Agora Models has just announced another new partwork for 2022: a Transformers G1 Optimus Prime! Standing at 31″ (78cm) tall, this massive model replicates the original Generation 1 (G1) leader of the Autobots from the 1984-90 cartoon series. Starting today as a pre-order product, it should start shipping in early 2023. This model will be available as a 12 or 24-month subscription.
“Agora Models is delighted to be bringing The Transformers to Big Scale Modelers worldwide. Our Optimus Prime die-cast metal model kit features lights and sounds, and is fully posable. Each model comes with a Blaster and Battle Axe and the option of a Transformers-inspired unique display stand.”
NOTE: All images here are of the prototype model. The final model may be different.
Optimus Prime is a wise and virtuous leader chosen by Primus to command the Autobots in their efforts to defeat the Decepticons. His core motivation is to bring freedom and peace to all and this compassionate and skilled leader commands the respect of all Autobots.
Specifications
Height: 31” (780 mm)
Width: 15” (380 mm)
Depth: 9” (230 mm)
Weight: Appx 24.5 lbs. (11 kg)
Materials: Mainly die-cast metal model and ABS plastic
Number of Parts: Approximately 600
Features
Blue lit eyes with five animation settings
Functioning lights across Optimus Prime’s body
Voice and effects sounds
Metallic paint
Fully posable model with articulated joints
Illuminated and removable Matrix of Leadership
Includes Blaster and Battle Axe (with lighting effects)
>> Pre-Launch Special Offer through December 31, 2022 <<
Take your Optimus Prime to the next level with the premium display base featuring the terrain as seen in many of his adventures together with an exclusive illuminated Cybertron design Transformers badge.
“On this optional display base, this awesome model stands 3 feet tall, and is made of die-cast metal resulting in an overall weight of approximately 24 lbs. The model includes an exclusive locking mechanism on the joints allowing you to fix Optimus Prime in a myriad of action poses!”
Individually numbered
Illuminated Transformers shield
Iconic Transformers terrain styling
Additional display lighting
Diameter: 22″ (570 mm)
Height: 10″ (250 mm)
Only $124.99!
Normal Premium Display price starting 2023 will be $249.99
As this post has become very long, I have reversed the order of the entries so the most recent information is at the top for quicker and easier reading.
UPDATE September 5, 2022: Today, the Eaglemoss administrators recorded a Notice of Deemed Approval of Proposals with the UK Companies House. In this document, the proposals presented by the administrators were deemed approved as of August 25, 2022.
Additionally, PCT/IXO has begun contacting ex-Eaglemoss customers in Europe with a GDPR notice. While this email does not really contain any ‘new’ information, it is further confirmation of the purchase of Eaglemoss assets by PCT and another notice that they will be reaching out to customers soon with details about resuming the partwork collections. The contents of the email are as follows:
“Dear Customers,
Privacy Notice – Asset transfer from Eaglemoss Limited
Premium and Collectibles Trading Company Limited and PCT Collectibles Trading Company Limited (affiliated companies of our and together the “Buyers“) recently purchased a series of assets from Eaglemoss Limited (“Eaglemoss“) due to Eaglemoss’ financial distress. Eaglemoss has now been placed into administration.
Included within the assets purchased by the Buyers under the asset sale detailed above, is the customer database of Eaglemoss. We note that you are currently listed on that database for the purpose of receiving information about the products and services of Eaglemoss or because you have recently purchased their goods and/or services.
We are an affiliate company of the Buyers and your personal data has been transferred to us, to enable us to continue to provide you with the details of the goods and services that were previously provided by Eaglemoss.
We will process your personal data fairly and lawfully and in accordance with the principles and requirements of the UK GDPR and the GDPR (the “Data Protection Legislation“) as they apply to your personal data.
Under the Data Protection Legislation, we are required to provide you with certain information about who we are (as the now controller of your personal data), how we will process your personal data and your rights in relation to your personal data. This information is provided in our data protection policy (which can be found at: https://www.ixocollections.com/en/content/3-data-protection-policy), and it is important that you read that information.
In the event you would like us to stop sending marketing material to you please click here. About your collections, you will receive soon dedicated email by collection with more information. Details of how to exercise your data protection rights can also be found at https://www.ixocollections.com/en/content/3-data-protection-policy).
Yours sincerely,
IXO Collections SDS – 14, Rue du Bois Guillaume – 91000 – EVRY COURCOURONNES – FRANCE – 852 934 090″
UPDATE September 2, 2022: Even though I asked people not to email PCT so they could work on their side of things uninterrupted, many people did it anyway. Now, PCT is responding to these inquiries with canned responses, such as:
“Yes, we have acquired parts of the assets of EAGLEMOSS UK and this will allow collectors to finish their model. Please wait for official notice that will soon be sent to all subscribers.”
