gavman

Dragon Wings has not acknowledged that model #50038 USN VFA-195 "Dambusters" 'Chippy Ho II' F/A-18 Hornet will be a future release on its website, but it has been listed in one of their product brochures.



If I am remembering correctly On Mark International (www.onmarkint.com) had previously been taking preorders for this model, but now only has a photo posted that is incorrectly attached to the #50056 USN VFA-195 "Dambusters" 'Chippy Ho 2001' F/A-18 Hornet listing. Pete's Collectibles (http://www.petescollectibles.com/dis...temNo=DRW50038) continues to take US$32.95 preorders for the 'Chippy Ho II' plane.

Rather than introducing a new mould with the Ace Pilot Rewards 2003 Model, as was done with the 2002 version (#50030 USN 'Top Gun' F/A-18 Hornet Two-Seater), perhaps the 'Chippy Ho II' Hornet will be this year's reward?

paul1127

Don't think this is to be the case, my Chippy Ho 2001 arrived from my supplier yesterday. Very nice it is to!

I have a feeling that if Dragon Wings elect to continue this scheme we might be looking at a Special F14 Tomcat at some stage.

gavman

That is of course assuming that Dragon Wings (DW) elects to do another jet fighter for its Ace Pilot Rewards program, as opposed to rotating with a WWII-era plane...

While not privy to the DW selection criteria, I would think that the highest weighted factor is if the proposed plane has an elaborate paint scheme (note the jet-black 'Top Gun' Hornet two-seater), and then to consider other things like the need to introduce a new mould or wanting to do a prop- vs. jet-engined fighter.

With that being said, #50038 USN VFA-195 "Dambusters" 'Chippy Ho II' F/A-18 Hornet would be an appropriate candidate for the Rewards program since it has the Eagle noseart. However, it probably wouldn't be at the top of the list to be the Rewards plane since DW has already released two (2) previous VFA-195 "Dambusters" jets, the original #50024 and the recent #50056 'Chippy Ho 2001' (which I believe not only has a variant paint scheme from #50024, but has also been weathered and given an asymmetrical weapons load, if I'm not mistaken).

Furthermore, if DW never releases the Eagle noseart jet, I am pretty sure that it will appear on the bottom of the 1:72 scale Air Command F/A-18 Hornet boxes as an upcoming release, since this plane was released in 1:48 scale by Armour/Franklin Mint.

- Gavin