[David Hingtgen]

Andrew--VF-41 is even harder to find than VF-84, it sold out just as fast. VA-82 is sold out prior to release. How much more popular could they be? Isn't that deserving of a re-release like VF-84?

Also, VF-84 and VF-154 had 2 released simultaneously at the very beginning of their runs, before there was any indication of how popular they would become.

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by smartd

Think I'll wait for this one.....

I think I'll wait for... BOTH

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Andrew--VF-41 is even harder to find than VF-84, it sold out just as fast. VA-82 is sold out prior to release. How much more popular could they be? Isn't that deserving of a re-release like VF-84?

Also, VF-84 and VF-154 had 2 released simultaneously at the very beginning of their runs, before there was any indication of how popular they would become.

Yeah but the difference between the VF-41 and the first batch of VF-84 is that by the time VF-41 came out, CW had already established its reputation for quality and popularity. Where as when they opened up with their first ever releases of 200 and 202 of VF-84, they were really taken by surprise by the speed in which they sold. In particular, 202. They didn't expect it to sell out within the a couple of weeks. They were expecting atleast a month or so. Though I know with their store in Japan, 202 sold much faster than 200. I was going to put in an order for 202 when it first came out, but since I was going to Tokyo in about 3-4 weeks time, they said that its probably just easier to wait so i can save on shipping. Ofcourse, 2 weeks later they were all out. But when I did arrive in Japan, they still had quite a number of 200's in their shop.

Plus, there was only 1000 of 200 and 202 of different moulds, but 1000 each of the VF-154's with the same mould. They still have VF-154's for sale, even in their shop. Though I am curious about what will happen to the KA-6 Mould as well because that one didn't seem like a hugely popular item compared with the normal A-6E

And also, like many have said, VA-82 is just sold out in terms of retailer's orders. I know my local hobby shop still has quite a number of VF-41's for sale at $AUD95

[edkao]

I think VF-41 jet is just arriving to most retailers. Some obviously received theirs earlier.

I called Sally at Aikens and was able to get one at the end of the year. Even though the website said sold out. I guess it never hurt to ask.

Also I have been trading emails with Gary at Beck's Aircraft, he is getting his allotment of VF-41s this week if I remember correctly.

BACDiecast.Com - Beck's Aircraft & Collectibles

So if you are looking to complete that CW collection, don't fret.

[zed550]

Originally Posted by edkao

I think VF-41 jet is just arriving to most retailers. Some obviously received theirs earlier.

I called Sally at Aikens and was able to get one at the end of the year. Even though the website said sold out. I guess it never hurt to ask.

Also I have been trading emails with Gary at Beck's Aircraft, he is getting his allotment of VF-41s this week if I remember correctly.

BACDiecast.Com - Beck's Aircraft & Collectibles

So if you are looking to complete that CW collection, don't fret.

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Just like to point out that I believe the markings they're doing are from 1977, not 1978. Could be 1978, but regardless, they are not how that plane appeared in "The Final Countdown". (yes, if you're really picky, it would not be correct to display this with your Century VF-84 planes due to a nearly 2-year scheme difference----but it's PERFECT for displaying with VF-41)

I'm guessing they went with 1977 due to them being a bit more colorful, even for non-CAG planes. I'd prefer a non-CAG though.

Hey Zed--how come Century seems to have stopped doing multiple planes in a single scheme? Earlier, we had FOUR different VF-84 planes, two from VF-154, and two from VA-35. But only one from VF-41, VA-82 and now only one from VA-86? I'd much rather have a non-CAG VA-86 plane, and kinda expect it based on their earlier history, but lately it seems we only get one, and that's it.

i recieved this email from yoshi today and hope this will clarify the VA-86 release and those before.
i made the CVW-8 paint versions at the Med sea cruise with USS NIMITZ from DEC 1977 to JUL 1978!

IT IS NOT A PAINT VERSION OF THE MOVIE FINAL COUNTDOWN.

taking the movie the final countdown is maybe 1979.
[during the med,arabian and indian sea cruise from Sep 1979 to May 1980]


i have not obtained the Bu numbers of CVW-8's aircraft in 1979
what i have is Bu numbers between 1977 and 1978.


i referred to the movie the final countdown as a sales strategy.
however,they are not the same as the aircraft in the movie at al.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by zed550

i recieved this email from yoshi today and hope this will clarify the VA-86 release and those before.
i made the CVW-8 paint versions at the Med sea cruise with USS NIMITZ from DEC 1977 to JUL 1978!

IT IS NOT A PAINT VERSION OF THE MOVIE FINAL COUNTDOWN.

taking the movie the final countdown is maybe 1979.
[during the med,arabian and indian sea cruise from Sep 1979 to May 1980]


i have not obtained the Bu numbers of CVW-8's aircraft in 1979
what i have is Bu numbers between 1977 and 1978.


i referred to the movie the final countdown as a sales strategy.
however,they are not the same as the aircraft in the movie at al.

Happily we can now lay that myth to rest.

[David Hingtgen]

True enough for the A-7's, but the VF-84 releases are 1979 markings, as they have the "straightened and lowered" separation line between the grey and white---a preparation to going to low-vis, and not the first-cruise 77/78 markings. I could narrow down AJ200 to between May and Oct of 1979 based on pics. (which is still before the Final Countdown)

PS---Final Countdown was filmed during the 79-80 cruise.

Trivia note: The Nimitz was assigned to the Atlantic at the time of filming, as was the airwing of course--tailcode AJ, A for Atlantic. They were never near Pearl Harbor, and any "Pearl Harbor" shot in the movie is actually the Kitty Hawk.

Man, if they'd actually done it with a Pacific carrier, they could have had the Sundowners in the movie, as they were on the Kitty Hawk at the time they were filming. Then we'd have zillions of Sundowner models everywhere, instead of the Jolly Rogers...

[Colt40Five]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

Then we'd have zillions of Sundowner models everywhere, instead of the Jolly Rogers...

The Skull and Crossbones beats a pretty sunset any day of the week....movie or no movie...

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by Colt40Five

The Skull and Crossbones beats a pretty sunset any day of the week....movie or no movie...

I can't decide which one I like more. They are both really awesome schemes IMO.

It seemed like all the Tomcat toys I had back in the 80's were either Jolly Rogers or Sundowners schemes pretty much exclusively (and the occassional Wolfpack scheme).

Those are two schemes they're really fond of in Japan.

[TopHat]

Originally Posted by firefighterpilot1

I can't decide which one I like more. They are both really awesome schemes IMO.

The skull and bones is cool....but it's hard to beat the grinning shark.....