Thanks guys - yeah, working on a pair D-cup Jugs for Hajo...
They're up and down projects - and I'm using a slightly different philosophy on them as well...
When you typically slap a model together, you open the instructions and start at Step 1...blah blah....
With these, I'm striving to create the ultimate Thunderbolts, so I'm building each component of the aircraft like it was the entire model - as a result, the engines are wired, instrument panels are wired, firewall is there, hydraulic lines, etc... and each completed, painted component will be assembled in the final steps. It takes a lot longer, but I'm liking the results, especially the functional seatbelts...lol
Wolf, you're 100% correct. However, its a double-edged sword. If I charge $1000 a plane, no one will buy them, especially when they can go out and buy a die-cast model for $150.00. Sure, you can't compare the two in terms of quality, but nevertheless, I've had clients complain that they can do just that. So, I usually tell them to have fun with their diecast toys.
The economy is playing a huge role as well. Granted, there are hard-core collectors of my work, but within the last year or so, I'm not seeing the rabid response I used to get when I posted something as available.
Plus - when I build a $500 model, you're getting a well-built, but basic, model. You want a pair of ultimate D-Jugs its gonna cost you big time. That being said, you've got something that most of my customers insure in the 7-10K range.