Like many out there I endured and was disappointed by the long gestation period (and end results) of Lindberg’s greatly anticipated 1/72 scale WWII Japanese submarine I-53. The expectation was that they would issue a submarine kit that was on the same level as Revell’s 1/72 scale Type VIIB U-Boat and Gato Class submarine. Unfortunately, the model Lindberg released turned out to be a simplified toy that did not represent ANY Japanese submarine used during WWII. Like many, I bought the kit as a “pre-order item” and had great hopes until I reviewed it at home. From what I have read it appears Lindberg did not verify the research of the professional modeler hired to build the custom prototype that was displayed at various trade shows (and whose photos were posted on the internet). I have pulled my I-53 out of the closet several times and reviewed the possibilities of building it. I still believe I do not have the ability to make it accurate. There is just too much work.
Having said all of that I do want to pass along some information concerning Lindberg’s unreleased 1/72 scale Japanese submarine I-20. I thought this project was dead because of the critical public response to the I-53, and (assumed) poor sales of a project that probably had very high tooling, manufacturing and distributions costs. I was saddened by this because I wanted the I-20 model much more than the I-53. From the internet photos I have seen the I-20 appears to be a decent looking model that looks correct in shape and outline…at least to me. I was very surprised when I read a recent forum post by “Herrmill” stating Lindberg sent him an e-mail that the I-20 was set for release in late 2011. Based on this I called Lindberg and spoke to Customer Service. I asked if this kit was set for release. They said yes and that the release date was October or November 2011. At this point I asked if the kit was defiantly set for release and she said “the decision to put the kit in production would be made by the President of the company sometime early next year, and that his decision would be based on the number of inquiries that were received about the kit.” I also sent an e-mail to the Sales Contact listed on the Lindberg website and got back the same response (I-20 scheduled for release in October or November 2011). Based on what I have learned I wanted pass along the contact information below, and plan on posting this information on several website forums. If you share my opinion and want Lindberg to put the I-20 into production, then send an e-mail and/or call their Customer Service Department and tell them. I do believe the inquiries will be passed along to upper management, but it’s anybody’s guess what happens to them after that. I just do not see ANY other plastic model company (even the prolific Trumpeter) making a large WWII Japanese submarine kit…anytime! I do not kid myself, and realize that even if Lindberg releases the I-20 it will not be perfect. My hope is that Lindberg will make sure it is a vast improvement over the I-53. One final note: If Lindberg does issue the I-20 DO NOT pre-order, and I would recommend purchasing one only after you read plenty of reviews or see one in a box yourself.
“We Won’t Get Fooled Again” also known as**, “We Won’t Pre-Order Again”**
We’ll be fighting in the streets
With our I-53’s under our feet
And the model that we worshiped will be gone
It was Lindberg who spurred us on
We sat in judgment of all its wrongs
But they turned a deaf ear and released it anyway
I’ll tip my hat to the new Hasegawa
Take a bow for the new Tami-WOW-A
Smile and grin at the reviews all around me
Pick up my air-brush and spray
Just like yesterday
And I’ll get on my bench and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
Change it had to come
We knew it all along
We all pre-ordered and took the fall
But the mold looks just the same
And history ain’t changed
'Cause the box-art and ads, they’re all lame
I’ll tip my hat to the new Hasegawa
Take a bow for the new Tami-WOW-A
Smile and grin at the reviews all around me
Get my toy sub and play
Just like yesterday
And I’ll get on my bench and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
No, no!
I’ll move my hopes and my anticipation to the side
If we happen to be left to decide
I’ll get all my refs and smile at the sky
For I know that the manufacturers never lie
Do ya?
There’s nothing on the shelves
Looks any different to me
And the re-boxings are placed, by-the-bye
And the hull its too wide
And now the hatches are too high
And the lines waiting for a decent sub have grown longer overnight
I’ll tip my hat to the new Hasegawa
Take a bow for the new Tami-WOW-A
Smile and grin at the reviews all around me
Sit in the bathtub and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my bench and pray
We don’t get fooled again
Don’t get fooled again
No, no!
