Hi Guys. I got it on Friday. However before everyone asks, and I sincerely Apologise, MY WIFE TOOK THE DIGITAL CAMERA! SHE WENT AWAY WITH THE KIDS TO CELEBRATE MY BROTHER IN LAWS BIRTHDAY. SHE WILL NOT BE HOME FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS!!!! Again sorry for not being able to post pics at this time. Ok, This thing came in a huge box. Came via USPS. Had to sign for it. On opening I found the J2 HULLS. They are thermoformed In a Thick Black Plastic. YES THE HULLS LINE UP PERFECTLY! Next, there is another box containing The parts. They are neatly placed in seperate plastic bags, with a description of what part it is,eg, Landing legs are all in one bag. I also descovered two plastic rings. One is smaller in dia than the other. They are a little bigger than the Dia of the ship. I have no idea what there for, NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE KIT. However there is a letter saying the instructions will be up on Sci Fi Metropolis web page in Seven Days. The reason for the delay is because of the Idiot who sent them a virus. It screwed up their system. The interior is that of the original Miniature. It contains the control console, Two flight couches and the three computers. With just the hulls together the kit appears to be dead on accurate. I will have to wait for the directions to figure out what everything is for, But it looks as though you have to supply your own Brass tubing for the legs and clear plastic for the viewport

Can't wait to see some pictures. As far as supplying the brass tubing and viewport plastice I think that should have been included for what you paid for the kit.

i agree ! maybe they forgot to include them in the box, however, looking at the website pictures i don;t see any tubes for the legs !

how is the viewport framing piece ? it looks a little rough in sfm's website. does it need cleaning up ? i want to order 3 of these but before i put out major $$$$ i want to be sure i will not experience a " lunar models" parts quality problem I want and expect to get what i pay for

I guess I have the same question... do you have to cut out the view ports like on the LM kits?

how is the viewport framing piece ? it looks a little rough in sfm's website. does it need cleaning up ? i want to order 3 of these but before i put out major $$$$ i want to be sure i will not experience a " lunar models" parts quality problem I want and expect to get what i pay forHey Bert.The viewport frame is molded into the upper hull. It is not the seperate piece that comes with the Lunar Kit. It also ommits the raised detail that the Lunar Viewport has.You have to score the plastic to get out the solid plastic windows. Same with the landing gear openings, upper bubble. So in that respect it is similar to Lunar's Kit. I have done so much on my kit thus far.I REALLY WISH I HAD MY CAMERA!!!!!! I have been trying to figure out how to assemble this kit as I wait for the directions go up on line. I have built enough of these things to figure out at least 90%. Still trying to figure out what the two rings are for. My guess is that they are support the upper and lower hull. Each ring has three holes that match up. The only thing is the rings are bigger than the ship by possible 1/4 of an inch. Possibly have to trim it down? However the smartest thing to do is to wait for the directions to come up on their site.

I guess I have the same question... do you have to cut out the view ports like on the LM kits? YES YOU DO.

how is the viewport framing piece ? it looks a little rough in sfm's website. does it need cleaning up ? i want to order 3 of these but before i put out major $$$$ i want to be sure i will not experience a " lunar models" parts quality problem I want and expect to get what i pay forBert I know it's none of my business but THREE OF THEM???

Bert I know it's none of my business but THREE OF THEM???
maybe how difficult do you think cutting out the viewport and legs will be ? does it look like it will need a power tool like a dremel ? also, how solid are the hulls and other pieces, any flimsey, weak parts ?

i thought sfm said the legs and other parts were laser cut.i think the pictures they are showing on their web site show the landing legs with the holes on the sides already cut out

Sure! 3 of 'em!!

Landing gear down, SPFX interior.

Gear up, SPFX interior,

Gear down full interior,

or SPFX interior and POD?

Good thing he ain't "Hard Core" LOL

yep the picture shows the landing legs with the holes laser cut out already, beatlepaul, your landing gear holes need to be cut out ??/

maybe how difficult do you think cutting out the viewport and legs will be ? does it look like it will need a power tool like a dremel ? also, how solid are the hulls and other pieces, any flimsey, weak parts ? I have already cut out the viewport and landing gear wells and the whole for the bubble. I used an #11 exacto blade for all the cuts. You have to repeatly score the area. IT DOES TAKE TIME. I suppose a dremel on Low speed could do it. Any how after scoring them, the parts snap out with a very clean break. The hulls are very strong.

