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USS California BB44

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  • Member since
    January 2021
USS California BB44
Posted by radartec65 on Monday, November 29, 2021 4:05 PM

I recently got a water line resin 1/350 USS California by Blue Water Navy and the info supplied with it says a hull bottom/rudder/screws andV struts is available from old MB Models.As this is quite an old kit (1992) I'd like any help available in finding the hull and other parts.Does anyone have any idea where I possibly find these parts ?

 Thanks

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Monday, November 29, 2021 5:20 PM

MB (Mike Bishop) Models begat Blue Water Navy (BWN).   Some MB Models were also released by Accurate Image (later Iron Shipwright)

BWN begat Yankee Modelworks (YMW) under Chris Decker who is now Squadron 3.0

Yankee Modelworks begat Blue Ridge Models under Brandon & Russ Lowe

Blue Ridge was the manufacturing arm of Freetime Hobbies in Blue Ridge, GA.  When Freetime GA sold out to Freetime NC Blue Ridge was not part of the total sale, but I would suggest that you contact Freetime and see if they have something in their back room.   I know that they sold off a lot of YMW branded decals & white metal items after the sale.  

The resin ship business is incestuous

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 8:12 AM

EdGrune

...Blue Ridge was the manufacturing arm of Freetime Hobbies in Blue Ridge, GA.  When Freetime GA sold out to Freetime NC... 

That's interesting, Ed!  I didn't know Freetime was sold/moved to North Carolina.  I've bought kits from Freetime but it's been a while.  That shows how little attention I paid.

I didn't know Blue Ridge was their subsidiary, either.  I have their kit of the Wolverine in my wish list.

I recommend them, generally.  I've always gotten good service from Freetime.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Mansfield, TX
Posted by EdGrune on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 9:23 AM

the Baron

 That's interesting, Ed!  I didn't know Freetime was sold/moved to North Carolina.  I've bought kits from Freetime but it's been a while.  That shows how little attention I paid.

Yes, Brandon Lowe got out of the hobby business to start a motorcycle/dirt bike business.  The Freetime name, website, stock and other assets were sold and packed up for the move.   His dad, Russ, was more of a silent partner who tended toward the railroad & die cast genres.

The Lowes bought the assets of Pacific Front Hobbies of California (from Bill Gruner - no relation) and folded it into an online and store-front hobby operation in North Georgia.   PacFront was an early importer of resin and hard to source ship kits from the Orient.  For a long time PacFront was a separate webpage under Freetime.

More incest

 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 9:57 AM

Is freetime still useable?  I have some things that I might need to get from them but now I'm not sure.

I have the Wolverine, it's a nive kit with PE but I'm not sure if I'm going to get to it.  Shame they don't make one in 350th scale. You should see the ship they used for the conversion, a great lakes cruise ship.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 11:30 AM

ikar01

Is freetime still useable?... 

If you mean, is Freetime still in business, yes, it is.  Website is still the same.  Just the physical location has moved.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 4:43 PM

Thanks, order going out tomorrow after my disability check reactivates.

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by radartec65 on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 6:19 AM

Thanks for the info. I've sent a request to Freetime .but still waiting for a reply.

 

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by radartec65 on Saturday, December 4, 2021 6:15 AM

Doesn't Freetime Hobbies answer their "contact" email ??

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Saturday, December 4, 2021 10:43 AM

Brandon was the best. He was great with customer service.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by radartec65 on Sunday, January 16, 2022 3:10 PM

Never received any answer !!!!!!!!!!

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