Naval Flags Poll Results

The poll we placed some weeks ago, with the aim to know our readers opinion on a future Naval Flags range priorities, is over now. Let's analize its results and make a few first decisions:

Poll consisted of two linked questions; the first one asked what period would users like better we started with. As it can be seen by the image attached at left, results here are straightforward: we are required to start with 17^th century (17 votes, against 10 for 18^th century). However, the number of votes requesting a development of both periods is significant enough to make us think that, despite giving higher priority to the period having won, the second one shouldn't be put aside. Somehow, we'd better to start developing this latter shortly after having started the first period.

As for the second poll, this one asked for users priorities among diverse seafaring nations --where several responses were allowed. Results here are fairly clear, with English men-of-war flags an absolute winner with 20 votes! Other options can be grouped into three groups: those closely following the winner (14 to 12 votes), those not prioritary but inspiring some curiosity (8 to 5 votes) and the not so favoured queue (4 votes or less).

SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THIS?

First of all, results have been inserted into Minairons Wishlist, so as to allow you to still influence scores and priorities (no matter if you already voted in the poll; what I'd like to foresee now is amount requests). Thanks to this, everyone can also request another projects not listed in the poll --just as I've done myself by adding Emanuel Wynn pirate, Jerusalem trucial trader, Russian man-of-war or Papacy ships!

As already explained in a previous post, we already projected another 10 flag designs besides of those in the poll. All them were inserted in pipeline prior to the poll, and even a few have already been printed. These 10 designs fall into two categories: flag sheets belonging to Iberian Peninsula nations (that aren't going to be affected by the poll results), and French and Ottoman sheets (whose releasing will be alternated with those best scoring in the poll; so in the next few days, pipeline will be modified with the insertion of English man-of-war flags and will start their production too).

Q - And what about 18^th century naval flags?
A - Soon, news about them coming soon too; I'm not going to forget these.

New releases, and Wishlist update

NEW RELEASES

The piece of news of today is intended at acknowledging you about two different matters. Let's go for the new releases first: we're relieved and happy to publicly announce that our newest 1/72 IGC Sadurní tank started yesterday at last to be shipped to all those who had pre-ordered it.

Also, we have just released another 1/100 textured flags paper sheet (=15mm); this time, one devoted to the People's Republican Army. As with former sets, sheet consists of three detailed historical flags:

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WISHLIST UPDATE

Secondly, we would like to briefly explain you a few updates made between yesterday and today, at both our Pipeline page of this blog and the Wishlist section of our main website, www.minairons.eu.

Quite shortly not to bore you: the first two models of our recently announced SCW aircraft (I-15 and CR.32 fighters) have been pushed into Pipeline; the one at 1/100th and the other at 1/144^th scale. This is aimed at reflecting our purpose of making them at both scales --more or less alongside.

As for the Wishlist, it has been increased with a few novelties suggested by users at different forums and fairs: Bréguet XIX, Nieuport-Delage NiD-52, McClean 37mm gun, Barbastro tank and GMC/Chevrolet 1.5ton truck --this latter has been pushed into the list by ourselves for strategical reasons, and must say that its design has already started! Let you also know that design of some other models else in the list is about to start, too! Otherwise, we've had no other chance than temporarily push Schneider CA-1 tank back, after having seen frustrated our expectations to have it designed in the short term.

Not all news could be that good. We expect to restore Scheneider CA-1 status in the list pretty soon. Of course, there have been some suggestions else --not all were kept in mind by me, apologies for it!

Please send (or re-send) me such suggestions, we'll do our best for fulfilling your wish!

So what's next, right now?

After the huge financial effort due for releasing up to three new models in so a short period of time around Saint George's Day (1:100 Panzer IA, 1:72 Pz.Befehlswagen IB and 1:72 T-26 tank), we should better stop for a while and breath...

...but we won't, though. As our firm slowly grows and earns a reputation of its own, we've committed ourselves to keep a pace that maybe some would judge a bit slow, but otherwise is willingly a steady one –as regular and firm as we can.

What will be first, then?

Accordingly to our previous commitments, there's no way out: it's turn for our first 1/56 scale model: the stylish (and somewhat pulp-ish) Hispano Suiza MC-36 armoured truck. Masters' first pictures to follow next week, hopefully.

And what's on the workbench right now?

Hard to answer in few words –but we'll try: our T-26 tank has already been re-scaled into 1/100 . It will be our next model in plastic, for sure.

Along with it, we've started to design a new model, to be released in resin at 1/72 scale first. Please allow us to still keep some secrecy around this new AFV id. For the moment, we can just say it will be a vehicle never before produced in any scale or material. Oh, and it will include a couple of surprise accessories –for if the model itself wasn't a surprise enough...

Oh, some other designs have also been started, naturally: who wouldn't give a chance to good old Renault FT-17, for instance? Following our philosophy of allowing several assembly options for every model, we shall include Berliet and Renault turrets in sprue, as well as the command casemate version. Also, such is the case of another model we've been often asked for: BA-6 armoured truck, of course. We're still studying design as to give the model several assembling options –that might go either around the alternative BT-2 turret some BA-6 were fitted, or to allowing it to be built as an early BA-I.

Additional 1/56 models, when?

Soon, pretty soon... Some patience is still needed. Once the above commented Hispano Suiza is released, we shall see. Apologies for that much caution, but finance is a risky business nowadays...

Any other plans?

Oh yessssssss, lots of these. Up to three new period ranges, for instance. A first design will be started soon regarding one of these. Some talking has just begun on a second one, and (last but not least) a third project is currently being pondered –what about some Lace Wars, for instance?

If not Kickstarter, then... what?

We had recently started going around the possibility of bringing into Kickstarter some of our most significant projects in the pipeline. However, when accessing to there we've had the unpleasant surprise of its use to be restricted to US and UK citizens and companies solely. As we belong to none of both countries, we have no possibility of obtaining crowdfunding through that popular site.

So what would you advise to do instead? what crowdfunding alternatives do we have available?

Our plans at respect consisted of having part of our molds' cost crowdfunded through one such portals. In exchange, contributors would be granted a Minairons' goods value equal to their invest plus shipping expenses, at their free choice regardless of the scale. Such reward might be claimed for immediately after the project was approved –or might be kept for a relatively long period of, let's say, some 1-2 years, until the models range of their preferred scale had grown enough.

Thanks to such funding system, we would be able to expand our ranges faster and accordingly with expectations created, without getting submerged into a too risky financial stress.

Your thoughts about the thing?

Wishlist migrated to Website

This short note is just to acknowledge you that the Wishlist page of this Blog has just been migrated to Minairons website, www.minairons.eu. Its new URL is now www.minairons.eu/en/content/4-what-would-you-like-to-see-next.

It still keeps the same structure formerly shown here --that is, a manually maintained webpage, with no automatic feedback yet. Hopefully, in a future it will include an interactive program allowing you to suggest new models, as well as to join to already submitted proposals under pre-order, and even to monitor the progress of every project from each own control panel.

In the meanwhile, we've got no other chance than taking a little patience and keeping this rather primitive tool in service!

Some of a Wishlist

I've just created a new page in this blog, quite significantly entitled as Wishlist. It has no other purpose than keeping a provisory register of what our customers and fans would like us to make, while awaiting the complete Wishlist Program we're planning to install in our final website, www.minairons.eu --whose development is about to conclude, thanks to the Gods of Olympus!

Please feel free to check contents of this admittedly primitive Wishlist and make the suggestions you esteem necessary. Naturally, you can also place a submission, if desired.