[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Elmer

More wasted metal??

Come now, let's be nice... We all, whether we like FM or not, should give them props for doing so much to help establish this aviation diecast market we're enjoying so much of late. There was a day when all you could get in 1:48 was Gearbox, Speccast, and CDC/FM, which is when I started collecting.

If you think FM molds have issues now for $30-40, try buying Gearbox or SpecCast at $60/pop, which I did because FM was charging $80-90/pop for fighters! (Mid-late 90's).

Gearbox has gone the way of the DoDo...Speccast has all but dried up, too... FM's going strong, or at last has been for a number of years giving us a wide range of models that no one else was in this scale. (And I believe helped others make the plunge into 1:48, and even 1:72 as well.)

Yes, they should wake up and smell the competition's coffee brewing, but at least they've dropped their prices to be more competitive with superior castings from the likes of OMI. (Should I get two or three FM Mustangs, or one OMI? ).

IMHO there would be no Carousel 1 or OMI or HM in 1:48 to drool over if FM did not pave the way.

Also, myself, I like to have a mix of vendors in my collection -- I'll hold onto my speccast (or Speccrap as Skunky calls it) and my Gearbox, and my FM to show the evolution of the hobby -- that, and well, I'd get dimes on the dollar to sell them.. But truthfully, I still like these models for different reasons. It's not all about the rivet-counting to me.

I hope FM keeps going for another 10 years -- even if they never fix that P-51

Now, anyone want to buy some HTF SpecCast...

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by Dchage

The Franklin Mint today announced that three new toolings can be expected for 2007: a Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter, Lockheed-Martin F-22 Air Dominance Fighter and Dassault Mirage III all-weather interceptor. No word as yet concerning which birds will be replicated or the number of new repaints expected later this year although the Company did indicate that complete information is on its way and should be available for public consumption shortly. ....[

Well after all these are new molds...But i'm happy to see a F-22 in their lineup.
That will be a big seller i'm sure.
I'm sure they will be making other paint schemes for the other molds.
JP

[Ara1]

I agree with Pappy- FM has added a lot to the hobby and I am proud to own their Lufthansa Ju 52, Ju 87G, F6F FAA, C-47. B-24 CC, and others. I endeavor to collect many of their DC-3's in a variety of civvy liveries.

And yes, I am also a proud owner of Speccast's F4U, two to be exact. I like the finsih and how they "feel". I can ignore the underwings, although I do dream of owning a few Franklin Mint F4U's.

Here's hoping FM gets a scheme right for their nice looking He 111. A little research into the markings would go a long way, I think.

[flyXwire]

I would love to get the F-22 ADF in a bigger scale if done right. I'm quite happy with the Gaincorp F-22 at the moment. Now, the Dassault Mirage III I'll definitely buy one and I'm hoping for an Israeli Air Force camo and markings. This year I'll be assembling my Hey'l Avir combat aircraft and the Mirage III is a welcome addition.

[aeroeng]

Thanks for the info Dchage.

[mustangdriver]

That sucks. The wildcat, already being made is the only new WWII aircraft to come out. The F-22 is cool, but has a limited base, and only a few color options. I have to say that the Mirage doesn't really interest me. These would have been good choices if they were going to also produce a P-61, A-20, Helldiver, and Avenger.

[aeroeng]

I was hoping for more WWII. The jets will be OK too, but I'm kind of disappointed. I guess Hobby Master raised my expectations too much .

[Dchage]

your welcome, i was a little upset there werent more WW 2 planes introduced also.

[mustangdriver]

Yeah, I give Franklin mint credit for a lot, I own a good bit of their stuff, and can be considered a fan of theirs. But when they come out with a line up like this to go up against some really great stuff. You just gotta wonder. I am hoping that maybe there are a couple more form them this year.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Well maybe they will re-tool the P-51D Mustang and a few other of there planes...You never know what could happened with the new owners on the block.
JP