It's time for a T-26

[Lluís of Minairons]

Good morning Sirs,

At Minairons Miniatures we first released a plastic Panzer I A in 1:72nd scale version; then we re-sized it to 1:100th ordered its production in that scale as well, but didn't forget to start designing a new AFV altogether.

This was the resin Bilbao Armoured Car, which is currently in production too --this time in 1:100th scale first, to be re-scaled later. So it had come the time for designing another Inter-wars piece of armour and, quite logically, we aimed at one of the most widespread tanks of SCW: the ubiquitous T-26 v. 1933.

So, while waiting for the Bilbao releasing, here you are some first previews of our T-26 --that will be again produced in plastic. Not the final design yet, because it must be analyzed by the mould maker, who is to take decisions on some technical features, and make eventual suggestions on some other as well.

If willing to see more of this design, please watch http://minairons-news.blogspot.com/2012/11/t-26-design-almost-ready.html, where the pictures can be seen at a higher resolution.

For consistence with the Panzer I A schedule, the T-26 model will be released in 1/72nd scale first. But all three models are to be re-sized during 2013 to the rest of scales we have in the pipeline (1:100, 1:72 and 1:56), as well as a fourth model we've already put in queue too.

Your thoughts?

[Mainly28s]

What I see looks nice so far- I'd probably get some of them in 1:56th.

[Arlequín]

I don't think you can go wrong by releasing the most popular vehicles first, whatever scale they come in. It would be nice, somewhere along the line, to see some Spanish soft-skin vehicles - military and civilian.

Can I point you towards this blog, which has a wealth of photos of vehicles of the Spanish Civil War?  

[Lluís of Minairons]

Hi Arlequin,

Thanks for the link, I was already in contact with this blog's author  

In the next few days, I shall open a provisory wishlist program on Minairons News blog (minairons-news-blogspot.com), so that suggestions can be posted by anyone, and voted by everyone else.

As for the scale, I can honestly ensure you to be committed to releasing also in 1:56th scale all models designed so far, during 2013. Our only limitation is budget but, if necessary, we shall appeal to crowdfunding through Kickstarter or similar program.

[CorvetteK225]

Might I say that crowdfunding is an excellent option. While very few people will put their money where their mouth is, it can significantly reduce your exposure to risk. Everyone knows quite well the limited audience in the hobby/gaming industry It would be a shame to see another great start-up fail for the lack of continued capital.

With crowdfunding, you will be able address both funding, marketing, and sales simultaneously. As you gather committed backers, you can accurately gauge your advertising effectiveness, and market saturation.

My one request is that you are willing also manufacture back stock of items made. Market enthusiasm will come and go, and one way to kill it off is to inhibit the interest of late-comers to your product line.

Best of luck, and I look forward to the 1:56 scale releases! 

[Arlequín]

That sounds like fair advice to me. Crowd-funding seems to have taken off in a big way and this project seems far more worthy of attention than many I've seen... but I am biased.

[Hummster]

Got to say it will be useful. For me I think the 1/72 scale version is the most useful as I do Spanish Civil War in 10mm but WWII in 20mm.