One of the important aspects (IMO) of scale modeling is not just on the 2D plane though, ie. measured accuracy. One of theMOST important to me is in the perception of depth.
I agree that along with the etchings, the requisite two additional layers would have been nice, but those are the "easier" to replicate. Not everyone can etch a grill, but most can cut a piece of fine screen (like that already available from Ngineering) to reasonably fit behind and make a 3 or even 2d replication of the louvers) to create a finer perception of depth. Yes, it may not be measurably accurate, but it provides a bit more "realism" to our little worlds.
I appreciate details that provide this depth, especially those that provide much of the necessary parts to do so, like BLMA fan etchings, but wouldn't it be easier if Craig just supplied a ready to mount unit on a plate to replace the entire assembly as on the prototype? Sure it would, but it would cost $$$ and place it out of reach of lotsa people.At least this could be a first step. Maybe Bob @ Traincat will see this, and decide to take it a step further and supply grill, screen and louvers (2d representations would be fine with me) and dynamic brake screens too on one etching, and for all available N scale models? Or maybe Craig will create all that AND fans on one etching?
I know normally I am one of the first people to point out a product's flaw, but I'm psyched abut this enough to go positive. For me, it's the last needed bit of detail I have been waiting for before I start tackling the superdetailing of my Geep fleet.
