). I'm sure that there is a modeller out there who can provide the reference material. Just look at Frenchy's collection.
I have contacted AFV Club via Hobby Fan. I can't find any information for contacting Hobby Boss. Their website no longer exists. I have also contacted Trumpeter.
I too have run into a manufacturer wanting me to provide the research, which I faithfully did(may be in for a resin T1E1 mine roller
I may also contact Verlinden.
Quoted TextI have contacted AFV Club via Hobby Fan. I can't find any information for contacting Hobby Boss. Their website no longer exists. I have also contacted Trumpeter.
I too have run into a manufacturer wanting me to provide the research, which I faithfully did(may be in for a resin T1E1 mine roller
I may also contact Verlinden.
If someone like you or other modellers don't provide the reference material how will model companies create the kit? Remember as well that what you are asking for is an operational piece of war fighting kit and OPSEC may come into play. A person in the service having access to tech manuals and images may be very hesitant to provide this information to a model company without any confidentiality agreement in place.
What is in it for the modeller to provide the images and information? Is the company going to pay the person for their information and images or is it just a generous offer by the modeller? Business is business.
The alternative is for the model company to fly an employee to a location where an M777 in on display and take images. I don't see too many people posting the location of M777 displays in advance.
The choices are limited for getting reference material for this the M777...U.S Army, USMC, Canadian Army, Australian Army...and on order for India and Thailand.
Don't get me wrong...I would like to see this kit too as the Canadian Army has used it in combat in Afghanistan. But, I recently had an excellent sit down with a mainstream model producer and model supplier and the explanation of how kits are selected for production was an eye opener and something us as modellers do not have a full understanding of.
I recently had an excellent sit down with a mainstream model producer and model supplier and the explanation of how kits are selected for production was an eye opener and something us as modellers do not have a full understanding of.
If someone like you or other modellers don't provide the reference material how will model companies create the kit? Remember as well that what you are asking for is an operational piece of war fighting kit and OPSEC may come into play. A person in the service having access to tech manuals and images may be very hesitant to provide this information to a model company without any confidentiality agreement in place.
As a retired artillery officer, I am sure that there is not an OPSEC problem with the exterior dimensions of the M777.
The problem is it is a relatively new weapon and not a lot of material is public.
As for timing....the M198 came out in the early 80s and look how long it took for that styrene kit.
As an artillery modeler an M777 would be a welcome sight for me. But most mainstream modelers are not into artillery, especially towed artillery. It can be a limited market.
Ask any of the book writers...I had a conversation with Steve Zaloga and he lamented the hardest book to sell is artillery. You can talk tanks and HMMWVs and Strykers until you are blue in the face.....they are popular.
The list of un-produced styrene artillery for just the US is long.
I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm. At my age I have learned patience and realize there is plenty in the stash even without the M777....And not one tank in the stash either.
My two cents
Rounds Complete!!
Quoted TextAs an artillery lover I would totally want to see an M777. While they are at it a styrene M119 too. Soooo...as soon as you finish the scratch build then it will come.
Between AFV and Bronco this has been a big year for US artillery. Hopefully next year will be better.....hopefully soon
Rounds Complete!!
OK you dropped a new one in my lap. What's an M119? I'd like to see somebody like Dragon do the M110 and M107 to be followed by the M109 series. Of course we still can't get anybody to make an M56 Scorpion in 1/35th scale
Quoted TextI recently had an excellent sit down with a mainstream model producer and model supplier and the explanation of how kits are selected for production was an eye opener and something us as modellers do not have a full understanding of.
What was eye opening and what don't we have a full understanding of?
Quoted TextAs a retired artillery officer, I am sure that there is not an OPSEC problem with the exterior dimensions of the M777.
The problem is it is a relatively new weapon and not a lot of material is public.
As for timing....the M198 came out in the early 80s and look how long it took for that styrene kit.
As an artillery modeler an M777 would be a welcome sight for me. But most mainstream modelers are not into artillery, especially towed artillery. It can be a limited market.
Ask any of the book writers...I had a conversation with Steve Zaloga and he lamented the hardest book to sell is artillery. You can talk tanks and HMMWVs and Strykers until you are blue in the face.....they are popular.
The list of un-produced styrene artillery for just the US is long.
I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm. At my age I have learned patience and realize there is plenty in the stash even without the M777....And not one tank in the stash either.
My two cents
Rounds Complete!!
Sometimes...and I mean "sometimes"...if one is extremely lucky and wanting, one could contact the actual maker of the M777.
Some of these companies have and may be willing to sell a scale model of the actual weapon or put you in contact with the model maker. Do be forewarned that such custom models often cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. HOWEVER, I do believe quite a few 1/35 modern resin and styrene model kits did derive from these custom-built models for defense companies. I did this once before to learn that there was a resin model of a modern AFV not even produced in a kit, but the price was very steep. Many years later, that AFV came out in plastic.
As a retired artillery officer, I am sure that there is not an OPSEC problem with the exterior dimensions of the M777.
The problem is it is a relatively new weapon and not a lot of material is public.
As for timing....the M198 came out in the early 80s and look how long it took for that styrene kit.
As an artillery modeler an M777 would be a welcome sight for me. But most mainstream modelers are not into artillery, especially towed artillery. It can be a limited market.
Ask any of the book writers...I had a conversation with Steve Zaloga and he lamented the hardest book to sell is artillery. You can talk tanks and HMMWVs and Strykers until you are blue in the face.....they are popular.
The list of un-produced styrene artillery for just the US is long.
I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm. At my age I have learned patience and realize there is plenty in the stash even without the M777....And not one tank in the stash either.
My two cents
Rounds Complete!!
As far as Mouse Houses M119er. I think if it were more easily distroed in the states it would sell more. Maybe they should contact companies in the states. I for one don't like to deal with the international shipping.
I'm sure that there is a modeller out there who can provide the reference material. Just look at Frenchy's collection.
...), providing enough reference stuff to scratchbuild a master is another story...for me at least 
Good luck on your quest. In my opinion, Trumpeter and Hobby Boss are your best bets. They seem to be on the ball with modern releases. I wouldn't hold my breath though, the Trumpeter M198 took almost 30 years from initial fielding to come out in plastic kit form.
Gamla also does a 1/35 version!!!!
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