[stwhite]

As much as we complain about the overall quality of IXO models, we often overlook their huge accomplishments. IXO was/is the only company willing to take a risk on WWII warbirds unknown to the general public. Of course this is mainly due to having a magazine accompany the models which are readily available at European newsstands; Nevertheless, IXO showed how viable these unknown birds are to the collectors. Because of this other manufactures are jumping on the bus- Corgi has plans to make a ME110, HM has one ME110 on the market with more to come, HM has the P39,etc I am glad that finally most of the manufactures see there is life after the Spitfire, 109, and P51.

Anyway, just a thought

[smartd]

Notwithstanding the amount of folks who say they do not like 'em. I do like the IXO I have and they do/did fill gaps, just like Easy Models.
I was impressed with the 110 when I first saw it a couple of years ago and have been happy with others that I have subsequently purchased.

[Cruver Collecter]

Yep, IXO sure does receive quite a bit of flak, but some of their products look pretty sharp. Plus if you want a Blackburn Skua, like me, were else are you going to pick one up. I like their D 520, Mc 202, Blackburn Skua, and shoot even the Bf 110 does a fair job. At times it seems like IXO gets to be the punching bag of the die cast world. Oh yeah and their MS 406 is a pretty homely looking model, wait a minute, so was the real plane (Also missing the horizontal stabilizer struts). IXO does put out a few that I would not particularly want to own, but they do have some nice pieces.

[flyXwire]

Altaya IXO continues to provide 'filler' a/c types while no other manufacturers dare not thread or even consider making! So for that I will graciously patronize IXO's efforts whenever I see the models I would very much like to add to my collection. Having said that, I've owned all the Japanese birds, the Luftwaffe exotics etc. et cetera...and I will continue to add more with what's coming down their pipeline!

[skydriver]

Thanks to IXO I have 3 other Japanese aircraft other than the Zero, as well as a Russian aircraft. I am pleased to have them in my collection.

[stwhite]

I think you guys hit the nail on the head: Gap fillers

As was commented above, I have all the Japanese aircraft except the zero, all the french planes, all the Italian, all the Russian and a couple of German models (total IXO models about 17). The Japanese planes are by far IMHO the best we have seen from IXO.

[Biggie]

I agree in full, but I dont look at them as just gap fillers. I love most of my IXO, sure they have little issues here and there, but I am actually happy with all of mine including the P-47, The Stuka Winter Scheme and the Hellcat, by the way those three I got for $14.00 each, what a deal for almost a ton of steel.

The P-47 is one of the nicest color schemes I have on any of my P-47's.

I like em,

Biggie

Originally Posted by stwhite

I think you guys hit the nail on the head: Gap fillers

As was commented above, I have all the Japanese aircraft except the zero, all the french planes, all the Italian, all the Russian and a couple of German models (total IXO models about 17). The Japanese planes are by far IMHO the best we have seen from IXO.

[Epapazian]

Rather than thanking IXO for being so daring to venture forth into uncharted areas, IXO fans should thank the European publishers for using mass-produced model give-aways to sell their subscriptions. Without their initial funding for the molds, IXO would have had nothing to sell and certainly wouldn't have risked new mold development just to fill gaps in our collections. As for the actual planes chosen, the list, most likely, was decided by the publishers--probably with the factory's input on costs. I doubt that they looked at the Corgi or Dragon line-ups to guide them.

Despite my comments, above, I have many IXOs and have converted a dozen or so into fairly presentable pieces. The good news, as I see it, is the possibility that Altaya/IXO has improved its production, detailing and assembly methods---as evidenced by the new 1:144th scale bomber line---and is planning more ventures with collectors as well as publishers in mind. Indeed, they are probably partnering on future lines, which will be offered to collectors via standard online sellers and other vendors---not just eBay sellers. If this prediction comes true, we will shortly be seeing many planes made into diecast, in a variety of scales, that could never be expected from Corgi or even Hobby Master----all because the mold costs can be covered by the publishers. In my book this will be very good news for all of us no matter how we feel about the current IXO models we purchased over the last several years.

[trex0770]

I agree with you guys! IXO has to be applauded for taking chances on aircraft that others hadn't at the time (Me-110, P-39) or haven't yet been produced.

As a side note, I've seen the HM Me-110 and IMHO IXO's offering is nicer. A big thing that I noticed was that IXO's 110 canopy framing is thinner and looks better than HM's (which looks too thick). I also like the paint better and while the IXO 110 is not as crisp in some areas (panel lines, etc.) I'd rather have it over the HM.

IXO:


HM:

[flyXwire]

I haven't bought any of the first issue HM Bf-110s (I'm only gonna get the third issue) but I do see subtle differences with what you're talking about now, trex! Thanks for the pics.