yep the picture shows the landing legs with the holes laser cut out already, beatlepaul, your landing gear holes need to be cut out ??/No they do not need to be cut out. However the pieces have The inside of the holes. Hard to explain. The pieces inside the legs can be snapped off, With little clean up.Also in my prior post I said you need to cut out the landing gear holes. I was refering to the LOWER HULLS LANDING GEAR BAY.

oh i see, i thought the leg side holes had to be cut out . i see the rings on the hulls in sfm's pictures, they must be for lining up the 2 hulls ? how do the 2 hulls fit without the rings ?

oh i see, i thought the leg side holes had to be cut out . i see the rings on the hulls in sfm's pictures, they must be for lining up the 2 hulls ? how do the 2 hulls fit without the rings ?It lines up perfectly without the rings. I WISH I HAD THE DAMN INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

can't believe they sent the kit without instructions, what are they thinking !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well here's the question folks:

1. Should I sell my Lunar Models 2 foot job that I heavily modified with working landing gear, actual light bulbs in the fusion core (they spin - not a chaser) and has the similar effect of spinning "folded circle of chrome" in the bubble and a removable SPFX style cockpit?

2. How much should I ask for such a special item?

3. Do you think the SFM version could be similarly modified?

4. do you think that "IF" I order one I'll get it?

Well here's the question folks:

1. Should I sell my Lunar Models 2 foot job that I heavily modified with working landing gear, actual light bulbs in the fusion core (they spin - not a chaser) and has the similar effect of spinning "folded circle of chrome" in the bubble and a removable SPFX style cockpit?

2. How much should I ask for such a special item?

3. Do you think the SFM version could be similarly modified?

4. do you think that "IF" I order one I'll get it?

1. Yes - Time to move up!
2. EBAY! As much as you can get!
3. Don't see why not - you are not limited in your craft!
4. Such a cynic!

--Henry

HENRY!!! :eek:

My God, where ya BEEN?!!? How the HELL are ya???

'Frets

HENRY!!! :eek:

My God, where ya BEEN?!!? How the HELL are ya???

'Frets
yeah, where have you been ????? glad to see you back ! oh hey, FRETS, email me so i can get your e mail addy again, got a brand new computer and lost a lot of e mail folders in the changeover, hows the sim program doing? this new P.C. should be able to do what the old w/98 couldn't, this is w/XP

HENRY!!! :eek:

My God, where ya BEEN?!!? How the HELL are ya???

'Frets

Don, Bert, I've been around (lurking). I kind of stayed away from the forums for a bit because of the constant police action and deleted threads, posts, etc. It got boring. And, I got kind of busy at work. But, I'll be moving my office about 2 miles across town, so I'm sure business will be slow for the first few months while folks can't find me! So, I'm thinkin' about picking up the sandpaper and paint again. This new J2 kind of has me excited as well, but I'm leary (like most folks appear to be - Think Icons!) Hell, I never even finished my Gemini 12 projects!

I see, however, that I've been gone long enough for people to swipe my custom avatar, though! Maybe I can sell the prototype to someone and make some quick cash!!!!

But, I'm alive and well and can be reached at my email tristate@md.net among other email addresses!

Glad to see you guys still around -- and Don -- good luck with the J2 figures if you make some more! They were real beaut's!!!

Bert -- hows the new place?

--Henry

hi henry the new place is great just about got the jupiter 2 done just a few more minor details, i am taking pictures of it and also my completed INVADERS ufo

AND STILL NO PICTURES!!!! You guys are JUST yanking my chain, right??? LOL

AND STILL NO PICTURES!!!! You guys are JUST yanking my chain, right??? LOL

Yep... (sniff) ... still no pics... :(

i have been driving an 18 wheeler from Reno to L.A. and overnighting there just in time to come home, sleep and go back out again .i am 98% done with my J2 but it is still under a towel staying dust free on my table waiting for me to finish it 70 + hours a week driving and i am flippin' beat and just walk past it as i am stumbling by it looking for sleep

and..........STILL..................no pictures. BeatlePaul Either.

it really MUST BE vaperware! LOL

I guess you can't never git no pichers of flyin' saucers anyhow!

Glad to hear SOMEONE finally got their J2 - keep hearing from SciFiM that they've been shipping - but I have only heard of two actually being received thus far.

I talked to Norm on the phone about 10 days ago - he mentioned the instructions would not be included with the kits - their exclussion from your packaging is not a mistake - they will be available online via the website , though he did not mention the reasoning being they got hit by a computer virus for that decision - maybe ... but that really doesn't make sense to me - I'd think maybe to cut down on printing costs or something ... just my thoughts though.

