Today, I'm really struck by something: The sheer amount of heated criticism Hobby Master takes on the chin in the online forums, both here and across the pond. Out of the gate I felt HM got more than it's share of overly critical responses to new product it was putting out in the marketplace. Yet, if you say this...you are a "fanboy" a "cheerleader". Meanwhile, more established companies such as Corgi continue to pump out repaints of the same tired molds with the same tired issues. New players such as Century Wings have helping after helping of praise thrown at them for each new release, despite sharing several of the same gaffs HM and Dragon are loudly chastised for.
It's enough to make one pause and wonder what the hell is going on?
Before I continue I should state that HM does occasionally send me models for review on my site. These are at no charge to me and usually come a few weeks before the model is released stateside. If you think this makes me look more favorably on HM, well, read ALL of my HM reviews. This process is standard practice in the review community, and I've been doing this long enough in my "day job" to not let it sway my opinions. And I buy more than my fair share, too, which my wife will be happy to tell you.
When HM first released it's SBDs and Stukas there was much excitement, but plenty of complaints about the dark panel wash that was used that gave the panel lines too much emphasis. HM has tried a number of experiements to find the right balance here since that time. It has released models with no wash, models with light wash, etc. Yet, invariably, people still complain--loudly--about it.
Meanwhile CW pumps out Tomcats with very, very dark panel lines and those same critics go on and on about how wonderful they are and never mention the lines. These same 'Cats have noticeable gaps in mold join lines, and fiddly bits that are every bit as fiddly as Dragon. Early 'Cats had a wing issue that CW issued a recall for. So what gives? CW has also recently announced a major price bump -- its models will not cost $70-80 each, for a 1:72 model folks. This has caused some rancor, but not much...
The diecast hobby is contracting. Established players such as Dragon and Corgi are scaling back. We've not heard much of anything from Gemini or Eagles or C1 lately. GMP is dead in the water. Corgi is no longer making 1:32. (Where is that working range Graf?) Costs are rising across the board.
To me, HM is one of the most exciting companies to watch. It is trying new things -- 1:72, 1:48, and 1:32 scale models, giving us jets, helos, props, and even tanks -- and it is listening to us, the consumer. They've altered packaging, stands, accessories, and packaging after listening to us. Who else does that?
HM's achille's heel right now is that it is trying to do too much, too fast. Grow too quickly. And the pains from that are passed along to us in the first few releases of a new mold. They've established a routine and yet we continue to have sky-high expectations for new releases and then rant away when they do not live up to our own hype.
Case in point: HM's first 1:32 SBD release. Who else would kick off a new high-end 1:32 line with an SBD? Most other companies would probably go with something safer -- such as a P-51B, Dora, T-bolt, etc. that would appeal more to a mass market. Instead, HM picked a model the hardcore set has been clamoring for in a small production run. So it is listening. Hopefully the lower production runs will continue going forward across all product lines and we wont' have the market over-saturation effect that afflicted the likes of Dragon, rending its models nearly valueless in terms of "collecting value".
This first SBD (which I bought and paid for myself, mind you) has issues: The pilot figures are ridiculously small, the all-metal prop droops pretty badly, and there is no display stand included. These are the big three, and people are screaming about 'em -- including many people who have never seen the model in person, writing it off as a "waste of money". This model does carry a hefty price tag of $150, so granted, QA issues are harder to take.
However, folks, we have a good-looking, well-made 1:32 SBD in the livery of one of the most famous birds of WWII. As with most products -- from the iphone to new cars to diecast models -- early adopters pay for their curiosity and enthusiasm by having to deal with "bugs".
HM at least listens, while diehard Corgi fans continue to buy repaints of some of the most outdated and tired molds in the business. A fixed prop is in the works and will be mailed to everyone that asks for one at no charge -- to me this is the biggest issue and HM is already on it. No, I don't understand why this wasn't caught in the pre-pro stage, but it is being fixed. A stand may also be in the works and I suspect HM may make it an optional accessory or find a way to make it available to those of us that bought the first SBD. Stay tuned there.
