The nice folks at the FlyingMule allowed me to have an early look at the latest F-14 diecast to hit the market by Calibre Wings; although new to the community, they are proving themselves worthy by staying in touch with the community and updating us with very promising models/ideas. I know a lot of people will say "why another tomcat?" - well to be honest the tomcat is one of the best and most popular aircraft in the world and although we had nice models before with CW, HM, DW, WW...etc, Calibre Wings does bring a lot to the table that none of the previous companies offered. I would say for their first product, I am very impressed at what I see. Everything from the beautiful packaging/box to how they want you to display the model (i.e. engine covers and wheel chocks) was meticulously planned out. I've read a lot of the comments so far and I don't see why people are really fed up about the wing glove vanes or the gun vents, when you have the model in hand it's a non-issue. Here are some of the photos I took, please enjoy them:
Showing off the interchangeable nozzles, airbrakes, and arrest hook
Note: I didn't get the "official" display stand so I'm using the Flightpose stand which is basically the same thing without the black base
Here's a side by side comparison of the nose profile with CW F-14 (both in the kneeling postion)
Overall very happy with the model, looking forward to more releases in the future from this company. I'll review the Wolfpack model soon!
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Last edited by SuperKungFu; 05-17-2017 at 02:11 AM.
The issue with the previous model we all saw pics of was that there were very obvious file marks on the glove vanes and the the gun gas vents were completely missing not to mention the actual gun muzzle port / blister was completely wrong and only half molded.
Based on your pics I'm more inclined to believe that riceless(?) received in error a prototype model, a ripoff of the real thing or a reject that made it through because your model looks fantastic.
One thing though. You said you never got the official stand, CalWings claim that their stand comes with the model, why did you not get one?
I would rather say this is the same pre-pro that Flyingmule has on their facebook and website and Riceless recieved the real deal. Why? The absence of display stand.
As SKF says this is not a production copy, it's just the pre-prod we have all already seen from TFM.
For shame!
I don't want to judge the entire run without seeing more pictures of different copies, but to pass this off as being representative of a general release copy seems to me to be a dirty trick and an obvious attempt at a bamboozle
The issue with the previous model we all saw pics of was that there were very obvious file marks on the glove vanes and the the gun gas vents were completely missing not to mention the actual gun muzzle port / blister was completely wrong and only half molded.
Based on your pics I'm more inclined to believe that riceless(?) received in error a prototype model, a ripoff of the real thing or a reject that made it through because your model looks fantastic.
One thing though. You said you never got the official stand, CalWings claim that their stand comes with the model, why did you not get one?
Quote:
Originally Posted by tker76
As SKF says this is not a production copy, it's just the pre-prod we have all already seen from TFM.
For shame!
I don't want to judge the entire run without seeing more pictures of different copies, but to pass this off as being representative of a general release copy seems to me to be a dirty trick and an obvious attempt at a bamboozle
well, the flying mule's "advance pre-pro" model didn't come with official stand either
Last edited by tomcatter; 05-17-2017 at 03:05 AM.
Reason: included quote from tker
This is nothing but trickery and fakery as far as I'm concerned.
Claiming Riceless received a prototype ? That's a joke right ? And they just happened to box this prototype with stand and parts and the box
This IS NOT a representative of the production run, it's an advanced marketing copy for TFM which even has file marks on it as well. Saying it's a non issue is an obvious shill comment, these were hardly or never present on Century Wings and now they are acceptable, WTF
Still waiting on a 2nd collectors review before we can confirm these were a one off, even though he's got 2 different liveries, meaning 2 different production runs and they both have serious issues
This is nothing but trickery and fakery as far as I'm concerned.
Claiming Riceless received a prototype ? That's a joke right ? And they just happened to box this prototype with stand and parts and the box
This IS NOT a representative of the production run, it's an advanced marketing copy for TFM which even has file marks on it as well. Saying it's a non issue is an obvious shill comment, these were hardly or never present on Century Wings and now they are acceptable, WTF
Still waiting on a 2nd collectors review before we can confirm these were a one off, even though he's got 2 different liveries, meaning 2 different production runs and they both have serious issues
I got the prototype concept from another thread either here or MH3 where people were going through the possible reason for the very inaccurate gun blister on the 103 F-14B. I may have remembered it wrong.
Some have also suggested that the factories which produce these jets also produce die cast cars and in the World of cars, they often times have issues with rejects being stolen by staff and on sold. I don't believe this to be the case however.
I too am hoping to see more of their models before I make a final judgment but I am happy I never pre ordered it.
I got the prototype concept from another thread either here or MH3 where people were going through the possible reason for the very inaccurate gun blister on the 103 F-14B. I may have remembered it wrong.
Some have also suggested that the factories which produce these jets also produce die cast cars and in the World of cars, they often times have issues with rejects being stolen by staff and on sold. I don't believe this to be the case however.