Henry - you finished ur Gemini XII ?? Cool!

I went by your model sites a few weeks back - didn't see any updates - been wondering about you out there.

Stick some pix up on ur site - would love to see how it all ended up.:thumbsup:

Gee .... kinda feels like "old times" around here. lol

Mike
Jupiter-2
http://jup2.com

Glad to hear SOMEONE finally got their J2 - keep hearing from SciFiM that they've been shipping - but I have only heard of two actually being received thus far.

Henry - you finished ur Gemini XII ?? Cool! I went by your model sites a few weeks back - didn't see any updates - been wondering about you out there.

Gee .... kinda feels like "old times" around here. lol


Mike --

Well, I think you mis-read above! I never finished the G12. I'm getting ready to move my business, though, and will doubtless have time to do some more modeling while I wait for my customers to try to find me again! I've been reading about LED's, and I think I'm going to start playing with them - that should motivate me as well.

I'm still waiting to hear about others that get their J2 from sci-fi before I splurge and make a purchase....

And, yeah, it's like old home week, ain't it? At least no more censored posts!

--Henry

So Henry, WHEN IS the big moooooove day? I'm sure you'll find all sorts of stuff you thought was long gone when you pack up all yer stuff. I hope the new place will be as luxurious as the old place was....... LOL

Jeez!!! 20 days into JULY, and STILL NO PHOTOS!

DID YOU GUYS ACTUALLY GET THOSE KITS???

July 20th...................

Just think:
in 1969, July 20th, these two dudes were just about to put on big bulky space suits and step onto the moon surface.

So Henry, WHEN IS the big moooooove day? I'm sure you'll find all sorts of stuff you thought was long gone when you pack up all yer stuff. I hope the new place will be as luxurious as the old place was....... LOL

Well, I have to make renovations first... I can start doing stuff on 8/15. I'm hoping to be moved in by the third week of September, or at the latest, the end of September, to be "open" at the new address.

I'm sure I will find stuff, and NO, it is not going to be as nice as the old place --- modeling stuff will have to be stashed in the basement! : (

I'm wondering if anyone here really has this J2 as well! I can't believe there are still no pictures either!

--Henry

Here's a picture :



http://jupiter2.freeyellow.com/TempStuff/072205.jpg




In one week it will be 4 MONTHS since I ordered their kit (with a 2-4 week delivery promised)...

What kills me though is their info (or lack of) on customer order information. Supposedly shipped weeks ago - yet no tracking number is available. (& the only way I know it shipped weeks ago is because they told me over the phone it was going out the next Tuesday)

Anyone contemplating - I'd recommended waiting until they are on a store shelf somewhere, skip the manufacturer.

Henry - sorry , I did mis-read your earlier post on your models - guess in all the excitement my eyes played trix on me. :freak: lol


Mike

As long as those guys approach the manufacture of the kits like a hobby,
it will be a hobby.

They sure don't have a lot of planning and so-forth with their "Company".

They seem to lack the desire to put the customer base at ease,
provide a well thought out kit(WITH INSTRUCTIONS) instead of the poorly set up web site instructions-with virus problems,
and slow delivery and lack of tracking info.

OVER THE PHONE??? No Email? Sad.

Lunar Models is (GASP!) better than that!

I'll be amazed if they produce 50 of them before they are unavailable.

What really kills me, is after all the hype about their J2 kit's accuracy, I go look at the pictures and they totally fudged the front viewport! On the two foot miniature there's almost no "window ledge" and it includes the closable blast doors. Yet their model has a huge front ledge and no sign of anything resembling the blast doors.

Lame.

Actually it would be lame if it were an actual kit....but after following this thread's glacial pace for the last six months I'm starting to wonder if they've even cast more than a couple of these things.

Icons....Unobtainium...SciFi Met? Sure starting to look that way.

As long as those guys approach the manufacture of the kits like a hobby,
it will be a hobby.


That's so true. I doubt if these guys are crooked but, like so many before them, their lack of professionalism will be their undoing.

The lack of instructions is unbelievable. I used to edit a newlsetter for a local organization (they paid me a couple of hundred bucks to do it). It was about 8 pages long and was published every two months. I had to provide 500 copies of each newsletter. As I completed each page on the computer, I printed out a hard copy. So, when each newsletter was finished, I not only had the digital files but a complete newsletter in hard copy. This way, even if my computer crashed, I could have the master hard copy photocopied and I could still meet my commitment.

