Ok, so I like aftermarket stuff… I bought some model trends 3d prints before (white frosted resin) and they were decent, but now with their enlarged catalogue and new grey resin I decided to upgrade a few items, and replace ones the carpet monster ate…
5 weeks of waiting and I get the package. No instructions of course but ok… And I have seldom been so disappointed with a product.
Only three items were printed on a modern 3d printer, those were a bit soft but better than items they are meant to replace. The rest was printed at a low resolution, not washed or cured correctly and when compared to even decent plastic representations, lacked detail. Also scale was an issue (see image below.). That M2 is more 1/32 scale, has an oval barrel, and below it are a Mosaic model M2 and a Dragon M2 for size and detail comparison.
I contacted FCMODEL Trend and I got ignored of course…
Now some of the stuff is useable (if I pretend there was some battle damage) but at least 2 will go straight into the bin (including the M2)
So far I tried a bunch of 3d print companies (fat frog, Heavy hobby - Lanmo, new Dragon 3d, passion models, Mj Models, Elefant, Mosaic, Gas patch) and FC model trend belongs firmly on the bottom of that list. I have cast resin pieces that look way better. I hope they improve quality, quality control, and final product but as it is now - buyer beware.
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FC Modeltrend has been around for a few years now and I don’t know how they are still in business. Their product blows dead squirrels. I got screwed by them about a year ago with a substantial order that when I finally received it, after examining all the pieces, they all went straight in the bin. The parts all were of such low quality that they appeared to be molded out of sand and differed in scale from one end of the part to the other. Not a good usable item among a dozen. Their lack of detail and quality is universal among their products. Save your money and stay far away from FC Modeltrend!
Have bought excellent 3D products from Lanmo, MJ Models, and Trex.
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The problem is I could not find any reviews online, just unboxing videos. Otherwise I would not have bothered. I’m sure Terry A. would have been all over this by now.
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I had ~$250 order ready for FC Model Trend but their website was down. While waiting on them to recover, discovered just how disappointed customers seemed to be in products purchased.
Decided to write off FCMT as a potential vendor for the foreseeable future.
My limited experience with the 3D parts, TRex, Ryefield Model’s & Heavy-Hobby provided quality parts.
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FCMT like Black Dog is aftermarket to purchased when you can see it in your hand, otherwise it’s a gamble and the house usually wins.
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I’m sorry to see this. Yeah, stay away from FC Model Turd. FCMT and Shape rob you ways pissed me off so much 2 years ago that I started CADding and 3D printing my own AM parts. Thankfully, I’ll probably not be buying any AM parts in the future. DIY all the way.
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Well, I have to say that the service I received from FC Model Trend was nothing short of excellent; I received 2 x AMX 105mm gun barrels, one was slightly bent but as it’s resin shouldn’t be a problem in due course.
Although as yet unmade their TAP Anti-Tank scooter looks a nice little model; all were well packaged and I thought the postage reasonable in the scheme of things. Delivery was timely.
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I think out of all the .50 cals available in kit form, RYefield, Meng and Dragon have some of the best molded ones.
Ryefield O Sprue (found on most M1Abrams kit, as well as on the JLTV and M-ATV kits.
Meng X Sprue - Most modern kits with an M2 present have this parts tree.
Dragon B Sprue - common with several iterations of the M4 Sherman (M4A2/A3)
AFV CLub X Sprue - common with other vehicle offerings; gives you two vatiants of the .50 the M2HB and the M3 with the lightweight barrel , along with an M1919A4 along with ammo cans and pintles.
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Asuka offerings of Ma Duece are good, too but I’ve seen some badly molded ones from their latest batches.
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Yes, FCMT are really a hit and miss.
Waiting on a set of their M47/M48/M60 handles.
Don’t know what to expect regarding how those items will be - quality wise.
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The dragon sprue in the photo I posted are from a J Sprue. This comes from their old/new Firefly VC with added 3d parts (muzzle, antenna, bustle box, light guards and a full set of 3d printed tracks).
