[Saeta]

I collect 1:48 WWII models, and I had been after a Wildcat for a while, and could not make up my mind whether to go for the C1 or the A/FM one ( this is a rare occasion where we collectors actually have a choice… ).

I have to confess that I once thought I would never be buying A/FM again, since HM, EI and C1 promised to supply us with a steady flow of high quality products in this market niche. However, my local shop received some A/FM Wildcats, while the C1 brand is not on sale here in Europe and I would have had to order it from the US. I went to check the A/FM Wildcat and it looked reasonable, so I decided to put an end to my indecision and I bought it, more to fill in a gap in my collection than because of any expectation that it would be a great model.

I was hence very positively surprised when I got back home and unpacked it properly to find a rather nice model !!. I got the one in the white / grey Atlantic scheme, and the finishing looks better than that of many other A/FM models. Also, the riveting all over, which I dislike a lot when it is overdone, does not look too bad in this model. I am happy with it, even if it retains some of the traditional A/FM “lazy bum” flaws.

While in the shop I got to look at some of the latest A/FM P-47Ds too, and they also look somehow better than the previous ones. Painting looks sharper, decals appear to be all pad-printed, etc. Ah, I forgot… and A/FM also seem to have discarded their political correctness and now finally give us models in IAF colours too. About time !!

Is A/FM trying to “come back” ?? I surely hope so !!. They have been massively criticised by many in this forum for their lack of quality, effort, etc ( I know well, I was one of them ). However, with C1 apparently having gone dry ( a great pity, since they were getting better and better with every new release and their last model, the Fw-190D, was superb ) and EI having gone fu#@%ing nuts with the ridiculously overdone riveting in their Texan ( I hope they discontinue the practice ), we could really do with A/FM stepping up their efforts and through quality claiming back some of the lost ground.

[stukadan]

Hey Saeta;

I have long been a collector of the original CDC Armour line first and then Franklin Mint and I agree that the quality has improved. The intial offerings by FM were dreadful and on more than 1 occasion I actually had decals come off in my hand! I was bitterly disappointed by what i felt was a great dropoff in quality. However, as critical as I've been with FM I do feel they have made strides and hope this trend will continue. Danny

Originally Posted by Saeta

I collect 1:48 WWII models, and I had been after a Wildcat for a while, and could not make up my mind whether to go for the C1 or the A/FM one ( this is a rare occasion where we collectors actually have a choice… ).

I have to confess that I once thought I would never be buying A/FM again, since HM, EI and C1 promised to supply us with a steady flow of high quality products in this market niche. However, my local shop received some A/FM Wildcats, while the C1 brand is not on sale here in Europe and I would have had to order it from the US. I went to check the A/FM Wildcat and it looked reasonable, so I decided to put an end to my indecision and I bought it, more to fill in a gap in my collection than because of any expectation that it would be a great model.

I was hence very positively surprised when I got back home and unpacked it properly to find a rather nice model !!. I got the one in the white / grey Atlantic scheme, and the finishing looks better than that of many other A/FM models. Also, the riveting all over, which I dislike a lot when it is overdone, does not look too bad in this model. I am happy with it, even if it retains some of the traditional A/FM “lazy bum” flaws.

While in the shop I got to look at some of the latest A/FM P-47Ds too, and they also look somehow better than the previous ones. Painting looks sharper, decals appear to be all pad-printed, etc. Ah, I forgot… and A/FM also seem to have discarded their political correctness and now finally give us models in IAF colours too. About time !!

Is A/FM trying to “come back” ?? I surely hope so !!. They have been massively criticised by many in this forum for their lack of quality, effort, etc ( I know well, I was one of them ). However, with C1 apparently having gone dry ( a great pity, since they were getting better and better with every new release and their last model, the Fw-190D, was superb ) and EI having gone fu#@%ing nuts with the ridiculously overdone riveting in their Texan ( I hope they discontinue the practice ), we could really do with A/FM stepping up their efforts and through quality claiming back some of the lost ground.

[markko]

Originally Posted by Saeta

I collect 1:48 WWII models, and I had been after a Wildcat for a while, and could not make up my mind whether to go for the C1 or the A/FM one ( this is a rare occasion where we collectors actually have a choice… ).

I have to confess that I once thought I would never be buying A/FM again, since HM, EI and C1 promised to supply us with a steady flow of high quality products in this market niche. However, my local shop received some A/FM Wildcats, while the C1 brand is not on sale here in Europe and I would have had to order it from the US. I went to check the A/FM Wildcat and it looked reasonable, so I decided to put an end to my indecision and I bought it, more to fill in a gap in my collection than because of any expectation that it would be a great model.

I was hence very positively surprised when I got back home and unpacked it properly to find a rather nice model !!. I got the one in the white / grey Atlantic scheme, and the finishing looks better than that of many other A/FM models. Also, the riveting all over, which I dislike a lot when it is overdone, does not look too bad in this model. I am happy with it, even if it retains some of the traditional A/FM “lazy bum” flaws.

While in the shop I got to look at some of the latest A/FM P-47Ds too, and they also look somehow better than the previous ones. Painting looks sharper, decals appear to be all pad-printed, etc. Ah, I forgot… and A/FM also seem to have discarded their political correctness and now finally give us models in IAF colours too. About time !!

Is A/FM trying to “come back” ?? I surely hope so !!. They have been massively criticised by many in this forum for their lack of quality, effort, etc ( I know well, I was one of them ). However, with C1 apparently having gone dry ( a great pity, since they were getting better and better with every new release and their last model, the Fw-190D, was superb ) and EI having gone fu#@%ing nuts with the ridiculously overdone riveting in their Texan ( I hope they discontinue the practice ), we could really do with A/FM stepping up their efforts and through quality claiming back some of the lost ground.

Hello all Wildcat lover's------ For a look at an example of true diecast " eye candy ", check out the 2008 Armour Collection FM-1 Martlet----the model is absolutely gorgeous! Don't trust any photos--you have to see it in person. It and the IAF Mirage III have my vote as Franklin Mints "release of the year". Happy collecting, --markko

[Black 6]

Originally Posted by markko

Hello all Wildcat lover's------ For a look at an example of true diecast " eye candy ", check out the 2008 Armour Collection FM-1 Martlet----the model is absolutely gorgeous! Don't trust any photos--you have to see it in person. It and the IAF Mirage III have my vote as Franklin Mints "release of the year". Happy collecting, --markko

I agree Markko, I got my Martlet a couple of weeks ago and am impressed by how well it is done. You are correct in that you cannot trust the pics as they do not portray the colors accurately. It is really a thing of beauty and looks like pics I have of the real deal.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Black 6

I agree Markko, I got my Martlet a couple of weeks ago and am impressed by how well it is done. You are correct in that you cannot trust the pics as they do not portray the colors accurately. It is really a thing of beauty and looks like pics I have of the real deal.

Any chance of you posting some photos of this new addition?

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Black 6

I agree Markko, I got my Martlet a couple of weeks ago and am impressed by how well it is done. You are correct in that you cannot trust the pics as they do not portray the colors accurately. It is really a thing of beauty and looks like pics I have of the real deal.

Posts some pics, bro? Thanks.

[Black 6]

I'll get some pics up as soon as I can CC and Fly (this weekend probably). Thanks for asking.

[kingpin]

Not to intrude, here is a couple pics I took to use in our store

Glen

[Cruver Collecter]

Nice looking pictures of the Martlet, looks pretty good.

[Cardinal]

It actually looks quite good and appears to even have 'Elmer plugs' fitted ...