“It is true that we did an agreement with EAGLEMOSS UK liquidators to acquire part of their assets. Since we own the tools of several projects that they distributed, our main concern was to find a way to allow collectors to finish their models.
You’ll be soon informed about the procedures to continue your subscription.”
These responses do confirm that PCT plans to reach out to subscribers at some point. As I have been talking to them for a long time, they gave me a little more information to share:
“Be sure that, in addition of our deal for European customers, we are doing all efforts to find the best solution for USA, together with other companies involved. There will be some news soon, and surely a solution, but please be patient.”
This is good to hear, they could be working with the other manufacturers like Eligor (Eleanor, ’68 Mustang) and Grani & Partners (DB5) to continue the Eaglemoss partwork models that were not built by PCT. It could also mean that they are talking to companies in the US to act as distributors, such as Agora Models. I do ask again that we just give them time to sort things out both legally and logistically. I am positive they will find a way to reach out to all existing, past, and possible future subscribers very soon!
UPDATE August 19, 2022: The Statement of Administrator’s Proposal is now available online. Some of the highlights are:
Events over the last 24 months leading to administration: “increased costs, lead times and uncertainty in the supply chain, the failure of key customers leading to bad debts and the accelerated decline of its newsagent distribution channel.”
At the end of 2021, Eaglemoss Limited was $27 million in debt, but did produce £725,000 in profit
In February 2022, Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP (A&M) was introduced by Santander UK Plc to review the cash flow forecast and business plan after Eaglemoss notified Santander of a potential upcoming funding requirement (estimated to be £4.5 million).
Also in February 2022, Eaglemoss tried to sell themselves. A&M explored options in April 2022, but no offers were received. A&M also prepared contingency plans for a potential insolvency of Eaglemoss.
An interested party did approach Eaglemoss, but these discussions were terminated on July 23, 2022.
In May 2022, with no offers for the company shares, Eaglemoss obtained another £0.4 million from Santander to fund trading while it pursued another transaction. By May 17, 2022, Eaglemoss determined it could not continue and would enter an insolvency process. It appears they could no longer afford to order new stock.
Due to increasing creditor pressures, Eaglemoss filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators on July 12, 2022
Immediately before the official appointment of administrators on August 5th, certain business and assets, being all of Eaglemoss’ editorial IP, online domains, the customer database specific to the subscription build-up business, and an IT server were sold to another party for £300,000. This sale was approved by Santander. While not mentioned in the statement, I believe this is the sale to PCT.
The ‘Dairy Diary’ and wholesale assets were sold to Heathside TradingLtd for for £200,000 including the e-shop customer database.
Each arm of Eaglemoss, such as Eaglemoss Inc (USA) and Eaglemoss Editions Russia, held their own inventory and order books
Santander provided £14.2 million in secured lending to Eaglemoss Capital Limited (parent company of Eaglemoss Limited)
This included COVID-19 support as CLBILS (Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme) of which £9m is outstanding
Santander holds a share pledge over all arms under Eaglemoss Limited, and fixed/floating charges (loans) over both Eaglemoss Limited and Eaglemoss Capital Limited
Eaglemoss Inc (USA) secured lending from JP Morgan Chase
According to their own books, Eaglemoss Limited owed a lot of money to a lot of companies including the China manufacturers, such as over £1 million to PCT, £410k to Holinail SAS, and £204k to Eligor. They were also in arrears with many of the licensors, such as CBS, BBC, and WB. The document further implies that unsecured creditors will unlikely see any dividends (this would be us, the customers) and the most likely exit route from this administration process is the dissolution of Eaglemoss.
If you go read the document yourself, most of this is summarized in the SIP 16 (Statement of Insolvency Practice) starting on page 33.
UPDATE August 19, 2022 – Part Two: I heard back from Eligor (they manufacture most of the 1:8 scale Mustang-based partworks including our Eleanor build up). They are waiting on official news regarding the next steps, but have plans to meet up with PCT soon. Eligor is keen to get going again on the Eleanor and has spoken with the licensor, who shares this optimism.
Again, the current PCT transaction covers Europe, but work is underway to serve the US customers as well. Eaglemoss owed Eligor a significant amount of money so it will take time to recover, but this is very good sign for Eleanor builders!
UPDATE August 18, 2022: Today, the Statement of Administrator’s Proposal regarding Eaglemoss Limited has been filed with the UK Government’s Companies House. The contents of this proposal should be available within 10 days and I will post the relevant information here.
