Many who haunt this site need no introduction to Gerald Rutman and his line of resin and multi-media products. His line's focus on "Large Scale Planes" makes him a perfect fit here and he's long been a staple of this community. However, if an introduction was needed it would have to be done to pictures...

Here's "JR"'s beautiful 1/32 Fw190A fuselage from his full resin kit.

JR's "Dora" wing set in 1/32.

1/32 P-51 B fuselage.

Some of the parts from the P-47 Thunderbolt kit in 1/32

Rutman's work is superb. He manages to mix fine detail, correct shape, and compelling subjects into sets and kits that are irresistable to a large scale fan. For a view of his full line, check out the JRutman Product Website.

We caught up with Rutman recently and got him out of the resin dust long enough to jabber a bit on his work, what the future holds, and...a Buffalo?

Large Scale Planes: Thanks for taking the time out to talk with us JR. You are considered by many to be the savior of the old Revell and Hasegawa 1/32 WWII aircraft collection. Can you tell us how you got started with resin replacement parts and detail sets?

Gerald Rutman: I started out by doing some modest detail sets for my buddy John Rucks of Combat Models. It was a mutually supporting type of operation and it was meant to replace the work that Marine Air Products was doing after the death of it's owner. I was not into doing airplane models at that time. I had always done armour and figure pieces and dioramas. I saw the huge gap that was unfilled by the plastic model companies in 1/32 and decided it could use some new stuff and I, at the same time, needed money to supplement my military disability pay(we all know that the military gets paid SOOO well) so I launched into items that were separate from Combat Models stuff. Much to my surprise people seemed to like the stuff!

LSP: Some of your full kits seem to "borrow" a lot from the older molds. Do you use the old kits as templates or a starting canvas for your full kits?

JR: It depends on how close to the original blueprints the kit was. My P-47 only needed some changes to the shape of the tail and cowling area but the BF109K had to done from scratch because the old Revell kit was very off in all aspects of shape and contour.

LSP: Can you give us an idea of what's involved in taking a subject from concept to resin?

JR: The key is always research. I need all of the plans and drawings that I can get to make sure that I start with the right shape and size. Then I like to use good photos of the subject to add the details. When everything is done I make sure that it all fits!! Then the molds are done

LSP: Your correction and update sets for the older kits literally triple the choices that large scale aircraft modelers have, and in that light you have helped revive this scale. The injection companies are clearly starting to catch the wave here, do you think you will be turning some of your focus to supporting these newer kits, or will you stay focused on the older stuff?

JR: I stay away from the new kits because the bigger companies jump all over them. Have you seen how much has been released for the 109? I am a one man op and don't have as much time to devote as these companies have because they have people that do nothing but build masters. I build the masters but also have to build the molds, do the casting,mailing,advertising,phone work,e-mail work and at the end of the day sweep out the place! I also have a lower output so may be a little more expensive. These are the reasons I don't try to compete with those other resin guys. I have been kind of wiped out by all of the new releases and announcements of future releases in 1/32 but am trying to get a lot of new stuff done. Hence my poll on LSP a few weeks ago.

LSP: From just a peek at your web page and online catalogue it's clear you have a focus on WWII fighters in 1/32, yet there are no items for Japanese or British aircraft. How do you choose your subjects and why no focus on these two countries?

JR: Simple economics. The German stuff is the best selling,hands down, followed by American stuff. There are still a lot of untouched subjects in 1/32 for just those 2 country's aircraft .

LSP: Your Thunderbolt and Fw190 kits have a pretty long line, and just about every variant can be made of these two aircraft. Do you have plans to do this type of treatment to any other full kits in your line? Like the P-51 or Bf109?

JR: Hasegawa has taken charge of the 109 series so that's out for me! I am getting the same feeling about the P-51 as well. Hasegawa has announced the FW190D-9 so the rest of that line is sure to follow. Panda has mentioned the P-47 and my good buddies Trumpeter have listed the P-38,P-40 and other things as well. So I must go more esoteric.

LSP: Do you have plans to produce any more full kits?

JR: I'm working on a Buffalo series now and a SBD-3

LSP: A Buffalo eh? Mark me down for one of those right now! Nowthen, your offerings in 1/24 are limited to the Airfix Fw190 A-5 kit. Are there plans to expand support for 1/24 scale with other sets or items for other kits?

JR: I'm waiting to see what my buddies at Trumpeter will bring out.

LSP: Aren't we all! Now for the mystery quiz...If you had unlimited time and energy, what would your product line look like 2-3 years from now? What (if any) subjects are you dying to do?

JR: Of course I see an expanded line with all new stuff but I hesitate to give my long range plans because of opsec concerns! LOL I may have been born at night but it wasn't LAST night!

LSP: Ok, I can't resist! What would it take to get you to build a 1/24 Thunderbolt!?

JR: I'd love to do a big 'Bolt. The question is: would it sell? I mean enough to justify the expense of building the masters and all of that RTV for the molds!

LSP: Well that depends on how many you needed to sell...I'd need a few for sure! JR, thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. I hope you know how much your work is appreciated by 1/32 fans all over the world, keep up the great work!

JR: Thanks for asking! I am always happy to talk models and like to get feedback on the stuff I make. As you can see from my adhoc poll on the site I try to be responsive to the guys wishes. You wanted Me262 stuff and I saw it on the poll and got right on it. I now offer everything for that bird except the fuselage and tail. I may even experiment and do a Japanese cockpit and see how it sells. Who knows! I do have an Oscar sitting here.

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