[C17driver]

I've noticed that The Flying Mule and Ebay both have been offering Corgi US33820 P-47D Thunderbolt "Donnie Boy", (Don Gentile Flying Mule Special) for sale. The FM price is $19.99. So what is the deal with this aircraft. I would think that a limited run of 750 would command much higher prices than what I am seeing. Even Tricatus rates it low with a rarity index of 1.0. Is it because the subject matter is rather dull? Hopefully those of you in the know can give me a good answer.

[Kubikali]

I "do" Corgi Thunderbolts and got quite annoyed when I saw that FM price...
I am not sure what it is with this one, perhaps it is partly that Thunderbolts aren't very sexy to begin with. This livery is not very special either, 33815,16 and 19 are almost the same as far as I can tell...

[C17driver]

Originally Posted by Kubikali

I "do" Corgi Thunderbolts and got quite annoyed when I saw that FM price...
I am not sure what it is with this one, perhaps it is partly that Thunderbolts aren't very sexy to begin with. This livery is not very special either, 33815,16 and 19 are almost the same as far as I can tell...

I agree with you on the livery not being very special but 33815, 16, and 19 rate higher on the Tricatus rarity index yet twice as many were produced for those as compared to the Flying Mule commission. It seems that the FM would be a rarer aircraft to acquire and thus its price would be greater.

[Kubikali]

That rarity index does not seem to be correct... Looking at the explanation given on the site 1.00 is the index given to an unlimited model. This model should have the same index as FM's FW190 and Spitfire, both 750 piece runs too: 13.33 (or 13.34).

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Kubikali

I "do" Corgi Thunderbolts and got quite annoyed when I saw that FM price...
I am not sure what it is with this one, perhaps it is partly that Thunderbolts aren't very sexy to begin with. This livery is not very special either, 33815,16 and 19 are almost the same as far as I can tell...

I think it's just the plain jane scheme -- just doesn't look special enough given all the other T-bolt models out there I suppose. I agree, that $20 price is annoying -- I'm starting to think it best to get way behind the curve buying this stuff, if I can just defeat my seemingly insatiable need for instant gratification...

Heck I was silly enough to buy two of these at full price the day they came out... one for trade fodder or sale down the road.. I'm done speculating

But the exclusivity comes from FM being the only retailer with the model -- I think after a little bit Martin doles them out to other retailers to help move 'em though......

I've seen them on Aikens and Petes, etc.

[Wespen109]

Originally Posted by Kubikali

That rarity index does not seem to be correct... Looking at the explanation given on the site 1.00 is the index given to an unlimited model. This model should have the same index as FM's FW190 and Spitfire, both 750 piece runs too: 13.33 (or 13.34).

Ah, But the Spit and the Focke are so much cooler than the Thunderbolt and are truly desirable (I should know).

Plus Tricatus has probably set the rarity status to 1.00 because the plane is still available - and going cheap - on the FM website. in this case, rarity isn't about how many were made, its about what the demand for it.

Hope this helps.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Wespen109

Ah, But the Spit and the Focke are so much cooler than the Thunderbolt and are truly desirable (I should know).

Plus Tricatus has probably set the rarity status to 1.00 because the plane is still available - and going cheap - on the FM website. in this case, rarity isn't about how many were made, its about what the demand for it.

Hope this helps.

No, Tri's rarity index is based %100 on the prod run... "coolness" or lack thereof... is not a factor, see Tim's explanation:

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/rarity.htm

I would say Tim just forgot to update the index for the Jug...

[Wespen109]

Originally Posted by PappyB

No, Tri's rarity index is based %100 on the prod run... "coolness" or lack thereof... is not a factor, see Tim's explanation:

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/rarity.htm

I would say Tim just forgot to update the index for the Jug...

I know this, I was talking true indication of rarity and desirability.

I think that a very complex scheme is in order that incorparates average avaibility and selling price of ebay.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Wespen109

I know this, I was talking true indication of rarity and desirability.

I think that a very complex scheme is in order that incorparates average avaibility and selling price of ebay.

Okay, then, sorry -- but the point of the original post was a question about Tri's rarity score... not general rarity, that's a whole nutha can o' worms ANd I guess where I got sidetracked by your post...

[TopHat]

Pappy, I agree with you. Rarity and desirability are two different animals.