How They're Made

B773ER · 03-29-2008, 10:48 AM

This post is really directed at Russell (or the owner(s) of any other model manufacturer). As I was laying in bed this morning, not really wanting to get up so early (!!), I was thinking about models of course. A comment left by crownvic about the Hogan QF A380 came to mind, for some reason, "...I still dont know what the deal is with the lower half of the door over the wing...My guess is the tampo machine could not be configured with the wing box..."

I for one, would LOVE to know the process of how these models are made. Russell (or any owner), do you have photos showing the process of how these models are manufactured? Or are cameras not allowed in factories? I am especially intrigued by how they are first painted then tampo printed.

mjabbasi · 03-29-2008, 11:04 AM

I'd love to see what a mould looks like and if were to ever see the HG 747 mould, I'd so love to take a large file and sharpen that blunt nose a bit.

I think cameras should not be a problem subject to the working conditions in the factory being satisfactory in which case I'm sure pics would be allowed. They've shown factory pics taken in China and Thailand on TV, so I don't think things should be different here. I'm also assuming that the working areas must be quite clean as well taking into account that I have yet to find a grain of dust, strand of hair or even a fingerprint on any models I have ever received.

RT404 · 03-29-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjabbasi

I'd love to see what a mould looks like and if were to ever see the HG 747 mould, I'd so love to take a large file and sharpen that blunt nose a bit.

Haha go ahead if you have the chance!! I am sure it will make a huge difference~

crownvic · 03-29-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B773ER

This post is really directed at Russell (or the owner(s) of any other model manufacturer). As I was laying in bed this morning, not really wanting to get up so early (!!), I was thinking about models of course. A comment left by crownvic about the Hogan QF A380 came to mind, for some reason, "...I still dont know what the deal is with the lower half of the door over the wing...My guess is the tampo machine could not be configured with the wing box..."

I for one, would LOVE to know the process of how these models are made. Russell (or any owner), do you have photos showing the process of how these models are manufactured? Or are cameras not allowed in factories? I am especially intrigued by how they are first painted then tampo printed.

Unfortunately cameras for the most part are not allowed in at anytime..The very first factory for Gemini years ago allowed me to film the inside from start to finish. They also made stuff for Johnny Lightning diecast cars, Mattel and Burago, but no other factory since then has permitted me to do so...It is a practice for most factories to forbid phtography of any kind...The factories that makes the current Gemini jets models are involved in a lot of other diecast collector stuff, and some of them are very common household names...

Im always amazes me the thousands of sample cars, boats, trains , planes etc. that they keep on hand in stockrooms, displayrooms and just piled up everywhere..I usually have free rein to take anything I want, its all free, but I just cant lug it back...I must admit I have walked out with a few trucks cars and boats too!

Years ago before Diecast made it on the seen, I had the opportunity to tour the KV Wooster factory in England...Not only did they manufacture plastic snap fit models, but airline food trays and utensils, drinking cups and baby sippy cups, and lots of other plastic household goods...

As for the build process it would take too long to explain but do a google search for tampo printing and maybe that would give you an idea...Alot of the small intricit details where painting is required are all done by hand!

B773ER · 03-29-2008, 02:38 PM

Well if you ever get any samples of an Edsel, let me know. lol

I'm not surprised the intricate stuff is painted by hand. I'm actually amazed that a machine can do as much as it does on these models.

N. Eberhard · 03-29-2008, 02:58 PM

I would love to see a closeup of a tampo machine printing those super tiny parts on our models.

C'mon Russell...show us your best Mission Impossible impersonation. I know you can do it.

Mike777 · 03-29-2008, 02:58 PM

It's unfortunate we can't see pics of the GJ factory, I'd be interested in seeing where/how these things are made as well.

I remember several years ago seeing some pics of the Herpa factory, interior and exterior. There was also a shot of a worker assembling a Premium 737 I think. Maybe someone has the shots and can post them, or they're on the Herpa website somewhere.

crownvic · 03-29-2008, 03:58 PM

I have a few photos, who can post em for me?? send me an email and Ill send them to you...

superbou · 03-29-2008, 04:13 PM

Manufacturing process for these nice birds are secrets but like any secret it could be unveiled ...

Mike777 · 03-29-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crownvic

I have a few photos, who can post em for me?? send me an email and Ill send them to you...

