.: Peter McKinnon interviews John Xigalatis of Showcase Models Australia on the upcoming "Bushmaster" release.
John, thank you for this opportunity and on behalf of ESSMC welcome.
By all means, I'm happy to answer your questions.
Q: It's hard to believe that we in Australia have never had our own mainstream injection moulded kit, this is about to change. Is that correct?
Yes indeed, most if not all the development and tooling has been completed for the Bushmaster, and we should have it in full production by late September into October. It's all happening.
Q: Where is the kit being produced?
All the CAD work, pattern and toolmaking is being done in China, the actual moulding will be outsourced to another firm in China.
Q: Are these firms experienced in working in the kit industry? have they done other kits that we might recognise?
Yes, they have, to both questions, I won't name them, however they were well received within the hobby fraternity.
Q: Starting up your own kit label is a major undertaking, particularly in the economic climate we are in at the moment. Were you tempted for your first release to offer a subject with maybe a wider recognition than the Bushmaster for maximum sales potential?
A lot of thought went into the choice of subject for a first release, I was keen for it to be an Australian subject, and for me the Bushmaster was an obvious choice; they are currently in service in Iraq and Afghanistan and also used by the Dutch. AFV subjects are among the most popular modelling subjects on the modelling scene now. Hopefully my choice will prove a wise one and enough modellers will purchase it.
Q: The Bushmaster is manufactured in quite a number of different guises have you any plans to release the kit in other versions?
There will be other versions available, we have negotiated with Armscorp Models to produce conversion sets in resin; these will be sold separately, and will include full instructions and decals. Weighted tyres will also be available.
Q: Just on the decals here, you've chosen the highly regarded Cartograph of Italy as your choice of supplier; had you any mind to go locally for these?
Look I did, but they mucked me around and their prices were not competitive; after doing my own research on modellers opinion Cartograph came out on top with most of the modellers I spoke to. The Bushmaster will have decals replicating the field cammo fabric seat covering in these vehicles, we needed to have the confidence that they would perform without hassles in this area.
Q: Have they designed the decal sheet then?
No, for this I did go locally, Grubby Fingers will be doing the artwork/box design, and maybe the instructions, but certainly the colour supplement painting guide, which will be printed in full colour.
Q: Will Showcase Models Aust. mainly concentrate on AFV subjects?
We don't want to get ahead of ourselves yet, but if sales are good for the Bushmaster we have plans to produce kits in all the categories.
Q: Well, would they be initially, of an Australian flavour?
Yeah I think so, I would like them to be for sure, to establish the brand in Australia I think that's important, the Aussie modeller deserves that much, they've been waiting a long time.
Q: A keen modeller yourself, will this influence you..... I mean will you produce what you would like to build?
Of course, absolutely.
Really, I’ve never heard a manufacturer admit that before, I didn’t expect such an emphatic reply.
Yeah, well I want this venture to be fun for me as well, I’m not interested in producing stuff I have no feeling for - if all else fails at least I’ll have some nice kits to build.
Q: Right on. Tell us then what are your modelling interests?
Well I’m interested in all things exotic, particularly WWI aircraft, ships, soft skinned vehicles, even early subs; I also have a deep interest in flying boats. I like so many things really, out of the ordinary would cover it though.
Q: So say your next offering is an aircraft then would it more likely be something in that WWI era.
Probably not, some of the subjects that I have in mind are more modern post war aircraft, and of Australian interest in particular. There are a couple of subjects we would like to do in 1/32 scale… I’ll go no further.
Q: Can we take it then that Showcase Models will not be a mainstream player as far as subject choice is concerned?
Absolutely, we want to do stuff others don't.
Q: How do you satisfy your lust for the exotic when the mainstream manufacturers largely ignore these subjects?
Resin kits! I fell in love with the subjects available from the various Eastern European manufacturers, they are a real passion of mine, so much fun to build.
I share your fascination there, you and I met because I was looking for a local importer of these kits and you in fact have a mail order service supplying some of these great labels, tell us more.
Yes I’ve been importing these kits in for a few years now, originally to set off the cost somewhat for my own indulgence; I like to concentrate on the tried and true labels so there's no nasty surprises in store for the unwary purchaser, resin kits can vary in quality from stunning to abysmal depending on the manufacturer, but the one thing that doesn’t change much is the price, they are an expensive item to purchase regardless of quality, so you might just as well buy the best, they are really no more expensive than the poor ones in my experience.
Q: So you can order these kits through your website SHOWCASE MODELS AUSTRALIA along with of course the Bushmaster - will this be available in hobby shops as well?
To keep the price competitive we would prefer to sell the kit direct for as long as possible however we are in discussion with various shops here and abroad to be exclusive distributors.
Q: There is a fair degree of interest in the kit then obviously, this is a good sign?
Considering the news of the Bushmaster release is largely unheralded in the modelling press to date, our pre-orders have been very encouraging.
Q: I must say that I rather like Showcase Models as a label name it pays respect to our hobby and implies that your models will be more than toys; any comment on this?
That sounds good to me.
John Xigalatis thank you for your time and insightful comments on your upcoming release, and we wait with much anticipation on what may be in store for the future.
Thank you very much it was a pleasure Pete .
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