Yes, certainly agree about waiting for the production model that is - the version you buy from retailers before making a judgement on whether it's good or not.
It is Calibre's first time at a new tooling and delays, glitches... are to be expected.
looks like colours ain't the only thing that calwing has gotto lose sleep over. that alignment on that vertical stabiliser reminds me of a recent tragedy with the cw aardvarks...
ya ya ya... it's a sample, and well, this is a sample critique
What about the canopy shape? Does it look a little "high" to anyone? ...and I hope they solve the fuselange joint that's showing on the Wolfpack bird....
What about the canopy shape? Does it look a little "high" to anyone? ...and I hope they solve the fuselange joint that's showing on the Wolfpack bird....
You saw that too? I also see they hid that all important gun vent panel and it's gaps too.
oh, that's because you're not looking at it from the correct angle... it's best viewed from the front (see post #38)
details??? why... haven't you seen the pilots??? (see post #94 and #99)
When I zoomed in on AC's 3rd and 5th pics, it looked just fine. The white and black color division at the canopy bow might be throwing folks off. The canopy on the JR looks off on the last pic, but that I think is camera angle fault.
The the contrast colours for vf-103 look too much and doesnt look like the right shades. It could just be the lighting, but I think it should be like cw's release.
And what ? There's a fuselage gap ? I thought the fanboys confirmed there were none when that first " pre pro" came out. They didn't use clay did they ??
These two look very nice, might have to pre order them, my wallet is in trouble now
not if your sales for the others go through
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewvft
The the contrast colours for vf-103 look too much and doesnt look like the right shades. It could just be the lighting, but I think it should be like cw's release.
yups, lighting... definitely the lighting. or mebbe it's just the factory hand...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ukrainian_Falcons
Errrr why no shots from the gun port side ?
And what ? There's a fuselage gap ? I thought the fanboys confirmed there were none when that first " pre pro" came out. They didn't use clay did they ??
that's why the boxes are there, silly. you're NOT supposed to view the models from THAT angle.
fuselage gap? what fuselage gap? that's the fault of the factory hand overzealous effort in enhancing the vertical panel line.
geez... it's a S-A-M-P-L-E. didn't you guys read roberjohn5's earlier post? (see post #129)
The Pad printing looks good to me so far but just as the member above said i also wanted to see if there was any gaps at the port side were the machine gun is located...
__________________
I WANT TO BELIEVE...
...that one day I will see many more colorful JC Wings MD-11 models and the long-awaited Gemini 200 TWA twin stripes 727-200!
I always fly America's favorite airline: Southwest Airlines and the World's oldest KLM!
Pariswas the greatest city on earth! Vive la France! Tokyo 2020!
it's all coming together... our worse fears, that is. gappy plastic inserts, inconsistent colours between the plastic and diecast parts etc. ya ya ya... it's a work in progress. i wonder who's panicking now...
Noel did say the colors will be wrong... and indeed they are off. Another sample is estimated as due in a couple of weeks. Let's see if the colors are still wrong then.
These look good. If they can tweak the fit of some of the plastic parts, and dial the colors in, they will have something. The metal seems to be solid. The F110 nozzles are sweet.
"This model that is being shown is that of a 1st test shot. From the test shot, we are able to identify gaps and corrections. Thereafter and currently, we are adjusting the tooling to correct the errors seen on the test shot."
I'm sure that eventually Calibre wings will get it right, i'm sure they can, at least they see the mountain top but haven't reached it yet but i'm sure after trail & error and after correcting the errors/gaps they have mentioned on facebook, they will finally reach the top of the mountain and offer us something we never seen before...
__________________
I WANT TO BELIEVE...
...that one day I will see many more colorful JC Wings MD-11 models and the long-awaited Gemini 200 TWA twin stripes 727-200!
I always fly America's favorite airline: Southwest Airlines and the World's oldest KLM!
Pariswas the greatest city on earth! Vive la France! Tokyo 2020!
I...and offer us something we never seen before...
You mean like a correctly-shaped windscreen? They're already better than the #1 problem I have with the Century/HM/FoV mould, which is the incorrect cyclops-look front part of the canopy area.
And they don't have the broken-neck panel gap that the Witty/Herpa/JCW mould does.
CaW has stated they intend to model every Tomcat squadron and operator out there - a very ambitious plan. Definitely haven't seen that yet!
Other than the other comments regarding the canopy and fit which I understand CalWings has taken note, I hope the paint gloss on that Wolfpack will be toned down a bit. Even if the 1:1 version is high gloss, scaled down effect should be taken into consideration and applied here.
