maybe i choose the wrong words, i am absoluly agreed that for sure RA-5C, E-2 and EA-6B are great, thats all new tooling.....but did we need another F-14? There are already so many out there, as i said CW, WW, FOV ...so now HM. Same with F-4. So when HM decide to make a new tooling, why of a DieCast already existing in so many ways.....why no YF-23, F-117, Bronco....or a B-2 ......i hope i make my point of view more clear
well for a start:
CW- too expensive for those who haven't already got one, QC issues in recent releases, & the better ones are hard to get.
WW- not the best F-14 mould.
FOV- practically impossible to get the good ones now.
Dragon- crap ordinance (no phoenixes for example, even on ones that had them), & no fixture points to add any yourself.
GA- the WW mould, & limited schemes.
therefore, another good F-14 that's more affordable than CW would be welcome for many F-14 fans.
more affordable? some sites seem to price them at around the same price as cw releases so they'll have to bring more to the table (variety?) to compete effectively with cw, me thinks.
more affordable? some sites seem to price them at around the same price as cw releases so they'll have to bring more to the table (variety?) to compete effectively with cw, me thinks.
Exactly my opinion too. If they want to get To CW costumers they have to offer a better model. CW models look like better quality models from the beginning, starting with their boxes. Imagine you go to a store and see both models next to each other. HM in their blue boxes and CW in their high gloss black boxes. Which one looks to be more professional? I would vote for CW when it comes to boxes.
more affordable? some sites seem to price them at around the same price as cw releases so they'll have to bring more to the table (variety?) to compete effectively with cw, me thinks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 777-300ER
Exactly my opinion too. If they want to get To CW costumers they have to offer a better model. CW models look like better quality models from the beginning, starting with their boxes. Imagine you go to a store and see both models next to each other. HM in their blue boxes and CW in their high gloss black boxes. Which one looks to be more professional? I would vote for CW when it comes to boxes.
most are suggesting around £90 for the HM as opposed to £120 for CW.
At aviationmegastore it shows up for 130€ which is exactly the same as CW F-14.
I just looked at the prices of CW F-14 in GB, you guys would save a lot if you'd just order CW in mainland Europe.
Exactly my opinion too. If they want to get To CW costumers they have to offer a better model. CW models look like better quality models from the beginning, starting with their boxes. Imagine you go to a store and see both models next to each other. HM in their blue boxes and CW in their high gloss black boxes. Which one looks to be more professional? I would vote for CW when it comes to boxes.
falcons come in black boxes too
Quote:
Originally Posted by wilkinss77
most are suggesting around £90 for the HM as opposed to £120 for CW.
if only hm came out with the price list like how af1 did, we'd be able to weed out the profiteers immediately
The strange part is that they still don't list the other new releases. Maybe that's still not their final price. 90 pounds still equals around 130 Euros. I still can't understand why you guys have to pay so much for CW Tomcats, as they are 130 Euros in mainland Europe. So they should be 90 pounds as well.
I Asian countries, black holds a significant respectful meaning. CW's boxes are for sales there a marketing tool to show they are the best of the best.
If Hobby Master IS going to price their model the same as CW, they they are really going to have to up the ante in quality and features. That is going to be an interesting competitive market niche. If HM makes a slightly lower price model that is of the same equivalent, I would think most collectors would stay with a brand based on loyalty. People would go back and forth on availability and livery options, but CW could still compete. HM has to do something that makes their model stand out other than a slightly lower price and higher production to give a knock out blow.
It will also be interesting to see how market prices are effected with the devaluation of the yaun. Whether companies will pass on the lower price or take advantage of trying making a larger profit.
The strange part is that they still don't list the other new releases. Maybe that's still not their final price. 90 pounds still equals around 130 Euros. I still can't understand why you guys have to pay so much for CW Tomcats, as they are 130 Euros in mainland Europe. So they should be 90 pounds as well.
probably because we have to pay 20% VAT on imports. plus the exchange rate fluctuates!
they had the CW diamond backs @ £99.95 but red rippers was £114.95!!
