Damaged Verlinden detail set - is this normal?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hello all,

I have Verlinden’s LVT-(A)1 detail set. I’ve noticed a lot of the pieces are broken. For instance, some of the gun barrels are broken and bent, the turrent has a large crack in it, the shovel was broken, the storage box handles where broken, etc. So here’s my questions:

  1. Is this normal for VP?
  2. Is this normal for resin sets?
  3. Was Great Models (the supplier) a little too rough in handling?
  4. Did I just buy a fluke?

Thanks,

Jesse

2

I think you got a bad sample. The occasional broken bit is standard for resin but it seems you got one that was seriously damaged at some point. I’d contact GMW asap. I’ve gotten other complex Verlinden kits and they’ve been pretty good, quality control wise.

By the way, it’s “turret” and not “turrent”

3

Hi Jesse

Maybe you can call Great Model’s and ask if they will replace the kit? I have bought VP products in the past and once in awhile I might have a small piece broken which I could fix and live with, but not in the number of broken pieces you have mentioned, I’d say that was a fluke. Tell Great Models that we here in the forum are waiting to see if they fix the problem for you? Good Luck!

Scott

4

I paid far too much for a Verlinden “stone bridge” half-set a few years back. The thing didn’t even carry instructions, and I couldn’t even get Verlinden to email me instructions.

I’ve tried every way I know to try to get the thing together, and it just doesn’t assemble correctly. I had thrown away the receipt, and my local dealer wouldn’t trade out or refund.

I later purchased one of their little dioramas that was on sale (“Last Stand” or something?), and although it was pretty cool, VERY detailed and had some really wonderful diorama accessories, again, it had no instructions.

I’ve been building models for a VERY long time, and I am not all that bad on figuring out how to assemble some things if the instructions have been either shady on detail or just simply not matching the parts supplied, but it bothers me that Verlinden garners such high prices and yet their quality control from the factory seems so poor. I can’t fault the quality of their moulds, as I have been VERY impressed with the little I have seen from them. But if a manufacturer can’t include instructions with a complex build, then I can’t really be bothered to keep buying their products.

I was intrigued by resin kits a few years back, until I started reading about their problems. Gun barrels shaped like bananas, bubbles in the resin in strategic places, and the pain in the rear of freeing delicate parts from honking big chunks of resin (the resin equivalent of sprue trees?). For all the hype, it just seems that resin kits are not all that they are cracked up to be. However, I DO base this opinion on some limited exposure, admittedly, but considering the cost of them versus some of the problems I have experienced, aside from some detail stuff I’ll just stick to injection moulds.

Just my opinion. Just like elbows, most folks have at least two…

bro

5

Bro: just like their styrene cousins that have gems and junk, so is the case with resin kits. Some makers are practically 100% reliable everytime for a great product in terms of accuracy, detail, engineering, production, packaging and instructions. Makers like Formations, Cromwell Models, IMA, CMD, ABM and Tank Models of Russia, Cal35, Tiger Model Designs and Legend come to mind. I don’t think twice if I’m ordering a replacment part or even a full kit from any of these.

Some other makers have just been around a while so some of their older items suffer some issues. Some makers just make a poor product and don’t care. Generally, if something is out there, just ask and it’s pretty likely that someone has had experience with the resin kit or accessory.

6

Hello Jesse,

I have several kits from Verlinden and have not personally experienced what you have. I’m very pleased with Verlinden products (except that there is no instruction). It may just be from rough handling. I hope you’ll get the replacement.

7

Resin is brittle, and this sometimes happens. When I had a similar problem, Great Models customer service was very good a fixing it. Give them a call.

8

Thanks for the replies guys. I’ve already started working on this kit before I noticed all of the problems. I should have done a more complete inspection first. In terms of the kit, I’ve also found warped barrels, a badly warped rear engine cover (no way can you fix that thing) and a broken 37mm barrel that is unfixable. I’m very disappointed in this kit but I’ll do my best with what I got. The instructions are lousy too.

I also got Accurate Armors tracks for this kit. What a piece of junk they are. They are surely going back to GM. The kit tracks look better and are molded correctly. I would love to get HardCorps models tracks but I’m not about to dish-out $90 for tracks.

I’ll see if I can post some pictures later tonight.

-Jesse

9

Verlinden is not that great for much of anything IMHO. I got some IDF figs with different legs, heads, arms. But I did call them directly, and an old dutch lady picked up, and I had my replacement parts. Though they were still the wrong parts! Turns out the old lady is the Mrs. of the guy who started the company the number is her direct home phone

10

usmc, if you’d allow me for just a moment…Thanks, gyrine.

11

I’ve never ordered any major conversions from Verlinden, but I do have quite a few of their figure kits, and have not ever had a problem. Having said that, with what few resin kits and replacements I do have, I don’t have any broken pieces. Too bad you allready started on the kit.