http://www.modelmecca.com/mmdbuysvls.shtml

Yup, reported here earlier this morning

MMD/Squadron Acquires The VLS Corp!

Wow what news. Hmm, what to think what to think.....

OK - let's see if i can clarify...

MMD buying VLS is like having the Yugo car company acquire Rolls Royce!

Bob and Susan Letterman are good friends, and i have known for a while that Bob was interested in retiring - but Mike McMahon is far FAR removed from being in the same class as a business person, modeller, or "nice guy" as Bob.

Owning a hobby store, I deal with all these guys on a pretty regular basis. This is *NOT* good news for the hobby industry. Prices will go up and selection will go down. VLS carried a lot of speciality products that MMD won't want to deal with... meaning fewer lines, less selection, and higher prices. Send MMD a message...

Support your local hobby shop, and boycott Squadron mail order!

KFMage
Hobby Annex (www.hobbyannex.com)

I don't know, Keith...

My understanding is that Bob Letterman thought mostly (as you just said) as a businessman. This may've closed doors on a lot of modeling topics if they just didn't sell, or sell well. As with most business owners, business was dictated by that owner's personal experiences .

With a new younger capitan at the helm (and new experiences, or rather lack of), then perhaps some doors that were closed will be reopened, and new doors made, for instance. I'm not saying that may be the correct business strategy, but perhaps VLS/MMD will be more open to new product experimentation. Uh...Space Marines anyone?

I can support whoever produces a Space marine in 1/35 or larger scale.

I'm a senior citizen space cadet! Does that count? :-)