[planejunky]

Originally Posted by Lakota Mech

GOING GOING GONE with only 600 being made they are scarcer than hens teeth.

Yeah you ain't wrong mate.

[Cardinal]

I've just received the chrome HM JASDF F104J that I had on pre-order. Have to admit that I'm a little underwhelmed with this one . Granted, the chrome finish is one of the best that I've seen on any diecast to date and the stenciling/printing is superb .

However, there are some aspects that really me off. On my copy both the tailplane/s (1-piece) and the wings are not angled correctly (totally and obviously unbalanced) - the tailplane/s can be fixed without too much effort but the wings are another story entirely with an approx. 10-15 degree differential between the two. Also, one of the metal strut 'protrusions' is missing on one side of the undercart - apparently broken off in production ...

All in all, I'm not overly impressed with the QC associated with this LE effort from HM - excuse me while I go and cancel some pre-orders in protest ... (when expectations are high, disappointment is all that much more severe).

(It is still a very nice looking piece of diecast though .)

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

I've just received the chrome HM JASDF F104J that I had on pre-order. Have to admit that I'm a little underwhelmed with this one . Granted, the chrome finish is one of the best that I've seen on any diecast to date and the stenciling/printing is superb .

However, there are some aspects that really me off. On my copy both the tailplane/s (1-piece) and the wings are not angled correctly (totally and obviously unbalanced) - the tailplane/s can be fixed without too much effort but the wings are another story entirely with an approx. 20 degree differential between the two. Also, one of the metal strut 'protrusions' is missing on one side of the undercart - apparently broken off in production ...

All in all, I'm not overly impressed with this effort from HM - excuse me while I go and cancel some pre-orders in protest ...

Sorry to hear that Card-o... I've seen 3 or four 104s in person now and they are all over the map with the issues you speak of. All four I saw had the issue with the horizontal stab being crooked... and 2 of the four had issues with the wings. The first is easy to fix, as you say, the second.... My chrome 104 had the stab issue, but the wings were fine. Here's a pic of the earlier JASDF 104, as you can see, I do know what you mean: (though I've not seen that undercart issue -- see if you can sub it quick from your vendor or at least return it and buy another copy elsewhere in the meantime before it's gone... I do think this one is worth the trouble, personally.).

[smartd]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Sorry to hear that Card-o... I've seen 3 or four 104s in person now and they are all over the map with the issues you speak of. All four I saw had the issue with the horizontal stab being crooked... and 2 of the four had issues with the wings. The first is easy to fix, as you say, the second.... My chrome 104 had the stab issue, but the wings were fine. Here's a pic of the earlier JASDF 104, as you can see, I do know what you mean: (though I've not seen that undercart issue -- see if you can sub it quick from your vendor or at least return it and buy another copy elsewhere in the meantime before it's gone... I do think this one is worth the trouble, personally.).

That's quite a nasty flaw when seen at that angle. Now I have to go check my Tiger Meet 104. I'll be sure to check for that on future purchases.

[SKUNKY]

That is absolutely unacceptable. Can't believe HM is letting them out the door looking that way...Sure hope the F-4s don't have such issues.... Perfect example right there why this kid don't pre-order nuthin'.

[mikeb1958]

I just picked up mine today from Gerry's shop in Sanford along with my man Louie. It's a great diecast and just love all that chrome! Geting tough to find this bird too. Glad I got my "Godzilla Killer" (as Louie called it) and recommend it, if you can find one now. Only 600 produced too.

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by smartd

That's quite a nasty flaw when seen at that angle. Now I have to go check my Tiger Meet 104. I'll be sure to check for that on future purchases.

This is what happend after Godzilla attacted one of the Air Bases in Japan. Lucky all he did was knock off-track some landing gears, fuel tanks and missilles. Coulda been worse.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by mikeb1958

This is what happend after Godzilla attacted one of the Air Bases in Japan.

Mike, did you attend Scrotesville U along with tank nut?...

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Mike, did you attend Scrotesville U along with tank nut?...

Got through a semister there barely but dropped out and joined the Air Force back in 1980, but I heard Tank Nut actually graduated 10 years before my lowly semister there.... So I guess my answer is YES/NO.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

That is absolutely unacceptable. Can't believe HM is letting them out the door looking that way...Sure hope the F-4s don't have such issues.... Perfect example right there why this kid don't pre-order nuthin'.

Well it's hit-or-miss with these issues -- some people get 'em, some don't so avoiding the preorder won't help you -- any HM 104 you buy in the first 6 releases could have these issues. (aside from the gear one Cardo mentions, which I think is just bad luck...). So the only way to avoid it, is to not buy a HM 104 without looking it over first, I suppose.