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Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

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Tiger2
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Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#1 Post by Tiger2 »

Hi folks,

I was cruising on eBay recently and stumbled across a pre-sale for the Monarch Fly styrene kit!
Link below, I had no idea this was being produced, or that Monarch were doing it, if indeed they are.
It looks like this is coming from Japan, does anyone have more info on this? Should be a wonderful kit based on the images!

Cheers,
Paul

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353887920789 ... %7Ciid%3A1

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#2 Post by Todd P. »

DON'T go for one of the eBay listings from Japanese presellers. Not for the Fly, not for Konga, not for anything. Those thieves have been listing the kits for sale for months. In addition to offering for sale something they don't have, they're also pricing it drastically above the projected MSRP (although I guess we'll see what happens given skyrocketing oil prices).

The Fly is in the test-shot phase; I have two test shots in hand and they're terrific. Some minor adjustments being made here and there.

Monarch owner Scott McKillop is a perfectionist, which means he's not going to put this on the market until he's completely satisfied. My guess at the moment -- and it's a guess based on some slight insider knowledge but not in-depth involvement -- is that we'll see the kits available around mid- to late summer. But you never know what's going to happen that will delay things until fall or (I hope not) even the holiday season.

Konga and the Moon Suit are also slowly progressing. I doubt we'll see either this year.

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#3 Post by Tiger2 »

Hi Todd,

Many thanks for your reply, that's very helpful in terms of avoiding the pre-sales from Japan! To be honest, based in the UK I would never order from that distance anyway,
the shipping and import duties would kill me! I just wanted to confirm that the kit was a live project and not speculative, which you have done thank you.
Very exciting, it's great to hear you are impressed with the test shots!

I'm hopeful that once released, product will eventually find it's way to our shores, there are several UK distributors that stock Monarch,
Moebius and Polar Lights kits. That said, the tragic issues unfolding in Ukraine etc. could have knock on effects across many different industries. So sad, I almost feel guilty worrying
about a plastic kit when some people are having to drink water out of radiator pipes to survive :shock: :shock: :shock:

Take care and thanks again,
Paul

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#4 Post by tay666 »

If you are on FB, there is a Monarch group that has pictures of the test shots.
If not, maybe I will grab them tonight then post them in this thread.

It really looks like a beautiful kit.
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Tiger2
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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#5 Post by Tiger2 »

Thanks Trevor,
I'm on Facebook, but didn't know there was a Monarch group, I will try and check it out later, but it would be great if you could possibly post the images as well here just in case!

Cheers,
Paul

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#6 Post by Todd P. »

Monarch's official Facebook page.

Friends Who Like Monarch Model Co., Inc., Facebook group.

And here's a photo of the last test shot I got from Monarch. The translucent parts glow nicely, but Scott McKillop is unsatisfied with the daytime look of those parts.

Image

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#7 Post by Tiger2 »

Wow, looks very nice, I'm not a fan of 'glow' parts, I'd be happier if it was all just cast in the cream coloured styrene!
Please tell Scott not to worry about the glow / daytime / night time, just go for it!!

Many thanks for posting this,

Paul

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#8 Post by Todd P. »

I believe the plan is to do one run of the kit with two color options. The styrene color is very, very important to Scott, who never paints his kits. He won't release it until he's happy.

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#9 Post by tay666 »

That is one of the things that makes Monarch feel like Aurora.
The attention to the kit color.

I've said the same thing about Steve and his Prehistoric Scenes add-on kits.


Image

Image


And personally, I love the colors on these first test shots.
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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#10 Post by Tiger2 »

Thanks for the extra images Trevor, I fully appreciate the aesthetics of nicely coloured parts for that retro look and
this assembled test shot looks stunning. :D

From my own perspective as a modeller and painter, my desire is to make a kit look as real as possible.
Painting gives it 3D depth, light and shade, hopefully getting it closer to reality, a snap shot tribute of a moment on film.
The bare, brightly coloured plastic is just too toy-like for me, once assembled and seamed I will be itching to
primer and paint, but that's what makes us all individual artists I guess!

By the way, was this sculpted by Jeff Yagher?

Cheers,
Paul

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#11 Post by Todd P. »

No, Michael Berglund is the sculptor. He also did Konga and is polishing the Moon Suit.

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#12 Post by scuzzfink85 »

I don't like the movie Konga, but sculpt is awesome.
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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#13 Post by Todd P. »

Yeah, the kit will be better than the movie.

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#14 Post by tay666 »

Scott has been posting production pics and videos for the fly the last couple days!


Image

Image
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Tiger2
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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#15 Post by Tiger2 »

Thanks for the update, looks like the styrene has changed colour from the last test shot, he might still be trying out options!
Parts look very crisp, any clues as to when it might be available? You mention Scott has done a video,
do you have a link to watch that?

Cheers,
Paul

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#16 Post by tay666 »

The videos were posted to FB , so I don't know if they will show for those that aren't signed into FB


https://www.facebook.com/MonarchModelCo ... 6261374712
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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#17 Post by Anton Phibes »

I am not as "in the know" as I used to be on this stuff for about 4 years or so now. I assume this kit is making its way into people's hands now, yes? I have seen 2 variations of mock up artwork for the box. one that looks "long box" and one that looks square "glow" style box, sans any mention of glow. What does the actual box look like for real? Anyone who has one, feel free to enlighten me,lol.

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#18 Post by spock »

I have seen all the cool enhancements Todd has waiting for this kit http://www.escapehatchhobbies.com/index.htm. Some of them are posted on his Facebook page.
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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#19 Post by Todd P. »

Thanks, Spock. All those details will be with you this week.

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Re: Any news on the Monarch Models 'Fly' kit?

#20 Post by tay666 »

Here is what the box looks like


Image

Image

Image

Image


I also found an unboxing video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOHL3sb74Jw

From what I understand, they are starting to trickle out to customers now. Cult's first shipment has already gone to those on his waiting list first. Next shipment will fill more of those orders.
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