[Sebring Rob]

Just wondering how everyone considers minor defects on their models. For example every once in awhile when I get a new model and am reviewing it I will notice a smudged graphic , small paint over spray, and/or a small chip in the paint. So far none of these have been great enough for me to try and return the model etc......... I was just wondering what everyone else thinks or considers acceptable in terms of defects.

For example if you had a model with an 1/8 of an inch smudge coming off of a graphic on the wing would you consider that enough of a defect to return the model or just feel that it is an acceptable occurrence in our hobby?

[dasboot]

excessive gaps on franklin mint models. I already returned so many and it seems that the variance between the same model is huge. I once bought a stuka that you could have fit a quarter between the nose panels. I returned it and received a perfect one with little to no gaps.

[Epapazian]

If they give me a fighting chance, I prefer to make the required "correction" rather than sending the model back or relegating it to the "bin". Sometimes major surgery is involved, such as drilling holes or notches to install missing pitot heads, guns, etc. On several occasions, I have successfully bent misaligned tailplanes into the right configuration. I draw the line, however when the parts fit so badly that a huge gap is unavoidable or when a canopy comes cracked in two---as happened a while back. So, to answer the question, I guess I'm pretty tolerant of diecast design, assembly and detailing snafus---so long as I can fix them.

[Ara1]

I consider my diecasts as entities (almost personalities) and as such, allow for minor flaws or "characteristics". I am definitely picky, but have also perfected the fine art of accepting flaws... perfection is frustrating and ultimately futile. Close is just fine with me.

[jim]

Originally Posted by Ara1

I consider my diecasts as entities (almost personalities) and as such, allow for minor flaws or "characteristics". I am definitely picky, but have also perfected the fine art of accepting flaws... perfection is frustrating and ultimately futile. Close is just fine with me.

Well said Ara, and you saved me some typing.

[Gort]

OK, I’ll admit it: I’m an anal-retentive perfectionist. Can’t STAND IT when a model arrives broken, screwed up, bollixed, out of whack, goofed up. And that’s just the box!

Just yesterday I pulled down my Corgi night figher Mossi (a modelzone exclusive) and noticed that the see-thru plastic box insert had rubbed and damaged the starboard roundel and an adjacent flake of wing. Ouch!!! Made me want to shoot my front tree!

Heh-heh ... I’ve returned a few models in my day, but in one case the vendor up and refused to do anymore business with me for all the returns. Don’t blame him, really. Perfectionists make terrible customers (this one does, anyway).

On the other hand, I’ve fixed broken models, too. A couple of days ago I finally got around to Gorilla gluing a port stabilizer to the tailplane of my Corgi Heavenly Body B-25. Worked like a champ.

All in all, I’ve come around to Ara1's point of view that these models are as different and unique (sans flesh and bone) as people . Which means (within reason) I’ll accept their flaws and boo-boos and keep lovin’ ‘em.

Give me a crumpled box, however, and it’s WAR!!!

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by jim

Well said Ara, and you saved me some typing.

Me too!!

[Sebring Rob]

Thanks for all your input guys!

Now for a more specific question. Have you guys noticed any paint and/or graphics flaws in your 1/72 scale models (particularly jets)? I have been lucky in that I have only had one diecast arrive broken (knock on wood) but it seems that one in every two or three models I receive (some brands more frequent then others. But I have noticed them in almost every brand available) has at least one flaw in the paint or graphics application. Now don't get me wrong I still really enjoy these models and have yet to return one but I just wonder if you guys have noticed the same thing in your models and I should just learn that it is something to expect or if I just seem to get lucky ?

[jim]

My worst case is the IXO He219, a large paint smudge on the fuselage between the wings, I should have sent it back but I hate the paint scheme anyway so I intended to do a repaint at sometime in a more accurate scheme/colour.
( I have a whole list of "intended" plans and schemes, somehow I never seems to get around to doing any of them) .

Gort, I understand what you say, the problem with having a blemish or a fault in a model is that of course its the first thing that draws your eyes every time you look at the model.
A good example of that is my FM P40s, my eyes are drawn straight to that pointy spinner and it really annoys me.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by jim

A good example of that is my FM P40s, my eyes are drawn straight to that pointy spinner and it really annoys me.

Here, here... will the Otaki plastic model kit prop fix this? I've got the diecast, the kit, and the same impression...