Hey, you know how to post pics! We've all seen you do it; you're just being lazy, haha! But I'll do it for you... sending you a PM.

DeltaT7LR · 03-29-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crownvic

I have a few photos, who can post em for me?? send me an email and Ill send them to you...

i can do it 4 ya

Jboulin94 · 03-29-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crownvic

Unfortunately cameras for the most part are not allowed in at anytime..The very first factory for Gemini years ago allowed me to film the inside from start to finish. They also made stuff for Johnny Lightning diecast cars, Mattel and Burago, but no other factory since then has permitted me to do so...It is a practice for most factories to forbid phtography of any kind...The factories that makes the current Gemini jets models are involved in a lot of other diecast collector stuff, and some of them are very common household names...

Im always amazes me the thousands of sample cars, boats, trains , planes etc. that they keep on hand in stockrooms, displayrooms and just piled up everywhere..I usually have free rein to take anything I want, its all free, but I just cant lug it back...I must admit I have walked out with a few trucks cars and boats too!

Years ago before Diecast made it on the seen, I had the opportunity to tour the KV Wooster factory in England...Not only did they manufacture plastic snap fit models, but airline food trays and utensils, drinking cups and baby sippy cups, and lots of other plastic household goods...

As for the build process it would take too long to explain but do a google search for tampo printing and maybe that would give you an idea...Alot of the small intricit details where painting is required are all done by hand!

ooOoOoOh, can anyone go in there?!? haha!

crownvic · 03-29-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike777

Hey, you know how to post pics! We've all seen you do it; you're just being lazy, haha! But I'll do it for you... sending you a PM.

actually not, I have a secret poster for me....sending pics now..they are photos of photos if that makes sense...

Mike777 · 03-29-2008, 10:15 PM

Here are some photos of photos as supplied byCrownvic. Note this is not the current factory...

aae991 · 03-30-2008, 11:37 AM

That building looks like so many others in China. Every time I go there for my import business (not diecast unfortunately), you see the same looking buildings for endless miles. I travel to Guangdong Province, one of the heaviest concentrations of manufacturing plants in the world. Between the air pollution, poverty, and general chaos, it's amazing they get anything accomplished over there. In spite of the mess, they do manage to pump out the products.

Hey Russell, next time I have to travel over there I think I need to coordinate my trip to coincide with one of yours. Maybe I could pick up some of those freebies! And I promise not to take any photos of the production line!

crownvic · 03-30-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aae991

That building looks like so many others in China. Every time I go there for my import business (not diecast unfortunately), you see the same looking buildings for endless miles. I travel to Guangdong Province, one of the heaviest concentrations of manufacturing plants in the world. Between the air pollution, poverty, and general chaos, it's amazing they get anything accomplished over there. In spite of the mess, they do manage to pump out the products.

Hey Russell, next time I have to travel over there I think I need to coordinate my trip to coincide with one of yours. Maybe I could pick up some of those freebies! And I promise not to take any photos of the production line!

you definately dont wont to go with me...10% business 90% play...
Can anyone figure out what Geminis are being produced at the time of photos..It was 2000 and a bunch are on the table by the tampo machines...

superbou · 03-30-2008, 12:28 PM

Thanks a lot crownvic for the pics.
It give us a good idea how the birds are manufacturing.

B773ER · 03-30-2008, 12:44 PM

Thanks for the photos, Russell. Wow, the exterior of the building looks like a hotel to me. lol. Hmmmm...looks like either Qantas, LTU or maybe Virgin Atlantic models on the table. Hard to tell.

aae991 · 03-30-2008, 12:49 PM

90% play? What's wrong with that? Just be careful where you get those "happy endings" -

! When I'm there, I'd say I do about 20% work and 80% play. I never go for less than 7 days, since the jet lag is just too extreme to show up, conduct business, and go home. I spend about 2-3 days in Southern Guangdong doing business, and then head back to Hong Kong for 3-4 days of sightseeing, shopping, and fun.

