[lanslide]

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.

Phantom, I agree that the cockpit detailing is non-existent but what's wrong with the canopies? The fine recessed panel lines, overall profiles, and excellent paint quality out way the lack of cockpit detail in my opinion. When the model is displayed with the canopy closed, you can't see inside the cockpit anyway. But I do wish they would have better detail in that area too. Look at what can be done to detail the cockpit in my recent photos in this section of the forum.

[hworth18]

I think Phantom might be eluding to the fact that some canopies could be clearer and painted a little better.. I have a few planes that have hazy canopies and the paint is thin on some of them.. No biggie though...

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I think Phantom might be eluding to the fact that some canopies could be clearer and painted a little better.. I have a few planes that have hazy canopies and the paint is thin on some of them.. No biggie though...

Yeah, I have a few that are thin, too -- not hazy though... so perhaps I'm lucking out!

[Phantom Phan1200]

Guys I'm not saying these are bad models nor would I tell people not to buy one.
These are just my opinions & the reason for why I would pass on them.
Like I said they have awesome subjects & great paint schemes.
I was pretty hyped up about them but I was a little let down with some things after seeing them in person.

As I said the main thing is the canopy & cockpit.
On the few I have seen the canopy's do not fit correctly & look a rough, also the paint on the canopy's was very thin & a completely different color than the a/c.
If was like seeing a beautiful exotic car with $10 hubcaps.
Also I wish they had a full cockpit, a blank void just doesn't do it for me.

IMO these things are standard features in the over $50 high end 1/48 market. You have to have those details in this day & age.
The game has been upped, the stuff coming out gets better & better each day.
If other brands can give you a full cockpit & proper fitting canopy with the right shade of paint on a $29 1/72, than a 1/48 $80 model should at the very least offer the same, in order for me to put down the $$..
Granted there is no perfect diecast but IMO I think this is just to big a area to miss on a high end 1/48 model.

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by Phantom Phan1200

Guys I'm not saying these are bad models nor would I tell people not to buy one.
These are just my opinions & the reason for why I would pass on them.
Like I said they have awesome subjects & great paint schemes.
I was pretty hyped up about them but I was a little let down with some things after seeing them in person.
As I said the main thing is the canopy & cockpit.
On the few I have seen the canopy's do not fit correctly & look a rough, also the paint on the canopy's was very thin & a completely different color than the a/c.
If was like seeing a beautiful exotic car with $10 hubcaps.
Also I wish they had a full cockpit, a blank void just doesn't do it for me.
IMO these things are standard features in the over $50 high end 1/48 market. You have to have those details in this day & age.
The game has been upped, the stuff coming out gets better & better each day.
If other brands can give you a full cockpit & proper fitting canopy with the right shade of paint on a $29 1/72, than a 1/48 $80 model should at the very least offer the same, in order for me to put down the $$..
Granted there is no perfect diecast but IMO I think this is just to big a area to miss on a high end 1/48 model.

I sympathize with your opinion there Phantom, and I think this is further proof that everyone has a different idea about what makes a great diecast... Just as some love IXO and some hate it, the same goes for Hobbymaster with their inked panelines.. This is probably the biggest dilema manufacturers face when producing their product, in not making everyone happy, but making as many people as possible happy.. Hobbymaster is a perfect example of adjusting their product to satisfy the masses.. Unfortunately, this is not typical behavior from most manufacturers and it is spoiling us to the point where we will expect this type of service from all manufacturers, and that just isn't going to happen..
I think the majority of members here all have different ideas and different loves when it comes to diecast, whether it be Matchbox, IXO, Gemini, Dragon or Corgi etc.., and thats what makes this hobby so fun and diverse..
Are Marushins outdated?? Probably yes.. But one thing to keep in mind is that most of the planes available now were originally produced almost 10 years ago..

I do love my Marushins, and I don't think they are perfect, but they appeal to me in a different way than most of my other collection and that is one reason I keep buying them (bought another today)

[Louie]

I personally held and observed the "Jack" Raiden and was appalled at the thin paint on the canopy making it look like a large Model Power plane. The "cannons" in the wing were pieces of stainless wire and wobbled up and down. The heavy all metal landing gear kept falling out of the holes and on to the floor. The cockpit,what cockpit?

Now for the plusses,
Great paint and markings
Heavy metal construction
Scale looks very good
Panel lines nicely done if not subtle
unique subject
hidden fasteners

If Marushin stepped it up just one more notch I think they could capture an even larger market share of the 1/48's.

This is not a - - - - is better than - - - -thread.
There are good and not so good models in every line. Perhaps there are much better models by this company. I have seen no others in person to pass judgement.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I do love my Marushins, and I don't think they are perfect, but they appeal to me in a different way than most of my other collection and that is one reason I keep buying them (bought another today)

Well-put Harry, same for me -- now fess up, which one did you add today

[hworth18]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Well-put Harry, same for me -- now fess up, which one did you add today

I bought an Akagi Zero, for the sole purpose of repainting it to Lanslides specs.. If Marushin won't provide us with repaints, I'll make my own..

[planenutsfrog]

you seem to be a bit of a specialist of Marushin's models : do you know anything about future releases...?

I remember finding in one of their kits, a leaflet showing all the models issued, together with a list of planned ones (but not fluent in Japanese, it's only a guess...!), these included : Ki27, Ki44, Ki46, A5M, A6M2-N, F1M, H6K, H8K !!!

Let's imagine the weight of a 1/48 H6K or H8K...!?

[lanslide]

I can't read Japanese either but in looking at the last brochure I have, I see Ki44, A5M, A6M2-N, F1M2, K5Y,H6K, H8K, Ki27, Ki46, BF-109, P-38, F6F, and F4U-1 in that order. They finally made the K5Y but don't hold your breath for the rest!