Verlinden Productions started their plastic scale modeling journey in the Seventies. Verlinden Productions is is the granddaddy of the aftermarket parts and resin figure manufacturers. The company was the brainchild of Belgian modeler François Verlinden, who gave up a career in the scrap-metal business in the late 1970s to pursue his love of armor modeling and creating dioramas. He opened a hobby store in Lier and, dissatisfied with the limited products available for the serious diorama builder, began to create and sell his own line of merchandise. It wasn't long before Verlinden Productions quickly expanded to aftermarket sets or resin and photoetched brass to correct and upgrade plastic kits, dry transfers, and publications highlighting particular AFVs and planes.
In the 1980s Verlinden met American modeler Bob Letterman and the two started a business relationship with Verlinden's other Belgian partner Josef Stok. The new company, VLS, imported Verlinden Products into the U.S. and offered other product lines.
Subject ID: 89073
MoreVerlinden Productions started their plastic scale modeling journey in the Seventies. Verlinden Productions is is the granddaddy of the aftermarket parts and resin figure manufacturers. The company was the brainchild of Belgian modeler François Verlinden, who gave up a career in the scrap-metal business in the late 1970s to pursue his love of armor modeling and creating dioramas. He opened a hobby store in Lier and, dissatisfied with the limited products available for the serious diorama builder, began to create and sell his own line of merchandise. It wasn't long before Verlinden Productions quickly expanded to aftermarket sets or resin and photoetched brass to correct and upgrade plastic kits, dry transfers, and publications highlighting particular AFVs and planes.
In the 1980s Verlinden met American modeler Bob Letterman and the two started a business relationship with Verlinden's other Belgian partner Josef Stok. The new company, VLS, imported Verlinden Products into the U.S. and offered other product lines.
By the 1990s it became clear that Verlinden Productions and VLS would economically benefit if the Belgian company relocated to the U.S., Verlinden packed up shop and moved to the St. Louis, Missouri area where Letterman was located. Alas, differences in philosophies and personalities among the owners and staff led to a rather acrimonious split after a few short years. Verlinden Productions remained in Missouri, directly competing with VLS until the latter was bought up by Squadron in 2007.
Subject ID: 89073
Subject ID: 89073