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Discussion
Dean's Marine?
I am snooping around Harbor Models looking for new ways to spend my hard earned cash.
As I look through the Dean's collection several have caught my eye but I don't see many builds here or extensive discussions on their models in RCGroups. Are they of good quality and support? |
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http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php My understanding is that Deans Marine kits are excellent quality and make up in to very nice models. |
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I've built two of the Dean's kits, and I will never build another. I built the DUKW and the PBR, and posted reviews of both here. IMO the Dumas directions and plans are better, and everybody seems to complain about Dumas kits.
Here's the short list of problems I had with Dean's kits. General diagram of the DUKW looked like an photo copy enlargement of te drawing in the Squadron book DUKW IN ACTION. The printed styrene parts were not always the correct size to match the drawings or other parts. Whitemetal castings were not always properly formed - some I replaced with resin castings or brass. Written directions had lots of typographical errors, The PBR directions skipped around, I had to do page 11 before doing page 8. |
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Last edited by CG Bob; Nov 19, 2008 at 07:22 PM.
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The Deans kit seems to be fine, If you like puzzles.
We are replacing most white metal parts, stuffing tubes, shafts, propellers and hatches. the Styrene pilot house lines not accurate. When It's done, There will be very little Deans stuff left The plans, ohhhh the plans and Directions are different. But, they do return E-mails. |
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no perfection there either, but still a good kit. See my build on the Envoy for examples of some possible improvements...
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Midwest is probably the most 'refined' of the mainstream kit producers...
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Contrast this to the foremast on the Envoy... MS shows us how to make the tripod mast, stopping at the feet of structure. But no clue is given to how the stucture is attached to the cabin below. One has to assume it just glued to the roof... |
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hi all WHEN will people stop slagging of deans kits.
Yes they are not 100% perfect but if you want that stick with Aifix or Revell. The plastic dosn't not measure up 100% to the plans in the odd case sort your a modeler if you cant do that then stick to Revell. What all the people on here who bitch don't realize is if you want it perfect ie every white metal fitting filed etc the cost will go up a hell of a lot. He has one of the biggest ranges of boat in the world . Give the man a break. have any of you meet him or been to his factory . i have several time and you wont find a man more help full to the modeler. PS i do have one of his kit it is Celestine and it on this forum. john |
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Hold on there cos...
I'm not seeing and vociferous slagging of anyone here. The issue at hand is quality of product. As with all things in the marketplace, that changes. I don't think anyone is knocking the presence or contributions of Deans Marine, only giving them strong suggestions that there is room for improvment. A mistake like build page 11 before page 8 can be crucial in model construction, in fact, it can destroy a kit and lose a customer. This is bad for business. Next; clean, easy to see images are part of any really good kit instructions. Just taking nice pictures can suffice but they can't be published on a crappy copier and such. Nice prints and a matching website with color photos is very professional. Quality of parts and accuracy of machining and production are what separate an excellent kit, from an 'okay' kit, from a poor one. In my opinion, no kit is ready from prime time until the 'production' version has been vetted by a few experienced modelers. As part of the maintenance cycle, a good manufacturer will build a model or two just to make sure the quality remains in the process, especially after any process or manufacturing changes. People will pay a bit more for a well done, well maintained kit than one that is dubious. I know I will. Nobody is slagging anyone, just saying what they have found, in their experience to be issues with the builder. If I knew someone like this, doing these things, I'd be offering suggestions to help them improve the product, that helps everyone. |
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I also agree with the comment that the midwest product line for RC is limited |
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