to Google the Interwebs is obviously lacking ..... http://www.vredo.nl/html_nl/gallery.asp S:

They do Show models for each show which are upgraded versions of stanndard models, but they also do scratch built short run Club Models for members every couple of years. The VredoTrac was the Club Model in 1999. In 2007 they are going to do a Belarus BX 102-2.

When was the last time you swapped her for four model trucks? Glad you like them. I didn't realise the bin lorry was a MAN. I didn't look at it closely, just picked one of each type off the shelf. I cleaned them out last week F-P, but I'll speak to the manager and see if she can get some more for me.

I have a vision of a Youtube video for the banana 35X, with that fabulous tune by mess'rs Ure and Lynott providing the soundtrack! Well done Bazza!

Knackeragua! (ps: Are you two CBS boys, or College boys?)

That Britains model makes a great 4 cylinder row-crop - 6700, 7700, 6710 or 7710. The ERTL chassis is ideal for a 6 cylinder row crop - 7910 through 8630. Here are two more pics from Farmphoto which show the differences between the chassis better.

I'd recommend using a lengthened 6600 chassis if you are going to do a 7810. The chassis above is a rowcop chassis, as was used on the 7910. The 7810 was a 6cylinder engine mated to the utility chassis. I'd also suggest using the rear wheels off the JQ6410 as they are a closer match to the wheels used on Fords than the Valtra wheels.. Here are pics of the row crop and utility chassis from Farmphoto for comparison.

I wouldn't agree. I think they look quite like Michelin (BIB X?) tyres

Yes! But this is a Ford!

From Ireland and the UK you need a passport. From the rest of Europe you only need ID. Ireland and UK are not party to the Schengen Agreement.

No tootsie treading intended. This about getting people to start thinking about going, and to start planning for it. We have 12 months to figure out the details - like how Marky can pick up the bar tab and claim it as a legitimate business expense. When we get the dates I'll do a bit of research into accommodation and flights and post it to this thread. If Andy or anyone else has ideas that will make the whole thing more enjoyable, all the better. Meanwhile, lets keep that rollcall going ...... (now if we could only find a way to persuade PDC to pull an empty 40ft box over to Zwolle, and a full one - STGO Cat 3 - back to Blighty, that would solve all the luggage weight surcharges)

I don't know if the date for Zwolle 2007 has been decided yet (or even if the LCN Show will be held in Zwolle in 2007), but I know a lot of people are interested in making the trip. If you start planning for it now it can be a very cost effective weekend away. Flights and hotel rooms are cheaper if you book them months in advance. I recommend flying in on the Friday, staying in the City Centre, getting the train to Zwolle on Saturday morning, and going on the razz back in Amsterdam on the Saturday night (I can recommend a very nice Irish Pub with great food near the Royal Palace). Sunday is for recovery, and the flight back home - unless you fancy going back to Zwolle for day two (If you can get someone to send you more money by Western Union . ) Step 1: Make the Decision! (or ask 'er indoors for permission to make the decision ) Step 2: Wait for the date to be announced. Step 3: Book flights and accommodation. Step 4: Remortgage your house to pay for all the models you'll want to bring home with you. So lets have a roll call. Who's coming to Zwolle in 2007?