The crew, well, the fix there may be on us to come up with. Myself, I plan to display my SBD "parked" so I'll leave 'em out. Hopefully they will scrap 'em and start from scratch with subsequent releases, I don't see how the existing ones can be tweaked. They are just too small. Is HM alone in giving us crappy figures? No -- ever see the pilots in Corgi's 1:32 models up close. They suck just as badly, but are the proper scale. I just despise their clownlike faces... drives me nuts, and they are glued to their seats so you can't remove them without risking damage to your $100 model. At least HM had the sense not to do that.
Should HM's SBD cost less? On the surface I'd say yes -- particularly as it does not have a stand. Nor does it have the nice high-end quality packaging of say, Corgi, that we like to see on a $150 model. However, costs of production have spiked and if CW's 1:72 jets cost $80 is $150 unreasable for such a bigger scale model? Maybe not. And this is a fairly complex model to mass produce with lots of delicate moving parts. And remember, Corgi got out of this space for a reason, which I supsect is rising costs and lower sales and thus, less profits for them.
The price hurt a bit, but I'm happy to have my Midway SBD -- warts and all. And I'm also glad HM left the wash off, but more about that in my review, which I will try to post next week.
Rant over.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Bombzilla!
So, I used to think there was no way I would ever...EVER...pickup one of Franklin Mint's 1:48 "heavies". And there is no other diecast model for which the term "heavy" is more appropriate. I'm talking one of the four-engine jobbies -- B-17 or B-24. No sir! Too big! Too much $. No place to put it. I was going to firmly draw a line in the sand at one of the B-26s. I mean it was hard enough finding space for THAT. Not to mention, I was a bit afraid it would be the straw that would break the "boss'" (Mrs. Ace) back, so to speak.
Then, about two months ago, my affinity for 1:72 started to wane and I started eyeing FM again after a long time of abstinence. For some bizarre reason there are lots of good deals on ebay and even around the 'net on FM models, which generally carry a high MSRP and are not supposed to be discounted.
So, the "make hay while the sun shines" saying took over and I switched my sights back on 1:48, starting with the "small stuff" -- P-47s, '38s, etc. Then, a fellow zinc addict and bud -- Black6 -- gave me a call about a "going out of biz" sale at a certain hobby shop we both knew. Seems FM stuff was all %40 off -- more if you bought at least 3 models. He also owed me a few clams so taking that off the top, a B-24 would be about $50 to me....I've never been one to pass up a good deal, so I went for it. I got the Dragon & His Tail, which I've always been a fan of.
So he picked it up for me, and I immediately was struck with buyer's remorse -- I mean how the heck would a sneak a bird in the house that came in a suitcase?? Literally -- the box is as large as a typical suitcase and comes with a built-in carrying handle even. Why would I want to sneak it...well, let's just say Mrs. Ace is starting to lose her patience with this hobby of mine, and let's leave it at that. I must say, it took a while as I've been at this for 10 years.
So I immediately owned up to the purchase using the "too good to pass up" deal and that I would hold true to our agreed "one in, one out" plan from here forward. (If I buy one, I sell one... but a 1:1 weight ratio was never part of the agreement. So I would sell a 1:72 something or other and be true to my word.)
Then the remorse disappeared when I saw The Beast, which Black6 had aptly coined "Bombzilla". What a hunk of metal! And the artwork is very well done. And once I got over the massive packaging (something FM should really work at reducing), the model wasn't really all that crazy large. Yet, I really didn't have room for it. It was too big for either display case, too large for a shelf really... so I bought a small table for my office and it resides there, with the B-26 keeping it company.
FM catches a lot of flak, and rightly so, for many of its sub-par molds. This one does NOT fall into that category. If you've ever considered one, you should go for it. I'd rather have one of these, than 3-4 Corgi's at 1:72. This is a model with a serious "wow factor" that I feel is just as well done as the pooch's in 1:72, if not better. (And it doesn't have that nasty gap on the chin, either.) If you like metal content in your models, these can't be beat -- I'd say it weighs about 7lbs or so, and is almost entirely metal, the fuselage, wing, and even props are zinc baby.
Just don't think for a second that you can sneak it past "the boss". You've been warned!
