[SKUNKY]

Pappy, I was under the impression that they dumped the decals and went to pad printing after FM took over the Armour line.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Pappy, I was under the impression that they dumped the decals and went to pad printing after FM took over the Armour line.

That's what I thought too, but I've got original CDC stuff with no decals -- Fickle Fanny P-51, Graf 190, Hartman 109, for example. The messy stuff seems to have appeared just after FM acquired the line -- marked by the appearance of the blue and silver boxes with the windows... these models seem to have a mixture of stickers and pad-printing, and the stickers are pretty lousy (the QA on these models is all over the map, too). First Doolilttle B-25, first 262s, for example...

I was told by a vendor at this time that FM was trying out a gaggle of different manufacturers... which would explain the jeckle and hyde nature of the models

Things seem to settled down with the arrival of the now-standard FM packaging... Least this is what I can decipher from looking at my own FM/CDC collection. THe stickers are gone... the QA seems better... as seen in the new B-26s, SBDs, P-38s...

Just my best guesses.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I have FM/CDC's LuLubelle, which is just okay to me -- the mold is just entirely too fat from the cowling back to the aft portion of the fuselage behind the cockpit, to me at least. The lines just look... off. Fairly nice paint job, though, and I'll never get rid of mine as it was a gift from my wife -- I can always point to it and say "you started my addiction" :-)

I have several of Speccast's 1:48 or are they 1:48 corsairs, and call me crazy, but I actually prefer the lines of them to FM's. If you could combine the two, you'd have a decent model I got these in the late 90's when they were the only game in town in this scale.

Hey Diecast Ace,

I too like Spec Cast's Corsairs, I have two. Love them except for under the wings, you know what I'm talking about. The bottoms of the wings simply don't exist. You don't mention this in your reviews, though. Maybe your SC Corsairs are different?

I love the "handleability" of the SC Corsair. It feels right. The glossy dark blue is gorgeous. And the pad printed Naval Reserve markings? Perfect.

Regarding stickers on Franklin Mint offerings, I own about eight FM's and there are no stickers. The best quality FM I own is their Ju 52, 1935 Lufthansa version w/ spatted gear. Simply stunning.

Regarding metal props, my FAA Hellcat, B-24 Coastal Command, C-47 D-Day and Ju 52 all have metal props. Same with my P-40. My Ju 87G has a plastic prop, as my Mosquito. Not sure of my B-25.

I have located a site that sells discounted FMs, including the Big Hairy Bird. I may go ahead and pick one up, although my supressed desire is to get a 6 plane livery going of variously schemed DC-3s-- Berlin Airlift, Air Transport Command, Eastern Airlines, etc. I love the FM DC-3's. Love that wing!

Take it easy.

Welcome to the webpage of Ara Hagopian

[skysurfer808]

So let me get this straight. Franklin's increased their prices and are clamping down on those who won't play ball with the new scheme. Their new lineup is predominantly rehashed planes, with little other than livery changes. So we can now buy planes that ebayed for 30-40 or so for 59.99. All this at a time when Hobbymaster's 1/48 Buffalos are going for 34.99, when they have retractable gear and HM quality.

My magic 8 ball predicts.....Bankruptcy for the new Franklin Mint.

I do not see how they can get away with this as their product line really has issues. I can think of only a few models that are worth their metal content. The rest may as well be toys. Thank goodness for the competition. Franklin Mint has some good planes, but they don't hold a candle to the new competition. Yes I enjoy my FM Dauntless, Bordelon Corsair, Swiss and Hartmann BF-109, and their Vraciu Hellcat. However, the majority of rest of this line ought to go the way of the dodo. Having said all this, the Mirage III looks okay, perhaps the only smart product in their lineup. I do see myself acquiring an Israeli Mirage, a Mig 15 and 17. Still aside from a massave QC revamp, I do not see how this company can stay in business.

As for Spec Cast, I have the Death Rattlers -4, and have to agree that its lines are better and more accurate than the majority of FM's Corsairs (except the -5N Bordelon). The livery is nice, and I have it in 1/100 and Corgi's in 1/72. While none of these are perfect, they go together well, and the Gloss of the Sea Blue paint has to be seen to be believed. Paid 10.00 for an unboxed example, and am very happy with it.

Skysurfer808

[landrocket]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I agree CArd, it seems reprehensible for retailers to immediately hike prices on exisiting stock to match the new prices, unless its' an order from FM directly...maybe they control retail pricing?

I can agree with this comment and disagree at the same time. From my perspective it seems a bit like profiteering, but at the same time, retail sales is a miserable game for the vendor and I can't blame them taking an opportunity when one arises to maximize their return on the investment. Personally with the risk of buying dud products that never move and end up costing them money, it is amazing that so many people get into it. ... but I'm glad they do!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Hey Diecast Ace,

I too like Spec Cast's Corsairs, I have two. Love them except for under the wings, you know what I'm talking about. The bottoms of the wings simply don't exist. You don't mention this in your reviews, though. Maybe your SC Corsairs are different?

I love the "handleability" of the SC Corsair. It feels right. The glossy dark blue is gorgeous. And the pad printed Naval Reserve markings? Perfect.

Regarding stickers on Franklin Mint offerings, I own about eight FM's and there are no stickers. The best quality FM I own is their Ju 52, 1935 Lufthansa version w/ spatted gear. Simply stunning.

Regarding metal props, my FAA Hellcat, B-24 Coastal Command, C-47 D-Day and Ju 52 all have metal props. Same with my P-40. My Ju 87G has a plastic prop, as my Mosquito. Not sure of my B-25.

I have located a site that sells discounted FMs, including the Big Hairy Bird. I may go ahead and pick one up, although my supressed desire is to get a 6 plane livery going of variously schemed DC-3s-- Berlin Airlift, Air Transport Command, Eastern Airlines, etc. I love the FM DC-3's. Love that wing!

Take it easy.

Welcome to the webpage of Ara Hagopian

No, Ara, I should have mentioned that wing issue on the corsair reviews, I know I noted it somewhere... but I should say it on all of 'em. Thanks for pointing that out! Mine, alas, are the same as yours...

Question: Are your FM models all recent purchases -- last 2 or three years?

I say jump on any discounted FM stock you can find if you are at all interested... prices are going, up, up, up by the looks of it -- I may do the same thing myself.

(And it's nice to know I'm not the only one that likes SC stuff ;-) Sky and Ara... that makes three of us! BTW you can clean up on these on ebay right now, but of course you know that...)

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by PappyB

(And it's nice to know I'm not the only one that likes SC stuff ;-) Sky and Ara... that makes three of us! BTW you can clean up on these on ebay right now, but of course you know that...)

Hey, I like my SpecCast models (or SpecCrap to the Stinky fella ) just as well, too!

[Aircrafty]

It sounds like FM has lost its Intel

[STARMAN 352ND]

Hey Pappy,
I have the FM Boyington Corsair that seems to have decals on the fuse.
But the wings have been pad printed.
Do they have a Boyington Corsair with complete pad print?
JP

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

Hey Pappy,
I have the FM Boyington Corsair that seems to have decals on the fuse.
But the wings have been pad printed.
Do they have a Boyington Corsair with complete pad print?
JP

I don't know for sure, but I think so -- I have the original CDC version, which I'll double check tonight or tomorrow -- I think it's all pad-printed. Yours a FM release? The box will look like this, if it is...

Silver and blue box with the window marks the first FM releases. Silver and blue with no window is CDC, Red/tan box are original CDC releases. (I don't think this model came out before the blue/silver boxes).