[Elmer]

I just looked through old threads. William announced the F3F on April 15. It has been almost four months since that announcement. If HM is going to release three to four 1/48 molds per year, we should see another announcement soon... I hope. What is next in the queue? When can we expect some news?

[Cruver Collecter]

I thought that the F2A-3/Model 339-23 might constitute a new mold. Also might it be possible that the F3F-1 and F3F-2 be considered two different molds. Not that I wouldn't mind seeing a few more 1/48th scale additions this year.

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I thought that the F2A-3/Model 339-23 might constitute a new mold. Also might it be possible that the F3F-1 and F3F-2 be considered two different molds. Not that I wouldn't mind seeing a few more 1/48th scale additions this year.

I thought the new F2A was a reworking of the old mold... not necessarily new. Also, my understanding is the parts for the -1 and -2 Barrelcats, essentially, fit the same fuselage mold. I hope William will chime in on this and give clarification.

Nevertheless... even if a new mold is announced soon, I doubt it will hit retail shelves in 2008.

[Ara1]

I am starting to tire of Hobby Master's pre-war and post-war 1/48 offerings. There was a world conflict from 1939-45 and their offerings of F3F, F2A, F9F are too fore and aft for me. Their Spitfire line is noted, and much appreciated.

WWII was signficant and the F3F and F2A, as presented, were anything but. Yes they are beautiful models but they're like a pretty salad or dessert at dinnertime, give me a steak baby! Me's hungry for a real warplane!

And if Hobby Master goes the route of 1/48 Japanese subjects, let's hope they take the Lansdales up on their offer to share their research.

So let me make this easy:

Kingfisher
Corsair
Avenger

The designs endured for years, they fought and won, and they will sell in 1/48.

[Aeolus]

It seemed that Hawker Fury was going to be the next mould and afterwards an american subject was mentioned but which one we will have to see. Although I will probably buy all of them as I did with Buffaloes for the next mould after F3F please HM any other subject than US Navy one-and by that I am absolutely for Corsairs, Kingfishers and Avangers but instead of grouping these releases like F2A-F3F-F9F space out those releases with other subjects no matter what they will be. My five top choices

A. Hawker Tempest MK.V- early/ late
B Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun
C. Allison engined Mustangs
D. Finnish Buffaloes
E. Focke Wulf Ta-152 H-1

[Epapazian]

Since my preference is for the 1:72nd scale, I hope that HM's next 1:48 is a smaller warbird, like the PZL-11, Fiat CR-32, I-16 or I-153, that is a wee small in 1:72nd. I realize that dedicated 1:48 collectors wont agree, but, at this point, I think it's a mistake for HM to do mainstream birds, such as the Val, Tony, IL-2, MC-202, Tempest V, etc. in anything but 1:72nd---assuming it wants to cultivate the largest possible market for its products. Also, looking down future paths, HM will eventually be making larger planes, like the Betty, SM-79, P-61, DO-17Z, etc. and these are sure to be in 1:72nd. So, for compatibility reasons, if nothing else, HM should make 1:72nd its primary scale in this early stage in its development. That doesn't preclude HM putting out certain models in both scales, however. Indeed, I'd love to see an experiment along these lines with the F-9F or F2A, for example going one way ( a 1:72nd version of the 1:48th model ), or the other ( a 1:48th rendition of the Avenger which has already been done in 1:72nd ) to see what happens. It might turn out---and I emphasize "might"----that both ways is the best course for certain types of planes. I can imagine a time when models that sell well in 1:72nd, at the outset, are routinely offered in 1;48th, but the wisdom of this approach has yet to be determined.

[Cruver Collecter]

Hawker Fury would be fine by me and still hoping to see the I-16 or Macchi C.202 in 1/48th scale. Slightly off topic, but since it sounds pretty solid seeing the Val done in 1/72nd scale, how about a Devastor too? Sure would like to have a few Douglas Devastors to go along side the HM Kates. Back to 1/48th scale,,, Curtiss Kingfisher sounds like a pretty neat choice, kind of like to see some more floatplanes in the mix. Pete would be another neat candidate for 1/48th scale do to its small size.

[Aeolus]

As an open forum I think that it is great that everybody can express its standing ,but do we need to go every time when there is an 1/48 scale thread into quarter scale bashing. Maybe bashing is a harsh word but there are really people who buy those planes, whose collections are predominantly in before mentioned scale and in my experience the ratio between scales especially in the USA is almost 50/ 50.
I wont go into pros-cons of each scale as that is subjective ,but can we at least agree that if a thread carries a scale determination no matter what that scale is, that determination should be followed throughout the thread.My apologies to Elmer for this digression , and yes, I also collect 1/ 72

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Aeolus

It seemed that Hawker Fury was going to be the next mould and afterwards an american subject was mentioned but which one we will have to see. Although I will probably buy all of them as I did with Buffaloes for the next mould after F3F please HM any other subject than US Navy one-and by that I am absolutely for Corsairs, Kingfishers and Avangers but instead of grouping these releases like F2A-F3F-F9F space out those releases with other subjects no matter what they will be. My five top choices

A. Hawker Tempest MK.V- early/ late
B Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun
C. Allison engined Mustangs
D. Finnish Buffaloes
E. Focke Wulf Ta-152 H-1

Yep, those are some pretty neat choices. Bf-108 would be a real hard one to pass up for me and well the Finnish Buffalo would be a guaranteed purchase. The Ta 152H and an Allison powered Mustang variant would also pretty cool too (And like I could pass up on a Tempest if the put one out, not likely.).

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Aeolus

As an open forum I think that it is great that everybody can express its standing ,but do we need to go every time when there is an 1/48 scale thread into quarter scale bashing. Maybe bashing is a harsh word but there are really people who buy those planes, whose collections are predominantly in before mentioned scale and in my experience the ratio between scales especially in the USA is almost 50/ 50.
I wont go into pros-cons of each scale as that is subjective ,but can we at least agree that if a thread carries a scale determination no matter what that scale is, that determination should be followed throughout the thread.My apologies to Elmer for this digression , and yes, I also collect 1/ 72

I agree with you that "bashing" is a pretty strong term for any posts on this thread that don't give 1:48th scale models their ardent support. I also agree that a forum like this is a place where everyone can express their views. I can appreciate the frustration of 1:48 fans who would like to see many more models created in this scale, but as I have commented in other threads, if I were a dedicated 1:48 collector, I would probably come up with quite an extensive list of worthier subjects than some of the ones that have recently been suggested and so horrifically "bashed"----even by those who favor 1:48.