So what happened to rc-subs.com and their HMS Astute model

[Kazzer]

This cleaning company he owns is Spinnaker Cleaning Ltd. I went over the site this morning. It had a map of the UK with all his 'branches' shown. But when you clicked on them, no address or contact info. He had about ten staff listed, but clicking on them produced zip too.

This afternoon, the site has gone.
www.spinnakercleaning.com


but here is the web archive of it

http://web.archive.org/web/20120710180734/http://www.spinnakercleaning.com/janitorial_supplies_locations.html

Note the page links at the bottom of the page.


He signed onto this forum as jason@spinnakercleaning.com username = landers.

[Slats]

You can actually get the Royal Navy to licence a product - usually if the RN feels that its in their promotional interest to do so.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-th...ensed-products

However, that does not mean (if you achieved that specific Licence), that you could seek to stop another manufacturer from making their own version of a scale product you have made.
I got the feeling (although no way to confirm that), that this outfit wanted a monopoly in terms of the Astute in 1/72 scale. The License if it was achieved would have allowed logo use on the product but that is about it.

J

[Kazzer]

You can actually get the Royal Navy to licence a product - usually if the RN feels that its in their promotional interest to do so.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/About-th...ensed-products

The License if it was achieved would have allowed logo use on the product but that is about it.

J

Perhaps the Navy should stick to doing what it does best and leave the model making and marketing alone?
The license has no teeth in effect!

[Slats]

Perhaps the Navy should stick to doing what it does best and leave the model making and marketing alone?
The license has no teeth in effect!

Exactly. License in this situation means "logo" and mutual promotion through that logo of RN and the product - but that is it.

But who's to say that the Navy was involved at all?
Its not like this new firm had any previous modelling pedigree. They're not exactly Airfix. Anyone can start a web page, facebook page etc etc.
The grandiose claims as to what the boat can do - displays etc is highly suspect considering no photos, video or anything.

Its been entertaining.

J

[Kazzer]

But who's to say that the Navy was involved at all?
Its not like this new firm had any previous modelling pedigree. They're not exactly Airfix. Anyone can start a web page, facebook page etc etc.


Its been entertaining.

J

Their webpage cost them 2.50 pounds a month. Both spinnaker cleaning and rc-subs were done on this cheapy method, advertised as any dweeb can make a webpage. http://uk.mrsite.com/

But why? The market is minimal. If he was out to make a killing and make millions, or thousands even, I can't think of a worse subject than model submarines.

Pity the poor man has nothing else better to do.

[Slats]

We'll never know for sure, but I think we -- the Community, a world-wide group now -- may have saved some people from being ripped off. Much like Chuck did reporting early about that awful Lindberg Japanese sub kit. If you know the subject and find a problem, get the word out, as long as its the truth, no matter who it hurts. Good job, guys.

Unfortunately -looks like someone got hurt.
Note the negative feedback by the unfortunate buyer on ebay re the Astute kit they put up for auction:

http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=rc_subs&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller

The buyer's comment left re this:- "attention escroquerie ! via internet et ebaye"
which translates as "attention scam! via internet and ebay"

The buyer looks like he was from France. Perhaps our reach wasn't far enough.
I feel very bad for him. A smear of doubt perhaps against other vendors who do the right thing.

Here is the auction: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HMS-Astut...-/150978025753
One would hope if he paid by Paypal he could get his money returned. I hope that is the case.

J

[Subculture]

It seems that the model has a murky history much like the 1:1 version.

Any business transaction is a leap of faith to some extent, although the use of credit cards and/or systems like Paypal afford some protection from scammers. However we all end up paying for this one way or another.

[gingyer]

A freind was talking about a rc astute class and sent me a link it was rc subs face book page.
they now have pictures of the model.
my money is staying well and truly in my pocket!!

[Kazzer]

So where is their Facebook page?

[Slats]

I thought they took down their Facebook page.

[gingyer]

https://www.facebook.com/AstuteModels?ref=ts&fref=ts

sorry forgot to add the link different name but same part of the country.

[Slats]

That link just takes me to the generic Facebook login page. If I'm logged in already it takes me to my page. In other words I don't think that link is current or working.

[roedj]

Link works fine for me.

Dan

[Slats]

Can't get that link working but found this link that does work and it has photos!

http://www.linkedin.com/company/astute-models

There is also a thread here - is it the same guy who was trying to sell them before or just a scratch builder?
I am thinking it is the same guy as the Linkedin profile mentions the cleaning firm again.

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234941698-hms-astute-rc-model-172-scale/

There is also Youtube videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/Asutemodels

Looks very very rough.