[Steve1971]

I was at my local Wallymart today and I found 6 of their Old Crow Mustangs along with some Big Beautiful Doll Mustangs, F-104's, and Pearl Harbor P-40's. Everyone I looked at had paint problems! Smudges, lettering dont matchup and the checkers on the noses of both Big Beautiful Doll and the Old Crow Mustangs has either overspray or they looked like someone at the factory put them on sloppily by paint brush. The P-40's and 104's had paint smudges ect. I know there are times where a store will get a bad batch as they call it but this is becoming more and more common with 21st it seems to me. Whats the deal? I got lucky to get a good Ridge Runner 3 when it first came out and I got lucky with a near perfect Big Beautiful Doll but give me a break. They should have a quality control team take a look at these things before they leave the factory dont you think? I know if I ran a big company like 21st I would. I have a feeling deep down that 21st is just rushing things to get more product on the shelves without even noticing that the quality is suffering. I have yet to get a BBI plane with any problem. Paint jobs are very good along with no broken parts now thats quality and something worth buying.

I remember when 21st released the new tool Mustang. It was supposed to be THE BEST and most accurate Mustang out on the market and it was supposed to blow BBI's Mustangs clear out of the water. Well their first mistake was releasing the first series with bent back prop blades and grey tires. Strike one. They corected the problem but now the paint quality is now suffering. And lets face it guys the new tool Mustangs are not as good as the BBI Mustangs detail wise or paint wise. The new tool Mustang is not living up to all the hype and promotion that 21st was hoping for I believe, I could be wrong but I see alot of 21st Mustangs sitting on shelves at my local Walmarts and hobby shops collecting dust, not so with the BBI Mustangs. Strike 2. 21st is losing the Mustang war between them and BBI and if the paint quality and so fourth keeps going on like it is they will lose the war period!


Now this aint a rant against 21st but I think they are putting quantity over quality and trying to make a fast buck. Thats not good buisness. We all pay good money for the planes we like and all we want is good product for what we spend. Thats not asking to much I think.


Ok guys whats all your opinions on this subject? I hope I aint being to hard on 21st but I just wish their quality control team would do a better job on monitoring what leaves the factory because in the end they only loose money.

Opinions anyone?

[hworth18]

I have the BBD Mustang and the paint on the wingtips didn't exactly line up, but it wasn't a problem a sharpie/black paint couldn't fix.. As far as BBIs Mustang being superior, I think they are fairly even given the fact that BBI Mustangs have their fair share of accuracy problems with their only real advantage being that they are weathered nicely..

On a side note, a few of my local WMs got in BBD and Old Crow Mustangs and most have gone pretty quickly.. I examined many of the Mustangs on the shelves and I noticed more problems with the BBD Mustangs (paint/quality issues) while the OC Mustangs were almost flawless in paint and quality..

[SKUNKY]

Remember,Steve, it's 21st Century TOYS!

There's a reason you find these at Wal-Mart and not hobby shops.....They really aren't in the same category as Century Wings, Dragon, Corgi, HM etc
The fact is you really don't pay "good money" for 21st Century stuff....They're cheap and that's what ya get.

....and that's my opinion...

[TopHat]

21st Century is to Century Wings as Skunk is to cute and cuddly squirrel....

[SKUNKY]

EXACTLY!!......................................hey, .....wait a minute....

[parsig9]

These are $39.99 at my WM and though I've never bought one, I do have a BBI Mustang (Killer) and like it very much for the money. I know there are errors and the name on the plane is wrong. I know Badcat has the solution if I'd get off my rumpus....

I have several of the 1/32 planes, some with errors and though it bugs me some, WM takes them back no problem and I just look close now.

I think $40 is real fair and I don't think BBI is much more at Toys R US. Heck I've paid alot more than that for certain 1/72 fighters that came with a few issues too. They are toys. But at 1/18 scale they can be very impressive for reasons other than precision. Most visitors to my home are wowed by Killer. Few notice the CH Graf 190 at all.

[Steve1971]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I have the BBD Mustang and the paint on the wingtips didn't exactly line up, but it wasn't a problem a sharpie/black paint couldn't fix.. As far as BBIs Mustang being superior, I think they are fairly even given the fact that BBI Mustangs have their fair share of accuracy problems with their only real advantage being that they are weathered nicely..

On a side note, a few of my local WMs got in BBD and Old Crow Mustangs and most have gone pretty quickly.. I examined many of the Mustangs on the shelves and I noticed more problems with the BBD Mustangs (paint/quality issues) while the OC Mustangs were almost flawless in paint and quality..

The only real advantage BBI Mustangs have over the 21st Stangs is they are weathered nicely? I have to disagree with that statement hworth. My Hurry Home Honey is not weathered at all. BBI's Mustangs have a far superior cockpit and the overall detail beats the hell out of the 21st Stangs in every phase of the game. So that being said I dont think thats the only advantage BBI has over 21st is the weathering. But both Mustangs have their good points and bad and its up to the person who wants them and which one. 21st though better get better with their paint applications because thats a big area where they are slipping.

[SKUNKY]

I just don't think that discriminating diecast collectors are the focal audience for companies such as 21st Century Toys....They cater more to the little Terrors of the world who don't give a rat's rear about accuracy or smooth paint finishes..Dads who have a passing interest in Mustangs, Corsairs etc. who may have slapped a kit or two together as a kid will see it as a nifty toy for junior's birthday...Again, this is why they can be found at any WallyWorld or Toys 'R Us..That's where their bread is buttered - not by the likes of us.

(The preceding was my personal opinion and I may be totally off-base but I don't think so)

[Steve1971]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

I just don't think that discriminating diecast collectors are the focal audience for companies such as 21st Century Toys....They cater more to the little Terrors of the world who don't give a rat's rear about accuracy or smooth paint finishes..Dads who have a passing interest in Mustangs, Corsairs etc. who may have slapped a kit or two together as a kid will see it as a nifty toy for junior's birthday...Again, this is why they can be found at any WallyWorld or Toys 'R Us..That's where their bread is buttered - not by the likes of us.

(The preceding was my personal opinion and I may be totally off-base but I don't think so)

I think skunky 21st, BBI and Admiral are starting more and more to gear their 1/18th products towards the collector base. Or else why would 21st have re-tooled their Mustang series? Why would they be supposedly be making a B-25? They are moving away from the youngsters of this world and going after the collectors, like us. Thats why you see paint jobs and more accurate 1/18th planes coming out. This is just my veiw and no Skunky your not off base with your veiws you just telling it the way you see it and thats cool.

[trex0770]

Steve, I agree that 21st Century's QC is really bad. I actually went through 15 BBD's at my local Walmart before I found the one I could live with. The bigger issue with 21st Century, I think, is their distribution stinks. I'm not discounting 21st Century's QC problems, I do think it's getting worse but I still appreciate what they've done for the 18 scale market.

Besides, what Parsig said is totally on the mark. These planes are really impressive in that scale and most people who've seen my collection are in awe of the large planes. Overall I'd rather have these planes than not, warts and all.