Then, about two months ago, my affinity for 1:72 started to wane and I started eyeing FM again after a long time of abstinence. For some bizarre reason there are lots of good deals on ebay and even around the 'net on FM models, which generally carry a high MSRP and are not supposed to be discounted.
So, the "make hay while the sun shines" saying took over and I switched my sights back on 1:48, starting with the "small stuff" -- P-47s, '38s, etc. Then, a fellow zinc addict and bud -- Black6 -- gave me a call about a "going out of biz" sale at a certain hobby shop we both knew. Seems FM stuff was all %40 off -- more if you bought at least 3 models. He also owed me a few clams so taking that off the top, a B-24 would be about $50 to me....I've never been one to pass up a good deal, so I went for it. I got the Dragon & His Tail, which I've always been a fan of.
So he picked it up for me, and I immediately was struck with buyer's remorse -- I mean how the heck would a sneak a bird in the house that came in a suitcase?? Literally -- the box is as large as a typical suitcase and comes with a built-in carrying handle even. Why would I want to sneak it...well, let's just say Mrs. Ace is starting to lose her patience with this hobby of mine, and let's leave it at that. I must say, it took a while as I've been at this for 10 years.
So I immediately owned up to the purchase using the "too good to pass up" deal and that I would hold true to our agreed "one in, one out" plan from here forward. (If I buy one, I sell one... but a 1:1 weight ratio was never part of the agreement. So I would sell a 1:72 something or other and be true to my word.)
Then the remorse disappeared when I saw The Beast, which Black6 had aptly coined "Bombzilla". What a hunk of metal! And the artwork is very well done. And once I got over the massive packaging (something FM should really work at reducing), the model wasn't really all that crazy large. Yet, I really didn't have room for it. It was too big for either display case, too large for a shelf really... so I bought a small table for my office and it resides there, with the B-26 keeping it company.
FM catches a lot of flak, and rightly so, for many of its sub-par molds. This one does NOT fall into that category. If you've ever considered one, you should go for it. I'd rather have one of these, than 3-4 Corgi's at 1:72. This is a model with a serious "wow factor" that I feel is just as well done as the pooch's in 1:72, if not better. (And it doesn't have that nasty gap on the chin, either.) If you like metal content in your models, these can't be beat -- I'd say it weighs about 7lbs or so, and is almost entirely metal, the fuselage, wing, and even props are zinc baby.
Just don't think for a second that you can sneak it past "the boss". You've been warned!
DiecastAce Field A-Buzzin'
I've been distracted from posting and updating my web site as frequently as I'd like due to work-related deadlines...lots of 'em, too. However, this is not to say I've been dormant when it comes to feeding my zinc addition--quite the opposite, in fact. It seems there's a directly correlation between how BZ I am and how many models I purchase: The more stressed I become, the more I seem to acquire. I guesss it's a form of retail therapy? Anyone else?
Anyhow, over the last month or so I've seen myself dive, once again, into Franklin Mint waters, which I said I would not do again after purging my collection of most of my FM 1:48s last summer. So why the return? Well, I've grown a bit disillusioned with 1:72, for starters. I just don't like how the models display compared with the larger scales. And, there are just some crazy good deals on FM stuff on ebay at the moment (why anyone would pay full retail for a FM model these days at a brick and mortar shop is beyond me, really). I've landed a French recon P-38 for under $25 (currently listed at $100-$200 at multiple online retailers), a Putt-Putt Maru P-38 for under $30, a couple of T-bolts for good deals...and a massive B-24 (Dragon & His Tail for about $70). The list goes on.
So, I've cleaned out a good amount of my 1:72 models in my one display cabinet and added the new 1:48s. I like the look so much better. It's a cleaner display and looks less...well, like I have a problem (which perhaps I do, but it's relatively harmless). I've added a few of the new FM additions to the web site, http://www.diecastace.com/, and will continue to do so in the next month.