I also wanted to try and clear up some confusion I have recently seen online. When Eaglemoss took down most of their websites last month, they seem to have forgotten one at https://www.eaglemoss.com/en-go/. However, this link appears to be a very old version (from roughly 2016) of the their mobile-friendly site – it should not be taken as meaning anything about the current state of the company. What is more likely is that search engines like Google finally removed the now-defunct main sites and this old one moved up to the top of the list when searching about ‘eaglemoss’.
UPDATE August 15, 2022: I had a very nice conversation with Ben Robinson this morning via Zoom. We talked about Eaglemoss and the history and possible future of our partwork models. I have shared the Zoom video, but only to the Partwork Central Facebook groups related to the Eaglemoss builds. I am by no means a professional interviewer and don’t like seeing myself on camera. Not to mention, I might have been a little star-struck to be talking to the main guy behind so many of our favorite builds so I apologize in advance.
Mr. Robinson provided some insight into behind-the-scenes about how the various partworks came to be, what he feels the future holds for them, even what might products might have been. He also mentioned that any partworks that we have seen completed in photographs (such as the ’66 Batmobile) already have their tooling finished. These models have a very high likelihood of being acquired and released by another company since much of the work and cost has already been sunk. And, it is a high priority to allow existing customers to finish their builds from wherever in the process they may be.
He also feels it will only be a few months before we see our partwork builds resurface, not six months to a year as many previously thought. The longer it takes, the more people will lose interest in them, to which I completely agree. So much of this depends on the various licensors and being able to reach out to subscribers while not violating GDPR. Above all, he asks we please continue to show our interest in building these large-scale models. Follow @BenCSRobinson on Twitter to show support and be notified what he learns anything. He has been more than willing to share what information he can.
UPDATE August 12, 2022: In one of his many recent interviews, Ben Robinson mentioned that Eaglemoss had gone into administration on August 5th. Today, the official filing by Eaglemoss Limited of Appointment of an Administrator has appeared at the UK Companies House gov.uk website. Two insolvency practitioners are listed, Adam Paxton and Paul Berkovi. Both are with Alvarez & Marshal Europe LLP. These administrators have 8 weeks to write a statement explaining what they plan to do with the company.
I have a meeting with Ben Robinson myself early next week to ask him about his experiences, the various Eaglemoss partworks, and more.
Many people, including myself, are in the dark about what will happen with the current subscribers of the partworks that PCT bought out. There is no news regarding how the current subscriptions will continue other than PCT is working on it. CBS, owners of the Star Trek licensing for example, have conveyed that the Enterprise D partwork continuation is their highest priority. Following that, the Starship Collection. I would imagine the other licensors are just as interested to see their IP not be damaged by half-built models they approved.
UPDATE Aug 10, 2022: I just heard back from PCT (directly from the founder/owner Bernard Peres) and he has confirmed their acquisition of some of the Eaglemoss build-up partwork assets. However, he said “At this moment, the transaction covers Europe, but not USA. We are still working on a solution for USA.” PCT has asked for customer patience as they will be contacting all subscribers soon (likely via email).
PCT further confirmed the transaction does include the UK. When I asked which Eaglemoss partworks they acquired, Bernard said “All of them!”. I followed up asking if this also included the Eleanor and James Bond DB5 as they are manufactured by other factories, to which PCT replied “There will be soon official information and there are a few aspects that we cannot disclose at this moment.“
I also learned from the ex-buyer from Eaglemoss that while PCT bought the IP and customer databases, they do not have the licensing agreements in place yet and will need to sort that out before they can market/sell anything.
This morning, Tricorder Transmissions on YouTube posted this video containing an audio interview with Ben Robinson in which he talks about the Eaglemoss bankruptcy. I highly recommend listening to this podcast.
UPDATE Aug 9, 2022: I have heard from a second source now saying PCT did purchase some build-up partworks from Eaglemoss. I have asked PCT directly and am awaiting a reply. In the mean time, A few more tweets from Ben Robinson giving us a bit more information:
UPDATE Aug 8, 2022: For those that didn’t know, Ben Robinson was the Project Director for the Eaglemoss Star Trek, Doctor Who, James Bond, Orville, BSG, Marvel, and DC collections. When Eaglemoss first went into administration, he was not immediately laid off like many others and could not say much. Today, he was finally let go. What that means for us is that he is now free to speak and he has been quite active on Twitter. I will update this post with any new Tweets or relevant replies as he makes them.
Ben has also replied to a few Tweets which contain additional information:
HUGE NEWS!
