[mustangdriver]

I think you are right that FM still makes this one as well.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I believe corgi scrapped the plans for the plane well before the scandal.

And you know the saying, all press is good press -- could make it sell better

FM makes it in 1:48 before the scandal, and far as I know they haven't stopped making it...

I wonder what made them pull out of making such a well known plane? I'm sure it would be a winner.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by PappyB

FM makes it in 1:48 before the scandal, and far as I know they haven't stopped making it...

Hey PappyB, do you own one of FM's F-4J? What's your opinion about it? I'm thinking snapping up this pretty baby!

[skysurfer808]

Here's my top 10 list of Phantoms Corgi ought to make. I'd buy the majority of them, especially the USMC ones. And I'd like to see them in Aviation Archive, rather than Legends, else I'd have picked up the VMFA-232 Red Devil.

1. Randy Cunningham's Showtime 100. Definately would be a success, maybe somebody could do an exclusive run.
2. Israeli F-4E. Could be done with retooling, and would look great with that desert camo.
3. Have to agree on a Gulf War F-4G Wild Weasel with a shark mouth. The low vis gray would certainly look nice, and it'd look good on display next to Corgi's RAF Gulf War birds.
4. Vietnam War USAF F-4E, preferably in the markings of Steve Ritchie.
5. USMC VMFA-122 F-4B, John Verdi's squadron, posted this before, but hey it's a cool livery and a great squadron history.
6. USMC VMFA-333 F-4J Triple Trey Shamrock, in the markings of Cummings and Lassiter, the only USMC Mig Killers.
7. Iranian Air Force F-4E, another favorite livery, but probably wouldn't sell so well.
8. USN F-4J VF-92 Silver Kings flown by Curt Dose, who was likely the one who downed whoever Colonel Tomb really was.
9. USN F-4B VF-84 Jolly Rogers, for those Jolly Rogers collectors out there.
10. USN F-4B VF-21 Freelancers, Page and Smith, first USN mig killers of the war.

These are my preferences, the B's and J's could be made with minimum retooling, and the E's schemes would be popular. I wouldn't be surprised to see HM go after the E.

Skysurfer808

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

Hey PappyB, do you own one of FM's F-4J? What's your opinion about it? I'm thinking snapping up this pretty baby!

I don't Fly, wanted to but space issues rear their ugly head ;-) That's why I'd love to see it in 1:72, with opening canopies, and full ordnance :-)

In general I like the FM Phantoms -- I have the Olds, Wild Weasel, and "Mig Killer". However, I'm far from being an expert on them in terms of accuracy. They look good to me - despite some ugly gap issues, which plague all of the FM line, pretty much.

To steer back to the original topic... I'd love to see HM do this one!

[Raven]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

What about the British version with the RR Spey engine FG.1 (F-4K) and FG.2 (F-4M). The plane had to be modified to handle the larger engine and larger air intakes were required. It also removed the narrowing section of the intakes when they made the air intakes bigger. This definitely would make it stand out in a group of F-4s. I think it would be a nice change from the other F-4s that were made by the pooch. What do you guys think?

Frankly, I would think that outside the UK these would have limited appeal. It's a lot of investment in a unique casting for a limited return - probably why Corgi elected to do the F-4C/D/J instead of the F-4K/M - less RAF/RN versions but more USAF/USN/Other potential. Another F-4C/D/J would open up more schemes but Corgi could easily counter with inexpensive repaints (for Corgi, not MSRP-wise) of their existing casting. IMHO, the F-4E/F/G would give HM the best chance at a really successful F-4 model with widespread appeal.

If it wouldn't compromise the casting, maybe they could come up with multiple forward fuselages (F-4C/D, RF-4C, F-4E/G) for the same J-79 powered rear end. Would likely be heresy to the rivet counters out there as I am sure there are many more differences than I'm aware of.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on a pure f-4E/F/G - a sure winner!

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Raven

Frankly, I would think that outside the UK these would have limited appeal. It's a lot of investment in a unique casting for a limited return - probably why Corgi elected to do the F-4C/D/J instead of the F-4K/M - less RAF/RN versions but more USAF/USN/Other potential. Another F-4C/D/J would open up more schemes but Corgi could easily counter with inexpensive repaints (for Corgi, not MSRP-wise) of their existing casting. IMHO, the F-4E/F/G would give HM the best chance at a really successful F-4 model with widespread appeal.

If it wouldn't compromise the casting, maybe they could come up with multiple forward fuselages (F-4C/D, RF-4C, F-4E/G) for the same J-79 powered rear end. Would likely be heresy to the rivet counters out there as I am sure there are many more differences than I'm aware of.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on a pure f-4E/F/G - a sure winner!

All very valid and it makes sense but what about the Brits, there's nothing new in there for them. If they made the Spey engine FG.1 and FG.2 you wouldn't buy one?

[mustangdriver]

The flying mule says that I just boght the last Franklin Mint Showtime 100.

[SKUNKY]

Somebody (besides Corgi) needs to do Showtime 100 in 1/72nd....It's a great scheme with real history behind it...I really don't care what Cunningham did in his post-military life. He's paying the price for it today....and besides, Willy Driscoll hasn't done anything wrong. He was just as much a part of the action as Duke.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Somebody (besides Corgi) needs to do Showtime 100 in 1/72nd....It's a great scheme with real history behind it...I really don't care what Cunningham did in his post-military life. He's paying the price for it today....and besides, Willy Driscoll hasn't done anything wrong. He was just as much a part of the action as Duke.

Well said my stinky little friend, bravo.