1/56 (28mm) Modular Buildings - future Rubicon Models product

[Predatorpt]

Just caugh this on their FB. They are asking for input/comments on these:

We would like your participation to make this a better product for the community.  Things like:
- Type of wall pattern you want to see on the final product
- The look of the door design
- The look of the shop window display
- The look of the chimney
…and so forth!

http://forum.rubiconmodels.com/index.php?topic=55.0

I think they look great ... but will their prices be competitive enough against MDF buildings? Specially now that we can find cheap MDF ones like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111488086907?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Modhail]

I think that if they want to get the edge on mdf, they need to exploit the advantages of injection plastic over mdf. Especially things like detailed surface texture and the ability to vary depth and cleverly hide joins. (Mdf buildings often have a somewhat "flat" look to them, despite the laser scribing.)

(On an off-topic note: I actually hadn't heard of Rubicon before, not being a 28mm WWII afficionado. I know there are plenty resin ones, but nice to see nice quality plastic tank kits in 1/56. I hope they'll get around to doing Panzer I or II's, I rather like zee leettle tankz...)

[lou passejaire]

Rubicon Models ... seem's to be high quality products, but quite expensive when you know that they are designed and produced in China ... ( Italieri/Warlord are produced in Europe )
 
I pay the same price for high quality resin models such as the Blitzkrieg ones ... and don't have to waste time in gluing a lot of stuff ... so ... 

[Predatorpt]

They added some more pictures to the thread, to show how the various modules/parts of the buildings:









This project is looking better and better! The only problem is that this is part of the release schedule for December...2015 

[OSHIROmodels]

Good to see more injection moulded buildings (I really dislike the MDF ones) but two things of possible note...

Why didn't they pick a more detailed building as it would be better to promote their product and injection moulding with more fiddly bits 

Why, oh why do most companies do stupid floorboard joints that are totally random as opposed to in line with the (supposed) floor joists 

Good luck to them though, the sooner MDF is cast out the better.

cheers

James

[FramFramson]

Big miss there for not having any exterior wall texture, I think.

What I'm wondering is why nobody is making combined kits, with some more textured or shaped parts in resin and some flatter bits in MDF. That way you could get the benefit of better moulded parts while still saving money by using MDF where you can.

[OSHIROmodels]

Fenris Games do at least one and it looks good.

The problem is (and I'll probably get shouted down for saying this) the majority of gamers like things cheap and easy. MDF provides this and the real shame is the buildings aren't finished off which makes them look worse.

I won't go on, suffice to say I'm looking into doing victorian and sci-fi buildings done and will try to utilise the technology as much as possible.

cheers

James

[Predatorpt]

One of things that Rubicon is asking on their forums is:

- Type of wall pattern you want to see on the final product

So it's almost certain that they'll make textured walls.

[carlos marighela]

Well if they were to sell the individual bits, window frames etc I'd be interested. Suitably scaled architectural bits and bobs are always useful for scratch building.

[OSHIROmodels]

That would be a good little earner for them.

cheers

James

[majorsmith]

I like the mdf buildings as a base, add some more 3d bits to them and they look a lot better, especially the old west ones, I like these plastic kits they look pretty good

[former user]

hmm, interesting

reminds me of Playmobil buildings

[FramFramson]

I've thought about getting some of the Sarissa buildings (which have a nice design) as a base and replacing substantial chunks of them with textured sheet, but I'm not sure it wouldn't be better for me to just scratchbuild at that point (I think getting all the architectural bits still make the idea worthwhile).

In general I think even if you do everything in MDF, most kit is even well below the capabilities of MDF. For instance, those buildings with larger corner stones, which in many kits are simply scribed on instead of giving people a small cut corner bit to overlay. Windows which are one flat plane instead of having proper joinery, things like that. Of course it may come down to making kits as cheap and simple as possible, but I tend to consider that stuff on the same level as painting a cardboard cube and calling it a building (which is enough for some players).

[lou passejaire]

hmm, interesting

reminds me of Playmobil buildings

reminds me of faller 1/87 buildings less the exterior wall texture  but i was young, in the 60's 

[former user]

there were no playmobil buildings in the 60ies