[Cruver Collecter]

Fantastic looking model and look forward to picking this one up.

[Ara1]

Sold. Thank you William for your part in expanding our hobby.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by William

The screws will look like what you see in the picture.

With all due respect, William, this is a shame. I was afraid of this from the pre-pros. So... like the Panther, I will pass on all these models. I can afford to... there are too many models to buy anyway, so one has to be discriminating. These screws are in a highly visible location... and will stand out like glaring warts. I will not buy unless HM finds a way to attach those struts with the screwheads concealed.

Again, with all due respect, the 1:48 line is turning into a disappointment: lack of mold detail, exposed screw-heads, quality control problems, glaring wing gaps (the Panther).

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I can live with that.

You shouldn't have to 'slide. If HM wanted to conceal those screws, it could. I am tired of cost cutting measures cheapening the look of models. I can't and won't live with it. A company should start with a philosophy that its model should look like a real miniature of the real aircraft. Those struts on the real aircraft were not attached with gigantic screws. That's what this model will look like.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Elmer

With all due respect, William, this is a shame. I was afraid of this from the pre-pros. So... like the Panther, I will pass on all these models. I can afford to... there are too many models to buy anyway, so one has to be discriminating. These screws are in a highly visible location... and will stand out like glaring warts. I will not buy unless HM finds a way to attach those struts with the screwheads concealed.

Again, with all due respect, the 1:48 line is turning into a disappointment: lack of mold detail, exposed screw-heads, quality control problems, glaring wing gaps (the Panther).

Elmer, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this as the 'exposed' screwheads are not particularly noticeable (I had to look real hard to even find them) and don't (in my opinion) detract from the model at all.

We have to find some balance between cost and realism and in this case I think HM are correct in their decision ...

[lanslide]

I'm pretty sure this will be your only chance to get an F3F.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Elmer, I have to respectfully disagree with you on this as the 'exposed' screwheads are not particularly noticeable (I had to look real hard to even find them) and don't (in my opinion) detract from the model at all.

We have to find some balance between cost and realism and in this case I think HM are correct in their decision ...

I spotted them on the prepro, Cardo, in pictures that were not that terrific. I have an Accurate Miniatures F3F. Sitting on my shelf, gear down, with the nose in an upward attitude, the underside of the top wing is highly visible. Add to this, those struts are right above the canopy... the eyes of the model. This is the heart and center of an aircraft--the canopy area, where my eye is naturally drawn. I think you will spot and notice those screws just fine.

Yes, from William's pictures, the model does look nice. Real nice. Why cheapen its look with exposed screwheads? How many Corgi's do you have with exposed screwheads? C1s? EIs? Wittys? Dragons? GMPs? How many exposed screwheads in HM's 1:72 line? HM now has three out of four models in its 1:48 line with screwhead problems. Why? I don't think they are starting with a basic design philosophy to build a model with screwheads concealed. This should be a thing of the past.

For example, at one time I thought my Revell Tomcat was the cat's meow, despite all the exposed screheads in the nose and tail. Then came Yoshi's mold first released under FOV. Wow, I couldn't believe the difference.

I appreciate HM trying to hold the cost down for collectors. But I admire a company like CW going for the gusto in HIGH QUALITY with DETAIL. One gets what one pays for. Do you want a $50.00 model with screwheads, or a $60.00 model without? I know which model I most admire on my shelf. Do you really want to go down the road of tipping the balance between cost and realism toward cost? This is what is happening with this model.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I'm pretty sure this will be your only chance to get an F3F.

In diecast, yes. But it don't gotta be diecast for me. And it don't gotta have those heads exposed either. Do you prefer your models without exposed screwheads? With? Or just don't care? Well if it is the last two, then buy the model. If it is the first, speak up and let HM know. This may be your only chance to get an F3F in diecast that will look like it should.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by Elmer

In diecast, yes. But it don't gotta be diecast for me. And it don't gotta have those heads exposed either. Do you prefer your models without exposed screwheads? With? Or just don't care? Well if it is the last two, then buy the model. If it is the first, speak up and let HM know. This may be your only chance to get an F3F in diecast that will look like it should.

Of course I would rather not have the exposed screw heads but I fear it is too late to get it changed according to William. So - I'll take it anyway! I got the Panther too. Nothings perfect.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by lanslide

Of course I would rather not have the exposed screw heads but I fear it is too late to get it changed according to William. So - I'll take it anyway! I got the Panther too. Nothings perfect.

The screws are not endemic to the mold and HM makes changes all the time anyway. If it hasn't been advanced into production, it is not too late. Even if it has, it is not too late for subsequent models. There are epoxies that are as strong as screws. And if that can't work, the screws could be slightly recessed and filled in. And if that can't work, then HM is not starting with a basic design philosophy to eliminate exposed screw heads (obviously they are not), in which case, HM has lost me as an admirer and customer. But this is OK with me because I don't have room around my house for hundreds and hundreds of models. I start with a collection philosophy of high quality model first. Subject second. If HM wants to build models with exposed screws... fine, I have other alternatives. I was already beginning to wonder how I was going to justify the purchase of this model, C1's P-36s, CW's F-8, and a few others, all arriving at the same time. Well... HM has just helped me out, I can scratch this model from my wish list so I can now better afford the others, and keep my collection from growing beyond all ability to manage. Had this model been built without the screwheads, it would definitely compete for my interest with the others.

It should be obvious to all my peers on this forum that I am passionate about this, I do care, I do want the hobby to advance, and I do want an F3F diecast in my collection. This is why I speak up so passionately; to some of you I may sound crazy! But I can risk that. In the end, I know wanting a diecast F3F in my collection is just that... a want. I don't need it. This is how I keep my buying habits down and keep food on the table for my kids. So, if HM wants me to spend my kids inheritance on its models, its gotta meet certain criteria. There is only one other company out there right now building 1:48 models with indifference to exposed screwheads... and we all know who that is. In my estimation, HM is going down a dangerous path and cheapening the hobby.