Only a few minutes after Ben posted his tweets, I heard back from an ex-buyer for Eaglemoss that I have been in contact with. He has just received word that PCT (Premium Collectibles & Trading) has bought out the IP (Intellectual Property), customer databases, and web domains for most of the Eaglemoss build-up collections! Remember, PCT manufactures our Back to the Future DeLorean, Ghostbusters Ecto-1, U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D, Willys Jeep, Nissan GT-R, and Mercedes 300 SL builds, among many others.
It makes a ton of sense that PCT would assume the licensing and IP for the products their factories already make. What I hope this means is that the collections will be soon be available under one of the PCT brands, such as IXO models. IXO already sells build-up models so they are familiar with creating the instructions and related material. It is worth noting that PCT likely did not obtain the Eaglemoss build-ups that they do not produce such as the Eleanor Mustang and James Bond DB5. I am hoping to see something official from PCT soon.
NOTE: My contact also mentioned that many of the non-build-up Eaglemoss product lines have been purchased by Heathside Trading. It is unknown which collections they bought, but based on their current products, it likely to include the Eaglemoss figurines, busts, among others. This company does not appear to sell direct-to-consumer, so it is possible they bought whatever stock was remaining and will wholesale it out. At this time, I do not know if their deal includes the Starship Collection subscription models.
Overall, I think this is fantastic news! I will keep everyone posted as I learn more…
UPDATE August 7, 2022: This is going to be a long one, so bear with me. I hesitated to share this information before and I ask again that people do not try and contact these companies with queries. If they could sell direct to consumers like us, they already would. They are likely not equipped to handle the warehousing, distribution, sales, marketing, CRM, and customs work needed to send packages to individual customers. Not to mention, someone still has to obtain and pay the licensing for each product – the factories build ‘Under License’ and do not hold the license themselves.
Accepting all of this, here is the data I have gathered so far related to where our partworks are manufactured. This information is based on available bills of lading and my conversations with them. Still, it may not be 100% complete so keep that in mind.
The majority of our partworks are produced by PREMIUM COLLECTIBLES & TRADING CO (PCT). PCT is the parent company of brands many of you will instantly recognize, such as: IXO Models, Premium X, IST, and J-Collection. Heck, the bottom of the BTTF DeLorean even has ‘Premium X’ stamped right on it. I have confirmed that PCT is responsible for the making these build-ups:
Back to the Future DeLorean
Ghostbusters Ecto-1
U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Willys Jeep
Nissan GT-R
Mercedes 300 SL
Porsche 917KH
1966 Batmobile– In October 2021, PCT sent 200 pieces of Issues 1-46 of a ‘Batmobile Build Up’ to Eaglemoss Inc in the US. As they never appeared in customer hands, I believe this was a QA run and to allow work to begin on the magazines. No further shipments were found.
Fast & Furious Dodge Charger
Knight Rider KITT
Iron Man Armor
Citroen 2CV
Citroen DS21
and more…
The next big manufacturer is ELIGOR. Eligor is based in France, but their Chinese factory EHK is responsible for these kits:
Eleanor Mustang
Mustang GT500
Mustang Super Snake
Mustang GT
Shelby Cobra
VW Samba Van
Star Wars X-Wing
Mitsubishi A6M Zero
Leopard 2A6 Tank
and more…
A third big manufacturer in China is GRANI & PARTNERS. They are responsible for producing the following builds:
James Bond Aston Martin DB5
Ferrari 312 T4
FDNY Tower Ladder 9
Harley Davidson Fat Boy
and more…
A number of other China manufacturers created other smaller collections and gifts:
PROLINK INDUSTRIAL CO LTD – Created the Starships Collection ships as well as the Enterprise D build-up Shuttle Sets
HOLINAIL S A – Also created the Starships Collection ships, XL ships, and Shuttle Sets. Used to manufacture the Mallard train build up.
XIAMEN FREEDE INDUSTRIAL CO LTD – Created many of the promotional products, such as: the Nissan GT-R Keychain, Eleanor Mug and Speedometer Clock, Titanic Pocket Watch, Pin Badges, Tool Kits, and Hats.
NINGBO ARISTE INTERNATIONAL CO LTD – Created the Eaglemoss Display Bases, Crystal Cases, Solar System, and Screw Boxes
ORB GROUP – Created the various Eaglemoss Pin Badge Sets – Willys Jeep/Ecto-1/Enterprise D/Eleanor
DONGGUAN CITY JINGLI CAN CO LTD – Created the metal license plates for the DeLorean and Ecto-1. Probably the Eleanor as well.
