ITLD,
the poly National from MB has the same outside dimensions as a the BS spec., the inner dimensions being reduced to ten frames from eleven (don't know about their Langstroths); the plastic strips on the MB are required, as the wall thickness is very much reduced at the end of the lugs (same as the timber version).
Yes I know. They claim this as an original feature, yet actually it is largely a copy. The original Nat for the UK market was just the same, designed to be completely compatible with wooden boxes so the beekeeper could do a creeping conversion rather than spend a lot going all in at once.
The rebate area is indeed quite thin, as it has to be to accomodate the uniquely long UK lugs, but this is dealt with by a good coat of polyurethane varnish on that part, as actually the main risk is bees trying to chew their way out. They ARE bottom bee space for compatibility, and the Smith variant is top bee space and has a full poly wall thickness in the rebate area. Same as MB, one frame less due to the thick side walls.
The actual naughty bit is that MB actually used to sell these. Then briefly stopped business and returned some stock(I still have the e-mails) and then started up again announcing the first Nat for the UK market. Clearly not the case as Swienty/Aulumgard, and myself, had done this design several years earlier. He knew it as he had sold it, and the new design was largely a knock off, although admittedly if you are going for compatibility and warmth then there is not much scope for doing anything different.
I am particularly evaluating them as a brood for the winter, so I have simply screwed on the floor of this one, so no problem for me with frames slightly longer than the body.
Only issue is that it need not be that way. I would send you a freebie of the other ones just for you to trial, but the bottom bee space on the Nat variant may not be to your liking.
I am impressed with the Paradise Honey items and now have more than enough poly nucs from them (converted to 14 x 12). They may be rather more bulky (the extra length) but they are very robust and easy to carry, operate, etc. All I need really.
They are a good and well established maker. no quibble aboutt he quality, just that by going down the route that causes compatibility issues they may have been too clever for their own good.
I DO have issue with fibbing to make sales however, as Poly Hive has alluded to. There ARE certain times you should not mix and match, and wood overhead poly in winter is the classic one, but to say they are not compatible with wooden gear in summer, especially the supers, is plainly NOT true, and in a meeting I was at several years ago when the marketing of poly was discussed this particular subject was dealt with, and it was plainly said then that it should be stated to beekeepers that the types were NOT to be mixed, as this would improve sales. End of story.
PH also seriously talk up their sales figs.....two different people came to me and told me how many PH said they were selling a year in the UK, and it was a vast number, equivalent to something like 15% of all hives in the UK converting to their brand alone annually..............
Against that I have never had anything other than the plain straight unadulterated facts from Swienty, and that I'm afraid is the kind of thing that influences my judgement. I have an inbuilt suspicion of big talkers.
As you have tried them and are happy I am not going to try to preach tot he converted, but for sure going to poly is the way forward. even if as a beekeeper YOU dont like the idea for sure your bees will. Just do it, irrespective of which brand you go for. I would always recommend taking a brand that leaves you wiggle room, where you have an alternative if not happy with the price or availability.
Regards, RAB
), bricks are not enough but one strapped wooden and bricked wooden went over, as did a poly nuc lid with brick. It was windy 
