For your information, John Elliott has just completed the Vintage Models Patrol Launch as a review model, and I anticipate that it will be in MB later this year, once I have the text and photos!
As Colin says, it would be nioe if all manufacturers/suppliers put on their websites, as well as ansaphones, if they are closed for some reason such as a holiday. Some do and are very good about it, but one or two others just go into 'silent mode'', but Vintage Models. may simply have forgotten to put up a message on their website.
Many small businesses tend to have one or two long holidays each year perhaps of 2 or 3 weeks duration and if single handed, which many are, it is the only way of their having a proper break. A fair number of the traders supporting our hobby fall into this category.
Also, as one gets older, who knows what next year may bring, so if one fancies New Zealand for example as a once in a lifetime holiday, then in practical terms one has to go from the UK for 3 to 4 weeks to make it all worthwhile, and perhaps this time of year is as good a time as any to go.
So, as Colin says – good communication is all that is required by a supplier or manufacturer.
Paul Freshney
Editor