POINTEAST LTD – Manufactured various figurines/busts, scale models, and polyresin plaques (like the ST bridge dedication plaques)
Strangely enough, I have yet to see any court filings regarding Eaglemoss’ administration proceedings, even so much as the official appointment of administrators. Regardless, I have been able to talk with a few different Eaglemoss people (including Ben Robinson). While there is much they either can’t say or don’t know, I feel that Eaglemoss/Hero Collector/Die-Cast Club as we know it will never return.
The good news is, more so than any of the other products Eaglemoss sold, the subscription build-up models were likely a relatively consistent income stream – they just never seemed to have the product to sell. Therefore, I believe some of the Eaglemoss partwork build-ups will be acquired by other companies. Most of these big Chinese factories already do business with the other big partwork companies including Agora Models, DeAgostini/Fanhome/Altaya, and Hachette, so I would not be surprised to see them involved in some way. There is even word that Round2 Models in the US might be interested as well. Round2 are already license holders to some of the biggest brands out there, so this possible option might have some real weight to it.
As of right now, I truly feel there are multiple companies looking to purchase and assume the licensing/production of various Eaglemoss product lines. Not only would these ‘buyers’ be able to acquire new customers, but it would probably also allow existing subscription customers to finish our builds. Of course, these new companies would need to obtain the licensing all over again and that takes time.
Whomever it may be, they would surely help restore confidence in the idea of a long-term model building commitment that Eaglemoss has inevitably tarnished. We all just need to be patient and wait to see what happens…
UPDATE July 28, 2022: I have tracked down the other manufacturers in China that make many of our other partwork models. This includes the James Bond Aston Martin DB5, Eleanor Mustang, Mustang Super Snake, Shelby Cobra, Mustang GT, Shelby GT500, FDNY Tower Ladder 9, Leopard Tank, Mitsubishi A6M Zero, Ferrari 312 T4, Star Wars X-Wing, VW Samba Van, and even the ’66 Batmobile. I have reached out these manufacturers to see what they plan to do with the builds affected by the recent changes at Eaglemoss. I will let you know…
UPDATE July 24, 2022: Someone who claims to be an ex-Eaglemoss employee made a post on a Reddit /r/startrek/ thread regarding their last days with the company. This was an anonymous post from a brand new account, so take this information as possibly inaccurate or false:
“Not sure if someone will see this but I have worked for Eaglemoss for the last 5 years. It has been great for the first few years BUT the past year has been a total shit storm. Most employees care a lot and have been raising the ongoing issues for ages, from improving shipment issues to quality to communication. We have always been told to pipe down. Some of us worked until late nights/ 3 am time crazy hours at times, trying to troubleshoot during the pandemic until administration. So many people quit even before the announcement came out. We are so burnt out and we were so heartbroken when they told us …that’s it. They made the deal with Hachette to buy out and that looked like the best option for customers and staff at that time, but something changed within a few days and it didn’t go through. Not sure which party got greedy.
We are all blindsided. We all lost our jobs but what hurts more for me is I really liked the people and products I worked on. We are not getting paid, and they told us appointing administrations is taking longer than expected. They told us to stop working and not communicate anything at 5:30 pm UK time last week. All the partnerships, influencers, social media, agencies etc. NOT A WORD AS THE NEWS WILL BE OUT SOON.
The stakeholders/directors who made so many bad decisions can’t even take ownership of the mistakes they blame it on the pandemic, Brexit and “other factors out of our control”. There were so many things that could/would have been done or managed better but who knows now.
We can’t even move on because we have to wait for administrators to tell us if we even get some redundancy money. In the background, all the remaining stock has been sold off to private companies basically whoever wants it what’s left of it. The real heartbreak is there is no official statement out for customers, employers, or anything like that so we will never get closure, the place we worked through sleepless nights, tears and mental exhaustion. It hit me like a tsunami when I was interviewing for a company this week and they ask a very simple question ” You have been working in such a passionate industry and fun industry, what has motivated you and what makes you keep on going” I couldn’t answer. I am such a confident and optimistic person (so I have been told and I am there was my team cheering them on saying it will be fine) BUT I couldn’t answer a simple question. I told the interviewer; I am sorry I can’t do this, and I hung up and sobbed. That job could have been the next step I needed but felt like someone trying to find a way out in the middle of Tatooine. All the staff feel so bad for the collectors because just like the employees you won’t get closure.”
UPDATE July 22, 2022: The main eaglemoss.com website and most of its subdomains (en-us, en-gb, en-au, es-es, pl-pl, fr-fr, de-de, etc.) are now offline displaying a 404 Not Found error. Interestingly enough, shop.eaglemoss.com is still displaying a maintenance notice. I had a feeling this might happen. Having the sites up continuing to promote anything could be misleading. The domain is still registered and the DNS entries still exist, the content has just been removed.