Bad for Calibre Wings that for the world premiere they had available only these models with number of issues, part of the first Wow-effect is affected. Anyway many of current issues can be remedied (some of them easily such as the coloring) and I´m sure that most of issues will be remedied by CaW. My biggest concern though is improper canopy side view which somehow appears to have simply wrong shape. And if it is the shape what is wrong, then the remedy can be very costly. Also wondering to see the left side with modular gun vents - it is well possible that CaW had big reason why they didn´t show the left side....
Anyway wish CaW to deliver premium final product as promised.
Other than the other comments regarding the canopy and fit which I understand CalWings has taken note, I hope the paint gloss on that Wolfpack will be toned down a bit. Even if the 1:1 version is high gloss, scaled down effect should be taken into consideration and applied here.
Yeah, I agree the gloss is intense. If it turns out to be released painted like that, I'll cut my losses and resell it.
Bad for Calibre Wings that for the world premiere they had available only these models with number of issues, part of the first Wow-effect is affected. Anyway many of current issues can be remedied (some of them easily such as the coloring) and I´m sure that most of issues will be remedied by CaW. My biggest concern though is improper canopy side view which somehow appears to have simply wrong shape. And if it is the shape what is wrong, then the remedy can be very costly. Also wondering to see the left side with modular gun vents - it is well possible that CaW had big reason why they didn´t show the left side....
Anyway wish CaW to deliver premium final product as promised.
thank you, mr obvious. that was what we were alluding to with that box blocking the port side and why it's calwing that should be panicking, not collectors
Abit concerning that the factory screwed up the premier model, I don't have much confidence in the factory being able to deliver each time when their making +1000 models per release and they can't get 1 right
Yes I am very aware these aren't the final products. I follow their facebook page and am well aware about their statement the fine tuning of the colors and prints. However, it can still turn out to look like an over-glossed Hotwheels toy, and in that case, I won't be keeping the model.
yeah well... we're all looking at the SAMPLE and basing our comments on the SAMPLE. we can't be commenting on the final product now since it's not available, is it? if you must put a term to it, then these are SAMPLE critiques. live with it. you put something up in public, it's sure to draw comments. i might add that these SAMPLE comments are valid. not alleged. it's what we're observing of the sample and circumstances. nobody showcases their worse... and it's a valid point that if the factory hand cannot follow instructions accurately with a prototype, it doesn't bode well for mass produced models. calwing should have placed more emphasis on getting their prototypes accurate to showcase. if it's true that the factory screwed up despite being given exacting colour schemes, then there's nothing to say they can't screw it up again. and under such circumstances, will calwing then say it was "too late" to correct things? hence, the comments with regard to the SAMPLE is exactly to prevent such screw ups.
yeah well... we're all looking at the SAMPLE and basing our comments on the SAMPLE. we can't be commenting on the final product now since it's not available, is it? if you must put a term to it, then these are SAMPLE critiques. live with it. you put something up in public, it's sure to draw comments. i might add that these SAMPLE comments are valid. not alleged. it's what we're observing of the sample and circumstances. nobody showcases their worse... and it's a valid point that if the factory hand cannot follow instructions accurately with a prototype, it doesn't bode well for mass produced models. calwing should have placed more emphasis on getting their prototypes accurate to showcase. if it's true that the factory screwed up despite being given exacting colour schemes, then there's nothing to say they can't screw it up again. and under such circumstances, will calwing then say it was "too late" to correct things? hence, the comments with regard to the SAMPLE is exactly to prevent such screw ups.
Simply a case of Calibre Wings not having time to have the samples redone before the show in Tokyo (travel arrangements, space rented, etc.).
Production versions should be available in a couple of weeks - so comments at that time allegedly will carry a lot more weight. That will be the time for collectors to express their final approval or not.
Simply a case of Calibre Wings not having time to have the samples redone before the show in Tokyo (travel arrangements, space rented, etc.).
Production versions should be available in a couple of weeks - so comments at that time allegedly will carry a lot more weight. That will be the time for collectors to express their final approval or not.
Dan
fair enough. but by the use of the word "more weight" above, it does mean that the current comments do carry some weight (and it's not baseless). we'll see how well calwing makes good on their promises then. yeah, i'm a pretty picky plucky pickle
Guys, let's wait for 1st production version to be out in couple of weeks to make further comments & judgement. I'm also becoming picky & plucky of late too for Tomcat
Simply a case of Calibre Wings not having time to have the samples redone before the show in Tokyo (travel arrangements, space rented, etc.).
Production versions should be available in a couple of weeks - so comments at that time allegedly will carry a lot more weight. That will be the time for collectors to express their final approval or not.
