[PappyB]

Originally Posted by CLLCTR5

Any current comparisons to the way that cars are manufactured today is kind of apples and oranges...too many government issues and future looking assesments of design and technology that would not be relevant in a comparison to upgrading a static image that only needs more additional tiny details to make it look more and more like the image of the P-51 that is only two or three different images (B C D) on the face.

That would be neat if they did an F-51 though...I would enjoy that.

If you really think that's what I was saying, well... sigh. Obviously I know that designing an automobile is just a "tad" more complex than a hunk of metal in 1:48 I was talking at the extreme macro level...


The only real way for us to get what we want is to stop buying the silly things.

Which I, for one, have.

Now all we have to do is convince Mr. Casual or Mr. FM Only Please to do the same -- and I am refering to the collective "we" that would like to see FM up its game.

I personally don't understand the philosophy of buying today what is an inferior casting -- FM Mustang -- because the company may still be around in 15 years making the same tired Mustangs... Who cares if Company B (and there is not nearly enough competition in 1:48, as FM is the Starbucks of the market) that makes a better Mustang may not be around in 10, 5, 1 year or even a month? It's not like post-purchase customer support and after-market parts are very important in this hobby.

To each their own.

[CLLCTR5]

I hate to tell you this but this is not as simple as not renewing your season tickets to the Detroit Lions. If everyone stopped buying the current TFM (and we know there is no chance of that of course so please don't hit me with your bicycle) Morgan Mint would just get out of the diecast aircraft business. If only because of the huge red flag that would pose alone. The only way they can raise liquid capital to invest into quality future projects is to profit off existant toolings. The more we buy now...the better the toolings will be in 2009 and 2010. Forget 2008 for a minute...there will be some cool items next year...but the really exciting future is a little further away. Can't wait, myself.

I'm guessing this thread is pretty close to burning out by now barring some tangent analysis. Maybe?

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by CLLCTR5

...the better the toolings will be in 2009 and 2010. Forget 2008 for a minute...there will be some cool items next year...but the really exciting future is a little further away. Can't wait, myself.

I can't wait either. I own 9 FMs and love them. There are at least 9 others in their line I'd buy today if I could. Ours (1/48 diecast) is a fairly small market and it's still the early days of the life cycle. The upcoming years will feature great stuff I'm sure. If the B-26 and He 111 are even a slight indication, we'll be just fine.

Thanks CLLCTR5 for sharing what you know and for spending so much time with us.

[CLLCTR5]

You're very welcome Ara...and everyone else. I have to say this is a very nice messageboard here...I've been able to offer a POV that on some messageboards would be pulled apart by wolves. Kinda surprised I wasn't flamed more. Really impressed by that. Thanks to everyone who makes it possible.

[PappyB]

Okay then, everyone -- the time to chip in for FM is now! If we all buy 5 FM P-51s in 2007, and get a friend to do the same, and so on -- maybe, just maybe... they'll make a better one someday. (Or, they'll just say "Wow, these are selling so well that we don't have to do a thing!" I find that more likely.)



But for the record, I wasn't saying buy no more FM models at all -- just the ones that are in dire need of some TLC... such as the P-51. (I bought a B-26, a Zero, and a Phantom this year. I haven't purchased a FM Mustang since... I dunno 2002? But I have purchased 2 EI's, 4 GMPs, 6 Dragons, a couple Corgi's -- which I've now also sworn off for the same reason), a Witty, and 2 Gemini P-51s since then... probably more.)

I am grateful to FM and Corgi for paving the way for the rest to enter the market -- but there are limits to my gratitude..



(fizzle... )

[STARMAN 352ND]

i have been reading this for a while and i can say is.....
I'm just going to wait and see what Franklin Mint does in 2008 i don't want to hear
what they have planned...Because we all know companies have a habit of changing their
minds about something.
I'll tell you this much...I'm happy they have got better with the F4 Phantoms...without
the fuel tanks..more padded tampo print and less decals is a plus...As of the P-51 well
they have a new mold coming out later in the year for the P-51B but their going up against
a great company that all ready has the best P-51B mold Eagles International...So yes i think it
would of been better to upgrade their P-51D line...
JP

[FormerViperDriver]

Yeah, OK, but what about my guess that TFM will do an SR-71 in 2008?

I'm surprised no one has commented on that...

FVD

[CLLCTR5]

Originally Posted by FormerViperDriver

Yeah, OK, but what about my guess that TFM will do an SR-71 in 2008?

I'm surprised no one has commented on that...

FVD

I didn't see that guess or I would have commented for sure.

Very interesting guess...I would not be surprised at all. Cross your fingers!

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by CLLCTR5

I didn't see that guess or I would have commented for sure.

Very interesting guess...I would not be surprised at ball. Cross your fingers!

It's in one of my posts not too far back in this thread. Of course it was inspired by you mentioning the airplane in one of your posts.

Now, if they do it right, that would be a sensation for sure, and I for one would be willing to pay pretty good money for it. If they do it right...

FVD

[STARMAN 352ND]

FVD they better have you there with them when they start making the mold otherwise it will not be right...
You seem to have a good eye on the modern birds and knowing you ...You will find something that is not right with it.
A SR71 Blackbird in 1:48 really would be awsome..
JP