[SkyBuffalo]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Yes they are, but no change just yet, they are working on a future package. Also you have to remember that all these changes do cost money and has to be considered in an effort to keep their cost down and in turn the retail cost down.
Glitz and fancy can be spelled "m o n e y".

I'm not into fancy packaging either - it's mainly just away to get the model and extra fiddly-bits part to the customer. What I like about Corgi's packaging is the information they give on the plane - squadron history, pilot history, aircraft manufacturing, where the plane flew, what battles or campaigns it was in, etc. That could sell me a model where I might not otherwise buy it.

Hobby Master could do this. I'm sitting here looking at my HobbyMaster box for the Hellcat Mk.II "Fleet Air Arm". You open up the top flap and 80% of the inside surface is bare and blank. There's plenty of room to put 3 to 6 paragraphs in relatively small font. It could be done in plain black text. I'm not looking for Las Vegas show sign fancy - "Just the facts, ma'am." Just the info. that would make me go WOW - I wanna get that model. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm hoping the cost of a few paragraphs of plain black text wouldn't outwieght a good selling point. The information is what got me to buy a 2001 Corgi Mosquito off E-Bay a couple of weeks ago. If I didn't know its info. and history, I would have skipped it.

Just something to consider. My 2 buffalo nickels.

[flaps]

I like HM too, but there boxes are so so, the planes are nice but the lack of limited info, the lack of any kind of info and the small differences in gear and extras makes me like the Corgis better. I wont pay double for a Corgi, but usually so far they have only been around $7.50 or so more than a comp HM.

And I have quite a few models from Corgi that do not fit on display, I go into my walk in storage closet sit down with my pup next to me and some times can open look at enjoy and read about the planes for hours and the new Predators are even more detailed than the old Corgi.

I really like em a lot, sorry to see them go so fast.

The post did not say for sure they were dropping what has already been announced so I for one hope these babies come out, other wise we will not see them for many years with HM's current release schedule, I was looking forward to the

Avenger - Ultimate Squadron - FAA Squadron : Mk1 2F / JZ159, 852 Sqn FAA, HMS Nabob, 1944
Mig 21 - Defining Missions - Phantom Killers : MIG-21 PFM Fishbed F, 927th 'Lam Son', VPAF, 1972
Starfighter - Defining Missions - Luftwaffe Losses : F-104G, 21+42 Jabo G 36, Hopsten, 1970's

Flaps

Originally Posted by SkyBuffalo

I'm not into fancy packaging either - it's mainly just away to get the model and extra fiddly-bits part to the customer. What I like about Corgi's packaging is the information they give on the plane - squadron history, pilot history, aircraft manufacturing, where the plane flew, what battles or campaigns it was in, etc. That could sell me a model where I might not otherwise buy it.

Hobby Master could do this. I'm sitting here looking at my HobbyMaster box for the Hellcat Mk.II "Fleet Air Arm". You open up the top flap and 80% of the inside surface is bare and blank. There's plenty of room to put 3 to 6 paragraphs in relatively small font. It could be done in plain black text. I'm not looking for Las Vegas show sign fancy - "Just the facts, ma'am." Just the info. that would make me go WOW - I wanna get that model. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm hoping the cost of a few paragraphs of plain black text wouldn't outwieght a good selling point. The information is what got me to buy a 2001 Corgi Mosquito off E-Bay a couple of weeks ago. If I didn't know its info. and history, I would have skipped it.

Just something to consider. My 2 buffalo nickels.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by SkyBuffalo

I'm not into fancy packaging either - it's mainly just away to get the model and extra fiddly-bits part to the customer. What I like about Corgi's packaging is the information they give on the plane - squadron history, pilot history, aircraft manufacturing, where the plane flew, what battles or campaigns it was in, etc. That could sell me a model where I might not otherwise buy it.

Hobby Master could do this. I'm sitting here looking at my HobbyMaster box for the Hellcat Mk.II "Fleet Air Arm". You open up the top flap and 80% of the inside surface is bare and blank. There's plenty of room to put 3 to 6 paragraphs in relatively small font. It could be done in plain black text. I'm not looking for Las Vegas show sign fancy - "Just the facts, ma'am." Just the info. that would make me go WOW - I wanna get that model. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm hoping the cost of a few paragraphs of plain black text wouldn't outwieght a good selling point. The information is what got me to buy a 2001 Corgi Mosquito off E-Bay a couple of weeks ago. If I didn't know its info. and history, I would have skipped it.

Just something to consider. My 2 buffalo nickels.

