Friends,
I am happy to report that I have finally gotten the first of the M-18 products ready for release. Hit the ‘READ MORE’ button and I’ll give you all the details.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
First, the forest fire is still burning. It is only about 12 miles from us and has grown to more than 40,000 acres, but it has been raining the past few days and the wind has shifted, pushing the fire back onto itself. So, for now, it appears as though they have things under control.
On the puppy front, Annie has now mastered stairs and the doggie door. This means we have a four-legged toddler in the house. If you have ever had children, you will definitely understand that things are busy around here, with us chasing after a puppy determined to explore every inch of her new home.
OUTSTANDING ORDERS
As I type this, I have 4 open orders. 2 belong to the same customer. All are waiting for me to get the new products released. If all goes well, they will ship Monday–Tuesday.
NEW RELEASE
I have 8 new products to release this weekend. I am currently working on the listing pages on the web store. As soon as I have that finished, I will take pictures and get the items up for sale. These first pictures will eventually be replaced when I have a complete M-18 kit built up and ready to use for promotional pictures. This time, I plan to make everything I want to make for the Tamiya M-18 and build a demo kit showing everything on one kit. Stay tuned. This should be the start of something good.
The new releases will be posted as soon as I have all the pictures ready. I hope to list them today, but it may be Sunday. Just stay tuned for the new release post.
ON THE BENCH
The following are all still on my bench and making progress.
— A set of light guards made closer to scale (almost) — Front turret roof with open gunner’s sight (finished)
— The missing crash pads (finished) — Bolts with washers (to replace hull details) (finished)
— Detailed hull hatches (finished) — Tools with cast-in straps and footman loops
— Detailed spare track holders w/individual links — Turret canvas retaining loops
— 1-piece canvas mantle cover -– Foul weather hoods, erected and collapsed
-– A general details set for the exterior hull — A spare road wheel
I am going to do everything I can possibly do to have all of the remaining exterior details ready for release by March 25.
ON KARL’S BENCH
I can now tell you that Karl is very excited about the new Miniart U.S. 1.5-ton 4X4 trucks. He is looking at how they can be upgraded, as well as how he can update the Hobby Boss and Tamiya CCKW’s. I have no idea what we will see from him — or when — but I can tell you that I have not seen him this excited and motivated in a long time.
THE SHOP
The shop is now a wreck. I hope to get some cleaning done this coming week, but I will not let anything slow down the work on the remaining M-18 masters.
THE OFFICE
The office is a full-on disaster, but there is no hope of cleaning it up until things change with Annie.
ME AND MY WORLD
I have come to the point where I have to quit talking about the changes I need to make with TMD. The time has come to make them — for better or worse — and then just live with my decisions. Watch for a ‘JOE’S CORNER’ this weekend explaining what those decisions are and how they will affect TMD.
THAT IS ALL
Well, that’s all I have for everyone this week. Once again, I apologize for the continued disappointments, but — trust me — I’m no happier than I imagine many of you are about the whole thing. Anyway, until next time, you stay safe and try to build something (preferably something using TMD resin).
–Joe