In addition, the Hobby Master 1:32 SBD is due to touchdown at the end of this week--and I'm really chomping at the bit to put this one under the photo lamp and review it. There's been plenty of complaints on some of the forums about the lack of a display stand, the quality of the pilot figs (way too small), and an apparent spinner droop issue. This is a pricey model so it is under more scrutiny. But I shall hold off on making any judgements until I get some hands-on time with the model itself. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, the HM 1:72 #HA1407 Israeli Skyhawk has taxied into its hangar here, and it is a beautiful model. This one really looks good and I think HM nailed it. I will be posting a full review and pics as soon as I can.
DiecastAce Field is also handling quite a few departures, as I need to make room in my display and storage rooms for the new, larger scale arrivals. I've purged quite a bit, and am now binging again. More on this affliction in a later post.
I'm always on the lookout for deals on all scales and brands of diecast models so I can expand the web site. Towards that end, I grabbed up several new Dragon 1:72 models that are lined up for their turn under the lens in the coming weeks:
Two Me-262s -- 50186, 50243
One FW-190 -- 50083
Two 109s -- 50254, 50068
To further complicate the landing pattern, I've also started to dabble in two previously forbidden scales, 1:400 and 1:200. Several Gulliver 200 and Gemini Macs birds are inbound. I was simply blown away at the level of detail on some of the new releases in these lines during a recent recon trip to a big hobby store and had to get some in for a closer inspection.
That's about it for now, thanks for reading and feel free to share your latest additions in the comments fields. Also, you can see pics of many of the models currently staging for review on the site here: http://www.klett.phanfare.com/album/211193/805041#imageID=37445277.
--The Ace
Anyhow, over the last month or so I've seen myself dive, once again, into Franklin Mint waters, which I said I would not do again after purging my collection of most of my FM 1:48s last summer. So why the return? Well, I've grown a bit disillusioned with 1:72, for starters. I just don't like how the models display compared with the larger scales. And, there are just some crazy good deals on FM stuff on ebay at the moment (why anyone would pay full retail for a FM model these days at a brick and mortar shop is beyond me, really). I've landed a French recon P-38 for under $25 (currently listed at $100-$200 at multiple online retailers), a Putt-Putt Maru P-38 for under $30, a couple of T-bolts for good deals...and a massive B-24 (Dragon & His Tail for about $70). The list goes on.
So, I've cleaned out a good amount of my 1:72 models in my one display cabinet and added the new 1:48s. I like the look so much better. It's a cleaner display and looks less...well, like I have a problem (which perhaps I do, but it's relatively harmless). I've added a few of the new FM additions to the web site, http://www.diecastace.com/, and will continue to do so in the next month.
In addition, the Hobby Master 1:32 SBD is due to touchdown at the end of this week--and I'm really chomping at the bit to put this one under the photo lamp and review it. There's been plenty of complaints on some of the forums about the lack of a display stand, the quality of the pilot figs (way too small), and an apparent spinner droop issue. This is a pricey model so it is under more scrutiny. But I shall hold off on making any judgements until I get some hands-on time with the model itself. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, the HM 1:72 #HA1407 Israeli Skyhawk has taxied into its hangar here, and it is a beautiful model. This one really looks good and I think HM nailed it. I will be posting a full review and pics as soon as I can.
DiecastAce Field is also handling quite a few departures, as I need to make room in my display and storage rooms for the new, larger scale arrivals. I've purged quite a bit, and am now binging again. More on this affliction in a later post.
I'm always on the lookout for deals on all scales and brands of diecast models so I can expand the web site. Towards that end, I grabbed up several new Dragon 1:72 models that are lined up for their turn under the lens in the coming weeks:
Two Me-262s -- 50186, 50243
One FW-190 -- 50083
Two 109s -- 50254, 50068
To further complicate the landing pattern, I've also started to dabble in two previously forbidden scales, 1:400 and 1:200. Several Gulliver 200 and Gemini Macs birds are inbound. I was simply blown away at the level of detail on some of the new releases in these lines during a recent recon trip to a big hobby store and had to get some in for a closer inspection.
That's about it for now, thanks for reading and feel free to share your latest additions in the comments fields. Also, you can see pics of many of the models currently staging for review on the site here: http://www.klett.phanfare.com/album/211193/805041#imageID=37445277.
--The Ace
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