"Are these guys still to be trusted? (AFAD/HAD)" Topic

Looks like AFAD (All Fronts Armor Depot) changed their name to HAD, but seem to be offering a few decent modern vehicles you can't find elsewhere – link

There was a recent thread asking about modern ruski vehicles and this link popped up. The general consensu was "a leopard doesn`t change its spots" or that was the way I read it

Hmmm, given their history, I think that "HAD" is not a good choice for a new name…accurate maybe, but not good.

"I've been HAD!".

Oh, and to answer the question, I haven't heard anything…but agree with Lowtardog.

- Jim

No. There are numerous threads on TMP regarding the duplication of other companies products.

Well, I know all the bad press that HAD has received recently, but I saw a few of their newer ultra modern vehicles at a Convention Recently and found that I really wanted some of them. In particular were the 4x4 and 6x6 Cougars and Strykers that I wanted for my American forces for playing some modern Iraq games. The dealer with the models told me they were from from Hobby Armor Depot and that I should contact Joe at the email address provided on the website and discuss with him what I wanted. Since then, I have had great communication with Joe at HAD and received one shipment of vehicles and placed another that should be here on Monday. Now, I will point out a few caveats that need to be addressed.

1.) The details on the vehicles are a little soft and it is clear that places where undercuts appear have been filled, sometimes not real well, so the over all vehicle is rather rough.
2.) The resin casting is also no where near perfect with a lot of bubbles and places where thinsg are not formed just right.
3.) Many folks have said that the models are recasts of other's work. I can't really speak to that since the vehicles I ordered are not available in 1/48 scale from any other manufacturers that I am aware of and thus, HAD is the only place i could get what I wanted.
4.) While I have stated that the models are far from Armorcast or Forgeworld quality, they still look very good from the average game distance and make perfect playthings for wargamers looking to represent a specific vehicle and not trying to win a model building or diorama contest. For the price and availability of some very rare items, I find this hard to beat. If you are looking for perfect (or anywhere near perfect) vehicle models, go visit Imprint, TAG or any of the Diecast model companies. If you just need a wargame piece, you might give HAD a try.

If you have questions, try emailing Joe at HAD and ask him directly. Not going to hurt to send a message, especially considering that is exactly what I did after being directed to go that route by a friendly vendor.

I am actually working on painting my Strykers and Cougars today, and hope to have them ready for action by the end of the week.

Best of Luck,

Jeff

I have no personal experience of them and no axe to grind, but typing "Armor Depot" in the topic search brings up a whole bundle of joy. Obviously we're all big boys and can make our own minds up, but there's no way you'd catch me sending them a cheque…. That said, *some* of their models do appear to be entirely new sculpts (eg. the Cougar, which I don't know of anyone making) and I might in heory be tempted by them, but given the high level of praise (sorry, sarcasm) many people have poured on their quality, integrity and general practices, I'd only remotely consider buying in person if I saw them at a con – not a cat in hell's chance I'd take a chance on mail order from them.

Dom.

My thoughts exactly, Dom!

Okay – I bought an M1A1 Abrams tank from them a few months ago and it took 2 months to get it – I had to send the guy about half a dozen e-mails – and he kept getting the order wrong and at 1st he said he was one man business but each time I e-mailed him asking for my tank he would e-mail back saying he was a different guy – he would claim it was in the mail, but it wasn't and then say the last guy who said it was in the mail was on vacation – then he say something like "I'll sent you that Bradley right away!" – when as stated above I wanted an Abrams – by the way – the tank is nice (after I finally got it) – but my wife has said to me – "If you buy anything else from that guy I will divorce you" – I've been married a long time and don't want that – so I don't buy from this guy and recommend staying away -

I bought a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff from them a couple years ago and although I admit they were not the fastest in shipping my order. I did get everything I ordered and was quite pleased with it. The quality of the castings is fair but then the price they charge is relatively low so that wasn't a surprise. However once the castings are put together and painted, they are just fine for the gaming table.

At your own risk, I was bitten and won't try that again.

As stated before, everyone has to take their own chances, but so far I am satisfied. I just got my second order with another Cougar and several other vehicles. A few of the casts are almost perfect this time with few if any bubbles, so I was very pleased. I have been burned like many of you, so I understand the sentiments, especially since a certain mail order company that everyone here loves to hate was right in my backyard (yes, I had issues with them like everyone else, but lived close enough to get my issues resolved). I still suggest that if you are interested, try emailing Joe about what you want and see if its in stock and when it would ship if ordered. I don't have any stake in the game, I just thought I would provide some honest feedback on my personal experience, but it sounds like yours may very. I do plan on an additional order for some Russian stuff that I need in the near future, so maybe I am tempting fate, but so far the rolls have been good.

Jeff

I too just recently received my MRAP's both the 4x4 and the 6x6. I thought they were pretty good as well. Clean? No not anywhere near that, but once painted and weathered will look very nice on the game table.

Also got some armored cars and some WWII Tank Destroyers. I buy in small lots, nothing big and also contact before buying to ensure he has what I want.

what scale are these guys?

I am intrigued with their modern line, especially the US Raven recon UAV. What scale are they? Some of the pictures make the vehicles look a bit dumpy.

1:48, WYSIWYG, YMMV, IMHO.

So what exactly is the bad press about this company, they just take your money and run? That's what it seems like from this thread, but I'm new to this rumour so I might be getting it wrong…

They copy others work and pass it on as original. Years ago, they were asked to leave as vendors from one of the HMGS-E cons (Historicon or Cold Wars I believe). They are not allowed back.

Do a little searching and you will get the whole story.

Several of the new moderns are actually recasts of current toys made by hasbro. Why else would their cougar have seams in the same areas that the original has to transform into a robot.

Gas.oline attempted to do something, as a lot of their kits are recast by these guys. But there really is nothing you can do if you are overseas… and the money loss from sales is hard to calculate

Recasters.

Use at your own conscience.