Toys and Models

[MichaelB]

Oftentimes there is a troubling distinction to be made here within the pages (or electrons) of MAC. This site covers airplanes of many stripes: models, toys, sales promotions and similar. There is an emphasis on the "toy" aspect of the hobby, but it's not exclusive.
While we lament the demise of so many classic lines we also overlook the fact that there is a another whole area that has come alive - that of the "expert" model. I have to ignore them since they are so pricy and they certainly don't show up in the corner grocery store! I prefer to find $1 model toys that are much better than they need to be. I expect pricy model toys to reflect their target market.
In that respect, here's a link I came across today. Looks like a superb model and is really nicely packaged. Not exactly hand-built, but close. I suppose this is like the Western Models model, with a limited proprietary production. Naturally, this is a UK company.
It's nice to see such activity and salivate over their products!
http://www.crescentmodels.co.uk/details_model_princess.html

[grwebster]

Michael, you are right to point out the Crescent Saunder-Roe Princess. I have one and it is lovely (i bought one of the first ones he did, as I have an extensive collection of flying boats toys and models). Craftmanship is superb.
The creator is Phillip Jewell, long time member of TPN IMACS and frequent Plane News contributor.
I might question the scale he chose, 1/144th, as 1/200 is the major one for these types of models but that is minor when one sees the quality.
You may have seen Phillip on one of the british car tv shows as he used to have a classic Colin Chapman Lotus 7 and/or the later Caterham, I forget which.
He had plans to produce more aircraft a few years ago but I have not heard from him in years.

[MichaelB]

See, not far off the mark for MAC!
I would put Bob Dros in this same category.
1/144 is now a popular modeling scale, 1/200 is a collector's scale; it washes back and forth. There are even Japanese issues in 1/144 where it used to be that all their output was in 1/200.