Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
It's a diecast kit model and we have to get the kit parts at a book store (available at all the major stores) in Japan weekly for 100 weeks. The first kit parts have just been released on 21st Jan.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
I wouldn't mind paying $300-$400 or so for a competed one of these. Instead, this will cost $1000++ all in. Hachette is, of course, counting on the overwhelming majority of people who buy #1 of the set here never to finish it. They're also counting on some people who started buying a few to complete the set semi-enthusiastically rather than let it go "to waste." Still, there's a lot of cost involved in having 100 seperate kits to manufacture and package and, crucially, to get them out to retailers, even if over an existing distribution network.
The nature of the subject kind of implies quite large parts some weeks if it's really diecast, such as major fuselage components.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
I would love to get something like that. Especially that livery.
But given the difficulty of getting all the kits and potentially the price, just turned off by how they are selling it. Have the time and talent to put it together right, just not the ability to get one here in the US. Love what they did with the model, just not the marketing.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
This thing is a real beauty. Wouldnt mind waiting 2 years to get it completed, but I lack the skill to paint it myself. Pretty much the reason why I stopped building kits...
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Wow! Looks nice! Details throughout the model. Even the canopy has rivets! a must for any Tomcat fan! Too bad Barnes and Noble didn't sell something like this...
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Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
It's a bit like a 2 year subscription. Hachette and some other companies are quite (in)famous for publishing this way. Every week you'll get a thin magazine with some articles together with one or a couple parts of a model.
A friend of mine started collecting a Ford Mustang model I believe, in the end it cost him well over 400 euros. A Tamiya kit would have suited his wallet better I think...
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
I saw this recently and fell in love with it but for $1000+ (I'm actually put off more by the 2 years...) I think I'd rather just commission someone to build one or probably just do it myself. I wonder if these gimmicks are common in Japan.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
So.....do you pay up front or is the cost spread of the price of each kit? How is it assembled? In one video, I saw a guy using a screwdriver, I can handle that. I hate to admit this, but I think I would actually do it if the cost is spread out over time. Oh, and if there are some instructions in English. That's a pretty cool kit.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Already researched got in contact with them, they said they unfortunately do not ship to the US. so basically if you want to do this you'll need an inside man in Japan willing to ship to you every week for two years... :/
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
If there's Japanese bookstore (like Kinokuniya) in your city, you could try asking for a subscription. The caveat is that you most likely have to pre-pay for all 100 issues. Which works to around USD$1500...
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
actually, its am impressive looking model.epecially with a scale of 1/32...and all the lightings....and moveable flaps...etc...and that exhaust lighting effects....... only real fanatics will have the patience to wait for 2 long years and pay a high price at the end...and only in Japan....will be able to do it
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Quote:
Originally Posted by AIRWOLF
If there's Japanese bookstore (like Kinokuniya) in your city, you could try asking for a subscription. The caveat is that you most likely have to pre-pay for all 100 issues. Which works to around USD$1500...
Yeah... not for me.
We have one of those stores in Sydney
Still, at USD $1500, you could probably get several pro build albeit plastic, F-14's OR a couple of old CW releases, I don't see the incentive to build this, especially when most diecast collectors aren't big on building models, perhaps this is more tailored to uber hardcore modellers that want a diecast piece ?
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
I doubt an uber hardcore modeller would be into this. No gap-filling, panel-line-scribing, sanding, meticulous research, priming, painting, super-detailing, etc. etc. The market for this would be small....but heck, if I could get it, I'd spend $15 a week for 100 weeks for that thing. It comes with a remote for Pete's sake!!! I wonder if it works with a Harmony remote.
What I REALLY want is someone to translate that 1-star review at the Amazon.jp link.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Quote:
Originally Posted by AllenTC2
What I REALLY want is someone to translate that 1-star review at the Amazon.jp link.
I took a shot at using google translate (i know, right...) but I think I got the main point, this guys issue is with the pricing, he thinks it is way too expensive and that if you want a Tomcat at this scale, you could buy a Trumpeter kit for a sliver of the total price of this thing.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Equates to about a dollar fifty per day. Expensive but a very cool piece. I would have committed to it if I could have. With the electronics, just a incredible display piece.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
A thought has occurred to me...since this is sold only in Japan, the instructions will be only in Japanese. If any of you have built kits by the various Japanese model makers, you'll remember how frustrating Japanglish is to understand. Imagine building a sophisticated model using only Japanese to instruct you. Better invest in that Rosetta Stone series...
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Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Quote:
Originally Posted by AllenTC2
Please pardon my drool.
It seems the moving parts are as follows.
Canopy (open/close)
Landing gears (extend/retract)
Wings (can be positioned between 20deg and 68deg, @75deg - oversweep position)
Flaps
Engine compressors
Speedbrakes
Stabilizers
Rudders
, which are operated electrically by the IR remote controller. In addition, the cockpit interior lightings and the exterior lightings (landing/position/anti collision lights) can be controlled by the controller. The position of slats and spoliers can be set manually.
Regarding the exhaust nozzles, it looks movable though I'm not sure whether they're operated electrially or manually.
IOW, sorta maybe kinda,..... ridiculously priced toy?... Anyway, I've just decided to give it a go.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
This is an astonishing model. Expensive, yes...but that is always a subjective thing. And for a model of this caliber...IMO, it is well worth it. If one invests in something like this... the cost could be absorbed by cutting down drastically or completely on other model purchases for a couple of years. The expense evens out in the end. Quality over quantity is always the right way to go...at least in my humble opinion.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
The loadout for this model is wrong. A F-14D should typically be configured as a Bombcat. Which means bombs on the pallets and a LANTIRN pod on the starboard pylon.
In fact I don't think this Tomcat in this livery ever carried 4 Phoenix missiles.
Re: Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsfm29
So there is no chance for anyone in the States to get their hands on this on a weekly basis to build this model?
The shipping costs alone would double the cost of the model, I'm afraid...
And technically this model shouldn't have any Phoenix's on it. The missile was retired in 2004 and this scheme is from 2006. It wouldn't be a hard fix as there are conversion kits in 1/32 if you really wanted this model to be accurate.
Hachette Collections Japan 1/32 Diecast F-14D VF-31 Tomcatters
I hate to admit this, but I think I would actually do it if the cost is spread out over time. Oh, and if there are some instructions in English. That's a pretty cool kit.
so basically if you want to do this you'll need an inside man in Japan willing to ship to you every week for two years... :/
Anyway, I've just decided to give it a go. 
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