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[PW569]

Hi folks,

I just did a search here regarding METCALF MOULDINGS. The last topics regarding Dave Metcalf date back to 2007.

Is the company still up and running?

There used to be MANY Navy ship hulls...but the latest version of the web site only shows small craft.

Have the masters for the other ships been passed on to others? Or were they "lost"?

Cheers!

[chipchase]

Hi Metcalf Mouldings are still in business, they concentrate mostly on kits know however they sold most of the masters for their hulls to Models by Design.   

[Netleyned]

Try Andy Griggs at Models By Design
Or why not tell us what you are looking for.

 Ned

[tony23]

I see Dave most Wednesdays at my club into his other hobby Gauge1 live steam locomotives.

[PW569]

@ Dear All,

thank you very much for the quick answers. My regards to Dave if you meet him again down at the club Tony.
I got a fine Dutch Frigate hull from him in, ehh, 1985 ? That came along with a MARBETH DESIGNS Plan in 1/96.

Well, yes, Ned, I got in touch with Andy and Debbie of MbD and got two more hulls from the same Master, however, this time
with an other Plan for the ship, also by MARBETH, but in 1/100 for some reason. Andy does not have the 96 version he told me in 2011.
Recent e-mails either bounced (sent to Debbie) or have not been answered by MbD...but he may be busy. The 1/100 he supplied with the two hull I got in 2011 was rather bashed up / torn in the mail...grrrrrrr!!!

Basically, I am after the 96 version of the plan as well as a clean copy of the 1/100. As MARBETH / Bill Dikinson "disappeard", see my other post, I thought I may get hold of the plan if I got in touch with Metcalf...Also, it might be the case that there was a 1/72 version, which was marketet via Model Boat Plans Service, GB-Hertfordshire HP2 7ST Hemel Hempstead, now defunct I think. If it is true that their business was taken over by Marine Modelling International, Traplet, It is unfortunate that this plan is not offered through their web store.

The plan I am after is for the Dutch Standaard Fregat (S-Fregat) ((Frigate!)) of the KORTENAER class of the 1980s.

So, Tony, if you could ask Dave about that, I would be thrilled (if he remembers, that is!)

Otherwise, any info / guidance concerning the above would be highly appriciated should anyone know!

Cheers!

Lars

[tony23]

Will do Lars, you could always call him yourself he still is very much in business selling his boats and you will get much to know from him personally.
 http://business.virgin.net/metcalf.mouldings/catalogue.htm
 

[martno1fan]

Ive emailed Metcalf mouldings twice regarding buying two kits totalling £700 + and no reply  his sales email doesnt even work  also doesnt seem to accept online payments only over the phone 

[barriew]

[size=78%]Basically, I am after the 96 version of the plan as well as a clean copy of the 1/100. As MARBETH / Bill Dikinson "disappeard", see my other post, I thought I may get hold of the plan if I got in touch with Metcalf...Also, it might be the case that there was a 1/72 version, which was marketet via Model Boat Plans Service, GB-Hertfordshire HP2 7ST Hemel Hempstead, now defunct I think. If it is true that their business was taken over by Marine Modelling International, Traplet, It is unfortunate that this plan is not offered through their web store.[/size]

The plan I am after is for the Dutch Standaard Fregat (S-Fregat) ((Frigate!)) of the KORTENAER class of the 1980s.

Model Boats plans are now available from http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/ - Traplet are the other mag publisher!! Don't know if they still have the one you are looking for, quite a few have gone missing through the various ownership changes.


Barrie

[PW569]

Uuuups!

Barrie, I actually meant hobby store and not treplet! Mixed them up!
But, no, they do not have the plans listed!

Thanks for the head up anyway!

Cheers!

[ixion]

his sales email doesnt even work 

This email works [email protected]

[Neil]

Ive emailed Metcalf mouldings twice regarding buying two kits totalling £700 + and no reply  his sales email doesnt even work  also doesnt seem to accept online payments only over the phone 

Well try phoning him then if email doesn't  work......what ever happened to the personal contact in life.....number is 01920 438686........but not on a tuesday morning......he goes to his moulders that day.......best time to catch him is just before or just after lunch time..........and please.........don't knock people until all avenues are exhausted.............you wouldn't like it if the shoe was on the other foot with your business.
   
neil.