Additionally, Eaglemoss created a LinkedIn post saying the ‘news’ is travelling fast, thanks their staff, and attached a screenshot of some of their customer reviews:
This post resulted in many comments from upset customers. Later in the day, someone at Eaglemoss responded to many of these posts with the same answer – “Hi everyone, official communication will be coming soon for consumers, as we are working hard to find solutions.”:
About an hour later, the original post and all responses were apparently deleted.
UPDATE July 20, 2022: I have confirmed that Eaglemoss is definitely in administration and most of the staff have been laid off. The US Customer Service phone number is now disconnected.
On a side note, I have also been doing my best to chase down the logistics chain used by not just by Eaglemoss, but all of the major partwork companies. It has not been easy, but I have finally found the company in China that actually manufactures our 1:8 Ghostbusters Ecto-1 model. This same company also makes the partworks U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D, Back to the Future DeLorean, Willys Jeep, F&F Dodge Charger, Knight Rider KITT, Nissan GT-R, and Mercedes 300 SL.
I opened a line of email communication with them and they have been very upfront and honest with me so far. I got to the point of asking them ‘what now?’ and I feel it is important to share their response:
“Be sure that, following the Eaglemoss problem, we are doing all efforts to find solution in order the collectors can finish their model. It may takes a few weeks but we are confident to find solutions with the help of licensors and alternative distributors.”
I am reluctant to share the company name as I do not want them inundated with queries. They are just a diecast manufacturer doing their job and have little to no other information regarding the happenings at Eaglemoss.
As I learn more about the inner workings behind partworks, I feel all of this could be sorted out soon. Not next week, but soon!
July 12, 2022: In the last few days, there have been very disturbing things happening regarding Eaglemoss Collections and their brands Hero Collector and Die-Cast Club. They stopped taking new orders on their US and UK websites. Their eShop in the US is down. The Customer Service and Die Cast Club Facebook pages have disappeared. The Customer Service phone lines and emails in the US and UK are no longer answering.
I tried to find out anything I could from my contacts at Eaglemoss. I then tried to connect to other staff at Eaglemoss via LinkedIn. None of them responded. Then, today, an insolvency trustee from InfolinkGazette posted this to LinkedIn:
This is not good. It means Eaglemoss Limited in the UK (the partner company of Eaglemoss Inc. in the US) has basically declared bankruptcy. It is worth noting that there is a distinction between ‘administration’ vs ‘liquidation’:
“In simple terms, liquidation brings about the end of a company by selling – or liquidating – its assets before dissolving it entirely. Administration on the other hand, is typically utilised when there is a chance of saving a business which is currently experiencing high levels of financial or operational distress.” – Thomson Reuters
This is similar to the difference between a Chapter 11 and a Chapter 7/13 bankruptcy in the US. This ‘administration’ means that a trustee will attempt to resolve the debts of the company via reorganization and try to save the company. I really hope this is the case.
Based on public filings with the UK Companies House, Eaglemoss Limited and its parent company Eaglemoss Capital both appeared to be struggling financially and were saddled with millions in debt. They appear to have received a loan from Santander in April 2022, but now it seems they might have simply run out of money and needed creditor protection. And, if they owed money to the manufacturing companies in China, that may explain why it has been so hard for them (and us) to receive any parts lately.
What this means for my own Eaglemoss builds is that they are effectively put on hold until further notice. This includes the following models:
There is always a possibility that Eaglemoss comes out of ‘administration’ a stronger company or becomes a entirely new company. Another partwork company could also buy all or parts of the Eaglemoss assets, licensing/IP rights, or manufacturing and finish the builds we have already begun. Many builders, like myself, have sunk a huge amount of money into these builds and we all truly want to finish them. Otherwise, we have some very expensive paperweights.
Regardless to what happens, my heart goes out to the entire partwork community, from my fellow customers to any affected Eaglemoss staff and the various partwork modding companies.
As I learn any new information, I will share it here if I can. Stay tuned…
As this post has become very long, I have reversed the order of the entries so the most recent information is at the top for quicker and easier reading.
I have been enjoying my Agora Models builds so much lately that I have decided to take on their new 1:8 scale Lamborghini Miura P400 S partwork model. The groundwork has already been laid for another awesome build site over at https://mymiurabuild.com. Check it out!
Fanhome has been selling a 1:8 scale Knight Industries Two Thousand (K.I.T.T.) partwork model build up over in the UK and Europe for over a year now, but it was not available in the United States. I always found that ironic as the car is from the late 80s American television show Knight Rider.
