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[Tinman]

Who else has a rare Diplomat and would like to post photos for comparison. Or, who has good base photos of a rare Diplomat that isn't being questioned?

[nearlymint]

Who else has a rare Diplomat and would like to post photos for comparison. Or, who has good base photos of a rare Diplomat that isn't being questioned?

There is one pictured on the very first page of this thread.

[Tinman]

Who else has a rare Diplomat and would like to post photos for comparison. Or, who has good base photos of a rare Diplomat that isn't being questioned?

There is one pictured on the very first page of this thread.

That Alan Wank web site photo is not very good and when one looks closely, it seems to have some of the same pinholes.

[Tinman]

I've enlarged Alan Wank's photo, To be fair, it has been taken at an angle and not straight on. It's not the resolution we really need. I do see a few tiny specks which could be pinholes in the area of the lettering. This base is also dirty and that makes it even more difficult to use as a control. Most interesting is that the rivet is really butchered up and seems to be hand set and yet looks really well painted for something hand set.

If it is a hand set rivet, does this make the model a prototype or could this also be a very well done fake?

[nearlymint]

I cannot see any holes at all just a bit dirty. Yes the base rivet is rough on this model.

[Tinman]

I cannot see any holes at all just a bit dirty. Yes the base rivet is rough on this model.

Not only is the rivet rough but the plastic is chewed up around the rivet. I don't think this model can be used as a "control" until it has been properly authenticated. So far, I'm not liking what I am seeing. I mean it could be authentic and then again it may not be. One thing is for sure, a model that has already been vetted needs to be the control model for comparison use.

I am not saying Alan's model is or isn't genuine, just that it's not suitable as a control model (especially due to the limited photos available and complete chaos going on at the base rivet).

[Tinman]

There is one way to be certain, submit the model for a paint test. We know Stil's model won't pass (for that matter none of Nik Stil's models will pass a paint test).

[nearlymint]

I Know the one in question wont pass either.

[Tinman]

I Know the one in question wont pass either.

Which one in question, the Thompson model or the Wank model or both?

[Tinman]

I tend to think the model Alan Wank is selling is a Prototype. Take a look at the casting (in his other photos). It's obvious that low pressure was used to cast the metal parts. The hood edges failed to properly form, the roof line around the front and rear windscreen failed to properly form. Why there is so much paint on an hand set rivet, I cannot explain (perhaps chisel marks would show up in a better more close up photo, then maybe not).

Were the models which were distributed all prototypes? Or, was there a pre-production batch made up, boxed and distributed? Where these models only distributed in early gift sets (like the 8 wheel crane in the same or similar color)?