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I BUY WHAT I LIKE. AND LIKE WHAT I BUY!!!
I Asian countries, black holds a significant respectful meaning. CW's boxes are for sales there a marketing tool to show they are the best of the best.
If Hobby Master IS going to price their model the same as CW, they they are really going to have to up the ante in quality and features. That is going to be an interesting competitive market niche. If HM makes a slightly lower price model that is of the same equivalent, I would think most collectors would stay with a brand based on loyalty. People would go back and forth on availability and livery options, but CW could still compete. HM has to do something that makes their model stand out other than a slightly lower price and higher production to give a knock out blow.
It will also be interesting to see how market prices are effected with the devaluation of the yaun. Whether companies will pass on the lower price or take advantage of trying making a larger profit.
i'm guessing a hm-air commander repeat. more schemes at cheaper price versus fewer schemes but better make (less plastics). the quantity vs quality scenario... and like the spooks, they'll complement rather than compete with each other. then again, i could be completely wrong
(oh come on cw... announce the black lions rhino already!)
got this interesting email from Dave @ HM today regarding................PRICING!
Hi.
I thought I would let you know that the HM pricing for the F-14 should be determined sometime this week so whatever prices you see now aren't HM official prices. This is what I was told by HM.
so they maybe a lot or just a little cheaper! The plot thickens!!
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I BUY WHAT I LIKE. AND LIKE WHAT I BUY!!!
probably because we have to pay 20% VAT on imports. plus the exchange rate fluctuates!
they had the CW diamond backs @ £99.95 but red rippers was £114.95!!
VAT in most EU countries is 21% so with 20 you would be even more lucky than us continental Europeans. And at a current rate of nearly €1,50 to the Pound do the math.
Apparently there are a few retail shops in Europe that have added a price to the
first release of the new Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5201 F-14A and I
have had some email because it is causing some concern with collectors. I
queried this with Hobby Master in Hong Kong and this is the reply:
There are 2 facts that you can put on your site for us:
1) Hobby Master didn't announce any price at all, any price information is false.
2) Hobby Master tooling is totally new. We didn't cooperate with any other brands on this. But it will be very similar to another brand's tooling.
I've never seen a model that was priced closely to it's us retail price in Europe. Normally they're always more expensive on this,side of the Atlantic.
But I guess we will see if the UK retailers will adjust their prices.
£94.95 from K H NORTON (UK BULKSALES ON EBAY). be interesting to see if ARD change their price of £89.95 as you get 10% off if club member. £80.95 net.
This looks pretty similar to CW which I think is good. Even the stand looks like its CW's which is another good thing because I always liked their stands.
Thank you for the photos. Any chance you managed to see the EA6B or Viking? Much more interested in those (at least until HM announce a can't miss F-14 livery). Also, I'm kind of cool on the HM superbug for the same reasons.
This looks pretty similar to CW which I think is good. Even the stand looks like its CW's which is another good thing because I always liked their stands.
I think you're right. Maybe HM has bought this mould to CW ?
Thanks for the photos!
Wow, that´s close - find 10 differences... (there probably won´t be much more)
From side view I see some differences just in several panels in area under the canopy
From top view - horizontal stabilizers outer panels are different and...is that all? Pure coincidence? Looks like Century Master F-14.
(Not that it would annoy me, I´m happy with this mold, no matter who makes it). It´s just....interesting.
Hmmm. Working glove vanes? How about wing oversweep? That would be very welcome. As well as ability to change wing pylon configurations. Hope the windscreen and canopy is better than Century Wings. Curious to see if the ventral strakes are in the right place. Also I have always thought the Century fuel tanks seem a shy too small. Mould comes first then we can all fret over if the paint scheme is accurate.
Hmmm. Working glove vanes? How about wing oversweep? That would be very welcome. As well as ability to change wing pylon configurations. Hope the windscreen and canopy is better than Century Wings. Curious to see if the ventral strakes are in the right place. Also I have always thought the Century fuel tanks seem a shy too small. Mould comes first then we can all fret over if the paint scheme is accurate.