Well, it has recently come to my attention that this K.I.T.T. partwork is now available for order in the USA! Fanhome is even awarding this free T-shirt to the first 100 subscribers!
“For the first time ever, you can build one of the most famous cars in TV history. K.I.T.T. was more than just a car. He was a computer, a weapon, a friend, and a bit of a comedian.”
“Your fully accurate 1:8 scale replica has all of the special features that you remember from the show. With the included remote control watch, you can play the part of Michael Knight and control all of K.I.T.T.’s powers, including working lights, the famous red scanner and even his voice.”
Specifications
Scale: 1:8
Length: Approximately 23.6″ (60 cm)
Weight: 16.53 lbs. (7.5 kg)
Materials: This die-cast metal model includes electronics and ABS parts
110 Stages to complete
Features
Wristwatch Remote Control
Highly Detailed Interior with Illuminated Dashboard
Opening Doors, Hood, and Trunk
Working Headlights, Tail Lights, and Interior Lights
Functioning Steering System
KITT Turbine Engine
Rotating License Plate
Hinged T-Top Roof Panels
The US-based subscription will also include four FREE GIFTS: A Power Bank, License Plate, Posters, a 1:43 KITT, and a Display Case:
I do not have any plans to build this partwork, but if I ever change my mind there will surely be a build site for it!
Agora Models has announced another new partwork model coming in 2022: the iconic Lamborghini Miura P400 S in 1:8 scale! Immediately available for pre-order, this build is a faithful replica of what was widely considered to be the first ‘mid-engine 2-seater supercar’. This appears to be the same model already available from Hachette Partworks in Germany, but now includes the Agora Promise and wider distribution.
“When the Lamborghini Miura was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966, experts and visitors alike were enthusiastic. The sports car revolutionized the automotive world with the sleek body shapes created by the Bertone design studio and the transversely mounted V12 mid-engine. With a top speed of 280 km/h, the Miura was one of the fastest cars of its time.
The vehicle was faithfully reproduced in detail from the historical model and based on 3D drawings with the highest precision on a scale of 1:8. The result is a unique standing model that faithfully reproduces all the details of the Italian super sports car. From the roaring V12 engine to the distinctive air vents on the door and the illuminated interior. Look forward to many hours of model building fun!”
Length: 21.6” (55 cm)
Width: 8.6″ (22 cm)
Height: 5.5” (14 cm)
Materials: This die-cast metal model includes electronics and ABS parts
100 Issues to complete
Features
SOUND AND LIGHT EFFECTS – Engine ignition, horn, front and rear lights, brake lights, dashboard and interior lighting
MAXIMUM REALISM – Driver’s seat with attention to the smallest detail and dashboard with controls
ENGINE AND MECHANICS – Accurately reproduced powerful Lamborghini V12
STEERING WHEELS – With Campagnolo rims and rubber tires
OPENING DOORS – With built-in air intake functions
I recently had the opportunity to see the original ILM six-foot-model practical shooting model of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California. I took a ton of pictures of her and wanted to share them with my visitors!
Out of nowhere, Agora Models has announced a new model: Steve McQueen’s iconic Le Mans Porsche 917KH race car in 1:8 scale! Immediately available for pre-order, this partwork build is a faithful replica of the car from the classic film. This appears to be the same model available from IXO Collections in France, but includes the Agora Promise and wider distribution.
“The Porsche 917 is a racing legend – the most powerful and fastest Porsche race car to date with an air-cooled twelve-cylinder engine whose power in 1970 was an imposing 580 hp at 8,300 rpm. With an impressive racing record, the 917 is responsible for turning the German brand into a force that dominated the endurance racing scene from the early 1970s until the mid-1990s. In Gulf Oil’s famous sky-blue and orange livery, this is arguably the most iconic 917 of all time.”
Length: 21 1/8” (536mm)
Width: 10″ (254mm)
Height: 4 1/2” (115mm)
Materials: This die-cast metal model includes electronics and ABS parts
Number of parts: Approximately 600
Features
Faithfully reproduced 12-cylinder V 180 engine
Butterfly doors open to display the cockpit
Working steering wheel turns the wheels
Active suspension
Fully operating headlights, rear and interior lights
Firestone racing tires
All parts come ready-painted – no painting required
Eaglemoss/Die-Cast Club have quietly released a new subscription partwork to build up a 1968 Ford Mustang GT!
This 1:8 scale model may look familiar to car nuts like myself – this is the same model and Highland Green color of the Mustang that Frank Bullitt (played by Steve McQueen) drove through the streets of San Francisco in the one of, if not the greatest, car chase scene ever filmed. The 1968 film, Bullitt, is considered an classic car movie!
