[Flyboy]

I agree with the previous posters - the Japanese planes seem to be the best of the lot. Who else makes a Raiden or Oscar?

But for some reason, the USA planes they've made "create vacum pressure by oral means". (Note kinder and gentler language on new board! )

It seems like if someone else makes it, it's beter than IXO. Use IXO for the molds that Corgi, Dragon, Hobby Master, etc. don't/won't make and you'll probably be happier in the long run.

[parsig9]

The only two upcoming that mught be worth the $ for me are the La-7 and Brewster Buffalo. Again, where else ya gonna get 'em.


...and why don't the pictures show up???

[djjeffhall]

The questions to ask yourself about IXO is this? How badly do you want these planes? If you want them, they are worth every penny.

The thing to keep in mind with IXO is that, in my opinion, they are not marketed at the "collector" audience, but more at the toy audience.

I can't speak from first hand experience, but from what I've gathered on previous threads from the old forum is that IXO is marketed in toy stores and the like in Spain. As opposed to the hobby shops that Corgi, Dragon and Hobby Master aim for. (Some one please correct me if I'm wrong.)

On the plus side with IXO they make planes that are unique to the diecast world. Most of the Japenese planes, all the Russian planes, Italian fighters and obscure U.S. types like the Buffalo and P-39 (Though this later choice is also going to made soon by Hobby Master.) offer choices you cannot find elsewhere and are unlikely to ever see.

On the minus side, the quality is pretty poor. At least when compared to Hobby Master, Dragon, et.al. For toys, the quality is pretty good. For collectables aimed at the conesure, the quality is okay at best and awful at their worst.

If your question was regarding their future value on the secondary market, don't start planning for your new house by selling off your IXO collection. Even for the more obscure types, the value is only going to be high as long as the type is unique to IXO. Even after they stop making Russian and Japanese planes, there will never be a huge after market for them as the planes are not that popular.

[flaps]

Originally Posted by Aircrafty

I'm sure there's a few of us that have bought a few Ixo or Altaya models over the past months.

Do you now feel these models were worth the expense?

I have almost one of each that they (IXO) have released, I like the oddballs the best since no on else has or probably will do them anytime soon.

I myself even like some of the others (109-Wildcat-Mosquito) where someone else has released it, but the Ixo while they do have some accuracy issues here and there and maybe a gear issue here and there, are overall done very nice. If you glue on the gear , that is no longer and issue, if you need perfection 100% spend a ton more money on a different scale and get the same old planes over and over (P-51 GMP)

I think for some reason they seem heavier, sturdier in some ways plus I actually like the finish on the ones where I have seen some saying the panel lines too much, lines are too defined, I think it makes them look great.

The most I have paid for one was about $38.00 for a P-38 which some have bashed but you no what I have enjoyed that plane in my collection for well over 8 months while no one else has released one, and when and if Corgi ever comes out with theres it's goind to be $40.00+ dollars. It will probably be a little more accurate, but probably be less metal in it and more plastic so its a toss. I am happy with all my IXO's I am not as picky as some collectors. I have paid as little as $16.00 for my Wildcat, and the gear is not perfect nor the coloring, but it is a lot of plane for $16.00 and looks really good on the stand in my case.

On a side note, I had a visit from a Hollywood type person just last night, he ws in town for some Band he manages, and to go to the MAgic Show, and he liked my displays and collection. But he spent the most time at the IXO area and commented, hey these are some you do not see to often, he went on to ask what's that and when did that fly, He was looking at the Beaufighter and Dornier, so it seems they are the most impressive to folks that are not into this as much as we are.

I like em,

Flaps

[jim]

I bought HE219 and Stuka. Dreadfull things, never again. By a process of elimination and much pondering and based on my first Dragon purchase (ME262 2seater) I think maybe Dragon is the best but I will await final judgement until the purchase of a few more Dragon models and the offerings from Hobby master. All my collection are Corgi and overall not bad (with the famous exception of the Mustangs Just in case the Skunky fellow is reading these posts).

Originally Posted by Gort

Two schools of thought exist on IXOs, Aircrafty:

One believes they’re worth every penny, simply because IXO produces warbirds no other manufacturer will even consider making – for now, anyway.

The other school maintains quality trumps variety, and because too many IXO models are kinda “iffy”– if not downright rotten – they suggest you sink your money into quality models made by manufacturers like Hobby Master or Dragon, to name two.

Personally, I used to belong to the first school. Then I saw the light and switched to Hobby Master and Dragon; I’ve never regretted the move. But I did keep the Japanese planes.