[tony23]

He's at his loco club every Wednesday till about 1pm aswell 

[martno1fan]

This email works [email protected]

That email works but i sent 2 emails and no reply after 3-4 days  .
Mart

[Rottweiler]

I'm not sure if Dave has actually come to terms with "modern technology" as yet,but as Neil said,a simple phone call will usually do it!
If you dont get him first time,try again,as he IS out posting his fine products to his many satisfied customers,or attending shows at which he sells his wares.
IF you get to know him,Dave is a great chap,jovial and obliging.I have had no problems with him since I learnt how to use a phone,and again  ringing him in normal working hours.
Mick F

[mikearace]

Try phoning him.  I phoned him just before xmas about his Castle Class Corvette 1/48th Hull and he gave some great guidance.  I had no problems ordering over the phone, he sent me an email to say it was ready, didnt take the money from my debit card until he had despatched it and it arrived very timely and safely.   A pleasurable experience all round for me.

[PW569]

Dear honourable members of this fine board,

I have the odd feeling that my thread got somehow hijacked, well, sidetracked!

All I can say is, that 27 years ago, when I ordered the hull, there was no fax machine, no e-mail, no internet!
I was soooooo lucky to have some spare money when I was on a school exchange to the Midlands to pick up a model magazine advertising the hull.

I was a foreigner and my Englisch was so embarrassing that I didn't dare to speak to people.

BUT I WANTED THAT HULL!!!!!!!!!!!

After saving up, I wrote a LETTER! Mail took about 3 or more days back then to Britain (provided no snow at Heathrow or no strike of some sort!) AND I HAD PATIENCE! And I did get an answer...that took another 10 days...and it took even more time to sort out the methof of payment...I could pay the postman...and guess what! that dream of a Hull arrived in a huge package and I paid the Postman (which cost me some extra fees!) I unpacked it...and it was damaged despite very carefull packing! Another letter...with the request to send a new hull, with a little stronger lamination! The damaged hull was returend to sender. The hulls must have crossed, as the replacement arrived much quicker than the initially ordered one.

THAT IS WHAT I CALL SERVICE!

Times have changed...patience is getting scarce!

I waited days for a letter and was happy when it arrived. And now we complain about e-mail not being answered timely!

Come on!

Maybe I am an old fart, but when I browse a web shop, I hate putting stuff in the basket! Usually I  try to phone and speak to people about their products and sort out the order, or make an enquiry DESPITE the web shop and write an e-mail and in 9 out of 10 cases I do get nearly instant feedback!

I always thought modelling involves patience. And, when sitting in the workshop alone for hours, it feels good to talk to people.

I am not a moderator and thus it is not my call. But I started this thread and my queries have been answered to my full satisfaction. (Well, I have a club colleague of Dave who might talk to him, I have his e-mail and I have his phone number and even was advised about the best time to get hold of him! I still have no answer to my plan issues though, but I am confident that the answer is just a phone call away).

Therefore, would it be fair if I would ask the memebers to not argue over customer service and e-mail etiquette under this thread anymore?

I get a funny feeling otherwise!

Thank you all so far!

Cheers,
Lars

[Neil]

I do apologise Lars......I shall say no more, other than good luck with your build and enjoy it.
 
neil.

[martno1fan]

I'm not sure if Dave has actually come to terms with "modern technology" as yet,but as Neil said,a simple phone call will usually do it!
If you dont get him first time,try again,as he IS out posting his fine products to his many satisfied customers,or attending shows at which he sells his wares.
IF you get to know him,Dave is a great chap,jovial and obliging.I have had no problems with him since I learnt how to use a phone,and again  ringing him in normal working hours.
Mick F

Thanks for that Mick im sure he is a decent chap wasnt trying to make out he wasnt ,i was thinking as the original poster was that he may no longer be in business.Thing is im busy and sometimes its just not easy to find the time to pick up the phone and explain everything i need,also i prefer to see everything written down in black and white so i and they know where we stand that way theres no missunderstanding etc.
Mart

[tigertiger]

***Topic tidied up***