“There is no cooler car from the 1960s than the Ford Mustang, the original “pony car” that combined power, performance, and understated style like nothing before or since. And now, for the first time at 1:8 scale, you can build your own Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, the model that was later transformed into the legendary car involved in the greatest Hollywood car chase of all time in Bullitt.
Your superb 1:8 scale model is made from high-quality die-cast metal, along with other precision-engineered components in ABS plastic and rubber. Functioning parts include working front and rear lights, opening doors, hood, and trunk, wind-down windows, and rotating (steering) front wheels. It’s a stunning reproduction of a factory-specification 1968 Mustang GT Fastback, but what takes this sublime replica to another level is an optional customization kit that converts an already-cool Mustang into a genuinely iconic car.”
Details
Available in March 2022
Length: 23.4″ (59.4 cm)
Width: 9.1″ (23.1 cm)
Height: 6.8″ (17.3 cm)
Weight: 18.3 Lbs. (8.3 Kg)
Die-cast body and chassis with other metal and plastic parts
Detailed 390cu V8 engine
Working doors, hood, and trunk
Working steering system
Working side windows
Working headlights/taillights
Stop lights operated by the brake pedal
Authentic fold-down rear seat
Four Free Gifts
Completed in 110 Issues
10 extra Issues at the end of the build to convert the stock Mustang GT into the famous Bullitt movie car, which includes:
Customizable license plates
Four American Racing Torq Thrust-style wheels
Black three-spoke steering wheel with Shelby GT500 logo
Agora Models is at it again – their latest large-scale model available for pre-order is the infamous RMS Titanic in 1:200 scale! I have been hoping that one of the partwork companies would eventually release a big Titanic and here we are. This is the same model that Hachette Partworks is releasing later this month in the UK. However, Agora Models ships worldwide so I will be able to build this here in the US. I am beyond excited, and that means another build site is coming soon! Look for this Titanic to be available from Agora in May of next year (2022).
The Model
“From the makers of the extraordinary Bismarck, a new masterpiece of model shipbuilding, rich in the most realistic details, the most famous ocean liner of all time – RMS TITANIC.
Designed according to the original construction plans at 1:200 scale, this is an unprecedented model constructed with a die-cast metal hull, wooden deck, and with tiny details from the deck fittings to the hull coverings and mechanical parts at a level of perfection and realism that capture the euphoria and optimism of that moment when the liner set out.
All components are already painted in historically accurate detail and colors, making this Titanic model enjoyable for modelers new to the craft, and experts ready for a new challenge.”
“As it prepared to embark on its maiden voyage, RMS Titanic was one of the most opulent ships in the world, designed for comfort rather than speed. Its immense hull was the largest movable manmade object at that time, having a gross registered tonnage of 46,328 tons.
Having inspired countless stories, articles, films and scientific research, and capturing the worlds imagination, we feel honored to bring such an accurate and detailed scale model of this most famous, British luxury passenger liner. Created following the original plans designed by shipbuilders Harland and Wolff, this 1:200 scale model features refined metal details and photo-etched brass railings along the decks and brilliant attention to detail in every part of the ship from the wooden decks to the technical accessories, resulting in a masterpiece in naval modeling.
All components are already painted in historically accurate detail and colors, making the Titanic model enjoyable for modelers new to the craft, and experts ready for a new challenge.”
Each of the 140 issues of this partwork will include a magazine detailing the story of the Titanic from the ship itself to life on board. The Agora Models subscription plan consists of 24 shipments, each one about six weeks apart. The initial shipment includes the first four issues, then the following shipments each contains six issues.
Specifications
Scale: 1:200 Materials: Die-cast Metal Hull, Wood Deck with Brass accessories, photo-etched metal details, and ABS plastic Length: 52.75″ (134cm) Width: 6″ (15.5cm) Height: 8.75″ (22.5cm) Number of parts: approximately 1,800
This model is supplied pre-painted.
Features
Metal Hull, wooden deck
Smoke effects from funnel
Working internal and external lights
Electronic rotating propellers
Removable sections
Replica of functioning engine
Remote control unit based on the original design of the engine room telegraph on the Titanic
If you opt for the premium subscription at an additional charge, you will also receive this nice display case:
And finally, there will be three FREE GIFTS that Agora will send out as the build progresses: a Titanic-styled pocket watch, tool kit, and a replica Titanic tin plate:
Head on over to the Agora Models Titanic page for more information. I have already got my name on the list for this build!
My collection of large-scale partwork model build sites