Russell, what part of China is the GJ factory in? Guangdong province? How ironic would it be if it's located near where I do business??? The factory I work with is located about 90 miles north of Guangzhou.

crownvic · 03-30-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aae991

90% play? What's wrong with that? Just be careful where you get those "happy endings" -

! When I'm there, I'd say I do about 20% work and 80% play. I never go for less than 7 days, since the jet lag is just too extreme to show up, conduct business, and go home. I spend about 2-3 days in Southern Guangdong doing business, and then head back to Hong Kong for 3-4 days of sightseeing, shopping, and fun.

Russell, what part of China is the GJ factory in? Guangdong province? How ironic would it be if it's located near where I do business??? The factory I work with is located about 90 miles north of Guangzhou.

There are several factories all in Southern Guangzhou..I too spend 7-10 days and always take in HKG as well..Lots of side trips to Bangkok, Manilla, etc etc.

B773ER · 03-30-2008, 02:24 PM

So are you gonna reveal to us which model(s) are being made in the bottom photo next to the tampo printing machine?

aae991 · 03-30-2008, 02:25 PM

The biggest problem in Hong Kong is the cost of staying there and the air pollution. I've found ways of cutting costs by eating at more "local" restaurants (equally as good, but not designed for tourists) and staying at some of the "boutique" hotels. Lanson Place Hotel has been my latest "find" - at about $180-200 per night including a decent breakfast. It's more of a European feel to it with fewer Americans. I've tried to get into the Salisbury YMCA, which is apparently a truly great hotel at outrageously low prices, but is always booked. It's a shame they call it a YMCA, since the connotation is really incorrect.

I've never toured Bangkok or Manila. Malaysia was nice back in the 90s. I'm not sure how it is there now for Americans.

crownvic · 03-30-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B773ER

So are you gonna reveal to us which model(s) are being made in the bottom photo next to the tampo printing machine?

Well I thought there would a few more guesses, Ill pm you the answer...

goldy · 03-30-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N. Eberhard

I would love to see a closeup of a tampo machine printing those super tiny parts on our models.

C'mon Russell...show us your best Mission Impossible impersonation. I know you can do it.

We should one day try to meet Russell in Hong Kong. Let him tour us through the Gemini and others factory. He could then treat us both to a massage at the Happy Yes Yes Massage Parlor and Noodle Emporium. Hard to tell if we could pull it off but I'd consider it as I do wish to return to Hong Kong sometime in the near future.

Peewee

03-29-2008, 10:48 AM	#1
B773ER Retro Randy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seattle (West Seattle) Age: 50 Posts: 3,330	How They're Made This post is really directed at Russell (or the owner(s) of any other model manufacturer). As I was laying in bed this morning, not really wanting to get up so early (!!), I was thinking about models of course. A comment left by crownvic about the Hogan QF A380 came to mind, for some reason, "...I still dont know what the deal is with the lower half of the door over the wing...My guess is the tampo machine could not be configured with the wing box..." I for one, would LOVE to know the process of how these models are made. Russell (or any owner), do you have photos showing the process of how these models are manufactured? Or are cameras not allowed in factories? I am especially intrigued by how they are first painted then tampo printed. __________________

03-29-2008, 11:04 AM	#2
mjabbasi Complete Wacko! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pakistan Posts: 3,593	Re: How They're Made I'd love to see what a mould looks like and if were to ever see the HG 747 mould, I'd so love to take a large file and sharpen that blunt nose a bit. I think cameras should not be a problem subject to the working conditions in the factory being satisfactory in which case I'm sure pics would be allowed. They've shown factory pics taken in China and Thailand on TV, so I don't think things should be different here. I'm also assuming that the working areas must be quite clean as well taking into account that I have yet to find a grain of dust, strand of hair or even a fingerprint on any models I have ever received. __________________ Moin Abbasi

03-29-2008, 02:38 PM	#5
B773ER Retro Randy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seattle (West Seattle) Age: 50 Posts: 3,330	Re: How They're Made Well if you ever get any samples of an Edsel, let me know. lol I'm not surprised the intricate stuff is painted by hand. I'm actually amazed that a machine can do as much as it does on these models. __________________

03-29-2008, 02:58 PM	#6
N. Eberhard Dr. Diecast I presume? Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Age: 44 Posts: 3,438	Re: How They're Made I would love to see a closeup of a tampo machine printing those super tiny parts on our models. C'mon Russell...show us your best Mission Impossible impersonation. I know you can do it.

