kb466

Today, I received my replacement parts from Model Expo for my early flawed Essex kit. I asked for everything that was updated. Looks like I got a set of all the laser cut wood parts. I assume that all the bulkheads and frame parts are improved. The window parts are clearly an improvement. No metal or cast parts. They did include an instruction book and a "template sheet". Don't know how different this instruction book is from the original till I compare the two. No new plans, except for the mentioned "template sheet". So basically what I got was a new set of laser cut parts and instruction book. This is good as it was the laser cut parts that had me worried...

Bill M.

Not having heard anything from ME in response to my email of May 6 asking for replacement parts for my Essex kit, I was getting ready to call them. I went to "my account" on their website to get my Essex kit order information so I'd have it for my call-- when, lo and behold, I see a new order consisting of "misc. parts", dated May 8th in the warehouse about to be shipped. Maybe I'm going to get my replacement parts after all!

Bill M.

Good advice. I went back to "my account" on the Model Expo website and retrieved my order information. I will call them tomorrow or Tuesday with that info. Hopefully, that will do the trick.

Bill M.

As noted, I emailed Model Expo earlier this month about getting new parts and have not received any sort of acknowledgement or response. I also noted that I had similarly emailed them in January about the new Essex parts-- again no response. I hope they keep their commitment to the earlier buyers of these kits, but I'm getting a little worried they might not.

Bill M.

Well, based on the success of others in getting correction parts for their Essex kits, I have emailed Model Expo customer service for the corrected parts for my early Essex kit. Assuming I receive them OK, I will have no excuses not to start the kit!

Bill M.

For what it's worth, I asked them for corrected plans; assuming, of course, that they have been corrected. I guess we'll see.

Bill M.

Well, based on the success of others in getting correction parts for their Essex kits, I have emailed Model Expo customer service for the corrected parts for my early Essex kit. Assuming I receive them OK, I will have no excuses not to start the kit!

Bill M.

Pheasant,

What was it that you got a month or so ago and did you contact or call Model Expo to get them to send it? Thanks.

Bill M.

Also being one of the earlier purchasers, I too am waiting to hear when the corrected replacement parts will be coming. I emailed them back in January to ask, but never received a reply. Sam had said that the instructions would be revised. I'm glad they did that at least, but I think they should send out a replacement set with the replacement parts. Yes, it is getting frustrating.

Bill M.

I assume this is the new, fully revised Essex kit? If they are shipping the corrected kits, I wonder if they will ship the corrected parts to those of us who have the flawed original kits.

Bill M.

Thanks. In addition to the quarter gallery windows, I hope that ME sees fit to provide the new bulkheads, the new instruction booklet and whatever other parts need replacing. I think there may have been some issue as to some of the castings, if I recall correctly, though the principle issue for me are the bulkheads.

Bill M.

yes, mine are in the mail today.

 

Terry

Bill M.

Great news about ME sending out the new replacement parts! ME has had a good reputation for standing behind their kits and products. It looks like the Essex kit will be no exception.

I would still like to hear about Sam and how he is doing? I communicated with him in the past about the Essex and he was always most helpful-- a great guy. I hope he is doing well.

Bill M.

No, I haven't heard back from them either. In the past, they have always been very responsive. Maybe, since the upgraded kits won't ship till February, they don't have enough parts to ship replacement parts.

Bill M.

I've 'reached out to them' on behalf of my pal who has the kit. So far no reply.

 

I've been helping him build it as he's not hugely experienced and Bob's experiences terrified him so I offered to help with the hull. Fortunately Bob's magnificent results calmed him enough to make a start and We got through the bulkhead issue eventually. But we've just discovered that the windows are literally falling to pieces due to incorrect laser cutting. Virtually all of them are unusable due to having all or most of the frames too thin or missing.

 

I have always had a positive response from ME when I've had a problem and this is the first time they've ignored me. I don't know if the fact that he bought the kit from a hobby store and not ME direct has anything to do with it.

 

So, we may be looking at a scratch built or getting windows cut by a third party if ME don't respond.

 

Did you hear back from them yet Bill.?

 

Dan.

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended!) with an earlier version of the Essex kit. I have been waiting for the corrections before starting mine. I just emailed ME to see if they were going to provide the corrected parts to those of us with the earlier kits. I noticed on their website just now that they say they will replace any defective parts free of charge on their kits-- so there is hope. One other thing that Sam told me would be corrected was the instruction booklet, as much was left out, including mention of the wales, etc.

