[PickMattock]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I collect diecast models because they are mostly diecast metal. If they become mostly plastic - what's the point?

The point is they are detailed model tanks. Maybe you'd be happier collecting coins. They are never even partially plastic, always 100% die-struck metal. Very heavy, lots to choose from, good collector value...But not tanks. As a tank collector, if HM's product stayed the same but increased price by 25% I'd lose interest. I'd have more money to spend on Dragon Armor, which is a shame because I have too many Tigers as it is.

[lanslide]

PickMattock, your reply to my comment seems kind of mean spirited. What's up with that? I have no interest in coins!

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by PickMattock

The point is they are detailed model tanks. Maybe you'd be happier collecting coins. They are never even partially plastic, always 100% die-struck metal. Very heavy, lots to choose from, good collector value...But not tanks. As a tank collector, if HM's product stayed the same but increased price by 25% I'd lose interest. I'd have more money to spend on Dragon Armor, which is a shame because I have too many Tigers as it is.

Oh - I thought this was "a forum for the diecast community" (look at the top of the page). I think that if we call ourselves "diecast model collectors" then our models should be made out of mostly metal. You must be a "plastic model collector".

[PickMattock]

Yikes…I don’t want to be a cyber-bully, I just want to discuss little tanks. From now on I’ll remember to use the smiley faces liberally.

When you stated that you collected die-cast models because they were metal and asked what the point of collecting plastic models was I supplied what I felt the answer was: They look like tanks. That’s the obvious answer for ME. I collect diecast armor instead of coins because, while both are metal, only one looks like a tank. Plastic models also look like tanks, so I collect them too. Given how much some hobbyists care about weight and feel of the models it seems that they are more of metal enthusiasts than armor enthusiasts, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. We all enjoy this hobby in our own ways…So…Who cares what I think? (There's probably plenty of diecast car enthusiasts who don't get either of us for liking those ugly tanks.) For me, it’s all about the scale accuracy and detail and finish but has nothing to do with scale weight.

So, YES, I am a plastic model collector! I am also a diecast model collecter. I’d collect them in wood or carved in alabaster if they were detailed enough. I’m just a scale model collector…Period. The material is not important to me as long the model looks good. (I certainly don’t let the header on my favorite discussion forum dictate the material of the models I buy.) So if Hobby Master starts making models with less metal that would be fine by me because, in my book, “diecast” is the least important part of “diecast armor”. It’s all about the look of the armor for me. I care more about how they look than how they feel because I certainly spend more time looking at them than feeling them.

[djjeffhall]

Quality of detail is what I'm looking for. Sure, I'd prefer more metal, but if I don't get it, I don't mind. Hobby Master, just keep putting out good stuff.

[David Hingtgen]

What it's made of means little. Some of my very best models are over 1/2 plastic. Some of my very worst are 99.9% diecast. And everything inbetween.

Honestly---once you put a layer of paint over it, it's impossible to tell by looking---you see the paint, not the material. (And personally, I find plastic to be able to do finer detail, and have better fit between parts)

[lanslide]

Ok - I suppose I over reacted - but - if the reasons you stated are valid and metal is both more expensive and has its limitations to detail - why would any manufacturer use anything but plastic? If we only like metal for its weight and not for the medium itself, why not just provide enough lead inside to create the weight if nobody cares about the art (including its inherent limitations) of diecast? I hear you guys and maybe these questions are really for me too! I need to re-evaluate my parameters for collecting diecast since you bring up some interesting points. I have always just accepted the fact that diecast has its limitations compared to plastic and have been willing to accept them. I guess I just assumed we were collecting diecast partly because they are made out of diecast metal and I thought THAT was the obvious point. I stand corrected. This would be a good question for "The Pub".

P.S.
By the way - I have a separate unbuilt plastic model collection! Also, I have been known to pick up those 21st Century Toys and Easy Models pre-built plastic models but I consider those as separate from my diecast collection as well. LOL

[lanslide]

Hawk - Will HM put "plastic display model" on the box rather than "die-cast display model" to warn us of the lack of metal content? I certainly hope so (If the chassis is the only thing that is metal it shouldn't be considered a die-cast model).

[Nockers]

You need 6-8 For the M-48

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M48_Patton

Operators

• Greece - 714 M48A5
• Iran -
• Israel - 561 Magach 5 Golan ^[1]
• Jordan -
• South Korea - 950 M48A5K
• Lebanon - 90 M48A1 and M48A5
• Morocco - 224 M48A5
• Norway - 38 M48A5
• Pakistan - 280 M48A5
• Portugal - 86 M48A5
• Spain - 164 M48A5E
• Republic of China (Taiwan) - 450 M48H, 100 M48A5 - Republic of China Marine Corps, Republic of China Army ^[2]
• Thailand - 100 M48A5
• Tunisia
• Turkey - 575 M48A3, 200 M48T5, 1350 M48A5T1 and 750 M48A5T2
• United States
• West Germany
• South Vietnam

[Nockers]

And if they wish to do a M-60

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-60_Patton_Tank

Austria Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil - 91 M-60A3 [1] Egypt Greece Iran - 150 M-60A1 Israel - 711 Magach 6 Archuv and Magach 6 Archuv 2, 111 Magach 7 (to be increased by 74 before 2010). [2] Italy Jordan Morocco

Oman Portugal Saudi Arabia Singapore Spain Sudan Republic of China (Taiwan) - 376 M60A3 [3] Thailand Tunisia Turkey Yemen