03-29-2008, 02:58 PM	#7
Mike777 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,162	Re: How They're Made It's unfortunate we can't see pics of the GJ factory, I'd be interested in seeing where/how these things are made as well. I remember several years ago seeing some pics of the Herpa factory, interior and exterior. There was also a shot of a worker assembling a Premium 737 I think. Maybe someone has the shots and can post them, or they're on the Herpa website somewhere.

03-29-2008, 03:58 PM	#8
crownvic Junior Miss City of Orlando Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 3,275	Re: How They're Made I have a few photos, who can post em for me?? send me an email and Ill send them to you... __________________ *SOON CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS STUPIDITY AND STILL FOLLOWING NOT LEADING* "Hey Andy, unless we get some Police Package Crown Victorias, I'm quitting, and you can have your bullet back!" And yes, I did do Aunt Bea,,,she was great!

03-29-2008, 04:13 PM	#9
superbou Celtic collector Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Normandie - France Age: 31 Posts: 420	Re: How They're Made Manufacturing process for these nice birds are secrets but like any secret it could be unveiled ...

03-29-2008, 10:15 PM	#14
Mike777 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,162	Re: How They're Made Here are some photos of photos as supplied byCrownvic. Note this is not the current factory... Last edited by Mike777; 03-29-2008 at 10:55 PM.

03-30-2008, 11:37 AM	#15
aae991 Senior Collector Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago area Posts: 214	Re: How They're Made That building looks like so many others in China. Every time I go there for my import business (not diecast unfortunately), you see the same looking buildings for endless miles. I travel to Guangdong Province, one of the heaviest concentrations of manufacturing plants in the world. Between the air pollution, poverty, and general chaos, it's amazing they get anything accomplished over there. In spite of the mess, they do manage to pump out the products. Hey Russell, next time I have to travel over there I think I need to coordinate my trip to coincide with one of yours. Maybe I could pick up some of those freebies! And I promise not to take any photos of the production line!

03-30-2008, 12:28 PM	#17
superbou Celtic collector Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Normandie - France Age: 31 Posts: 420	Re: How They're Made Thanks a lot crownvic for the pics. It give us a good idea how the birds are manufacturing.

03-30-2008, 12:44 PM	#18
B773ER Retro Randy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seattle (West Seattle) Age: 50 Posts: 3,330	Re: How They're Made Thanks for the photos, Russell. Wow, the exterior of the building looks like a hotel to me. lol. Hmmmm...looks like either Qantas, LTU or maybe Virgin Atlantic models on the table. Hard to tell. __________________

03-30-2008, 12:49 PM	#19
aae991 Senior Collector Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago area Posts: 214	Re: How They're Made 90% play? What's wrong with that? Just be careful where you get those "happy endings" - ! When I'm there, I'd say I do about 20% work and 80% play. I never go for less than 7 days, since the jet lag is just too extreme to show up, conduct business, and go home. I spend about 2-3 days in Southern Guangdong doing business, and then head back to Hong Kong for 3-4 days of sightseeing, shopping, and fun. Russell, what part of China is the GJ factory in? Guangdong province? How ironic would it be if it's located near where I do business??? The factory I work with is located about 90 miles north of Guangzhou. Last edited by aae991; 03-30-2008 at 12:51 PM.

03-30-2008, 02:24 PM	#21
B773ER Retro Randy Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seattle (West Seattle) Age: 50 Posts: 3,330	Re: How They're Made So are you gonna reveal to us which model(s) are being made in the bottom photo next to the tampo printing machine? __________________

03-30-2008, 02:25 PM	#22
aae991 Senior Collector Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago area Posts: 214	Re: How They're Made The biggest problem in Hong Kong is the cost of staying there and the air pollution. I've found ways of cutting costs by eating at more "local" restaurants (equally as good, but not designed for tourists) and staying at some of the "boutique" hotels. Lanson Place Hotel has been my latest "find" - at about $180-200 per night including a decent breakfast. It's more of a European feel to it with fewer Americans. I've tried to get into the Salisbury YMCA, which is apparently a truly great hotel at outrageously low prices, but is always booked. It's a shame they call it a YMCA, since the connotation is really incorrect. I've never toured Bangkok or Manila. Malaysia was nice back in the 90s. I'm not sure how it is there now for Americans. Last edited by aae991; 03-30-2008 at 02:27 PM.