[stalag8611]

If tthe general public learns how difficult it is to assemble the undercsrriage on this bird they'll be selling for $4.95, plus postage. And te Hobby Master ombudsman advises we can expect the same, or worse on the F-104. Woe is me, we are in for some tough times on the assembly line.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

If tthe general public learns how difficult it is to assemble the undercsrriage on this bird they'll be selling for $4.95, plus postage. And te Hobby Master ombudsman advises we can expect the same, or worse on the F-104. Woe is me, we are in for some tough times on the assembly line.

It should only take you about 4 -5 minutes to have the entire undercarriage in place. when you do it once it is very easy from then on. I have some pictures on my site of the under side of the Mig-21 that shows where everything goes. It's not like you have to do it eaveryday, you put it together and leave it, I really don't know what all the fuss is about. Hobby Master tries to give us accurate scale parts and in doing so these parts are quite small and if they came already attached it would just be a matter of seconds before a piece was broken off and then the comments would be how poorly made the parts are.

[PappyB]

I think they have a point Hawk -- I mean Corgi doesn't make us glue the struts on the gear for the 262... it's the same thing basically. Many diecast collectors get into this hobby cuz they don't want to "assemble" models and/or use glue. IMO, HM could have attached the strut or molded the assembly as one piece, a la Corgi, and gotten around the issue. I'll go for a little less detail in the undercarraige if it means not having to glue on struts myself. That said, the MiG is worth the hassle -- or just leave it off, it'll look fine adn stand on "its feet" fine without it.

[Canucklehead]

The Dragon Fw 190 shares the tricky gear problem. Anyone who has ever tried to set up one of those knows what I mean. With some white glue and a little bit of patience you get a kick arse model out of it though. It sounds like HM's MiG is in the same kind of league.
Jets aren't my thing, but the pics I've seen thus far of the MiG look fantastic, with or without the struts. If you want a MiG in 1/72, there's only one game in town thus far. Is the gear problem so bad that it would prevent you from having a Fishbed in the collection at all? For the availability reason, and the fact they are so cheap, I doubt it.

[planenuts]

I actually have fun putting some of the small parts on these things......it lets me become one with my models......I get that up close and personal feeling........I get a sense of accomplishment......it improves my hand eye coordination......it gives my models the personal touch......it gives me a greater appreciation of the subject......it gives me that warm zen feeling all over......it makes me feel like I'm still useful.......it makes me feel like these are not toys for kids.......shall I go on?

[tonyzing]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

If tthe general public learns how difficult it is to assemble the undercsrriage on this bird they'll be selling for $4.95, plus postage. And te Hobby Master ombudsman advises we can expect the same, or worse on the F-104. Woe is me, we are in for some tough times on the assembly line.

I would certainly buy some if they are selling for $4.95 each despite all the problem Stalag8611 describe, so I can practice all these little trick describe by Planenuts.
IMHO, regardless some problem with HM's products, I still think they make the best low price products out there. Just like my Hobby Master's King Tiger tank, the paint scheme was so nice it makes me forget about its made of plastic and I got it for less then $20 is not a very bad deal either.

[mustangdriver]

I too enjoy putting some of the parts together, I guess it is just in the way each of us enjoys the hobby.

[hawkonevoodoo]

From a collector's point of view I really can't see what the big problem is with the undercarriage. So you take a pair of tweezers, a small dab of white glue on each end of the strut, insert into position and you are done. The main strut just pushes into a hole and the small strut glues to it, maybe 2 minutes and you never have to do it again. It's not like you have to assemble the model with as many pieces as a plastic kit. I'm don't want to get anyone angry but I think there this whole thing is blown out of proportion. I think just about every Dragon plane has to have the landing gear glued into place unless they have improved since the last one I bought. If this is a serious problem I will will pass it on again to Hobby Master but if it is a matter of people just commenting about a small thing I won't bother. I think I will start a poll on this.

[Kiwi Dave]

My problem is that I don't have tweezers or glue, because I collect ready made diecasts. Had planned on purchasing all of the modern jets but I am losing interest now.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Dave

My problem is that I don't have tweezers or glue, because I collect ready made diecasts. Had planned on purchasing all of the modern jets but I am losing interest now.

If this is the case then you must hate the fact that you get optional weapons and canopies that require you to attach them.