So I bought the gold medal models Bismarck photo etch kit on ebay. But the photo that the seller sent me looks different than the photo on the gold medal models homepage. Is this a old version of the photo etch kit, or is this not a gold medal models photoetch kit at all? Need help!
This is the photoetch that I bought…
And this is the one at the GMM website.
Loren Perry of GMM has previously reported on several forums that his photoetch sets were being counterfeited by individuals, probably from China.
Your fret certainly looks suspect. The layout is different, the finish on the metal looks dirtier. I think you may have been taken. I don’t know if filing a complaint with eBay would help, or get you anything back.
Buy direct from GMM or from reputable online sellers
It is by GMM, however an older, now discontinued version. The seller probably didn’t make it clear or is even aware, if it had photos in the listing it’s unfortunately buyer beware.
Eg there are older versions of 1/700 soviet ship, yamato class etc. Very few of the current sets are of the older version with no update - one example is the british ww2 carriers, and IJN sets in 1/700, you will see the resemblence in design of those to this set.
That’s good advice. Loren is easy to work directly with, he mails his product promptly and answers questions such as the compatibility of his sets with kits they weren’t specifically designed for.
Bill