[Airasair]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

I would love to see a F7F Tigercat but i think it would be in the same boat as the P-61 Blackwidow ...
There is not enough paint schemes for it.
JP

yeah that might be true but for the P-61 its know for its Black paint sheme, I don't know why anybody would want it any other way.

[dboulais]

The question is, can HM keep up the direction they are going lately? Can they continue to offer a diverse range of 1/72 models that have not been done to death already by other manufacturers. I think if they continue to offer interesting models in not more than 1/2 a dozen paint schemes, then they will have me buying everything they make for the forseeable future. HM's stuff, both aircraft and armor looks great in my display cases. Now if they step up to doing some of the larger multi-engine aircraft, then they will have me in model nirnana. As to how the other manufacturers are going to keep pace, they will not be able to do it unless they focus on delivering to our desires. Corgi covers so much ground with their many product lines, that their interest in aircraft may just go away. Just not enough sales to cover the manucfacturing expenses. If they reduce the number of new aircraft models introduced (we don't need 20 paint schemes of the same model) and expand the variety (like started to do two years ago) then if they pick interesting subjects we will buy them. The cheap dollar will hurt sales in the US. But if I don't have to try to keep up with 100 models a year from half a dozen manufacturers, then I willl have enough money to buy the few that they do offer.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Airasair

yeah that might be true but for the P-61 its know for its Black paint sheme, I don't know why anybody would want it any other way.

There is also the olive drab and neutral grey paint scheme option on the P-61. A P-61 with OD finish might look pretty good.

[skysurfer808]

What I've noticed in the Corgi vs. HM dogfight is that each specializes in their respective niche markets. Corgi, originally being a UK company, definately has a British focus. Therefore you see all sorts of RAF (with the exception of the Swordfish), a growing portion of Luftwaffe, and then US aircraft. Corgi's focus, their Corsairs, PBYs and Zeros notwithstanding, is the ETO, with a similar focus on the evolution of the RAF. Just looking at their release list and models obtained, you can see that it is possible to have a significant portion of the fighter aircraft operated by the RAF since 1940. Meanwhile, HM has gone for US Aircraft, with an emphasis on USN types. HM has branched off a bit with their 1/48 Spit XIV, Stuka and Bf 110, but the majority of their aircraft are US. They have adopted a smart strategy of not duplicating Corgi or other manufacturers (aside from their upcoming Phantom) instead concentrating on types not yet made. This has paid off, as the types HM have chosen have a large series of liveries, thus making it possible to keep a profit stream going off existing molds. There are many different A-4 and F-104's to go, while their 1/48 line has definately captured the Top Gun title in that market. For the money you can't buy a better 1/48 model anywhere else.

Now Corgi's strategy is definately smart for the Commonwealth nations, and I don't expect them to change their focus anytime soon. However, this has left out a big portion of the US Market, and HM has come in to fill the gap. HM's expansion into Japanese types with their Kate will be interesting. I definately plan to purchase the Akagi Fuchida bird, she'll go well with Dragon's Zeros, and if HM releases a Val, it will be possible to have a complete Tora Tora Tora Air Group, something that only Marushin has yet come up with. Corgi's biggest problem is the production difficulties mentioned before. This has severely hurt the company. I recently refunded several pre-orders when it became apparant that the models would not arrive when originally forcasted. I will still eventually purchase these models, whenever the company gets its production problems together enough to make and ship them over. Still, when a product is advertised for an April release, then it slips back to July, I realize there are other things I can do with my hard earned cash now.

My bet is on HM. The US market is bigger than the Commonwealth, and HM definately responds better to customer input. Corgi's responses, though laudable, cannot compare. Look at the 1/32 Dauntless Saga. Their Midway SBD, though similar in original price point to GMP's, is a masterpiece. When you consider that the 1/32 Trumpeter plastic kit costs almost 100 USD, the company has achieved a lot. Even with the drooping prop, which HM says it will rectify, the model is superior to most others in that scale (with the expception of the late GMP.) Though the pilots aren't the best, neither are Corgi's 1/32s, and as said before, at least HM's are removable, which is fine by me as I display my big birds with no pilots (that's my job in my Walter Mitty display world.)Their response is also good, with the promised delivery of a replacement prop definately earning them "props" in my book.

So, to sum up this rant, HM will likely win the diecast war as it focuses on the US market, which is still...despite Democrat punditry and Republican monatary incompetence, the richest consumer market in the world. Corgi will likely fall by the wayside, unless it can vertically integrate, get its manufacturing house in order, and focus on making more money off its existing product line. Finally there is a question of model appearance. Though I like Corgi's newer releases when you put them side by side, Corgi's aren't quite as nice as HM's efforts. For all the complaints about wash and panel lines, a Corgi looks more like a toy, while an HM looks like a scale model.

Skysurfer808

[Ed Klein]

Originally Posted by Celtic

Great list!

Hey, a B-29! That's the kind of a model I dream about since I started my collection! I'd love to the the Dauntless Dotty, first Superfortress to attack Tokyo from Marianas, in a 1/72 chrome livery as Corgi's B-17 Sentimental Journey. That 29's nose art is really lovely.

But as I never knew a heavy bird from HM's, a 'near' expectation about it should came from Corgi's line...

[Gort]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

WELCOME BACK GORT!

Howdy, HotTrap! Yeah, I'm afraid the days of buying whatever freakin' diecast models I wanted are soooo yesterday. I'm getting very, VERY picky about what I buy, whom I buy from, and if the missus will go for it. My Mastercard appreciates the rest.

Good to be back!

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by skysurfer808

Now Corgi's strategy is definately smart for the Commonwealth nations, and I don't expect them to change their focus anytime soon. However, this has left out a big portion of the US Market...Skysurfer808

Very insightful comments. I'm not a Corgi insider, so can only guess that the breadth of Corgi's marketing has been a subject of much debate within the company. Their decisions in that area have probably contributed to their current problems...which I assume are related to product availability caused by lack of market exposure and lack of reliable manufacturing facilities.

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by Gort

Howdy, HotTrap! Yeah, I'm afraid the days of buying whatever freakin' diecast models I wanted are soooo yesterday. I'm getting very, VERY picky about what I buy, who I buy from, and if the missus will go for it. My Mastercard appreciates the rest.

Must agree, big time! With everything else going up, models have to take second place (for me) or third place (that from the wife). Anyway, I just paid US$62.17 for a tank of gas in my Chrysler Voyager. That event occurs about every two weeks (I've really cut back driving), and $124 is equal to about three diecast. So, yea, quality is going to count from now on, and that is going to be a big part of my decision when buying HM or Corgi. The preassure is on the manufacturers...

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by Airasair

yeah that might be true but for the P-61 its know for its Black paint sheme, I don't know why anybody would want it any other way.

If they made three black and three OD P-61s I bet they'd sell just fine. I'd probably get all 6 in the end.

[Gort]

Shawn, your avatar cracks me up!