This section will help explain the different levels of models available, what the procedure is, and what you can expect when asking for a commissioned model from us. We can create any military vehicle, tracked, wheeled, etc., from any time or nationality you can think of. We can create small dioramas and vignettes or paint figures for the vehicle or scene. Or simply paint a one of a kind figure for your collection.
LEVELS OF CONSTRUCTION
Models, like most anything else you can think of, come in varying levels of build, finish and display detail. We’re often asked, "How much do you charge to build a model?" This is similar to walking onto a car lot and asking, "How much is a car?" The answer will range greatly upon the expectation of the collector. There are three basic levels, and these can be customized according to the collector's wishes.
BOX STOCK (BS) -The cheapest way to go. (VW old Bug)
“BS” models are essentially built straight from the kit's parts, with no added details such as photo etch, individual link tracks (unless part of the kit, extra fees apply), figures, resin, advanced painting, etc. This generally means that, although finished professionally, the model will suffer from whatever inaccuracies or lack of detail that the kit has. It also greatly depends upon the make and manufacturer of the base kit. For instance, a newly released kit will look better beside a model that was originally issued10 or 20 years
ago.
You can still end up with a very fine-looking piece and we build quit a few for people that are not quit sure of what the extras will do for a model yet.
DETAILED - A little more money but well worth it. (Audi)
"Detailed" models generally have any inaccurate or inadequately detailed parts replaced by either aftermarket or scratch built parts. This might include a photo etch brass set, individual link tracks, resin update set or other replacement parts as needed. With a detailed model, we typically replace kit machine guns, add realistic clear headlights, a custom camouflage paint scheme, replace molded cables with real scale cable, and attach crew gear to give the model that "lived-in" look.
SUPER DETAILED - The whole hobby shop (Porsche)
These are the ultimate; museum quality models you might see in magazines or winning awards at competitions. They will have a large number of parts replaced or detailed. For instance, on a tank kit, the barrel - turned aluminum, tracks – individual link aftermarket tracks, fenders will be replaced with photo etch, other details added, etc.
Among the extras that can be potentially added to a basic box stock model kit; are photo etch brass sets, which replace thick or inaccurate kit parts with thin brass, giving a more detailed and to-scale appearance. Individual link tracks, which replace the vinyl tracks often supplied in tank kits with what, are essentially replicas of the real tank's tracks. Replace the plastic barrel with its mold seams with a turned aluminum gun barrel. Resin accessories such as canvas tops, crew gear (stowage), or conversion parts. One could also have a custom base created, with an etched nameplate and perhaps even ground material suitable for the vehicle's environment. The possibilities are nearly endless!
MILITARY
FIGURES
Figures are treated as special items. Most of the work is in the finishing stages and time between processes, they are considered box stock for construction purposes. They are given their own special pricing category for finishing. This is generally a set amount for 1/35 scale figures and a sliding scale for larger figures depending on the complexity of the paint scheme. These are more than any other type of model because they are priced like a piece of fine art. We do nudes to a “Playboy” kind of standard, no “Hustler” types please, we do have children and try to teach them that the human body is something beautiful not a piece of meat, thanks for your understanding
Whatever level of model you request, you can be guaranteed it will be finished to the highest quality possible. We utilize craftsman and artist's tools, including top of the line airbrushes, motto tools fine hand tools and finishing products such as oil paints, pastel chalks, weathering powders, acrylic, enamel and lacquer paints along with colored artist's pencils and others to finish your models.
Research is done to discover the environment the model operated in, from desert to mud, and is weathered for those conditions. All to the intensity that you desire, how dirty do you want it? Our highest concern is to satisfy the collector, you. We can advise on the best model kit to represent a particular vehicle, from a Panther in the Ardennes to an Abrams in Desert Storm. We have over 34 years experience in modeling and have won countless awards for our works and all our associates are like-minded and skilled individuals with the highest of personal skills and ethics.
THE PROCESS - inquiry
You might know specifically what you want or have only a general idea, but the first step is to contact us via email.
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Share
Your Vision of Your Perfect Military Armor Vehicle With Us
Let us know what you are looking for, and we start the consultation process of creating a "bid" for the model. We use this step to find out exactly what your desires and wishes for your project are so that everyone knows what is expected of the project and to minimize any confusion as to what is expected of them. Photos or links to web pages containing
pictures of your vehicle will definitely help and be appreciated in helping both parties to know the others expectations.
Pricing can sometimes be complex, but it's like buying a car; the more you want, the more you will pay! For example, if a collector wants a box stock model of a Kubelwagen, it will be far less expensive than another who wants a Dragon Wagon with trailer towing a burnt out Jagdpanther, with super detailing! Both are wagons, or is that wagen but from different ends of the dealership’s lot.
Resin or other aftermarket kits will be more expensive to create because of their higher labor times and the hazards associated with working with these materials. A good rule of thumb is anywhere between 4 and 10 times the retail price of the model, you can use this as a means to figure price but this is only a rough estimate. Each project is handled individually and custom priced based on the consultation and exactly what you want to end up with.
At this stage of the process, we will deliver you an e-mail with a detailed itemized quotation based on the consultation process. With price and estimated delivery time, and our advise as to what is needed to create the model of your dreams. Our price will include the cost for acquiring the necessary items, and a breakdown of the labor cost to build your project with an estimate of the number of working hours required for the project. Most of the cost is simply our time and effort towards your project.
After we agree on the price, we require all material cost up front for a common subject mater and a 50% down payment for unusual subject matters. (See the MS Pricing page for further explanation of this policy) After receiving your initial payment, work will progress. We send frequent e-mails to you, (if you want we can send digital pictures along with our progress report) of the work as it progresses. For proprietary process reasons no pictures during the weathering stage are sent. This way, you are a participant in the process.
When complete and approved by you, the remaining balance is billed to you. Upon our receipt of your payment, we send the model to you via the shipping method of your choice (overseas only!) all domestic packages sent USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation and Insurance required. Our models are always packaged with a double and triple layer cushion pack method with all small lose parts in an air sealed bag packed for safe arrival; boxed, insured and tracked. This minimizes any chance of breakage.
It is inevitable that some small parts may break loose during shipment, so it is advisable for the collector to have some rudimentary modeling skills to affect such repairs. Please feel free to contact us with your ideas and wishes. It will be our pleasure to let you know what would be involved with creating your project.