Dan
You're such a shameless hussy, aren't you Dan? One free 1/144 Viper and you're anybody's
Obviously we all know these are samples, but if this is the best they can manage for their big reveal after all the hype one doesn't even have to be a glass-half-empty kind of guy to have concerns.
I mean, telling the factory what to do is a massive part of their job! If, as UF has already pointed out, just two models are too hard to get right then how the heck are they going to cope with 2x 1,500 production runs?
I agree final judgement must be withheld until final production photos are out, but these are very disappointing indeed, especially after all the hot air about how great these models are going to be! The outright lies about "zinc chromate" undercoats and so on don't help either!
I had pre-ordered both, having had very high hopes initially. Well, after seeing this thread grow and grow even as the hoped for goal gets ever more distant, I have canned the JR pre-order and am now ready to drop Wolfpack too unless the change in two weeks is truly remarkable.
The market is so over-saturated with Tomcats these days that a manu simply cannot hope to get away with as many flaws and as much unrealised hype as this thread has dumped on CalWings, unfortunately.
Wolfpack is a scheme I want very much, but I can just buy 2x HM instead of one of each. The same would go for JR, if I cared for the scheme itself which I actually don't.
You're such a shameless hussy, aren't you Dan? One free 1/144 Viper and you're anybody's
Obviously we all know these are samples, but if this is the best they can manage for their big reveal after all the hype one doesn't even have to be a glass-half-empty kind of guy to have concerns.
I mean, telling the factory what to do is a massive part of their job! If, as UF has already pointed out, just two models are too hard to get right then how the heck are they going to cope with 2x 1,500 production runs?
I agree final judgement must be withheld until final production photos are out, but these are very disappointing indeed, especially after all the hot air about how great these models are going to be! The outright lies about "zinc chromate" undercoats and so on don't help either!
I had pre-ordered both, having had very high hopes initially. Well, after seeing this thread grow and grow even as the hoped for goal gets ever more distant, I have canned the JR pre-order and am now ready to drop Wolfpack too unless the change in two weeks is truly remarkable.
The market is so over-saturated with Tomcats these days that a manu simply cannot hope to get away with as many flaws and as much unrealised hype as this thread has dumped on CalWings, unfortunately.
Wolfpack is a scheme I want very much, but I can just buy 2x HM instead of one of each. The same would go for JR, if I cared for the scheme itself which I actually don't.
mebbe they should've gone with the "zinc chromate" model. to the exhibition instead since they're blocking off the gappy gun port panels anyway. at least the "zinc chromate" colours would've been pretty accurate
mebbe they should've gone with the "zinc chromate" model. to the exhibition instead since they're blocking off the gappy gun port panels anyway. at least the "zinc chromate" colours would've been pretty accurate
Yeah, the gunport is a massive question mark, isn't it?
I mean they're happy enough to show off CAD drawings, clay, first photos, "zinc chromate" and pre-apologised-for (terrible) pre-prods, but not one shot of the gunport?
You're such a shameless hussy, aren't you Dan? One free 1/144 Viper and you're anybody's
Obviously we all know these are samples, but if this is the best they can manage for their big reveal after all the hype one doesn't even have to be a glass-half-empty kind of guy to have concerns.
I mean, telling the factory what to do is a massive part of their job! If, as UF has already pointed out, just two models are too hard to get right then how the heck are they going to cope with 2x 1,500 production runs?
I agree final judgement must be withheld until final production photos are out, but these are very disappointing indeed, especially after all the hot air about how great these models are going to be! The outright lies about "zinc chromate" undercoats and so on don't help either!
I had pre-ordered both, having had very high hopes initially. Well, after seeing this thread grow and grow even as the hoped for goal gets ever more distant, I have canned the JR pre-order and am now ready to drop Wolfpack too unless the change in two weeks is truly remarkable.
The market is so over-saturated with Tomcats these days that a manu simply cannot hope to get away with as many flaws and as much unrealised hype as this thread has dumped on CalWings, unfortunately.
Wolfpack is a scheme I want very much, but I can just buy 2x HM instead of one of each. The same would go for JR, if I cared for the scheme itself which I actually don't.
Samples are samples. If they didn't have time, do you think it was better to not show anything at all? Do you have any idea how many times initial product samples aren't exactly as desired? Unless you're the actual factory handling every process at every level, it would be expected that the initial samples will need refining to the product owners expectation. Even Grumman needed a few prototypes before its first production. That being said, to a factory making these, they are making models(or even toys). Do you think the worker knows each design of every part of the real aircraft? How much do you think they be selling each model to make them give enough care about it?
It looks like they're getting more right than other prototypes previously released for the tomcat. Did you even see Witty and Dragon Wings Tomcat prototypes? No matter how good it is, in the end its going to depend on sales, and no one can guarantee that. But it certainly looks like they're trying to deliver a quality product.
