[jim]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

But as some one on the forum said, why should they after all they sell well.

Jim,
Hey there.

Yeah, exactly. I've made a very similiar argument about Corgi. It seems that once a manufacturer makes a descision on the "quality" of details they are offering, they stick to that similiar level for all their moulds. Hobby Master seems to have broken away from that, or maybe they started out with such a high level of quality in the first place? IXO could improve, but since we are a very small minority of their customer base, or wishes go unheeded.[/quote]

Too right buddy you make a very valid point.

Corgi seemed to be stuck in one mindset and then they made the Swordfish! Everyone went wow and they sold like hot cakes.
Great, but then they slipped back into their old ways. Good models but not special.

I wondered if the newbies like Gemini and HM would give Corgi a push but it seems not. (didnt know about the tie up then).
I know it sounds like I am knocking Corgi and I suppose I am but I must add my comments are in the best interests of Corgi.
I own over 150 Corgis and on the whole I like them but they could improve and in view of their prices I think they owe it to their loyal collectors to do so.

[Epapazian]

We seem to be treating IXO like it is a somewhat flawed competitor to Corgi, Dragon, et all. It isn't. IXO is simply a brand name conjured up by the Chinese factory that turned out cheapie promotional models for various magazine subscription sales efforts. As has been noted in other threads, IXO's planes come from old molds and detailing schemes which were designed to crank out a lot of product at minimum cost -hence the aversion to drilling holes in the planes' wings for cannons, pitot heads, etc ; the ridiculously oversized insignia, lettering, etc, ;those pathetic undercarriages, especially for the "wheels-up" option, etc. This last, long-delayed - batch of IXO models, is probably the end of the road for those magazine promotional "collectibles". Let's hope that IXO, if it continues to compete with new lines of product, corrects its many design and marketing blunders. But don't count on it.

[Merritec]

Originally Posted by mapleflag

If they made the prop and spinner out of metal it would probably sit right. Still, since no one else is interested in doing the P39and Stormovik I guess I'll
have to get a hold of them. Note to Merritec!

Note taken. I will see what I can do.

[bsmith13]

Well...I think I am falling in love with Russian aircraft.

I'd like an informed opinion from someone who collects IXOs: Are the IXOs good enough to stand on their own merit, or am I going to want to replace them when someone else finally makes them?

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

Well...I think I am falling in love with Russian aircraft.

I'd like an informed opinion from someone who collects IXOs: Are the IXOs good enough to stand on their own merit, or am I going to want to replace them when someone else finally makes them?

I have all of IXO's Japanese, Russian,French , German and Italian planes as well as some of their U.S. and British creations and was very enthusiastic about this new "line" when I first heard of it. As I noted earlier on this thread, IXO is merely exploiting existing molds and detailing schemes designed for a magazine sales promotion, hence the emphasis on turning out the cheapest to produce product possible. As a serious collector, I decided long ago to discard any of my IXOs the moment a quality conscious diecast maker puts out the same plane. Unfortunately, it may be a long wait before Dragon, Corgi, Hobby Master, etc.turn their attention to the likes of a Yak-9, MS-406, HE-219 or many other planes that seem now to be IXO exclusives.

[stalag8611]

Bsmith13 here's a part of a thread responding to a posting byEpapazian;


"What puzzles me when I read postings on this site is the outright contempt directed at IXO. I have a number of them in my collection, and I'm especially pleased with the Japanese issues: Grace, Tony, Frank, George and Oscar. You blow them off in your posting, but I'd bet that you don't own any of the ones I listed above. In addition, I think IXO did a good job with the Beaufighter. the DO-335 and the Bf-110. It'll be interesting to see how good a Bf-110 Hobby Master turns out. Yes, Im well aware of the digs aimed at IXO, who isn't, but I can also repeat, chapter and verse, complaints directed at every diecast producer."

