[sniperUK]

I hate the panel lines and it ha put me off buying many HM models,i would love a Mirage 2000 but having seen the real thing then HMs black lined monster it put me right off.As for the boscombe Down Harvard don't see many black lines on this.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by hworth18

True, but this forum represents a good cross-section of todays collecting base.. That is also one reason why the poll doesn't expire, to give a larger number of members a chance to voice their opinion..

I agree - it has been said before that our forum's opinions don't really matter. I think that we do represent a good cross-section of military diecast collectors. And, we like to voice our opinions and be heard! And, ac4313, that is another reason for the forums existence I would think.

[DCRanger]

Originally Posted by Elmer

With all due respect, I think it looks plastic. Looks like a toy and certainly not HM's best yet.

I assure you it's not plastic, it's a weighty model. It does have a slight sheen but that is how the aircraft appears today rather than the flat finish of WWII aircraft.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by Elmer

With all due respect, I think it looks plastic. Looks like a toy and certainly not HM's best yet.

I think ERTL had some involvement with this one.....

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by DCRanger

I assure you it's not plastic, it's a weighty model. It does have a slight sheen but that is how the aircraft appears today rather than the flat finish of WWII aircraft.

I know it is not plastic, I said it "looks" plastic, as in "plasticky looking." An aircraft fresh off the production line doesn't look this clean.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I felt the need to post the question because of an email I received from HM that said the majority of collectors prefer the inked wash, so I posted a poll to find out if this really was the case.. I am not badgering HM about this, I just want to know if their intel is right or not.. Apparently, its not......

The best way to judge whether their intel is right or not is to measure the sales of their products against corgi's predator series that have their plane clean as a whistle. And there was that big uproar before when they even suggested of not having the inked wash etc.

I personally like these inked lines. Thats why I prefer the FOV UH-60 black hawk over corgi's clean as a whistle over priced ones. Same as the 1:72nd FOV tanks. Ofcourse, we cant just judge whether their intel is correct or not purely on the feedback of this forum

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by Andrew

The best way to judge whether their intel is right or not is to measure the sales of their products against corgi's predator series that have their plane clean as a whistle. And there was that big uproar before when they even suggested of not having the inked wash etc.

I personally like these inked lines. Thats why I prefer the FOV UH-60 black hawk over corgi's clean as a whistle over priced ones. Same as the 1:72nd FOV tanks. Ofcourse, we cant just judge whether their intel is correct or not purely on the feedback of this forum

Judging from sales numbers doesn't tell anything as many people (me included) bought planes from HM even though we didn't like the wash based soley on the livery of the plane and the fact that nobody else was going to make it.. And, the "big uproar" as I recall, was people approving of the "no wash" predator.. The disappointment in the Predator line, and only real downfall is that HM failed to put the small details we had come to expect from HM like the prop stencils, etc..

This just goes to show how varied and widely differing our opinions (and tastes) are and what we prefer as collectors when we buy what we buy... (Personally, I don't like the wash as it is done now, VERY unrealistically)

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by hworth18

Judging from sales numbers doesn't tell anything as many people (me included) bought planes from HM even though we didn't like the wash based soley on the livery of the plane and the fact that nobody else was going to make it.. And, the "big uproar" as I recall, was people approving of the "no wash" predator.. The disappointment in the Predator line, and only real downfall is that HM failed to put the small details we had come to expect from HM like the prop stencils, etc..

This just goes to show how varied and widely differing our opinions (and tastes) are and what we prefer as collectors when we buy what we buy... (Personally, I don't like the wash as it is done now, VERY unrealistically)

Actually, sales numbers ARE a good indicator. Its an indicator that businesses use to see how well their products are doing. After all, businesses are in it to make money. Though I have seen a number of people post on the threads that they chose the HM model over the Corgi model( Bush's Avenger is the one i recall that people preferred HM). But to be honest, I don't see a huge majority voting against ink line/ weathering. And that uproar was not approving of the no wash. From what I can remember, HM were suggesting to not include weathering/ink lines on there releases and there were quite a few posts against that. Hence, they decided not to.

But everyone has their preference. And at this stage, I wouldn't say that there is an overwhelming preference for 'no wash'.

[Cruver Collecter]

I have to admit I am glad that HM has continued to highlight the panel lines on their models. On their earlier models the inking as it is called was on the heavy side considering the scale being 1/72nd. Later models that I have shown marked improvement over earlier products. I currently have the four Brewster Buffalos they have released and panel line job was commendable. I also have a Ju 87 by them and panel lines were not over done on it even with it being 1/72nd scale. The panel highlighting on two Dauntless models I have are a bit on the heavy side, but I still like them. Funny thing about this is that I can remember similar discussions magazines weighing the pros and cons with regards panel highlighting to models in late 70s and early 80s. Back then it was a matter of taste to how modelers like to detail their work. Hobby Master seems to be the only company who give their models this extra bit of detailing, as apposed to the factory fresh, never seen a speck of dust look. As you can guess, I was also one of those who chose to highlight the panel lines on my projects. Have to give Hobby Master a thumbs up as far as this goes, they at least are branching out into other areas that other companies are not going.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by Andrew

But everyone has their preference. And at this stage, I wouldn't say that there is an overwhelming preference for 'no wash'.

Pretty darn close, just another 5 votes and no would have it 2 to 1.. I'd say that is pretty overwhelming.. Although I will admit that the "yes" contingent has more votes than I thought they would have..