So far this is looking better than HM's and even CW's tomcats. And after 10 yrs of CW's tomcats, this is certainly something a new entrant should come up with rather than a re-hash of an existing model. And lets face it, these guys look more committed to research. You can tell by their selection of 4 Aim-9 armaments on their wolfpack model. No one else has done that. Not even in the plastic kit world I don't think either.
I think its still way too early to do something like cancelling pre-orders. If they do keep improving, retailers won't have any problem replacing your pre-order.
I canned the JR because it's not a scheme I care about, I was just getting it because I was excited about the potential of this mould. What I was saying was that the hype train has become derailed along the way and now I don't want it.
I do want the Wolfpack and hope very much they don't use it as you describe, to work through the issues displayed in these shots.
To be frank, they should be at the factory overseeing implementation of the process, not sending back post facto corrections and saying "don't worry. The next one will be perfect!".
Especially in a factory as you describe. If their job isn't making sure this is done properly and they don't care about such "detail", then why all the hype? Who cares if they mount an extra AIM-9 if it isn't a great product overall, and definitely better than HM's release of NK105 to justify the purchase?
Due to these, entirely justified IMO, reservations (especially as HM is releasing the same aircraft, a release that may have less potential, but also presents fewer risks than this) I have yet to make a decision on Wolfpack, exactly as I said. I really hope they knock the Wolfpack release out of the park, the mould definitely has potential, but these publicity shots have steeled me for disappointment, and I think everyone needs to be realistic about it too.
To be frank, they should be at the factory overseeing implementation of the process, not sending back post facto corrections and saying "don't worry. The next one will be perfect!".
Easier said than done, especially if you're not in China. Its not like its just a stroll away from where you live and you can just pop in each day unless you're burning atleast $150 a day on accom and food just so you can see each piece done. And I doubt you'd want to ask to setup a tent in their factory. What happens if you have a family? 'Cya in 6 months honey, send my best to the kids.'
And if you're in different timezones, do you expect them to stop and start working waiting for each piece? Thats going to be a scheduling nightmare.It's not like these things are selling for XX millions each that they'd be willing to work like that for.
You're probable setting yourself up for disappointment if you start to make your own assumptions.
Easier said than done, especially if you're not in China. Its not like its just a stroll away from where you live and you can just pop in each day unless you're burning atleast $150 a day on accom and food just so you can see each piece done. And I doubt you'd want to ask to setup a tent in their factory. What happens if you have a family? 'Cya in 6 months honey, send my best to the kids.'
And if you're in different timezones, do you expect them to stop and start working waiting for each piece? Thats going to be a scheduling nightmare.It's not like these things are selling for XX millions each that they'd be willing to work like that for.
You're probable setting yourself up for disappointment if you start to make your own assumptions.
So, in your view, it's fine for them to just say "meh, too hard. It'll be cool anyway", even while working to get things started? You are certainly a less demanding customer than I, I must say.
Have you ever known anyone who has done business in China? I have known a few people and, from Australia, they would go and visit the factory. You can get the best quality in China, if you pay AND pay attention.
CalWings are from Singapore and operating from HK, according to Dan's breathlessly reported (over at MH3) visit to them (where he was "gifted" the Viper, which turned out to be nothing like the bagging he had previously given it here, but rather turned him into the gushing schoolgirl we see here, in this thread): in either case neither physical nor temporal distance should be such a barrier that they can't pay basic attention to detail.
I'm not even sure you're trying to help their case TBH, or if you're just trolling me. Let's just hope they do have time and $50 (a common price for intra-continental flights within Asia) to go and see what's happening at the factory before Wolfpack actually gets released. At least JR is going to be the very first release based on your posited manufacturing methodology, I guess.
don't mean to get in the way of this crossfire, but monsieur andrew, if that's true, then how exactly is calwings gonna sort out the kinks "in a couple of weeks" when this models goes into full production run? if you're familiar with production and this is indeed their first fully painted proto, you'll know that there'll probably be quite a number of other pre-pros that'll probably end up in the "trial and error" bin. they're probably very efficient (or very optimistic) to have a production model in a couple of weeks if what you say is true and they're not camping out at the factory. you seem to know the drill of what it takes from cad to production... and perhaps even china factory ops so i trust you know that camping at their factory to get something as close as possible to your expectation is not an option, unless you're happy passing the buck for whatever fück ups to the factory, shrug and say, "it wasn't me". and yes, even if it means spending $150 a day on accommodation.
monsiuer tker... the gun port panel gaps can be seen on their "zinc chromate" photoshoot.
Re: Calibre wing F14 first photos