Sci-fi Metropolis doesn't have a SINGLE copy of the instructions which they can reproduce for the customers? Are you kidding me?

They didn't include brass tube for the landing gear? Huh? Sure you can buy it...if you are modifying a $10.00 kit. But, for a few hundred dollars, you should get everything except glue and paint.

This is all very amateur and it's the kind of thing that can kill a business. These guys may be decent, honest, committed vendors. But the Lost in Space collector market is small and word spreads quickly. Once word spreads that kits are shipping minus parts and there are inexplicable delivery delays, cash flow will dry up in a heartbeat.

In one week it will be 4 MONTHS since I ordered their kit (with a 2-4 week delivery promised)...

What kills me though is their info (or lack of) on customer order information. Supposedly shipped weeks ago - yet no tracking number is available. (& the only way I know it shipped weeks ago is because they told me over the phone it was going out the next Tuesday)

Anyone contemplating - I'd recommended waiting until they are on a store shelf somewhere, skip the manufacturer.

Henry - sorry , I did mis-read your earlier post on your models - guess in all the excitement my eyes played trix on me. :freak: lol


Mike

Mike --

What a shame.... Me, I've been waiting to see what happened... still no pictures here of the kit either!

Have they actually charged your credit card? I just can't believe this -- they could sell a LOT of them, and it's a pity. What concerned me, though, was that they initially said something (if memory serves) to the effect that they would NOT be vacuformed hulls... and it looks like they are! But who can say for sure? As no one has posted any pictures of a kit in hand....!!!!

--Henry

Lunar Models is (GASP!) better than that!

I'll be amazed if they produce 50 of them before they are unavailable.


Mark:

I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with you...

--Henry

The lack of instructions is unbelievable. I used to edit a newlsetter for a local organization (they paid me a couple of hundred bucks to do it). It was about 8 pages long and was published every two months. I had to provide 500 copies of each newsletter. As I completed each page on the computer, I printed out a hard copy. So, when each newsletter was finished, I not only had the digital files but a complete newsletter in hard copy. This way, even if my computer crashed, I could have the master hard copy photocopied and I could still meet my commitment.

Sci-fi Metropolis doesn't have a SINGLE copy of the instructions which they can reproduce for the constomers? Are you kidding me?

They didn't include brass tube for the landing gear? Huh? Sure you can buy it...if you are modifying a $10.00 kit. But, for a few hundred dollars, you should get everything except glue and paint.


Brent:

I can't believe this about the instructions, either... I mean, it is NOT a complicated model! How hard would it be just to snap a few pics, write a few lines of text, and post the "instructions" on their website?

And that bit about the brass tubes... man, that is SO tacky! Who wants to pay $2.00 for some tubing that should have been included, and then pay an ADDITIONAL $6.00 for shipping / handling, and sit around and WAIT some more!

It is looking pretty sad .... Needless to say, I'm not reaching for my wallet any time soon!

what is going on with them ???? the time it took to make the laser cut parts and they do look hi quality (viewport frame ??) hey beatlePaul, you have yours what more can you tell us ??? I have put together a few Jupiter 2's myself so i would know what should go where, on the other hand, it all depends on how the parts are cast to get the best fit and this one may have different parts that have to be fit differently, HEY MIKE, is there any way you can contact Norman, i know he has been in some kind of contact with you at times. NORMAN, do you read this board and follow the posts ? if so PLEASE comment !

hey mike what happened to your web site ????? do you have another link for it ?
Bert

Mike --

What a shame.... Me, I've been waiting to see what happened... still no pictures here of the kit either!

Have they actually charged your credit card? I just can't believe this -- they could sell a LOT of them, and it's a pity. What concerned me, though, was that they initially said something (if memory serves) to the effect that they would NOT be vacuformed hulls... and it looks like they are! But who can say for sure? As no one has posted any pictures of a kit in hand....!!!!

--Henry

Hi Henry,

They billed my credit card last month - so that's how I knew to call them and check out what was up. I wasn't really griping about the 4 months - because I knew they wouldn't bill until it shipped (or was about to ship) so I wasn't checking the mailbox everyday - lol . I griped more about their lack of tracking number etc... and as described earlier , a lack of professsionalism - especially with all the baggage a "Lost In Space Replica" company carries. You would think they would at least learn from the others short comings and have an open line of communications especially regarding orders.

Anyways .. So, I was billed in June and July is almost over now - that'd be their 4 week window.

I also notice that those instructions still are not on their website (unless I missed 'em somewhere) either... :confused:

Mike

Hi Henry,

Anyways .. So, I was billed in June and July is almost over now - that'd be their 4 week window.

