17275

Hi all,

Received the newsletter from Diecast Models | Diecast Aviation Models from Flying Tigers that they will be closing down in the near future. Shame to hear, bought some models from them in the past. Although not the cheapest shop around they did have excellent service.

Is there a trend in the die cast/modeling business re: Witty/Falcon models?

Mikael

Well, you have to differentiate between manufacturers and retailers.

As you said, Flying Tigers were a bit on the expensive side, which might have caused people to shift away from them, resulting in them going bankrupt.

Manufacturers, on the other hand, are different. As we heard, what broke WWs neck was licensing issues with aeronautic comapnies in the USA. And Falcon, well, only their contractor factory broke down (for unknown reasons so far), not themselves (at least for now).

I wouldnt call it a trend, as these are three different cases, more likely a coincidence of huge proportions

mmarsh

That's a shame as I have used them. What are the best alternatives for people living in Europe? (Shipping costs from the US are a nightmare).

wilkinss77

jumblies are your best bet.

TheMadMajor

Jumblies without a doubt - superior service to Flying Tigers in my view, I've been a customer for the past 6 years. FT let me down on a couple of occasions with poor communication, plenty of others experienced the same from feedback on the UK DAF forum - particularly non-UK buyers.

That said I only wish Michael well for the future, he has done a great service to the collectorate over the years with his weekly newsletter & Gemini 109 & P-51 commissions

__________________
WANTED: GJ200 Qatar A380-800 G2QTR425

17275

I buy most of my models at Model Plaza - een paradijs voor verzamelaars en bouwers. They don't stock all brands but their prices are very competitive and they officer free postage within Holland on every model.

AviationMegastore.com has probably one of the widest ranges of models.

Try find UKbulksales on eBay. They sell a lot through the online auctions but also run their own separate online business: Diecast Models | Buy Diecast Models & Plastic Hobby Kits | KH Norton
These guys always have very good offers and postage is very reasonable.

Then in Germany: Perfect Hobby Shop Century Wings Flugzeuge Hobbymaster Etched set PE-Teile Dragon Cyber Hobby - perfect-hobby
I have done quite a lot of business with this guy. Always good prices and now and again he has some very hard to get models in stock.

Hornchurch

'


Three-times for the "full on" approval for Jumblies

Like the guy above I've been a long-term customer of Jamie/Jumblies

From 2004 till 2013

Have 'only' NOT used them recently due to "hitting the brakes" on my diecast buying in general....
(I always had expensive tastes, so gave my wallet 'a rest' to buy Motorcycles & Guitars instead )

Much of my disposable thesedays goes on decals & books instead...
(like Kagero & the latest Ospreys ~ Fokker.DXXI & the Savoia Marchetti SM.79)


But when I WAS buying regularly from Jumblies, I found Jamie & 'T' only too-helpful
if you're reading this Jamie, I haven't forgotten those brilliant 'Essex-based' E.I. 1/48th P.51's you saved me by !


Flip-side of the coin, a good mate of mine who is an Admin on a diecast Porn-Site got (Ahem) metaphorically "stuffed" when he paid for & ordered a Corgi Lancaster that wuz a "Mirage" rather than what HE ordered...

(in other words 'Phantom Stock' ~ we ain't talking F.4's here, but ~ wasn't there to begin with !)

Not experienced F.T. myself ("that" related tale put me off, as my mate advised against it), but I have heard from another (similar) chap who occasionally drove down to his premises & was happy with his service.


Unlike some of the other lads who think differently, I'd AGREE that the (perhaps) "downturn" in buying premium-quality diecast has waned for many (myself included), as prices began to rise & rise again & their diecast-buying habits either have slowed-down, or stopped (to practically non-existant) like mine.

That kind of combination AND trend will & would cause places like Flying Tigers (& previously ModelZone) to go out of business.

Another trader that I used to use (who shall remain nameless), now sells on Ebay only.
(as I guess many others have done).

Some folks have said (in the past) that = "the rate English & British bricks & mortar shops are disappearing, we'll ONLY end up with 'Pound-shops' & Charity-shops on the High Street.

It certainly seems that way with the (huge) advent of internet buying & recent years of financial downturn.
(combined)

Mix ALL those (up above) with F.T's (apparently) higher prices & there you'd have their presumed demise.


I actually MISS those days of 2008 & beforehand where you could actually SEE what you were buying....
(before parting company with your hard-earned cash !)

Folks like that gave you the opportunity ~ Now it's "blind internet buying only" round here.
(unless you guys ARE fortunate enough to have a good model-store near you ?)

Wildblood

I actually bought the Corgi AA39802 '90th' anniversary Tornado F3 off Flying Tigers recently (via eBay) at a good price. Guess I must have got lucky?

I've also used Jumbliesmodels, ukbulksales, and buygoneworldlimited too and found them all very good. All purchases were via eBay.

17275

I found Jumbles very expensive for international shipping, even within the EU. Norton/UKBulksales had shipping rates at least half what Jumblies was charging. That put me off big time.

PBRStreetgang

Sad to hear about FT....and I wish the lads all the best for the future.

Norton/UKBulkSales is my preferred Blighty vendor, then Jumblies.

Both are top notch, both have excellent websites and both keep their business ticking over with excellent auctions on Ebay.

Both are an example of a retailer who's exports beyond Blighty shores which have helped their respective business survive in a shrinking Blighty market.

chubbeyfinger

I buy a lot of die cast, And the Flying Tigers, have let me down in the communication department as well. Its a shame, when you finely do communicate, mind you after several try's it was not that bad. But Frustration and worry prevailed over chatting with the Flying Tigers.

Wildblood

Just in case anyone was a) interested and b) unaware. Flying Tigers have been taken over by a new owner and are to continue trading. The founder has now moved on to work at Corgi

wilkinss77

that's cool. although not always the cheapest, FT sometimes have models still available that other dealers can no longer get. & it's always great to hear that a dealer has been saved from closing.

mik211

Not sure if you can call it "continue trading". Placed an order with them 17.04 (so just after reopening), order is still listed as "processing". 20.04 wrote an email to them asking if it is still possible to add one more model to the order - still no reply.
But hope this is all temporary

geeforce9

I ordered a pair of hugely discounted 1:200 747s a few weeks back, and received them fine...thought they were in the process of changing premises.

__________________
Regards, Andy


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

majorfatal

I'm waiting for the preorder, for the moment they 're just the release model to buy.

Happy they come back.....

Wildblood

Yes. They are now based at Sywell Aerodrome

majorfatal

Still looking at Flying Tiger site....but still no new preorder....some news?

Wildblood

Have you looked at the future releases? There are not many listed but they do have the Corgi Short Sunderland.

Future Model Releases Archives - Flying Tigers

majorfatal

Yes I'll saw but I'll wait for the hobby master...Hope they listed soon.

YOWguy

The site is shakey and slow to update. I ordered something last month, have received it, and the 'only 3 left' still shows on the item as it did before I ordered.

Wildblood

You could look on Tiger Hobbies website. I believe they are the main UK importer /distributer for HM. But I'd probably check out KH Norton (UKbulksales on eBay ) or Jumblies Models for pre - orders of HM in the UK too.

majorfatal

Yes I do from jumblies since FT was closed but now they reopen I would like to buy with them.....first because I'm an old customer from FT....and second I'like to pay when they send the package not pay for the preorder.