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Prototyp : News

News Archive: 2002 2004-2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000

	20 DEC 02 Thank you for keeping prototyp such a fulfilling experience. The first model release was a massive hurdle to overcome, but one which will pave the way for many new models to come. Thank you for your continuing support. I am looking forward to what 2003 will bring. We're halfway through our move, and sort of floating in limbo at the moment. I've managed some work on the Toyota Eagle MkIII; finishing parts details and parts sheet layouts. The model's almost ready for a pre-production test build and instructions illustrations. The MkIII will be released in three versions conveying the fairly subtle changes to the car through its career: 1991 Laguna Seca (debut), 1993 Daytona (endurance winner), and 1993 Laguna Seca (one of the last races of IMSA GTP).
	05 DEC 02 I hope everyone's enjoying their builds. Send some photos to ryan@prototyp.org and maybe I'll get a builder gallery put together. The Toyota Eagle MkIII and the Courage C60 are getting their last detail bits and livery variations sorted out, the C60 also getting its full cockpit detail. Sketched out the model engineering for a certain LM car over the holiday weekend... what fun... it's a very clever mix of ideas worked out on the MkIII and C60 models. Other news, we are moving out of San Francisco, so site updates and email response may be rather sporadic through December. I will do what I can to keep model orders fulfilled within a few days of receipt.
	26 NOV 02 Responses to the kits have been very positive. I'm anxious to see some built up so I hope folks will send some photos. It's like seeing the kids, you know... Maybe I will add a 'builder's gallery' to the site. Still tweeking stuff with the store; getting the "thank you" page to work and getting PayPal's shipping calculator configured. It's far too over-simplified so I'm looking for an alternative which will at least deal with different shipping destinations. Work has resumed on current projects, the Toyota Eagle MkIII and the Courage C60 both getting their last bodywork bits and livery variations sorted out. Thinking about the Full version projects again... Hope everyone has a good holiday week.
	09 NOV 02 Things are going well for the first few days of the Shop's active life. Received quite a few more orders than I had expected, which is good if slightly overwhelming. Had to fix some broken pages within the shopping cart, for some reason the form-mail was and continues to be broken so the pages now just have an email link for feedback. Fixed the introductory discount pricing error and also have had to revise the shipping calculation Paypal uses... Shipping to Japan is more expensive than to Nebraska for the same order size. I'm now looking for a shipping calculator to build into the Shop which works off of the buyer's address rather than just calculating proportionate to the order total.
	07 NOV 02 I am pleased to announce Prototyp's first model release: three curbside Easy-format versions of the XJR-11 are available in the Shop. The kits contain four parts sheets and illustrated building instructions. Parts are printed with broad-spectrum hexachromatic liquid inks on high-quality glossy and matte-finish papers as appropriate. The models are designed for a challenging and satisfying building experience but it should be said that because of their detail, correctness, and the inherent complexity of the subjects, these are not simple models. Some prior paper-model building experience is recommended. Also 'up' in this update, a build gallery for the up-coming free Prototyp XJR-11 and Process Part 10.
	22 OCT 02 Everything still looks all set for November release for the first three XJR-11's. Wrapping up all the necessary inner workings of this site, getting the official business paperwork sorted out, running through the parts sheets to make sure everything's in order... Test builder's working on making sure I've not missed anything. I think these are going to be really nice kits. XJR-11 Process Part 10 coming soon.
	12 OCT 02 XJR-11 parts sheets are printing and free model files being prepped in US Letter and A4-format (sounds simple but it's a pain in the butt). Chosen better quality printing rather than faster... It's been good exploring the various printing options available, but quality is my primary concern. Parts sheets and packaging for all the XJR11 Easy line are done. One more test build out before the release to make sure I didn't miss anything. Prototyp will be featured in an article for Model Car Magazine, November 2002. Been on a roll, almost done. No, I can't believe it either.
	29 SEP 02 September's been a very Prototyp-focused month; I'm getting better at balancing my full-time parenthood (Chloe's 6 months this weekend), my design work, my life, and this project (which i think ceased to simply be a hobby long ago). After what's become years of toodling around with the how's and why's of what has evolved into The Prototyp Model Design, the first execution is nearly done; XJR11 series parts sheets all sorted out (again), parts numbered, production runs planned. Construct finally drawn and fully annotated... the package is complete... One quick independent test-build to check my work and the three XJR models are going to the printer. They're not there yet, so I won't say exactly when they will be available, but we're close ("before the snow flies"). XJR Process 10 in the works and a free "Prototyp" download version to come soon.