The next releases will have a card insert with information that you are talking about. After that the information will be printed on the box, it just took some time to get everything organized. Remember Hobby Master is just a new born when it comes to this military die-cast selling. The card was used first but after having them done the cost was too high so like you said there is room on the box to print this information and at a minimal cost. The main thing is information is coming.

[Berkut76]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

The next releases will have a card insert with information that you are talking about. After that the information will be printed on the box, it just took some time to get everything organized. Remember Hobby Master is just a new born when it comes to this military die-cast selling. The card was used first but after having them done the cost was too high so like you said there is room on the box to print this information and at a minimal cost. The main thing is information is coming.

Hawk, hopefully HM will pull the information from more than one source. And, hopefully this source(s) will be of somewhat recent print date. Unfortunately, Chinese-run toy companies (not just HM and not just planes and armor) have been known to print utter rubbish when it came to historical background.

Regards,

Sergey

[Raven]

Fancy packing aside - I much prefer HM models.

My only complaint is that HM seemed to give Corgi some of the better F-104 and MiG-21 schemes for their Predator line than some of their own releases. I would have preferred a HM release of the West German F-104 with some subtle panel lines and weathered finish than a factory fresh Corgi version. Same goes for the NVAF MiG-21's. If the Corgi Predator releases get squashed, I sure hope HM picks them up!

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Berkut76

Hawk, hopefully HM will pull the information from more than one source. And, hopefully this source(s) will be of somewhat recent print date. Unfortunately, Chinese-run toy companies (not just HM and not just planes and armor) have been known to print utter rubbish when it came to historical background.

Regards,

Sergey

I'm sure the JS-2's will be correct. (wink, wink)

I hate to say it but only time will tell, I'm betting on Hobby Master doing a half decent job.

[wmosner]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

What's the big deal with packaging? It's cardboard people! If you're so enamoured of the packaging then pay the extra money for a Corgi model, keep the packaging, and send me the model. As far as HobbyMaster being in cahoots with Corgi, I felt betrayed. Here's this company trying to do things differently and then they sell out to the big guys. What makes HM so unique is that they call their own shots and do things based on our input. A model company that listens to its customers - what a novel idea!

I am with HotTrap on this. Once I open the box, it is either tossed in the trash or tossed in the garage never to see the light of day. I want accuracy in the model. All of mine are on display to be looked at and even held.

[admin]

Originally Posted by wmosner

I am with HotTrap on this. Once I open the box, it is either tossed in the trash or tossed in the garage never to see the light of day. I want accuracy in the model. All of mine are on display to be looked at and even held.

Surely you jest....

What"s with the packaging? Are you kidding?
You guys aren't really the types who throw away the boxes are you? What would you do if you moved? How would you ever resell a model? Can you really display you entire collection? If you can't, don't you rotate your display? Everyone of those actions are dependent on the box.

As with just about any collectible, the box is just as important as the model inside. If you have a GI Joe from 1975, it's worth some money. If you have a GI Joe from 1975 mint in the box then it's worth a lot more, possibly double. The box becomes a collectible too, especially when so many collectors have to keep there models stored. Due to remodeling, I have every single model that I own in their boxes right now. That said, a man has to get his fix every now and then. You know, get a model out and stare at for a while maybe fly it around the room, well if your like me, and I know that some of you are. The Corgi box permits fearless retrieval for logging flight time. The HM box however, well now that's another story, you have annoying wires to contend with and it's also very easy to tear the flaps on their flimsy paper box. It's also bland and lacks personality, and hey, it gets you no freebies.

I collect history, but I also collect eye candy, and the more I get of both with my purchase the better. To me the paint, as well as the build, on the box is almost as important as that of the plane inside.

[wmosner]

Every model I have is on display. I have two of those Ikea cabinets filled, my wife (crudgingly) allows some on "her" coffee table and other pieces of furniture and they are also on shelves in the family room. I have always collected for my own enjoyment, future resale value has never been important at all. When I am dead and gone, my wife and kids will have no idea what the possible worth of these things is and at that stage I really won't give a rat's ass either.

[djjeffhall]

Presentation is important folks.

Yes, the bird inside is the SINGLE defining element of the deal, but presentation says to the customer that the manufacturer cares and leaves a big impression after the bird is put away and the box in the garage.

While I'm not a Corgi first and foremost guy, their packaging is so MUCH better then Dragon or Hobby Master. Gemini have a nice box and pack the bird well, but its really bland.

Granted, I think that everyone in the field could step way on on this front, and the new Corgi packaging (Which I haven't seen yet.) seems to be a big leap in that direction. I'm also looking forward to seeing the next round from Hobby Master where there is detail and history on the packaging.

The little extras would go a LONG way to getting more repeat business from the regular public. (We are all hopelessly addicted so I don't count us. )