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So far I’ve had pretty good strike rate with FC stuff - 35988 Norton WD 16H was pretty good and the only available model of this bike in 35th. Aussie Slouch hat head set were also decent, and a couple of sets of Commonwealth troops Western Desert too. All well printed and cured. Purchased both from Spain and at BNA locally. The direct order from FC was in May 2022 and at that point the postage was only 9 €, but would be double that today 
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I have two 3D-printed figures from them and I honestly am not very impressed. The design while flawed is fine but the print itself is just not up to standard. My commercially available printer prints much sharper prints with fewer artifacts.
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I saw some new 1/16 FC Model Trend figures on BNAWorld and I was tempted until I searched for this thread. I’ll hard pass.
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Well, I have to say I suspect they’ve developed along the way - as many firms; do of course I note this thread began some 2 years ago. I tend to use a fair bit of their stuff as only they seem to provide what I need.
Their handles and clasps for the M48/M60 series set - referred to above - were very well done and have a great effect on any model I feel. Their heads are less well defined than some, but I note that many 3D-printed figures lack the sharpness and details that say, come with a well-crafted resin product. I ordered some Bundeswehr heads quite recently and when they came they were far too small (and to be honest, definition wasn’t brilliant); however, that’s besides the point. I contacted them and they replied, and within a couple of weeks a set turned up with the correct scale heads within. One can’t complain about that.
More recently, I acquired some children figures, a bicycle and a moped for a future project, and they are all very well done. The BMX bike in particular is exquisite - so well done in fact that I’ve broken it twice and lost a pedal:
It is always easy to disparage from the keyboard, but as with any manufacturer and a problem with goods, it may well be worth the extra effort to contact them direct and explain one’s concerns.
They may well present the odd duff kit, but their range is extensive and welcome. As I say, I suspect they’ve come of age; I hope so.
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Hi, I’m the original poster. So I contacted them many times for the issues in the order- they did not dignify me with a reply. It was a large order to save on shipping and approx 70% of the items were unusable due to low def prints, or were not cured completely, and the other 30% were either the wrong scale, or the plastic pieces they were to replace were better.
Finding good photos of their prints online is impossible (for a reason) and they show 3d mockups only on their website. Like I said before I think they may outsource their printing and have no Quality control before shipping. Different resins, different print quality, some came fully cured, some were very evidently sticky with uncured (and possibly toxic) resin.
As an amateur 3d printing enthusiast, I understand the problems they face, but the sets showed no effort to fix or prevent the issues (warping, ease of cleaning or optimized supports). In the meantime some of their kits did show up on Cults as downloadable files.
The shipment in question is still in its box, I have not used a single piece, the e-mails remain unanswered… Great to hear you had luck with them, and some things work even if the scale is a bit off (plastic figure scales also vary a bit), but if they claim a set is for a specific kit and there is no way to fit it without major surgery and compromising the scale of the subject, then what are we paying for?
P.S.
Most online stores I use stopped carrying FCModel trends in stock due to large number of complaints. They have a lot of work to do to regain a piece of the market.
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Well, as I say, the whole thrust of my post was the supposition that perhaps their approach to me was as a result of them developing over the last 2 years.
I’m under no remit to defend them, merely that to date, Bundeswehr heads apart, their service has been pretty good. The stuff they do, for me, fills quite a gap when one say, wants a British Army cable reel, or US Army pat goggles, or such esoteric items that only modellers can’t live without.
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I bought my first FC Model Trend kit from BNAWorld. They have 3D printed photos of their latest releases and they look pretty good. It’s not a figure so if the 3D print quality is bad, I just won’t use it as an accessory.
I received my first FC MODEL Trend 1/16 backpack kit and it’s decent; I can’t complain. I’ve noticed that FC MODEL Trend does skimp on the surface details as one backpack has MOLLE straps and the 3D backpack has none of that. Also, I don’t think any of the strap ends curl upwards or there are any hanging tie straps (there are shoulder straps) as in the CAD images.
The backpacks are also pretty smooth…not many wrinkles or details at all. Nonetheless, the 3D printing is good enough and the backpacks sure represent what they are and I’m satisfied with my purchase which is simply 1/16 backpacks and not figures or a vehicle accessory from FC MODEL Trend.
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