[David Hingtgen]

AA112, 161855, 2003. It's an F-14B (which we don't have), it's low-vis (which we don't have), and it's the Jolly Rogers (which everyone likes). *AND*----it's one of the few confirmed TARPS F-14B's out there. 90% of Century's F-14s cannot use the TARPS pod they come with---this would be one of the few that really should have a TARPS pod attached.

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by Colt40Five

I thought the limited runs were to encourage collectors...what good is it for collectors if they devalue the most valuable release they've ever had?

That was my immediate thought when I heard about this. I mean sure it does suck for those of you that don't have one (ahem* Louie) but for those of us that do have an AJ200 or AJ210 or both, it's just not that special if they keep producing more.

It's kind of a double edged sword because I would love to have different modex numbers so that I can have half the Jolly Rogers squadron but it also devalues the highly sought after ones at the same time...

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by jjgilz

Well on the dealer end, I think it is mainly cost. We've been looking at doing a custom Hobby Master model for about 3 months now. The cost is about $25K-$35K and that is for 1,000 of the 3rd paint scheme of an already produced mold. So it could be a really successful venture. The key though is to find a model that you know that you can sell 1,000 of them at retail cost ($48-$49 a piece) to make enough money to cover your costs, development and research time. Then you hope you at least double your money for your time and risk. At this time, we just haven't found the perfect HM mould yet to take that risk. Our average Century Wings lot is about 15-30 models. Selling 1000 of the same model would be a step up in scale--one we eventually want to take.

Plus, maybe with the dollar being so low in value and our economy sputtering, other countries have more money to invest? Who knows...

So Modellers Choice has like $50K wrapped in to those 2 Harvards? Good Lord!!!!!!

[Louie]

I see the point from both sides. There have been many popular diecast models made in relatively large quantities that have been bought up, disappeared from the scene and commanded hefty figures down the road. This makes the owners happy to have something worthwhile for later trades/re-sale.
On the other hand doing certain models in limited quantities that are extremely popular schemes does not make the manufacturer any more money than the wholesale price. It drives a secondary market for a time but in the end really just leaves a lot of frustrated collectors and may stir competetion to do the same model and then gut the value of the original manufacturers version.

Corgi did the Big Beautiful (not really so nice though) Doll P-51 and it was the hottest thing for a good while. When Dragon did the same plane and did a better job it siphoned off a lot of collectors lining up in the secondary Corgi market waiting for a chance to own the Corgi. Perhaps if Corgi had made a boat load of the BBd's Dragon would not have seen an opportunity to cash in.

This may be a poor example. I am just saying that CW would do well to do another Jolly Rogers F-14. They took a chance with the 4 they did do and look how many are floating around nearly none.
If Dragon or witty did the Jolly Rogers CAg bird they would cash in regardless of their individual faults when compared to CW.

I buy with the thought of loving the model. The fact it is limited or a hot item makes it more of a bonus. I applaud manufacturers for doing limited runs but do so wish they would make larger quantities of the models we all want and not leave some of us hanging and beating our heads on the desk doing fruitless searches. If it is popular I think they should make enough for everyone.

Where is a Good Gabreski P-47 for example? Matchbox did it but it remains an icon of P-47 models.
Where is a really good AVG P-40 in 1/72? Again MB made one, but we all know what MB did not include. Corgi did one but again, a better mold is yet to be produced.

I want us all to have valuable collections with models that appreciate and hold firm on price. I also want the guy just discovering the joy of diecast collecting to get what he needs without feeling shut out or feeling like he has been scalped just to get a piece of painted metal and plastic.

[David Hingtgen]

How about 1980's Jolly Rogers? It's VERY similar, only there's no white anywhere, and has a smaller star-n-bar on the nose. And Century could still re-use most of the artwork. They looked like this most of the time from 1981-1989 or so.

[Cardinal]

I suspect that the whole issue of trying to find a 'rare' piece of diecast has a lot more to do with the psychological issue of 'the hunt' than any intrinsic value of the object being sought ...

[kingpin]

I kinda like this one

Glen

[David Hingtgen]

That's pretty high on my want-list, as that was their final CO F-14. (I like the final CAG scheme better, even though it was very similar). Still, I want a low-vis even more.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by Louie

This may be a poor example. I am just saying that CW would do well to do another Jolly Rogers F-14. They took a chance with the 4 they did do and look how many are floating around nearly none.
If Dragon or witty did the Jolly Rogers CAg bird they would cash in regardless of their individual faults when compared to CW.

I believe Witty does have this in their line-up.

[Louie]

Yes they have the "Merry Christmas" version and the low-vis. I do hope they will slap some black paint on the tail of one and do the same version as Century. I would buy it and shut up for good. I only need one and it is not a speculative purchase. I'll just sit back and wait as my hunting days are done it takes up too much time and is frustrating to say the least. With my luck I would pay some seller over $100 for a CW VF-84 and CW would announce another limited release of that scheme......for $59.99.