Anybody home... ?

[JaimeMolina]

Happy new year! I guess many have a wish list of AFV models he/she would like to see Armourfast do in 1/72nd... here's mine, updated:

M-11/39 Italian Medium Tank
A-11 Matilda I (yep, the ugly one!)
M4 Sherman I (British 'Swallow' as used at el Alamein - direct vision slots, early track rollers, cast hull...)
Morris Light Armoured Car
French Citroën Truck 1930s
French trucks 1940
Italian Trucks
A-10 Cruiser Tank
A-13 Cruiser Tank

C'mon Armourfast! Come back to life!

[sarge831]

I'm here, but I've given up on Armourfast ever producing anything useful I'm afraid!
But if they do, MATADOR's and other UK softskins!

[Armourfast-Colin]

Hi Sarge & Jaime,

First of all, Happy New Year - hope that you (& everyone else that reads this) haven't been impacted too badly by Covid.

I've tried contacting Tracy & Nicholas, but no joy, yet. However, this could well be because they are having to stay out of the production unit when I've called because of the lockdown rules.

I've also emailed, so as soon as I do make contact & can update something, I will... unless they beat me to it!

Until then, thanks for your ongoing support (& ideas for additional kits!!)

Cheers
Colin

[sarge831]

Hi Colin, I read on another forum, during a discussion about the Valiant fighting 20's figures, that Armourfast was under new management, have you heard anything?

[JaimeMolina]

[Armourfast-Colin]

Hi Sarge,
No, not heard a thing about that.
I've tried contacting both Tracy & Nicholas on several occasions both by phone & email, but not had a reply - which is certainly unusual.
I did wonder whether this was because of lockdown & possible furlough.

Companies House still shows Armourfast (London) Ltd as in existence with Tracy as director. The original "Armourfast Ltd" was shut down in 2017 but that was when Tracy was sorting out stuff following Tony's passing.

Where was the discussion that you saw?

[Armourfast-Colin]

Hi All,
Just had a great catch-up with Tracy at AF; she's happy with me sharing the following...
The reason why everything has been quiet at their end is that they've been on furlough - Tracy has been sheilding & with shops being shut & so few bulk orders coming in it made sense to only go in when necessary. Of course, the webshop on the site is still very much "Open for Business" if you need your daily "fix" of kit building!!
They've not been completely idle, however, & have made good use of the time planning & as a result, decided to take out a CBILS loan to fund the purchase of a CNC machine which Nicholas is now learning to programme & operate.
They're starting small by looking at existing kits & looking at some variants - the first one of which will be the Crusader III - rather than starting something completely new as this will help Nicholas get "up to speed" & I think that makes a lot of sense.
As yet, I don't know what else is on the list (I have my own thoughts & suggestions as I'm sure that you all do) but Tracy is going to sit down with Nicholas, pull together a list & let me have it.
When I mentioned the comment on the other forum that @Sarge831 had spotted about new ownership to Tracy she said... well, let's just summarise by saying that she was not impressed with the rumour that had been posted on that other forum & thanked me for letting her know - I've passed that on directly to @Sarge831.
So, it looks as though things will be beginning to start moving again at one of our favourite manufacturers, so watch this space.
Cheers
Colin

[sandsmodels]

great news for 2021
i look forward to seeing new models.

[Hardcastlehotspur]

That's good news (I guess a CNC machine is something to do with production). Thanks for passing that on Armourfast-Colin.
Will wait with baited breath.

[JaimeMolina]

Hi Colin, many thanks to you (and of course to Tracy and Nicholas) for sharing the good news. It's great that AF is again on the warpath and looking at doing new stuff!

Please let us know when we can suggest ideas...