It turns out that he does have a number of IXOs in his collection, (why he continues buy or keep them puzzles me), but sure doesn't like them. I also have a number of IXOs and frankly I think their Japanese issues are very well done and, as noted in the above quote, I also like the three others mentioned. IXOs are not in the same league as Century Wings or GMP, but neither are they Chinese junks. Try one of the Japanese, e.g., "George" and then draw your own conclusion.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

Bsmith13 here's a part of a thread responding to a posting byEpapazian;


"What puzzles me when I read postings on this site is the outright contempt directed at IXO. I have a number of them in my collection, and I'm especially pleased with the Japanese issues: Grace, Tony, Frank, George and Oscar. You blow them off in your posting, but I'd bet that you don't own any of the ones I listed above. In addition, I think IXO did a good job with the Beaufighter. the DO-335 and the Bf-110. It'll be interesting to see how good a Bf-110 Hobby Master turns out. Yes, Im well aware of the digs aimed at IXO, who isn't, but I can also repeat, chapter and verse, complaints directed at every diecast producer."

It turns out that he does have a number of IXOs in his collection, (why he continues buy or keep them puzzles me), but sure doesn't like them. I also have a number of IXOs and frankly I think their Japanese issues are very well done and, as noted in the above quote, I also like the three others mentioned. IXOs are not in the same league as Century Wings or GMP, but neither are they Chinese junks. Try one of the Japanese, e.g., "George" and then draw your own conclusion.

Guys. It's really very simple. Once I saw how poor most of the IXOs were, I decided to continue buying those that no one else would probably make.. Since I have the skills to fabricate missing parts, repaint and decal my IXOs I have had considerable success making them presentable and, in a number of cases, quite pleasing members of my collection. Among the best in this regard are the MC-202 and 205, along with no less than three Oscars, several Tonys , a ME-109K, a BF-110, a Yak-3, a MS-406 and an almost completed Brewester Buffalo. However if I were a collector who isn't willing or able to fix or redo these models, I wouldn't buy any IXO if there was a chance of the same plane being offered by a more competent supplier.

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

... I wouldn't buy any IXO if there was a chance of the same plane being offered by a more competent supplier.

Correct, but the problem is in estimating what "a chance" means. In some cases it might be pretty clear that there's no practical chance (He-162, Do-335 come to mind), but in other cases, who knows. But the few IXOs I have were bought based on that general philosophy.

Personally, I don't think IXOs are as bad as some would lead you to believe, at least the ones I have (which granted is only a small sample). Compared to others, they are a bit crude (although overall shapes are fairly well respected), detailing is sparse, and hues in particular are a bit too bright in general. But I just received my He-219 yesterday and I really like it, even with its imperfections. Maybe it's just because I really like that plane and I'm just happy someone made a diecast model of it.

FVD

[HotTrap429]

My IXOs fall in one of three categories.

1) Love this model as it is! (Tony, Raiden, George Oscar, Frank, Bf109G, BBD P-51, Maachi 202)

2) I got it cheap and I want to do a modeler conversion on it because it's not all that great. (P-40N, F2 Buffalo, F4F Wildcat, SBD)

3) What a piece of c _ _ _! I made a stupid mistake! (P-38, F6F, Mig 3, Corsair)

With IXO, it's hit or miss, buyer beware. Like so many have said, they are a great source for rare planes no one else will do - Japanese fighters and some obscure German and Russian planes for example. I'm very leery about buying more unless I plan on putting it in Category 2. That's why I'm not biting on the P-39. I want one sooooo badly, but I can wait for Hobbymaster.

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

With IXO, it's hit or miss, buyer beware. Like so many have said, they are a great source for rare planes no one else will do - Japanese fighters and some obscure German and Russian planes for example. I'm very leery about buying more unless I plan on putting it in Category 2. That's why I'm not biting on the P-39. I want one sooooo badly, but I can wait for Hobbymaster.

I agree. That's why, when doing a trade, and I could of had the IXO P-39, I chose a different model instead!