Finally, has anyone heard from or about Sam recently? He was a real stand-up guy and I hope things are alright with him.

Bill M.

I have one of the early versions of the Kit and it really looks nice. As I recall the problems, the kit was designed for one thickness of plywood but in production, a thicker wood was used, meaning the pre-cut slots were undersized. Also I seem to remember some of the bulkheads didn't line up right. Rafine should be able to describe the issues with the kit. As I recall Sam started on fixing the issues, but apparently fell ill. My question is whether ME is going to replace the defective parts as they had earlier indicated they would for us with the earlier production kits. All in all, it will be an outstanding kit and model. I am anxious to start mine--- just waiting on those corrected parts.

Bill M.

All great news, Sam. Aside from the bulkheads, are you at liberty to say what the remaining corrections are to the Essex kit? And a masting and rigging kit will be most welcome. As good as the Essex looks as an admiralty model, it will be spectacular fully rigged!

Also exciting to hear you are working on another kit for Model Expo. I realize you probably can't say what the new kit is, but an you say if it is a redo of an existing kit or a new kit altogether?

Bill M.

Hello Sam,

Good to hear from you! Since Model Expo has chosen to stick with the admiralty style Essex only, is there any chance you could sell sets of your masting and rigging plans?.... Maybe with a recommended list of parts such as blocks and cordage available from Syren? Or even market a masting and rigging set through Syren? I have all of Portia Takakjian's materials on the Essex including the AOTS, her booklet and 3/16" plans, but I would prefer to use what you have put together.

Bill M.

Just found this build log-- I'm really looking forward to this!

Bill M.

Sam,

This is all very good news! Thank you for all your efforts! I particularly appreciate your work in designing (and reworking) a model I have always wanted. I know it has been frustrating, or worse, but I surely hope the experience doesn't discourage you from future model design work.

In view of this new work and progress on the kit, should we still assume that ME is not going to follow up with a masting and rigging set? Would it do any good to contact them about that? Thanks again for all your efforts!

Bill M.

Thanks Jaxboat. I am another one waiting on the "retooled" parts, but I thought the "retooled" parts were to be the wood parts from the initial sheets of wood parts that didn't quite fit together right (see earlier comments of Sam and Rafine). If these wood parts are redone, I'm not sure that would be reflected in a new parts list. I hope so.

Bill M.

Sam,

I sense your frustration in all this and I feel for you. That being said, I still think this is a great kit of a great ship. As is, and as Bob is handsomely demonstrating, it will build into a spectacular model. And like Bob is doing, I intend to make some modifications to the kit anyway. I'll be happy whether I get the modified parts from ME or not. I'll make it all work regardless. Same with the masting and rigging, I'll rig and mast it if I get a masting or rigging kit or not. I hope you're proud of this kit-- you should be. I still think it is a well thought out and well designed kit, and will build into a splendid model.

Bill M.

Sam,

Good to hear from you on this and thank you for all the work you have done on the Essex. Do you know if ME will provide the new corrected parts for those of us who have bought the Essex kit?

I'm sorry to read that ME does not seem inclined to offer the supplemental masting and rigging kit. Yes, I feel quite capable of doing it myself-- it just would have been nice to have the kit. Maybe you could offer the fully rigged plans and a suggested list of fittings from ME and/or Syren?... Or maybe a masting and rigging kit through Syren?-- if ME doesn't want to do it.

Anyway, thanks again for all your efforts on this kit. I still look forward to building my kit (and masting and rigging it). I know it will turn out to be a splendid representation of the frigate Essex.

Bill M.

That's good to hear! I have been waiting to start my kit till I could get those corrections.

Bill M.

Sam,

This is great news! I trust that these new bulkheads will be available from ME if they check out? Will the masting and rigging kit be next? There are a lot of us who appreciate what you and Model Expo have been doing to work out these bugs. Thanks!

Bill M.

I think Model Expo and Sam, the kit's designer are well aware of the problems with the Essex kit and are working hard on doing fixes. Sam has said he hopes to have something early next year. They are saying that they will supply customers with the new and corrected parts. Personally, I'd rather have the corrections over a refund because I really want to build an Essex and I do not want to return the kit. If no corrections are coming, which doesn't seem to be the case, I'll keep the kit and make do with what I have.

Bill M.