At first, I thought the lack of responses to this thread was a beautiful response in itself. But the good Field Marshal has gone one better. [Y][Y]
I also regret the original poster didn’t get a response for such a long time. It was nothing personal, we have just learned that this particular subject can get people riled up and tend to leave it alone now. A burnt finger teaches best.
I am aware that this subject has generated some strongly worded exchanges in the past, and I certainly do not want to stir up any ill will or bad feelings. I am also not trying to defend Lindberg-they had a chance to establish some industry credibility and blew it. As an optimistic person, I do still believe that if Lindberg is considering producing the I-20 there other modelers like myself who would like to see it happen. Modeling forums like this are a fantasic way to express this connection with those (which may only be a handful) who feel like I do.
I will give credit to Lindberg for one thing. They re-issued the Graf Zeppelin airship with an injection molded hull and gondola. I was not able to build the model as a vacform kit, but was able to finish it in its new form and it turned out real nice. Pictures of my model are posted on the airshipmodeler.com website (under Finished Models/Photos of P.Gore Graf Zeppelin) and Fine Scale Modeler bought a construction article on it that will be printed in the future. However, it is the only Lindberg kit I have ever built.
Some history. In 2007 Lindberg showed up with a couple of 1:72 scale models at the eHobby Expo trade show. These picts which were posted at that time drewcomments that the weathering was way overdone, looked amatuerish, and was likely hiding whatever details there were. These were done by the “master modeler” who was also responsible for the abortive Arizona. The first was supposed to be out in a year, it took them almost two to produce the I-53. Much has been posted about how big a POS the I-53 was. Lindberg’s response was to take the I20 off the presale market. Vendors who had taken pre-order money, including Freetime who’s icon is on these photos have made refunds.
I checked Freetime’s website and they no longer list the I20 as a presale.
Don’t hold your breath for this. To paraphrase Dr McCoy, “Its dead, Jim!”
Interesting post-- thanks for taking the time to do the research and actually contact Lindberg.
I would suggest that people only contact Lindberg if they are serious about the kit-- don’t say you want one just so that the company will produce it for someone else. imagine the impact on the comapny if hundreds of people who have no intention of buying the kit say they want it… this isn’t voting for American Idol, after all.
I must say that I found it rather amusing when you said “people expected a kit similar in quality to the Revell Gato”. Really? Who thought that? Given Lindberg’s history, have they ever produced a kit of that quality? I’ve built lots of Lindberg kits-- I appreciate them for what they are, and don’t expect more. (I’m
Personnally, I was intrigued by the kit when it was announced-- and I assumed it would be like other Lindberg kits-- a model of subject not available anywhere else, not up to par detail-wise with other amnufacturers’ offerings, but with a real potential for RC conversion. IMO, the kit still fell short, with the obvious shape issues.
Interesting post-- thanks for taking the time to do the research and actually contact Lindberg.
I would suggest that people only contact Lindberg if they are serious about the kit-- don’t say you want one just so that the company will produce it for someone else. imagine the impact on the comapny if hundreds of people who have no intention of buying the kit say they want it… this isn’t voting for American Idol, after all.
I must say that I found it rather amusing when you said “people expected a kit similar in quality to the Revell Gato”. Really? Who thought that? Given Lindberg’s history, have they ever produced a kit of that quality? I’ve built lots of Lindberg kits-- I appreciate them for what they are, and don’t expect more. (I’m not picking on you-- I realize you were exagerating to make a point-- I’m just saying I found it funny.)
Personnally, I was intrigued by the kit when it was announced-- and I assumed it would be like other Lindberg kits-- a model of subject not available anywhere else, not up to par detail-wise with other amnufacturers’ offerings, but with a real potential for RC conversion. IMO, the kit still fell short, with the obvious shape issues.