Very much doubt that the windscreen will be any different, as the general assumption is that little will change between CW's and HM's, even though HM has officially stated that the mold is new.
In one of those photos I wondered if I was seeing a glove vane too, but on further review I decided that it was actually just a case where the silvery intake lip was at a similar angle and catching some light. IMO it would actually be bad if the vanes were movable, as this would introduce another variable into an area where manufacturing tolerances have always been problematic, including in HM's own factory.
Probably the biggest things the mold could do would be keep the tolerances tight on the gloves, do something about Phoenix pallet fit, and make sure the stabs are canted. (IRRC century wings has been inconsistent on this...) Agree that switchable glove pylons would be great (and easy).
I actually wasn't aware of any issue with the strakes, could you explain?
The ventral stakes on the Century Wings Tomcats are not long enough. The back portion is correct but the front needs to come ahead to the panel line. 2/3ds down the strake is a panel line which needs to match with the panel line around the engine access hatch. this causes problems when markings and paint are applied here. If the strake isn't the right length, things like Squadron VF- numbers wont align with the word NAVY above etc.
The Forces of Valour Tomcats are even further back. At least when CW Tomcat evolved from the FOV one they realised there was a problem except they didn't fix it fully!
The Gemini aces and Witty Wings strakes are way to big to begin with plus those models lack some key panel lines.
If Hobby Master wants to really impress me. Please include removable exhaust nozzles. 1 set open and 1 set closed so we can choose our desired setting.
Ah, ok, will go take a look at some photos of the strakes. Thx.
As for the nozzles, yes, this is an excellent idea, and it already looks like the nozzles are a removable component, perhaps for B/D compatibility. So one would think that the part could be very easily substitutable, a la the exhaust petals/airbrakes on HM's Thud. Personally would love to display a cat on the ground with one open and one closed...
Maybe it's a bit odd looking, but hey, it's the way it was...
Wow! What i can see on these pictures, it looks very very good...
I think, HM wants and have to make a good Job with the F14 because they will compared a lot with Century Wings on this mould...
So with these new pics we can see it is basically a Century Wing knock off. The Ventral strakes on the underside are the same incorrect length. So minimal research went in to this it seems. So for us collectors out there just look at it as a new Century Wings Factory adding more models to the Century lineup. I am ok with this as these Tomcats wont stand out for better or worse than the best diecast model thus far in 72 scale! It will be like a seamless addition to the growing fleet. Its just gonna cost a **** load more cash to keep up!
well even if it is a century wings 'knock off' then its fine by me. (and several others). I am not a nitpicker and there is no such thing as a perfect model. a REAL tragedy happened today. a hawker hunter CRASHED into a main road at my local airshow, hitting several vehicles stopped at traffic lights! 7 are dead and 14 injured. pilot is said to be 'serious' in hospital. check out this thread I started.
It's actually an early block F-14A, judging by the short Vulcan gun muzzle plate. And of course the TF-30 engines.
The F-14A+ and B have the GE F110 engine, and thus did the Bombcat. I guess HM showed off the different types of ordinance for future releases.
Shape of the model looks nice, does look a lot like the CW. Same origin to the mould then?
I stand corrected,slip of the mind when i posted plusits a late A bombcat look at the lumps and bumps on and under glove vanes.
And apart from them stabs its exactly like CW tooling even down to how its put together.its like reverse engineering of a tooling you made for CW that was based on a kit
I stand corrected,slip of the mind when i posted plusits a late A bombcat look at the lumps and bumps on and under glove vanes.
And apart from them stabs its exactly like CW tooling even down to how its put together.its like reverse engineering of a tooling you made for CW that was based on a kit
Kind of, A-model Tomcats were not used for bombing purposes as far as I know.
That's not quite correct. VF-41 was the first Tomcat SQ to drop LGBs in the Kosovo Air war flying A model Tomcats. I recommend reading Black Aces High for every Tomcat fan.
Re: Hobby Master USN Grumman F-14A Tomcat, VF-211 "Flying Checkmates", 2004
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