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Not just Fanhome but Agora too. I'm still waiting, over 7 weeks, for Routemaster pack 4. My 2 two requests to cancelled were ignored...So much for their "cancel anytime" statement. At least Fanhome are communicating with their customers and give the option to pause from the onset. I had to contact Agora after it not being delivered 2 weeks after payment was taken, and they've taken another payment since.

Ferrari 250 GTO and what looked like a Lotus from one of the Bond movies.

In my experience the authorised German dealers are cheaper, or the ones I use at least, because they rightly deduct the VAT post Brexit. I had originally contacted IXO direct and they don't/won't deduct it. They do however stand behind their product, I had a part set missing from my Peugeot and after contenting them directly, they swiftly posted it out to me at no cost. The ebay seller in Germany also deducts VAT which is why they offer the same product and different prices on their ebay store and website. The other sellers on ebay selling the Agora branded items at over-inflated prices are a completely different beast. They will still profit though unfortunately. When it comes to IXO though, it's a no-brainer.

I purchased the Mercedes 300 Sl for €832 which converted to £721 literally 2 weeks ago. That included postage for 5 day delivery. Import duty and VAT was £142. If eBay is the expanse of your research then consider that the Mercedes W 196 R, albeit number 8, is available for £601 plus £14.46 postage. Again, study the hobby.

It would be either fair or ethical for me to do that. Do study the hobby though.

I strongly believe the prices are artificial. From Agora I have the Cobra and I have recently started the Routemaster. I strongly believe there is no comparison when it comes to "value". It's disappointing that all of the models are pitched at the same price point rather than their worth; especially when some are available as complete kits for around £500 - £600 less elsewhere.

I believe Fanhome have it right when it comes to the younger audience. The problem with the hobby, in general, is that it's not realistically priced to attract a younger audience. For Agora to aim to that market, they'd need to offer more modern subjects.

I feel this is would be too much of a faff for what is described as "Museum Quality Model". Get in touch and give their "Customer Service With Care" a try.

I reckon the other is a Ferrari 250 GTO

From what I can see, it pretty much is. It's not a new tooling at least. I'd originally looked at this from IXO as it's less expensive. Having researched it, the instruction manuals seems to match. From what I can see its a fraction less problematic than the Miura which, originally from Hachette, is identical. To be fair, I find ex Eaglemoss very good.

It would depend on many factors and ultimately depend on how long the piece of string is. Many people make it a lifelong task and spend just as much money. There are plenty of groups on Facebook for the various gauges. Many are selling groups but others offer advice which will serve better to answer your question.

Hachette did The Mallard and Flying Scotsman. If I recall correctly, they were based on a DJH model where you can get a superior kit for around £800. They were predominantly brass and were delivered un-painted. They were generally unpopular with train enthusiasts and kit builders as they were too expensive compared to alternatives on the market. They were also designed to be glued rather than soldered so you had to treat the parts before you could actually solder them. This meant that they were better suited to static display. The question was why get that when you can get a running model for less. Then you could also get a resin kit from JLTRT. I'm not sure who Hachette were aiming at as the concept had a bit of an identity crisis. To make it more viable it would have to be priced realistically as a static model or produced to fit in the current market as a kit build loco. With things improving with the likes of Accurascale and Revolution as well as Heljan and now Dapol making O Gauge, I feel that it would be difficult to produce anything that fit with what is currently available. I can't imagine Stephenson's Rocket appealing to many and as for G scale, It would be too big. I feel that something like a Japanese Shinkansen (Bullet Train) would have even less appeal. It's effectively an EMU without any rolling stock. That's before you consider it's just part of a unit. From a building point of view, I feel it would be as boring as the finished result. Unpopular opinions maybe but my thoughts and that of fellow railway modellers, builders and collectors.

Good idea but sounds expensive!

The Routemaster was previously offered by Hachaette; their quality isn't always great, as is well documented with the Lamborghini Miura. I have recently seen another member here who has waited months for a missing part from Agora for their Routemaster. That said, I have just taken the jump and received pack one. Whilst people have had issues, they appear to be less than those of the Miura which I had originally short-listed. I am currently up to pack 6 of the Cobra. It's ok so far with only a few minor issues. It has been a simple build so far. The problem I have is that I've been spoilt by the IXO Peugeot 206 GTI. It is. so highly detailed and is fantastic quality. Anything I have done since is somehow lacking. I will go back to them for the Mercedes 300 SL, W196R and probably the Porsche 917KH too in hope that they are as good as the Peugeot.

It's so disappointing that Agora won't acknowledge this and continue to sell it as "museum quality".