[kabelace]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

If only the dive flaps were closed. Or if HM provided a stand that puts the bird in a dive, that would be nice. Pilots/crew would be good as well. BTW, does the stand still wobble?

Was there not talk that HM was going to start providing aircrew? I know a few of there offerings have them, but I though they were going to start offering them with all there aircraft. Hawk any word on this?

[HotTrap429]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

There requests for an SBD with open flaps and it was very well received, I guess they thought a second one might be wanted as well. I'll pass all these comments on to Hobby Master so if there are others that don't like them open please say so. Also, if you do like them open let me know as well.
The first version http://www.hobbymastercollector.com/HA0126TorchSBD.html

I love the dive flaps open but not on a bird that can only be displayed sitting on the ground. While the first one was innovative, and I bought it for the open flaps, I'm not tolerant of a second one that isn't what I want. After all, we collectors lambasted Corgi because they produced a "Warbirds" series in flight mode with no pilots/aircrew. Let's be fair; HobbyMaster, either give us aircrews or stop being "cute"with these little gimmicks. If the plane can only sit on the ground for a lack of pilots, then make the flaps closed. So while I love the markings on this bird and the new spinner, I'm not buying this one either.

Personally, I'm really losing my enthusiasm for HobbyMaster. Their choices of models and scales lately have me baffled and some of the things they've done (a seperate tail on the Hellcat - what's with that? A T-6 German version, but no SNJ? A 1:48 scale Buffalo when many asked for 1/72? A Mirage 2000, but no F-8Crusader?) are really making me ignore most of what they make. They seem more European market based which is sad because I really want to support them. Oh well, there's still Corgi!

[Spinnaker]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

They seem more European market based which is sad because I really want to support them.

Why sad? There's much more to the world than the USA ;-)

[HotTrap429]

Originally Posted by Spinnaker

Why sad? There's much more to the world than the USA ;-)

True Spin, but that's not where my aviation focus is. British, German and Russian planes account for less than 2% of my total collection. These planes just aren't my preference and nor are they where my interests lie. Everyone is entitled to the favorites. Mine are WWII USAAF and US Navy birds. Many of the planes produced by HM lately are not planes I personally am interested in - that's why I said sad. Because if I'm not interested in what they make, then they aren't getting my money. And isn't that their ultimate goal?

[Andrew]

I for one prefer the Mirage 2000 over the F-8. To be honest, to me, that is one ugly looking bird. I even prefer the A-7 to the F-8.

[SKUNKY]

blasphemy!!! ...

[Nimrod48]

They seem more European market based ??? in 1:72 scale prop power series 5 of the 6 are of US origin, out of 5 jet power 1:72 scale 3 are of US origin, the first 1:32 scale model is of a US built plane, the first 1:48 scale model was a US built plane.
So in 1:72 Europe is represented by (at present) the Ju87 & the Mirage, & in 1:48by the forthcoming Spit WOW!!! we do have a lot to be grateful for of course there are European air forces represented by some of the models but most dont realy float my boat.

[kb466]

I for one, like the new SBD-5. It looks like they got the differences between the SBD-3 And SBD-5 right.

That being said, what I would like to see HM do is offer an open canopy option with the exposed guns--and maybe a pilot and gunner to go with it. In a combat zone, you would expect to see a Dauntless with at least the rear canopy open and the guns out.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by kb466

I for one, like the new SBD-5. It looks like they got the differences between the SBD-3 And SBD-5 right.

That being said, what I would like to see HM do is offer an open canopy option with the exposed guns--and maybe a pilot and gunner to go with it. In a combat zone, you would expect to see a Dauntless with at least the rear canopy open and the guns out.

I'll support that, exposed rear gun would be nice. It would give me a reason to open up the canopies. Figs too.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by kabelace

Was there not talk that HM was going to start providing aircrew? I know a few of there offerings have them, but I though they were going to start offering them with all there aircraft. Hawk any word on this?

I just received my pre-production version and no crew but I will check with Hong Kong tonight and let you know tomorrow. Just for your information they are 11 hours ahead of me so this is why I don't get to bed most nights before 1AM, usually 1:30 - 2. Now if I could just get them to communicate when they first come to work instead of after lunch.