[Saeta]

Nice to see a thread that for a change speaks nicely about a FM product...
Franklin Mint, are you reading this ?? you see, we collectors can gradually come back to you if you only bother to put some effort into your products.

Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing their razorback P-47 and check if it is any good.

[derhamburgerjung]

Thanks for your pictures.
I just knew the cataloge pictures and I was not convinced to buy this one.

But now I have to change my mind. A Razorback will be a great! Hope to see this one soon

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Saeta

Nice to see a thread that for a change speaks nicely about a FM product...
Franklin Mint, are you reading this ?? you see, we collectors can gradually come back to you if you only bother to put some effort into your products.

Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing their razorback P-47 and check if it is any good.

I would have to agree with you Saeta . It would be good to see FM lift the bar and once again become a strong player in the diecast market .

[Epapazian]

Although I have a good number of Franklin Mint/Armour models, I stopped buying these replicas due to the extreme lack of detail, especially on the undersurfaces, as well as other issues. In this context, the FM Wildcat appears far more detailed from the pictures posted, which is interesting, since it is a newer mold.

If Franklin Mint really wishes to regain lost ground, it should consider investing in new and more detailed molds on a number of potentially very popular warbirds. Some of the ones I have in mind are a BF-109E, P-51B, FW-190D, BF-110C, Val, IL-2M, and, a bit on the riskier side, a Tony or a MC-202. The plan would be to combine these newer and far superior molds with some of the older ones which also have better than average detail---like the SBD---into a new line, with a new name, to distinguish them from the older, less appealing models. Of course, we are talking about better detailing-----walk lines, various forms of lettering around gas ports, hatches, etc. and some subtle weathering-----which, combined with improved molds, may justify modest price increases. If this new line----let's call it Franklin Mint's Elite Warbirds, pending a better moniker--gains favor, it can expand beyond WW II where many planes---the F-105, F-106, various Russian fighters, etc.--- are still awaiting their turn.

I think that it's a mistake for Franklin Mint to keep pumping out new liveries of planes like the FW-190A , which fall short due to the poor quality of the original mold. Let's face it, diecast collectors have become far more sophisticated---and glutted with product. It's time to reposition this line so it is perceived as a new player in the quality arena by many of us who have turned elsewhere in the past five or six years. Eventually FM may decide to redo the FW-190A, BF-109G, Zero, and other's in the initial Armour lineup, but for now, it could start the upgrade with planes that it hasn't, as yet ,released.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

Although I have a good number of Franklin Mint/Armour models, I stopped buying these replicas due to the extreme lack of detail, especially on the undersurfaces, as well as other issues. In this context, the FM Wildcat appears far more detailed from the pictures posted, which is interesting, since it is a newer mold.

If Franklin Mint really wishes to regain lost ground, it should consider investing in new and more detailed molds on a number of potentially very popular warbirds. Some of the ones I have in mind are a BF-109E, P-51B, FW-190D, BF-110C, Val, IL-2M, and, a bit on the riskier side, a Tony or a MC-202. The plan would be to combine these newer and far superior molds with some of the older ones which also have better than average detail---like the SBD---into a new line, with a new name, to distinguish them from the older, less appealing models. Of course, we are talking about better detailing-----walk lines, various forms of lettering around gas ports, hatches, etc. and some subtle weathering-----which, combined with improved molds, may justify modest price increases. If this new line----let's call it Franklin Mint's Elite Warbirds, pending a better moniker--gains favor, it can expand beyond WW II where many planes---the F-105, F-106, various Russian fighters, etc.--- are still awaiting their turn.

I think that it's a mistake for Franklin Mint to keep pumping out new liveries of planes like the FW-190A , which fall short due to the poor quality of the original mold. Let's face it, diecast collectors have become far more sophisticated---and glutted with product. It's time to reposition this line so it is perceived as a new player in the quality arena by many of us who have turned elsewhere in the past five or six years. Eventually FM may decide to redo the FW-190A, BF-109G, Zero, and other's in the initial Armour lineup, but for now, it could start the upgrade with planes that it hasn't, as yet ,released.

I agree. I have been arguing for something as Epap suggests for some time. I even think FM could improve existing molds such as the bubbletop T-Bolt with plugs for screw holes, recessing and plugging landing gear screw heads and applying extensive stenciling. I would start buying bubbletops if they demonstrated an attempt to improve them.

The razorback T-Bolt has been brought up: In my judgment, this model suggests FM's half hearted attempts to improve. For example, on the plus side, the fuselage detail has been improved with riveting, and the fit of the tail section has been improved. On the negative side, it appears the old wing mold has been applied to a new fuselage mold, looks like a weird hybrid of old and tired wings with new and improved fuselage. Also, no plugged screw holes, and no attempt to remove or hide the screws used to attach the landing gear... in effect, the underside looks like the bubbletop T-Bolt (i.e. no improvement). Finally, the gaff with the canopy is just bewildering.

So... while the new and improved Mirage and Wildcats appear to be promising (the He-111 also), the Razorback T-bolt appears to be a step in the wrong direction. I'm not yet convinced that FM is really committed to stepping up its game.

[Art LeBrun]

Originally Posted by kingpin

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

Glen

Looks just like my FM aircraft...good color!

Art

[John Youngs]

Originally Posted by Saeta

...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.

Saeta - I couldn't agree with you more - you'd think Armour/FM would realize that for every person that buys these things, almost as many (if not more!!) are also "turned off" by their manufacturing errors (lack of research, and perhaps concern??). I'd like to think that they're "doing things right", but as long as they continue with the practice of distancing themselves from the very people they're trying to sell to, I'm afraid that's not going to happen, at least to any great degree. What I personally have noticed is a general practice of how they'll design/build one very nicely; then turn around and put out another piece of crap. As Pappy indicated in another thread about Armour/FM in general, "...it's a hit or miss thing". Until I see solid evidence to the contrary, I'm not holding my breath here... - JY

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Art LeBrun

Looks just like my FM aircraft...good color!

Art

That is a sharp looking model.

[STARMAN 352ND]

It has a neat looking camo look to it....
JP