I also notice that those instructions still are not on their website (unless I missed 'em somewhere) either... :confused:

Mike

I checked the site... no instructions that I can see either. Is it me, or is this thing REALLY starting to smell BAAAAAD?????

--Henry

can we get a post from all who've ordered it and HAVE NOT GOT IT YET, just to see the magnitude?

Maybe they only made 20 and sold 'em all and are awaiting
"Skippy's Vacuform service" next delivery or something.

First time posting and I ordered one and got an email that they charged my card the end of June or the begining of July.

can we get a post from all who've ordered it and HAVE NOT GOT IT YET, just to see the magnitude?

Maybe they only made 20 and sold 'em all and are awaiting
"Skippy's Vacuform service" next delivery or something.


Mark, you have been, and always will be, a sh**-stirrer!!!!

But, this is nice to be able to discuss the issue. We would have had this thread shut down back in the old days! Or edited!!!!! Or DELETED!!!!!

But... worse... what if they took the money for fifty or so of them, and can't fill the orders!!! Hell, they can't even print or even post the f**king instuctions! Who are we kidding here??? And, I think they are charging an additional $45.00 for the shipping??? What did Looner charge? I thought it was like $20.00 if memory serves....

I wonder about why there are no pictures... I mean, only Beatlepaul has apparently received one! No one else has one yet? Maybe Beatlepaul has a broken computer -- I have not seen him post since I sent him a polite email asking him to pick a different avatar than the one I made for myself...

No one has one of these that also has a camera? It's VERY fishy!

--Henry

Mark, you have been, and always will be, a sh**-stirrer!!!!

But, this is nice to be able to discuss the issue. We would have had this thread shut down back in the old days! Or edited!!!!! Or DELETED!!!!!

But... worse... what if they took the money for fifty or so of them, and can't fill the orders!!! Hell, they can't even print or even post the f**king instuctions! Who are we kidding here??? And, I think they are charging an additional $45.00 for the shipping??? What did Looner charge? I thought it was like $20.00 if memory serves....

I wonder about why there are no pictures... I mean, only Beatlepaul has apparently received one! No one else has one yet? Maybe Beatlepaul has a broken computer -- I have not seen him post since I sent him a polite email asking him to pick a different avatar than the one I made for myself...

No one has one of these that also has a camera? It's VERY fishy!

--Henry
i will write beatlepaul and ask him if he has heard anything
bert

Thanks for the input TJC :)

The main hold-up I believe was the lasercutting which is outsourced.

I know a guy named "Larry", received his a couple weeks ago now - so I know of two deliveries.

I'm glad Larry finally got his because he originally sent in a money order back in March - so that was cash out of the pocket right away - as opposed to a credit card billed upon shipment.

I've also been following along with a gent in New York who ordered one too back in March. Last checked in with him 3 weeks ago and he hadn't gotten it yet - though he was charged on the cc in June too. I'd think he would have told me if he received yet - but I just sent off an email to him to check.

I don't think Scifimet is another ICONS or anything - I think they'll get you what you ordered, sooner or later. It's just so damn depressing that they don't do a better job of it. I mean the little stuff like answering emails - posting status updates (more regularly on their website) and have a much more userfriendly ordering system.

I really just wish the thing would get here - so I can put an end to this already. I might even just end up selling it once I get it.

Oh , the shipping charge was a shock to them too - it wasn't what they were expecting , I think that's why he has a guy come and pick up all the orders going out each Tuesday or Wednesday ... I forget exactly what he said about that , sorry ... :rolleyes:

I'll let you know what I hear from NY .

I don't think Scifimet is another ICONS or anything - I think they'll get you what you ordered, sooner or later. It's just so damn depressing that they don't do a better job of it. I mean the little stuff like answering emails - posting status updates (more regularly on their website) and have a much more userfriendly ordering system.


You know, I used to see the same kind of post, word for word, when I was waiting for my Icons Jupiter 2. Gotta remember your history, now Icons is modelling short-hand for rip-off, but at one time Icons was "a bunch of good guys, real disorganized but who made a beautiful product, but were too busy or technically inept to update their site, or answer emails. But you will get what you pay for sooner or later"

sound a little familiar?

Brent's right about the instructions, either it's vaporware or they attended the Moe Howard Business School.Either way.......I'd be proactively seeking my model or a refund. They can charge your credit card after they fix their computer, production, or both.

I have one on order too and my last check of the order shows "in-progress, paid-in-full".