[stalag8611]

Oh Joy, Oh Rapture. Two of Carousel 1 finest: Baracca’s Nieuport 11 and Voss’ Fokker Dr.1 arrived today. They are in a word: Exquisite. In two words they are also: Very pricey. With price in mind, two Corgis, the Gloster Gladiator and the Farey Swordfish were removed from their showcases and compared to the Carousel 1 issues. The Carousel 1s totaled in at $139.98; the Corgis totaled $39.98; i.e., 42% of their biplane counterparts. And, if you own either of the Corgis, you know they are both very well rendered and are perhaps Corgis best efforts. The Carousel 1s are excellent, but are they worth the price differential? I think so, but you’d better consider yourself a connoisseur to take that position.
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I have two Corgi 1:48s on order: the Biddle Spad XIII and the Bishop S.E. 5A, but they won’t show until mid-February. They’ll come in at 57% of the Carousel 1s; another large delta in cost. Sorry, no pictures of the Nieuport 11 or the Fokker Dr.1. Too much to handle at this time of the year. [Carousel 1 has some excellent shots-mine wouldn’t add much.] However, come February I’ll trouble you with my comments on the three issues mentioned above.
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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[hworth18]

This has always been the question with Carousel's WWI line.. Would people be willing to pay the price?? Obviously not since many of these still sit on shelves, moreso than their excellent WWII line which is worth the price paid, IMHO...

[Louie]

I think it is absolutely DISGUSTING that I like C1 WW1 planes so much and plan on getting every one made with the exception of the ficticious movie versions. I am with you Stalag you are going to become the sad addict that I am drooling on my pillow each night as I dream of C1 doing Fokker DVII's and Albatrosses. This line of jewels is not for the feint of wallet. I am considering mowing lawns to fund this company's future line-up.

[Elmer]

I am firmly in the camp that the C1 bi-planes ARE worth the price. When I view them, I don't think about how much I paid for them... I think about how much I admire the detail and quality workmanship. These models are built with TLC, and it shows.

[Wizard]

Got my 4th Carousel today, the Caldwell P.40. Worth every penny! Perfection in diecast! Great packaging, easy to put together and sturdy gear(like the way they managed the wheel wells) great paint. I have'nt tried a WWI but am thinking about the Norman Prince. The Carousel website says the Caldwell P.40 was limited to 600. I still see a lot out there on the on-line shops,which is surprising. I really want them to do well, I wish they would announce a new mold.

[RonO]

We collectors would be well advised to set our sites higher for quality and avoid the toys. That is probably why there are so many excellent plastic kits out these days. Kit builders have rewarded those companies striving to do a better job.

Ron

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by Louie

I am considering mowing lawns to fund this company's future line-up.

Louie lives 50 miles from me and I could use a good lawn man while I sit and look at my Carosel 1's with a ice-cold imported brewski(s). How about $25 for my yard Louie with trimming, since it is a small yard.

[Cruver Collecter]

I will give no argument as far as wanting high standards with regards to diecast models, but if Carousel models are not flying off the shelf, maybe they set their price bar just a little to high. Several comments I have read regarding availability are backed up by the on line shops, and the last time I checked sitting on the store room shelf is a bad thing. It also makes it a little tricky for companies to put out new products when their current inventory is still on the high side. Seems like all of the aircraft models are Limited additions, but after looking at several on line stores, I could find none that indicated they were in short supply. Just have to wonder if Carousel has really priced themselves out of the reach of many collectors. To be honest, one would think if the demand were really that high, these models would be getting kind of scarce, but this does not seem to be the case. They do put out a nice looking product, but if there products do not sell well, will they continue to put out new lines of aircraft? My concern is that their line of aircraft at one time may to the way GMP did.

[KG_Jag]

I agree that the Carousel 1 line is over priced by at least $10 per plane to reach the fan base just below the fanatics seen posting on these pages. In that regard their WW I line is especially a problem, as the planes are just so small for the price.

All that said, it appears that FM/Armour has a much bigger problem with their pricing and restricting price competition. Look at all the fire sales that have hit the net in the last couple of weeks for their planes, even some of their better stuff--like the P-38's. Hello Tuesday Morning--in the not too distant future!

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

They do put out a nice looking product, but if there products do not sell well, will they continue to put out new lines of aircraft? My concern is that their line of aircraft at one time may to the way GMP did.

I share this concern. Sadly, I think it is only a matter of time before C1 announces it is getting out of the model aviation arena. I hope I am wrong.