[skysurfer808]

For me it's number 5 and number 12...details and price.

Details mean a lot, whether it is something as simple as a missing piece, or something stupid, like an obviously wrong model depicting a specific variant. An example of this would be Franklin Mint's Swiss and French Mirage III first releases. They simply don't look right, as their rear fuselage is more appropriate for a Trainer Mirage then a fighter one. Franklin Mint has been hit and miss, and though some detail gaffes can't be helped, some just make the model not look right. That's definately a deal breaker for me, why spend good money on a depiction of a plane if it is wrong. This is one reason why I have stayed away from their P-51s, especially after they began to rise in price. P-51Ds have been done to death, with companies offering multiples in 1/72, and 1/32/35. So, I decided to get an EI B to have it represent the Stang in my collection in 1/48. I have Gemini's Ding Hao to represent a Mustang in 1/72, EI's Tex Hill in 1/48 and GMP's Tuskeegee in 1/35. More Mustangs would put me in the nutter category, not to mention the poor house.

Which brings me to Part II. Price. I've gone on a bit of a binge since being in the continental USA, as the substantial cost of living difference has meant I have more money to burn in Zinc. Whereas back in Hawaii, I concentrated on 1/72 and 1/100 for space, with only a few 1/32s and 35s thrown in, here I've gone the opposite tack, and decided to get back into 1/48 in a serious way. I have a few 1/72s, predominantly bombers, with representatives of each major type (spit, hurricane, luftwaffe, US bombers, corsairs, hellcats etc) but most of what I have out and about are 1/48. Still I'll get a 1/72 if the price is right...somewhere under 20, though I occasionally fracture that rule. On the other hand I've really gotten quite a few 1/48s, especially after HM came out with its line. HM really has gone the extra mile in its new 1/48 releases, and their price point is very competitive with FM, EI and C1. My only beef is their otherwise excellent Spit XIV having plastic wingtips, which are easily detachable. HM's 25-49.99 price point is very attractive, especially considering what you get for the money. I don't pay more than 50 for FM's, most of mine have been in the high 20s and 30s range, with my best deal being a Luftwaffe Steinhoff Mig 29 that snaked for the low 20s...plus healthy chunk of change for shipping. GMPs have also been relatively inexpensive as of late, I just picked up Freddy Ohr's Mustang for under $60 plus shipping, while Corgi's Bader Hurricane regularly pops up on Ebay for 35-39.99 plus shipping.

I'll have to figure out a way to put up some pics, both of the Rome Airshow last fall, and of my collection, as I've settled into my new apartment nicely. I must say also that it's nice not having a live in lady complaining about boxes or monopolizing closet space.

Skysurfer808