[Ara1]

Originally Posted by lanslide

My father is a very close friend of Bob Mikesh and Don Thorpe. He has collaborated with both of them. He also was a very good friend of Dick Bueschel's until he passed away.

Yes, your father's research has greatly aided the armchair historian/model builder throughout the years, I have thanked him via posts many years ago. He is one of a small group of authors that has furthered our understanding of Japanese aircraft. I, for one, cannot read enough on the subject.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by Ara1

Yes, your father's research has greatly aided the armchair historian/model builder throughout the years, I have thanked him via posts many years ago. He is one of a small group of authors that has furthered our understanding of Japanese aircraft. I, for one, cannot read enough on the subject.

Ara1, you should check out his forum ( j-aircraft.com ) - the message boards and research areas can be very interesting indeed.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by lanslide

I also am VERY happy with all 28 of mine and would not get rid of any of them either! These are among the best models in my collection. Well I might part with 2 of my duplicates.

Would either of the duplicates be the pre-assembled ones??

[Phantom Phan1200]

You guys should chat with our forum member theo, he loves Marushins.
http://www.forumsvibe.com/cfldiecast...fldiecastmodel

Personally I'm not impressed as I expected to be after seeing them in person, but thats just my opinion.
I thought canopy & cockpits were so poorly done that it overshadowed anything else that was good about the model.
IMO the level of detail was not on par with other models that command same high a price, such as Carousel 1 & Eagles International.
Marushin gets credit for making awsome Japanese a/c that nobody else does, making great paint schemes for these models & using a ton of metal in their construction.
I really wanted to buy one of their Tony's & Franks but after seeing the canopy & cockpit they wont get my $$ until they make some improvements in that area.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by hworth18

Would either of the duplicates be the pre-assembled ones??

No - My duplicates are the Ridge Runner P-51D and the Special Marking A6M5 Zero like you already have. Actually I only have two pre-assembled ones, the P-51D Glamorous Glen III Chuck Yeager chrome plated edition and the A6M2 Zero Akagi Pearl Harbor edition.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by lanslide

No - My duplicates are the Ridge Runner P-51D and the Special Marking A6M5 Zero like you already have. Actually I only have two pre-assembled ones, the Glamorous Glen III Chuck Yeager chrome plated edition and the A6M2 Akagi Pearl Harbor edition.

Bummer, I have been looking for the pre-assembled stuff (Frank and George) for some time now with absolutely NO luck.. I even went as far as to email the Japanese retailer I buy from and Marushin themselves with no luck as they said they have no plans to make more..

Phantomphan does have a point with Marushins drawbacks, but I love Marushins heft and their subjects which no other manufacturer will touch.. Marushin is one of my favorite manufacturers and I wished they would make more (even more paint schemes would be nice), but that may not be happening, so I have to be happy with what I already have..

[lanslide]

Yup...their value will only increase over the years since I think they will not be produced again. That doesn't really matter to me though because they are the LAST models I would part with if I had to. My kids will inherit my collection I hope.

[mustangdriver]

What does the Yeager Chrome one look like, and where can I find one?

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

What does the Yeager Chrome one look like, and where can I find one?

I got mine years ago from HobbyLink Japan while they were still being produced. It looks realistic if the real one had a semi-polished finish. I will post a scan of the brochure later unless someone else has one or can beat me to the scan. Sorry guys but all of my Marushins are still boxed while I wait for the space to display them! I better do it soon before you begin to doubt my collection's existence!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Phantom Phan1200

You guys should chat with our forum member theo, he loves Marushins.
http://www.forumsvibe.com/cfldiecast...fldiecastmodel

Personally I'm not impressed as I expected to be after seeing them in person, but thats just my opinion.
I thought canopy & cockpits were so poorly done that it overshadowed anything else that was good about the model.
IMO the level of detail was not on par with other models that command same high a price, such as Carousel 1 & Eagles International.
Marushin gets credit for making awsome Japanese a/c that nobody else does, making great paint schemes for these models & using a ton of metal in their construction.
I really wanted to buy one of their Tony's & Franks but after seeing the canopy & cockpit they wont get my $$ until they make some improvements in that area.

I agree certainly with the canopy and cockpit comments -- but again, who makes a perfect model? What I think marushin does better than anyone else is the finely engraved panel lines -- everyone else, IMHO, goes overboard with these details. And EI's canopies have similar issues -- if you're referring to how poorly painted Marushin's can be?

(Then there are those silly plain silver gun barrels that are way too long with the Marushins... apparently you can order part kits for them to make these details better??)

Regardless, they is what they is and I don't think we're going to see any improvements to 'em at this point. I think the Marushin well is drying up...