	04 SEP 02 Lots of work being done, but not much to show for it, yet. Courage C60 design concept evolving for better building and last few body panels are in design, XJR-11 parts sheets prepping for printing and free model being test-built, MkIII is next for a "final" build and photos (for building instructions). Some side projects on behalf of Prototyp; an article for Model Car Magazine and a promotional model design for Speed Tribe are in the works.
	28 AUG 02 Added Courage C60 and MkIII test build galleries, XJR-11 parts sheets prepping for printing. // If you have sent inquiries or emails to Prototyp from an AOL address, I am unable to respond as there is apparently a dispute between the company which hosts this site and AOL and all emails are being blocked. //
	05 AUG 02 : Lessee... it's been a busy month: XJR-11 Easy version has a revised core chassis as well as a version being prepared for free download, the MkIII is through its beta test-build stage and into a final build, and the C60 is nearly ready for alpha-build. Still need to sort out how the models will be distributed; printed paper vs cd pdf files. Have a look at the Speed Tribe feature. Speed tribe is an essential experience for the motorsport fan; the video work is amazing, and (if you're a fan of the genre) the music is excellent.
	02 JUL 02 : MkIII wing and wheelset done. Now making a few changes to the overall shape of the bodywork. The Courage C60 technical illustration is nearly complete, paper bodywork parts being mapped. Also started a C60 dossier in the Models section.
	28 JUN 02 : Another small update: MkIII bodywork beta test build done. Now finishing the wing and rear end and the MkIII's unique wheelset... should be ready for a photo gallery shoot shortly.
	23 JUN 02 : Small update: MkIII bodywork alpha test build. It's getting some revisions, and should be ready for its second test build soon and maybe a photo gallery shoot. The Courage C60 model project had had its structural concepts sketches done and now is in its technical illustration phase. Haven't finished the XJR11... probably should wrap it up soon.
	18 JUN 02 : Audi wins Le Mans 2002, little bit predictable yeah, but wonderful nonetheless. It should be more impressive, shouldn't it? Audi makes it seem too easy perhaps. Impressive how quickly the 675 MG's were running again... Won't be long before they figure out how to go the distance. I had high hopes for Courage though, seems that after all these years they ought to crack into the podium. Model news: MkIII bodywork ready for its first test build, just about wrapped up the XJR11, and started the Courage C60 model project.
	14 JUN 02 : Le Mans kicks in this week, my favorite time of year... this one's especially sweet as it is run on Father's Day (new dad, me). Hoping Courage and Bentley goose the Audi boys a bit. Model bits: Eagle MkIII Easy version alpha build photos coming soon. Revised just a couple bits on the XJR11 Easy version too... It's likely these two subjects will release at about the same time.
	28 MAY 02 : Segueing back into work... both prototyp and real work: the Eagle MkIII Easy version is showing very good progress, alpha build photos coming soon. The XJR11 Easy version is getting some modifications (it's the first one, so still a learning process) and needs just a couple more illustrations for the building instructions.
	01 MAY 02: Life is full of great gifts. I've taken a little time off to focus on our new daughter, Chloe Isabelle. Have a look at the Toyota Eagle MkIII piece featuring interviews with designers Hiro Fujimori and John Ward, produced in collaboration with Michael Fuller of Mulsannes Corner. Finishing up the building instructions for the printed XJR11 kit...
	01 APR 02 : Prototyp is pleased to bring you an in-depth look at the Toyota Eagle MkIII in collaboration with Michael Fuller of Mulsannes Corner. Jaguar XJR11 Process Part Nine is up. The SHOP is up too, just shirts and stuff for now but the car models will come.
	20 MAR 02 Here's an intermediate update while the Eagle MkIII and XJR11 Process pieces are completed. The CAR section has been built up, and the latest 'In Detail' photo exploration addition is the Sauber C11, shot in the Exhibition hall at the Long Beach GP 2001. Very beautiful car.
	17 MAR 02 : Lots of progress on all the invisible stuff - soon there will be a whole new section to the site, and some interesting things to look at and even buy. Also, another part to the AAR Eagle MkIII story: Hiro Fujimori on the car's design (joint effort with Mulsannes Corner).
	16 FEB 02 : Store is building, model packages for release are building... still looking into order fullfillment for downloads... So much work on things you can't see, and everything's all a mess right now, but so so close to being wrapped up. XJR11 Process Part Nine will be a doozey. Thank you for your patience.
	16 JAN 02 : Lots of growth and changes happening 'behind the scenes'. So far this site has been just a diary of the first phases of this project. My apologies to all those who've been itching for a model... the models will roll out this year. The Store is something that will take some work to get going in a way where everyone's happy and comfortable, so that's the next big bit. XJR-11 gets a last detail go before it's time for release. MkIII is blooming into next big Project.

2004-2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000