This is the product that finally made me realise UK 4mm D&E RTR isn't going anywhere in a hurry, Bachmann's Deltic that arrived in the shops yesterday. It has numerous silly errors, both dimensional and detail, but as this isn't supposed to be a review I'll just mention a few of the stand-outs. The real attention grabber is the grossly distorted nose and window area, so obviously wrong that everyone I've spoken too has spotted it instantly. True, a good number of these went on to try and convince themselves the problem didn't exist (positively painful to watch!) but the fact that even people who didn't want to see it saw it is highly significant.
The other issue worth focussing on is Bachmann's new policy of painting detail lines on, as seen in the photo above. This is exceptionally shoddy and combined with the complete lack of lighting on this model, yet again, smacks of profit maximisation over quality at any cost. My opinion of this loco is so low that I've cancelled all orders for future Bachmann releases, although I will continue to buy both Heljan and Hornby to see how things are developing.
A sure sign that the Deltic is aimed firmly at the trainset market are the toy-like roof fans. The prototype does not look like this in the slightest. If you're going to model details such as this then the mesh needs to be much finer and the bars need to lie flat - any hole in the roof is not a good hole in the roof. This is Christmas cracker novelty standard - US and European products were more realistic 20 years ago.
An increasingly common bit of spin-doctoring in the hobby these days is to try and underplay a product's failings by comparing it with a hopelessly antiquated wreck from 25 years ago. Already being wheeled out in this instance is the lamentable Lima Deltic, a model infamously inaccurate with it's curious mix of HO and OO dimensions. Yes, the newer Bachmann offering is better in many areas, but so what? I'm comparing it to the prototype rather than some disaster from the past that I never thought was worth buying in the first place.
So where does this release fit into the market? For me it seems to be pitched squarely in the direction of the trainset and collector sectors, with little or no concessions being made for the more knowledgable enthusiast. No attempt has been made to get the basic shape right or capture the look of a real Deltic. No attention to detail is evident, in fact the printed panel lines are pretty much a slap in the face to all but the most indiscriminate buyer. This is a very basic model, yet typically sells at around the £50 mark. For about the same money I can buy a P2K GP30 diesel that's quite exquisite - is it any wonder I'm going back to US modelling?
A basic technique for comparing profiles is as follows, not 100% accurate but good enough to give you a strong pointer as to where problems lie. You need a prototype image and model one taken from a similar angle. Next you need to get rid of the background in the model shot and resize it to about the same size as the real photo. Here's one I prepared earlier (I've always wanted to say that.)
Next load both into Photoshop, inverse-select the outline of the model using the magic wand tool and copy it. Switch to the real photo and paste the model in and you can move it around using your mouse whilst making rough comparisons of shapes and angles. As the model will be on a seperate layer you can choose 'Layer/Layer Style' from the pull-down menus and alter Blending Options/Opacity so you can see through to the image underneath - I tend to work with a figure of around 60% myself.
Try it yourself - although the perspective of the two photos isn't a perfect match you should still be able to tell that the slope of the Bachmann Deltic's nose is miles out. Sit back and watch people trying to convince you it's correct, secure in the knowledge that they're talking complete and utter b*ll*cks...