(03/09/03) Roy Philpot of Panther Productions has given us a sneak peek of his new Skyraider full resin kit which we have been hearing about. Roy had some former Skyraider pilots and plane captains check the kit out for accuracy and they could only find a few minor items to correct which Roy did showing his firm commitment to release a kit that is as accurate as possible. Roy will have more detailed and ordering information up on the Panther Productions web site very soon, he just wanted to give our readers a sneak peek, thanks much Roy!! Stay tuned for more information.

(03/15/03) Roy Philpot sent in the following information on his Skyraider:

After a very long gestation period it is my pleasure to show you the prototype 1/32 scale A1H Skyraider model. The reasons for the delay have been many and varied, but the main cause has been the rectification of some very serious design flaws, which after many months of deliberation were finally agreed some eighteen months ago. Such were the problems, that this amounted to virtually creating a brand new model. Coupled together with a customer base of people that wanted to build a large scale Skyraider, who had indeed never built a model let alone a resin kit, you can see that the challenges to create something that was easy and enjoyable to build for all levels and capabilities was quite daunting.

However, after consulting with a great many people, both modelers and "novices", we hope that the compromise that the new design has brought will bring satisfaction for all who venture into constructing this kit. Consisting of up to 150 parts the kit has been designed to be as trouble free as a resin kit can be, with the need for casting block removal down to a minimum it should be one of the most straightforward projects any modeler of resin kits could find. The model is bagged in "sections" and comes complete with everything required for that part of the build up.

You will not have to sort through "acres" of mixed metal parts either, as they will all be placed with the relevant sections for ease of reference. You will still need to "fit and shape" some parts as the casting processes that we use can't guarantee 100% flash free parts all of the time. The Panther website now carries a Resin Kit Builder Guide page for novices, which we hope people will find useful and if any further information is required we will be only to happy to answer any e-mails regarding their questions. The price for this kit is currently 99.50 Strg. plus post and handling. Prices will be held until the end of 2003 when price revisions will be conducted.

Looking forward to the end of 2003,the AD4 (Korean Warrior) Skyraider kit should be available together with the first of our Weapons Sets. Looking into the end of 2004 we are targeting ourselves with bringing you the AD5/W and A1E models which if our e-mails are anything to go by, you are all very much looking forward to as well. I would again like to take this opportunity of thanking you all for your support throughout this undertaking, which has been unshakeable and appreciative.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank three very special people, whom without their very kind assistance and encouragement this kit would be less than it is.

We gratefully acknowledge:
Larry Martin (AD5 Pilot)
John Eckberg (AD5W Aircrew/Plane Captain)
"Robbie" E. Roberts (Mechanic)
Thank you Guys!

Happy (Resin) Modeling!!
Roy Philpot (Panther Productions)