What seems to be an issue with them?
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Sometimes not the best fitting kits despite the high asking price and the decals are total c*#p. Stiff, hard to conform to curved surfaces and break apart. Everyone of their kits I’ve had, I’ve had to replace the decals at more expense.
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In addition to what phantom_phanatic wrote, Polar Lights (or whatever they are calling themselves today) model details are always soft, part breakdown tends to create unnecessary problems, scale problems seem common, and they sometimes engage in some really sleezy marketing tactics. As an example of the latter, they released the 1/1000 Enterprise and Reliant models without pattern decals, then made them an expensive separate purchase. On the other hand, bad decals are bad so I guess that one does not matter. 
Every model company makes mistakes but Polar Lights models always manages to disappoint me.
In fairness, the SHADO Mobile model is still in development. Maybe it will be crisply molded, accurate, properly scaled, have a smart part breakdown, exhibit proper details, come with decent plastic tracks, and contain good decals.
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To add to that, the first release of the 1/1000 TMP Enterprise included Aztec pattern decals for the hull surfaces. Every subsequent release they’ve sold them separately. Not that it’s a huge loss considering the quality of the decals. But it’s a very sleazy, money grubbing trick they pulled on the modeler.
To make matters worse, the issue with the fragility of the decals has been long known and reported on. And they haven’t done a damn thing to improve it!
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I think Polar Light initially got some of the Aurora model company molds, then scored the Star Trek license.
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Of their recent releases, the one I was most disappointed by was the 1/350 USS Grissom.
In some places it has nice panel line detailing, particularly the sensor ‘canoe’ and saucer, but lacking everywhere else. Particularly the upper hull and nacelles. Most annoying because those parts need panels picking out in various light greys. They also completely missed the large vents that go around the lower side of the upper hull and leading edge of nacelle pylons. Instead they relied on decals for those. In a smaller scale you might be able to get away with that, but not in a large scale. There’s no depth or texture.
On the subject of decals, they also got the name of the ship wrong on the airlock graphics. Each reading USS ENTERPRISE. Now, it’s since transpired that the filming miniature had the same error. The model makers simply used the decals from the AMT 1/537 Enterprise kit. It’s so small and barely seen on screen, so they got away with it. Polar Lights should, in my opinion at least, have given the modeler the option here. Go with the filming miniature graphics or ship correct. Especially as it also gave the option for another Oberth class seen in TNG (can’t remember which, but I think it’s the Pegasus?).
Despite those negatives though, it remains a good kit. They put thought into how it could be lit with LED’s and moulded the internal cutouts, wiring channels and clear parts. It could have been great, but those few things let it down. Especially when you compare with their gorgeous 1/350 Enterprise refit.
A minor gripe is that it seems too small for 1/350 and looks better as a 1/537 in scale with the AMT Enterprise and Reliant. But, I think that’s more to do with the impractical small size of the class in published data than Polar Lights fault. They worked with whatever size Paramount say it is, so I can’t blame them for that.
Just have to keep reminding myself, it’s a model of a model of a fictional ship and it can be whatever size it wants 
Anyway, let’s get back to UFO. I do hope they are able to secure the licence for this one and follow up with an Interceptor and Skydiver.
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USS Grissom is a tough one to size. The creators made no attempt to design a workable starship. At 1/350 scale, the model is too big versus some references and too small by others. Trying to reconcile the ship versus all the contradictory information given in episodes and movies is impossible. The people at Round 2 (or whatever they are calling themselves this week) could not win on that one.
As a kid, upon first sight of USS Grissom in the theater, I thought it was completely stupid. Oh, how I hated that movie. Still do.
With regard the upcoming SHADO Mobile, I actually have more hope. Scaling that one should be pretty easy. The set representing the interior should fit inside a reasonably sized vehicle. I hope the person making the drawings actually goes through the effort to mock up an interior that actually fits people and seats and stuff, then scales the outside to that.
SHADO Interceptors and Moon Mobiles should also be easy to scale and work in 1/35 scale. SkyDiver is a much more difficult affair. If Diver is scaled up to fit all the sets, Sky will be humongous. My favorite is the tilt-rotor, but there’s no way they will do a model of that.
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Anyone remember this ~1975 special betweeen seasons of Space 1999 with Nick Tate & Brian Blessed?
The Day After Tomorrow - 1975
There’s an amazing 6 foot 6 inch 3Dcprinted studio model available of the ship. Dig deep it’s expensive.
IMO it’s clearly Eagle inspired especially since it’s a Gerry Anderson special.
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Well, yet another disappointment. I wanted to start watching “UFO” again from the beginning and now it’s no longer free with Amazon Prime / Freevee, but must be rented or bought.
I fully understand that companies need to turn a profit — hey, Jeff B’s uh, curiously phallic rocket ride [cue Ace Frehley] for his space joyrides, not only is really eyebrow raising ironic or sumthin’ but certainly cannot be cheap. At all. So I get it. I guess.
But I listen to a lot of podcasts at work and been hearing a theme lately: a gradual return to physical media. Reportedly, more consumers are once again embracing physical media.
The issue seems to be the sometimes ephemeral nature of streaming services; some music and movies are no longer available. If you’re renting it, you never own it. And it can vanish in a flash.
Or what was once free with a subscription (and these prices also go up) now have a sometimes hefty price tag.
I’ve never streamed music. I have always favored physical media — much to no small amount of occasional consternation on the part of the wife.
But some obscure artists I listen to, I wonder if their works are even available via streaming.
For instance, one of my favorite bassists - the late John Gustafson - is his “Goose Grease” album even available on Spotify? No matter. I own the CD. Which sounds better anyway.
But now looking for “UFO” on DVD. I’ve checked at the Nashville and Knoxville McKay’s, but so far, no luck.
But really, are so many watching “UFO” that it requires that I rent or buy it? After I already pay for Prime?
And, does anyone know online where I might be able to watch it for free?
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@Armor_Buff Catacombs of the Moon has a pretty good reference page for The Day After Tomorrow. Model maker Martin Bower thought Altares was for Space:1999 and built it for that continuity.
The front of Antares strongly resembles a model I had as a kid. The model consisted of 5 vehicles that joined together to form an Eagle like spaceship. Thus far, my efforts to find that model on ScaleMates have failed.
Edit: Found it! Airfix Starcruiser 1. More information about Starcruiser 1 can be found here.
@M70 Search YouTube for ‘Gerry Anderson UFO’. I just looked and all 26 episodes are available.
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Hey, thanks! Will do.
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Looks cool. A little pricey for me though.
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This sits on my shelf still, only toy I hung on to. Gave everything else to my younger brother.
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is there somewhere in the UK that i can watch this series, ideally for free?
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UFO? I think it might still be on the ITV app. That’s where I found it last year, but you never know with streaming.
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that was a very interesting documentary about those actresses. i have not seen the UFO series and i have only seen these women as they are now so it was amazing to see them in their youthful prime, none of that transgender nonsense back then and by good they looked fantastic.
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@phantom_phanatic i did a quick search on itv/x and it’s there along with the new battlestar galactica!
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Cool. I think they’ve got a lot of the Anderson shows.
Plenty of Christmas holiday viewing.
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