[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I've got the first two Kates on order. I hope that everyone who cares about diversity in their collections supports HM on this venture.

Well, I've already got a 1:48 Kate with the same scheme as the 1st release, though with a Torp... so I'm already diversified (I might go for the Midway version though!)

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Can they be modified to look like its shot down??

Yep, first you hold it at arms length,,, now let go. Looks like it crashed to me. Personally I like mine intact.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Dan Flynn

I've got a Kate on order with the Mule. I'm hoping there's going to be large numbers of Kate's on pre-order. Then we can get a Val, a Sally and a float plane.

F1M Pete or a E13A Jake would look pretty good.

[HotTrap429]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I've got the first two Kates on order. I hope that everyone who cares about diversity in their collections supports HM on this venture.

There are two important points that seem to get forgotten quite often by a majority of posters on this forum:

1) While most of you can simply buy whatever you want whenever you want it, a portion of the die cast buyers represented here can't. So while I want Hobby Master to do well and I want the Kate to be profitable for them, I myself can't justify spending close to $50 for a model. So I'll get one eventually, but it will be off ebay at a reduced price.

2) Not everyone who collects these planes is so fanatical that they need 2 or 3 copies of every plane ever made. The Kate was a very important plane in WWII and I truly do applaud Hobby Master for doing it, but if they make only 2000 of these, I would not be surprised if two years down the road some are still available. We seem to do this a lot around here. We get all excited when something new is announced and then the excitement wears off and we want the next big thing. Those who want it will get it. Those of us who don't want it or can't afford it won't. Whether or not they make more Japanese planes is up to Hobby Master. I'm sure they'll sell enough of these worldwide to make their money back.

[Captain Eddie]

HotTrap, I'm sure Epapazian did not mean anything when he posted what you quoted, but I am firmly in your corner on this one, I couldn't have stated it any better than you did (probably much worse)! I was splurging to get the recent GPM, would love to have a Kate, but I'll have to wait and see.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

There are two important points that seem to get forgotten quite often by a majority of posters on this forum:

1) While most of you can simply buy whatever you want whenever you want it, a portion of the die cast buyers represented here can't. So while I want Hobby Master to do well and I want the Kate to be profitable for them, I myself can't justify spending close to $50 for a model. So I'll get one eventually, but it will be off ebay at a reduced price.

2) Not everyone who collects these planes is so fanatical that they need 2 or 3 copies of every plane ever made. The Kate was a very important plane in WWII and I truly do applaud Hobby Master for doing it, but if they make only 2000 of these, I would not be surprised if two years down the road some are still available. We seem to do this a lot around here. We get all excited when something new is announced and then the excitement wears off and we want the next big thing. Those who want it will get it. Those of us who don't want it or can't afford it won't. Whether or not they make more Japanese planes is up to Hobby Master. I'm sure they'll enough of these worldwide to make they money back.

You certainly make some fair points and, obviously, each collector must operate within his or her own financial constraints. However, I don't equate a diecast Kate put out by HM, as just another plane. As you mentioned, the Kate was a very important aircraft, as were the IL-2, PE-2, Yak-9, MC-202, LA5FN, Val, Tony, Oscar, Betty, DO-17Z and a dozen other significant warbirds that quality-conscious diecast-makers-- have shied away from due to fears they won't sell. So what I and others are saying is this. If you can afford to, this is a golden opportunity to influence a diecast marketer's future aircraft selection decisions---which, of course, may induce other companies to follow suit. Buy one or more Kates---if you are able to---and you will probably get a lot of other long-ignored wishlist candidates to choose from.

[HotTrap429]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

HotTrap, I'm sure Epapazian did not mean anything when he posted what you quoted, but I am firmly in your corner on this one, I couldn't have stated it any better than you did (probably much worse)! I was splurging to get the recent GPM, would love to have a Kate, but I'll have to wait and see.

Thank you Captain. No I wasn't insulted or upset by what Epapazian posted. In fact I really do agree with his point that if these manufacturers make planes we want, we should atleast buy one. But some of the planes our fellow members want are not planes I want (almost the entire list Epapazian posted in his follow up post) and I'm sure I want planes they don't. My point was that putting pressure on all collectors to buy planes we either don't want or can't afford in order to "enrich" the hobby for others is not realistic nor fair. I want everyone to enjoy this wonderful hobby as their finances, tastes, and interests allow. BTW - I want a Val too.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

HotTrap, I'm sure Epapazian did not mean anything when he posted what you quoted, but I am firmly in your corner on this one, I couldn't have stated it any better than you did (probably much worse)! I was splurging to get the recent GPM, would love to have a Kate, but I'll have to wait and see.

Quite right, Captain, quite right.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Yep, first you hold it at arms length,,, now let go. Looks like it crashed to me. Personally I like mine intact.

I was thinking wing shot off belching flame and or smoke. Do I have a drill bit small enough for .50 cal in 1/72nd scale??

[leeG]

With the SBD, TBF, B5N and SB2C in the pipeline, the only major Pacific war carrier bomber missing from the HM 1/72 collection is the D3A. In my opinion they would be nuts not to make it.

With this quality manufacturer showing a real commitment to the subject in 1/72 scale, I've greatly expanded my Pacific carrier war collection goals. Frankly, the pending Kate release and SB2C announcement has given HM two more TBF sales for my collection.