[Louie]

We were all "newbies" at one time. Most of us who wanted the BBD P-51 or the NGNG P-47 or the Tuskegee "Bunnie" or Grim Reaper Mossie or FM FW-190 had to pay to get a hard to get item. Should we have been upset because the sellers may have purchased them when they first came out hoping they would rise in value and they would be rewarded for thinking ahead and having money tied up in a hunk of metal? Nothing, I repeat nothing is a sure thing in diecast. I hope we do not bicker over the point. Good for those who had AJ210 and the others and watched them go for sick prices on e-bay. They are only worth what someone will pay. If you offered me one for $75 I would not buy it now. Why, because I have a chance to get the "new improved"version. I will buy it instead. I will buy several if possible. Not to stick anything to anyone but to hopefully further my hobby. It is just the unwritten rules of the game. It hurts I know. I begged for an AJ 210 and God granted my prayers with a new release. It must be God because I don't think Yoshi or Zed are philanthropists although I am sure they care.......This is like musical chairs and I do not think there should be lines drawn or fingers pointed. Get them while you can or wait until someone decides to let one go and just be prepared to pay the price however great or small. I just offred a blue Royal Navy Sea King to the forum for $45. Noone needed it and it sold tonight on E-Bay for over $100. Did I stick it to someone that wanted something I had that I probably paid $30 for and they paid over 3 times as much? I hope you understand where I am going. Yes, I am buying multiple F-14's as a speculation. There will be 996 others (plus AJ210,200 etc) that perhaps more generous collectors will part with for a low price. Judge me if you will my conscience is clear and my wallet is extremely thin.

Peace Out

[Gambit]

Originally Posted by Louie

Why, because I have a chance to get the "new improved"version. I will buy it instead.

What are the improvements to this version?

I have compared the pictures and except for the numbers they both look the same, what have I missed?

[IKONOS]

I have pre-ordered just one... that's all I need.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by Gambit

What are the improvements to this version?

I have compared the pictures and except for the numbers they both look the same, what have I missed?

I was wondering the same thing, Gambit...what are the "new improvements"? I'm kinda upset that CW is releasing what is effectively the same "LIMITED" model as AJ-200 and AJ-210 under yet another modex number. This seems wrong - but I'm glad that any forum member that missed out on a Jolly Rogers is able to get one now. CW just needs to stop saying these are limited. You do realize, don't you, that the Jolly Rogers scheme is now the most common scheme of them all and they will just continue making more with new modex numbers? There is NOTHING limited or rare anymore about this highly popular and common Jolly Rogers scheme as far as I know (unless the modex number is a big deal). Soon enough - The Jolly Rogers scheme may be the LEAST collectible and valuable model of them all. Of course - this is all just speculation !

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by Louie

They are only worth what someone will pay. If you offered me one for $75 I would not buy it now. Why, because I have a chance to get the "new improved"version. I will buy it instead. Judge me if you will my conscience is clear and my wallet is extremely thin.

That is why I would rather they not release this one. Sure some people entered the game too late and I can sympathize with that but some people just passed on this model, as you did, and I can't really sympathize with that. I am one who entered the diecast game late but jumped on AJ210 when they were still available. Nothing about the model has changed other than there are no more of them. All of us have paid "hard" for stuff that is no longer available, and if you REALLY wanted it as bad as you claimed to, you would have too. You made a bad call and now there's 1000 more that make or non "rehash" versions less desirable. (I will be very surprised if there are any significant "new improvements" as this comes from the same article that referred to it as an F-14D. Like David H. said, it was just about perfect the first time. Don't be surprised if it only means better quality control.)

[Louie]

I respect your opinion. I really did want the AJ210. I wanted any swing wing CW JR F-14 for that matter. I flinched and missed the chance because I did not like the wash on the model i saw in the store and got cold feet. Like other collectors I put the call out far and wide. First I called all the brick and mortars,then tried the internet. I "bought" 3 AJ210's at different times from retailers In Japan,China and the U.K. who had not updated websites and I even won one on Yahoo auctions Singapore with a buy it now and the guy faded away because he only chose to sell it locally. I considered Witty's and Dragons versions too but alas CW seemed to be the only way to go. One guy on the forum offred one up for astronomical ransom and I felt that just because I wanted it that bad did not mean I was desperate enough to pay the equivalent of about $300. Do you really mean that I should have paid that "hard" price just because I was outspoken enough about trying to backtrack to get one? I have been collecting and buying and selling diecast for 20 years now. I think I have some common sense. We are all driven by our desire and emotions when it comes to our passions. I dare say I have earned the right to give my opinion on here without having to qualify it. A guy had the AJ210 on e-bay until yesterday (or was it today,hmmm?) and had re-listed it a couple of times because the buyers just weren't there. I was going to "buy it now" for over $125 until a couple of days ago we got the big announcement about AJ201. We are all victims of circumstance sometimes wouldn't you agree?

[lanslide]

Louie, what is "new and improved" about the new AJ-201?

[Louie]

I am talking without really having any facts at all. That is dangerous I know. I have been told that the latest JR F-14 will have some "refinements" over previous releases and as my esteemed collegue pointed out earlier it could be some minor tweaking probably not mold or anything. I speculate they have probably worked out the kink in the canopy that likes to pop back up at times.

I truly have no idea, but hearing it made me put the brakes on any catch-up purchases until i see with my own eyes if there are any differences. They are just too pricey to not be discriminated. I had some issues with my Black Aces canopy but finally beat it into submission.

It is hard to imagine any other changes they could make other than moving rudders or a working tail hook. A crew ladder would be a nice touch.

Guys don't pay much attention to me I'm losing it from lack of sleep.

[firefighterpilot1]

I am just saying, others were willing to pay over $250 for that one sold by Aimhigher jets for charity. (granted it probably got a little more than people would normally pay since it was charity but still)

and now Parsig can't get $150 for one? The only logical explanation is that all this talk of the new model took away from the desirability/collectibility of this model. It's the only CW model so far that could sell for significantly higher than retail value and now a guy that was practically desperate for it won't pay $5 more than retail for the new one. If that's not a drop in value/ collectibility, I don't know what is.

[Alain Lee]

Im one of those who discovered CW late, and by the time I joined the Hangar, the JRs were extinct. Furthermore, I guess Im one of those who nearly Jump for joy when the news came that a new JR will be released by CW late these year.

On the issue of wether this is bad or not, here is my take on the matter. I dont realy consider them as an investment ( meaning, when I buy an item, its for my own satisfaction ). Models, like toys are a " LUXURY " its useless to buy stuffs that you will only regret down the road. now if ever some of my collections do become highly " COLLECTIBLE " in the future, then so be it.

For now, I will just have to enjoy them, because its the main reason why I bought them in the first place.

This is just My Humble Opinion. for sure we all have different views.....