Geezuz that was quick! I thought we'd still have the Castrol decal decorated unit available locally until HHQs stocks were exhausted, and even then didn;t consider it'd be a problem in Australia and that we'd possibly get existing stocks decorated in that scheme diverted from the factory which were't acceptable in the U.S. Market.

The problem with the scheme was allegedly due to a demand from either Castrol (primary sponsor of the real one) or [link=http://www.mikegoulian.com/html/michael_goulian.html]this guy[/link], althugh that's admittedly hearsay. Can't see it being an issue over even them not wanting it on the model per se, as all exposure is advertising, rather one about wanting money from WM for the right to use it. In a way I suppose that's reasonable as it does make the model a lot more desirable and attractive = sales no argument, but as long as what's being asked for is reasonable and in proportion. However Chinese business practice has never been big on paying royalties where they can dodge them. I suspect that's why World Model's previous very attractive Breitling scheme quietly disappeared as well to be replace by the Castrol one.. Notice that neither Black Horse or Phoenix use the Breitling name on their Sukhoi Su-31's or CAP? For what Kyosho charge or used to charge for their kits, I don't think paying the royalty would have presented an issue although in the final analysis, purchasers were actually the ones paying it. I'd love to know how much it was.

Anyway, thanks for the shout. I was putting it off for a couple of weeks as I picked up an oppo buy on the other model I wanted only last week, but I'm heading out to buy one first thing in the morning hoping the colour scheme inside still matches the Castrol one outside on the box. I'll b sure 2 give it the Mk I Eyeball check before I buy.