Resin Vehicle Questions

[daniel_leavitt2000]

This message is aimed at Carter over at NSVA, but I was hoping others would be able to help fill in the large gaps.

During the 80-90's, there was a very large infusion of cast resin vehicles to make up for the total lack of ready made vehicles then available. The must famous and documented of the companies are as follows:

Burt Industries - Wilbur - Paulas Hobbies
Cars-N-Scale - Fine N Scale
Cast-N-Works
JnJ Models
Magnuson Models - Walthers
Road Apples - Lineside Models
Showcase Models
Ultimate N Scale

As far as I can tell, there was little if any sharing of molds or projects between these companies with the possible exception if JnJ having some possible product overlap with Road Apples.

There are lessor known manufacturers out there as well. For example Thumbnail Miniatures produced some of the most beautiful fire engines ever made in the scale during a brief time in the mid 90's. These  I know and photographs are accessible on the spur-n.com n scale vehicle registry.

But others have little documentation. Father Nature, sort of a kindred spirit of JnJ, produced a vehicle line along with resin shells. I have not seen a photo of one prior to last week on eBay. The look a lot like JnJ products. Were they related?

And strangest of all spears to be AVA Association. The models are different from other manufactures, and the detail is really, really impressive for something that was produced by hand. These blow Lineside clear out of the water and are right up their with the current WillModels items. And they were cheap - $.88 for a pack of two.

Does  anyone have photos of AVA models (which also were produced in pewter apparently), Father Nature or JnJ product lines? Does  anyone have more information on them?

[JoeD]

I lived in Orlando during the 90's and Burt Industries was just around the corner from the shop I set up.  I went over there a couple of times to pick up patterns to quote.  We never did any work for them given the price they were willing to pay and our reluctance to copy parts from other models. These were most likely to be cut up and used in other applications like junk piles and the like, but my partner had a low threshold for anything cut and dry.   He worked out of his house that was packed with boxes and computers and out back was a small building where the company was housed I suspect.  What they lacked in detail and quality, they made up in sheer effort and output and two of the largest train hobby shops there had feet of shelf space with all their product.  I remember this cramped space with a few women trimming resin and painting and piles of stuff everywhere.  I'm sure it was controlled and planned chaos, but chaos none the less.  It had to be that given the facility and the volume of product that came out of his back yard.  He got an A for effort.

Joe

[cfritschle]

Hi Dan,

I can’t you help much with information about resin vehicles from the 80s and 90s.  While I do have some examples of the major players you listed, I could not get enthused enough with these models to buy them in any significant quantity.

I do have the Arrowhead Scale Models Mack fire truck, UPS package car and parcel trailer.  These are still available from Randy Brown.

I also have an Airstream trailer from Garrick Gilham’s Tire & Tracks.  And I have a Humvee that I believe was also from Tires & Tracks.

The resin model from this time period that I liked the most was a small square baler from Burt Industries.  It appears to be based on a JD prototype.  The model was well proportioned and the right size.  It even looks good when placed near the Wiking small square baler. 

Carter

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Carter, you early should check out the AVA models. I am a bit hesitant to open the package, but I'll take photos and post them. They are in another level compared to some of the other players.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I lived in Orlando during the 90's and Burt Industries was just around the corner from the shop I set up.  I went over there a couple of times to pick up patterns to quote.  We never did any work for them given the price they were willing to pay and our reluctance to copy parts from other models. These were most likely to be cut up and used in other applications like junk piles and the like, but my partner had a low threshold for anything cut and dry.   He worked out of his house that was packed with boxes and computers and out back was a small building where the company was housed I suspect.  What they lacked in detail and quality, they made up in sheer effort and output and two of the largest train hobby shops there had feet of shelf space with all their product.  I remember this cramped space with a few women trimming resin and painting and piles of stuff everywhere.  I'm sure it was controlled and planned chaos, but chaos none the less.  It had to be that given the facility and the volume of product that came out of his back yard.  He got an A for effort.

Joe

I remember when their stuff first came out, I was like "whoa". I still have a platoon of their M60A2 tanks (seriously, who makes the Starship?? They did...) It's great hearing about the place.

Also, back when I was at MBK, we were blowing out the Road Apples we had left. My wife actually painted up a phenomenal one.
Here it is parked out front of the Windsor St yard office.

[nickelplate759]

Ultimate N Scale still appears to be in business as part of a company called Panzerschiffe - http://www.ultimatenscale.com/   

Does anyone have experience with the flat-car decks and trailers?  Seems like a good idea to convert older Atlas 50' cars to 1950's era piggy back service.

George

[peteski]

Ultimate N Scale still appears to be in business as part of a company called Panzerschiffe - http://www.ultimatenscale.com/   

I've dealt with the new owner several years ago.  He owned the molds, masters, and the inventory but at that tine he was only selling remaining inventory of Ultimate N Scale products.  He was not planning on producing any more in a foreseeable future.  IIRC he didn't want to bother remaking the worn molds. He was also thinking of selling that part of the business because his main focus in the military stuff.

When I heard he was looking for a buyer of the N sclae business I contacted Dick from Fine N Scale to let him know of the business opportunity (the Ultimate N Scale models were pretty good quality models).  Dicl said he would look into that, but I guess nothing came out of it.

I hope that either Panzerschiffe comes around and starts producing those N scale models, or that someone picks up that business from them.  It would be nice to have a full range of those models available again.

[Catt]

I find it hard to believe that Burt Industries ever did any kind of a decent resin model of anything. Everything that ever made it to West Michigan was a POS right out of the shipping box.

[JoeD]

well, yes there was that.  I try not to discuss quality of anything because it can become a huge bear trap on a forum...but Burt Industries was about quantity and speed.  I don't know who did their patterns and never seeing them couldn't comment on what they started with.  I did see hundreds and hundreds of two part molds.  If you have ever done any molding you know those are the most difficult and time consuming to produce well.  I think, like Ed, I picked up a bunch of their military stuff including the Starship.  The hull and turret were pretty good but the suspension system on the ones I got were rough.  I think I made new patterns and cast those and got a really nice tank.  I remember the cranes they did, hollow booms cast in resin, some a foot long!  His production house had a third world feel to it and the whole operation felt like well managed chaos.  The local hobby shops, The Train Shop and Colonial Photo and Hobby couldn't keep the stuff in stock which says he hit a nerve someplace. 

Joe

I find it hard to believe that Burt Industries ever did any kind of a decent resin model of anything. Everything that ever made it to West Michigan was a POS right out of the shipping box.