[Shawn 507]

I guess I'm the only one who likes it. Will make a good stable mate with the Gemini "Berlin Express" Mustang. I'm still hoping for an Old Crow P-51B, as I trying to figure out how to best turn a Dragon Mustang into one.
I don't see the stink when everyone and their brother has done the D model. I welcome this and the P-40.
- Shawn

[djjeffhall]

Hey there folks,
I think everyone, on both sides, are making great points.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing what Dragon does with the B model P-51. Their D model is the top of the line for Mustangs and if their B is that good then it's Gemini who will have a run for it's money. (Who is going to be the first of these folks to make an A-36 variant? I know Corgi is supposed to make one, but their QAQC is so sloppy that I have little confidence until I see them.)

As for saturation, I agree with the statements offered. It's a bummer that we are seeing the same planes from the each manufacturer.

The good part of this is that it gives us choices. If Dragon's P-40s are as good as their Mustangs, then I'll be replacing my Corgi's as they come out.

Does it effect the investment value of your planes, well yes it does but I couldn't care less about that. (Sorry Harry, I agree you on most everything you post but the collectability of my models is way down on my list.)

I think the hardest part for folks (i.e. Me.) will be willpower. We have all become so enamored with, "I want it NOW and I better get it before it sells out and I have to pay EBAY!!!! prices." that we will end up with 400 of every plane. Granted, 400 P-40's cannot be called a bad thing under any circumstances but it might push some of the other new planes coming my way off the shelfs. After all, I don't care how cool my Black Cat looks, I can fit three P-40's on that shelf instead!

[bsmith13]

I like it. I will probably buy one to see how it compares with the Gemini.

[Berkut76]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

Just curious- why is this evidence of that?

Just the timing I guess and circumstantial evidence that this sort of behavior from Dragon happened before. I used to collect 1:6 WWII figures, and as soon as DID announced a new figure, a few days later Dragon has followed suit with an almost identical one. Especially, this was the case with Waffen SS figures, which Dragon could have bashed together in a matter of hours due to its past releases.

Fortunately for 1:6 collectors, competition from DID forced Dragon to diversify its line up from all Wehrmacht all the time to include quite a few Allies, most notably "forgotten" British and Commonwealth troops.

Unfortunately for us, Dragon seems to be doubling up in our niche.

I have to admit that I hold Dragon to a higher standard since its a 400 pound Guerrilla in the industry capable of taking risks (if they are truly risks at all) that others don't have the resources and/or courage to undertake.

That's why I would rather spend my cash on HobbyMaster and much maligned Corgi.

Regards,

Sergey

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Berkut76

I have to admit that I hold Dragon to a higher standard since its a 400 pound Guerrilla in the industry capable of taking risks (if they are truly risks at all) that others don't have the resources and/or courage to undertake.

That's why I would rather spend my cash on HobbyMaster and much maligned Corgi.

It is interesting that Dragon won't take risks. Perhaps that is why they are the big gorilla. I'm certainly more interested in variety of airframes rather than seeing more P-51/P-40/Spitfires.

[Cavtanker]

I'd be interested in a Dragon P-51B as long as it looks as good as their D-models.

[HotTrap429]

What is happening here is common in other areas(video games, cars, electronics, etc.). One company produces a popular product and everyone jumps on the bandwagon. Last year on the MH1 we were bemoaning the fact that there was not a 1/72 scale P-51B. Now every manufacturer is coming out with one. This is great for consumers. I for one am not overly excited by all these P-51Bs. I've got two (Gemini) and now I have the ability to pick and choose if I want another one. Costs will eventually drop as the market gets saturated - good news for me!!! As for trying to keep up with the Joneses and getting every new model being made - Sorry Dragon, Corgi, HobbyMaster, IXO and Witty - but as far as I'm concerned it's not happening!!!

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by Canucklehead

Well, it looks like Draggin has declared war on everybody. This should be interesting.

It seems to me we are living through the greatest diecast aeroplane war of our age. Ok, it's the only one. Nontheless, they are really going at each other now. The gloves are off. In 2 years we'll have 4+ OEMs making every major plane flown in 30 different schemes. Won't that be aweful.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

Last year on the MH1 we were bemoaning the fact that there was not a 1/72 scale P-51B. Now every manufacturer is coming out with one. This is great for consumers.

Sorry for the cut job on the quote, but I agree with what I've left. I know I was a big critic on the lack of A/B/C model Mustangs and now we have three manufactuers producing them.
I love the three I have from Gemini, and look forward to the next one. I really wish I could get the Princess Elizabeth special edition one as well. Dragon's should be as good as their D Models and I look forward to that.
Looking at pics of the Corgi versions I'm not impressed save the RAF desert version. The worn look of "Tommy's Dad" does nothing for me, and the "Shangri La" cockpit looks like . Probably a pre-production picture, but it still looks terrible.
The A/B/C model of the Mustang is a long overdue subject. And since there are only three people making them I don't see where they are over doing it. The D Model, Spitfire, BF109 models are the victims of overkill IMHO.
- Shawn

[Canucklehead]

If Draggin wants to have a crack at the B/C, that's fine, I'll take a look. I would love for them to crank out a few more Ds though.

Turning a P-51 B/C (or Mk.III) into a P-51A or A-36 (or Mk.I/II) probably won't be that easy. It would require shortening the airframe, adding guns to the engine cowling, and adding a different rad scoop on top of the cowl just for starters. That's alot of mods to get right, and for it to look accurate would probably require a seperate mould. If Corgi pulls it off I'll be amazed.