[flaps]

Your too picky if you do not like the HE219, it is an awesome replica, done very well and I guarantee if Corgi had done it , it would have sold for more than triple the price. Of course we all no they will never do the model. They keep going mainstream. Cant wait for more P-51's and Spitfires from Corgi. Anything cool they announce comes out so late it's unreal. P-38, Catalina are just too way overdue examples. I know IXO has the same issue, but not any worse than Dragon or Corgi announcing models and then taking forever to release unless they are on exsiting molds.

Ixo's models are generally priced less for what you get and some are fantastic, and some are iffy or just ok, but overall they have made this a much more interesting year in my collecting for what I think are very very good prices.

Looking foreward to the soon to be released Lavochkin La-7, the Avenger and the Morane Sualnier, again models that will probably be very good, under $25.00 when they 1st come out and no one else will ever do them, except maybe the Avenger.

Different Strokes for Different Folks I guess. Heck I even like the stand that come with the IXO's, nice shape , big enough to support the models so far and has some logo info on the plane on it.

By the way do you like the way the flaps fall off the Dragon P-51's and others, Do you like the worst stand ever on this kind of model that Dragon Includes? Heck if you get any of the bigger models like F-15' FA-18 you are taking a real risk even using the stand, which is cheap and ugly. And the gear is just as hard to attach on Dragons as any other detachable gear model.

IXO, I love em
Corgi, I like em
Dragon, I like em
Witty, I love em
Matchbox Even 1/72, I love em
Hobby Masters, I like em

Once again just my humble opinion, Flaps

Originally Posted by jim

I bought HE219 and Stuka. Dreadfull things, never again. By a process of elimination and much pondering and based on my first Dragon purchase (ME262 2seater) I think maybe Dragon is the best but I will await final judgement until the purchase of a few more Dragon models and the offerings from Hobby master. All my collection are Corgi and overall not bad (with the famous exception of the Mustangs Just in case the Skunky fellow is reading these posts).

[jim]

Hi Flaps,Good point! You are correct about the price. Corgi would indeed charge a lot more, but then they would paint it the correct colour and not cover their models in those awfull line drawings. I wonder if I was unlucky and bought a bad example of the HE219 ,could be the QC guy was on lunch break,(paint smudges etc)anyway the He219 is in the paint hanger at the moment awaiting my attention. You also made a good point about them making the rare types. I do agree with you on that. I would be willing to pay more though for a better and more accurate model. I gave in to temptation and bid for an IXO Beaufighter on ebay but it went for about £25. Too much for an Ixo but thats just my opinion. On the principle that anything is better than nothing you win. My next purchases will be HM aircraft. The chaps on the hanger have raved about them so a couple will go on my next Mule order. I cant wait for the Corgi Swordfish. Thats a big old girl and will look good in my collection. Must have a look at Matchbox ,I dont know anything about those. I take your point about the Dragon stands and the other problems. I have seen other posts about this. I shall be able to judge Dragon better after a few more purchases.

[flaps]

Hey great reply, I did not mean to come off too full of it. I just liked the unusual models and I am actually pretty happy with the newer Mossie for the $19.98USD she cost lso from IXO.

If your good at doing repairs, I have an extra Beaufighter I paid $27.00 for that has an issue with the front center antenna, It think it is, comes straight out of the model but is bent, might break when it is bent back not sure, have not tried it. I would consider a trade for something unusual you might have extra of, or I would sell it for $20.00 USD but the shipping to you might mess that up since I am in the USA and the thing weighs like 3lbs I think.

Anyway I do know Hobby Master are better, but they are releasing stuff way slow and who needs more Stukas, its time for one of the really good companies to do some of the really cool WWII and Modern planes, Like the F100 Sabre. But at the same time I hope the price does not get crazy, I was looking forward to the new P-38's from Corgi, since I am sure they will be better in some ways than the IXO I now have, but then I heard the price and geez it just seems way to high to me, $40.00 to $45.00 here on most sites and of course delayed for who knows how long. Should be max $32.98 USD or so. By the way Corgi messes up the Color quite a bit too, Think I have a almost pink B-25 stashed somewhere from them and another with a B-25 Silver with a Purple front graphic that was supposed to be deep blue, eh I still like em,

Flaps

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by jschlechty

I agree with the previous posters - the Japanese planes seem to be the best of the lot.

Make that two i like the Oscar.
JP

[wurger_high]

Well, the thing is that you should only buy IXO planes that you are sure that no other companies will make... cause they arn't that detailed. der!

Pay around $20 for their unique japanese and russian planes is worth it for me. I got the Ki-84 and N1J, they are good for IXO quality, but just can't compare with Corgi, Dragon and HM, and i had to mod them to make them look better.

He-219 is pretty ordinary as well... -_-