I too am hoping to see more of their models before I make a final judgment but I am happy I never pre ordered it.
monsieur ukrainian falcon's observations are telling. so let's examine the facts:
1. flying mule got their model in advance, courtesy of calibre wings... and it didn't come with a stand (source : https://www.facebook.com/pg/theflyingmule/) - posting on 18 april: "the display stands were not yet coomplete"
2. riceless posting of the model in his collection dated 12 may clearly shows the black based stands AND limited edition card numbering 658/1000 - i wonder what number monsieur skf got (source: http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/...al-photos.html)
by these facts alone i'd be awfully cautious casting aspersions that monsieur riceless' model is an advance marketing copy, or even go so far to suggest that it's a stolen reject. on the contrary, i'd tend to believe that some people are still using smoke and mirrors and spinning tales for reasons best known to themselves
gun vents: thankfully my model had the correct gun vents. what's not so great? the gap. it's the price one has to pay just so the mould is universal and can accommodate other versions. personally, i don't think it was worth the price.
glove vanes: again, it wasn't as bad as monsieur riceless' first model, but it isn't exactly smooth either.
minor error: the front tip of the starboard vertical stab shouldn't have the red bit?
personal opinion: it's a nice model overall, but i wouldn't sell my century wing's version. yes, it may have correct canopy shape, nozzles, airbrakes etc but it's something i'd forgo to avoid gappy panels. the printing does appear sharper than century wings version, though... and the panel lines not as deep as century wing's. almost everyone has been saying that calibre wings has the more accurate shape but i feel that it's a leaner model than it really should be? disclaimer, it's a personal "feel", not a scientific comparison with the real thing. there were glue smudges on my copy and the pylons didn't fit well (hence, their absence altogether).
that's my first impression of calibre wing's effort. will probably write more later.
So let me understand what is going on since I'm not the sharpest tool in the drawer:
SKF has Calibre models that were purchased from TFM or did he only get to photo them? Like others have commented, TFM only has the pre-prod marketing models & the "real" shipment is scheduled to arrive mid June via slowboat. So did TFM sell the pre-prods?
Looks like Tomcatter has a legitimate production copy of JR which is more representative of what was sold from distributors at retail. Looks like his
copy is decent & not as bad as Riceless' first JR. Could you post more close
up pics if you have the time Monsieur TC?
Riceless also received a 2nd JR copy which is decent, but he had to go to another store to find this since the original store had all defective JR models. He also received an email from Calibre which had full transparency of what happened from a mfg & QC standpoint. Also looks like Calibre was willing to offer an exchange if Riceless did not find a decent model.
So all that being said, it appears the rough glove vane issues may be widespread, but the wrong gun panel may be limited to a small batch that slipped through QC.
SKF took it upon himself for whatever reason to not wait for stock to arrive and asked TFM if they'd sell him their advanced pre pro marketing copy... odd to say the least.
Riceless bought his models from a legit dealer, one that most of us use so there is non of this prototype nonsense.
Everyone's (including the TFM marketing version) have either file marks on the leading edge or at the very least, rough casing inside the glove itself. Then Riceless's copy had an odd gun port panel, one that Calwings claim to be a total mistake BUT may appear on other copies.
Basically not looking good for this manu who claimed all the delays were down to QC and having to get everything right...
Also as TC has pointed out, calwings is rather lean which is odd and they added an extra Nav light to the tail which is not on the RL aircraft.
Glad yours is without the most egregious flaws tomcatter, must be an huge relief, especially in light of the email riceless received which proved his sad QC issues are not isolated cases, but endemic to CalWings's releases thus far
Let's hope (for the sake of those who want lots of Tomcats) they have learned some lessons in the reality of mass manufacturing as opposed to building models oneself!
I had been hoping to see more collectors' copies before deciding to stick with my Wolfpack, and was going to bite my tongue until then, but then this thread popped up and is such a shameless attempt to cover up the issues I had to say something!
People will forgive a mistake, but not so much a cover-up, it's a political axiom that holds true for all types of relationships, and I hope CalWings have learned form this incident too.
All that aside, having seen your copy and riceless's replacement I am going roll the dice on a Wolfpack copy of my own.
Found this pic layout CA721401 ....... Once you see the thumbnail pictures...click on your choice for a bigger size....then you can zoom in on areas of interest.....
SKF took it upon himself for whatever reason to not wait for stock to arrive and asked TFM if they'd sell him their advanced pre pro marketing copy... odd to say the least.
Riceless bought his models from a legit dealer, one that most of us use so there is non of this prototype nonsense.
Everyone's (including the TFM marketing version) have either file marks on the leading edge or at the very least, rough casing inside the glove itself. Then Riceless's copy had an odd gun port panel, one that Calwings claim to be a total mistake BUT may appear on other copies.
Basically not looking good for this manu who claimed all the delays were down to QC and having to get everything right...
Also as TC has pointed out, calwings is rather lean which is odd and they added an extra Nav light to the tail which is not on the RL aircraft.
yups... exactly summarises everything, this
Quote:
Originally Posted by Waviam
So let me understand what is going on since I'm not the sharpest tool in the drawer:
SKF has Calibre models that were purchased from TFM or did he only get to photo them? Like others have commented, TFM only has the pre-prod marketing models & the "real" shipment is scheduled to arrive mid June via slowboat. So did TFM sell the pre-prods?
Looks like Tomcatter has a legitimate production copy of JR which is more representative of what was sold from distributors at retail. Looks like his
copy is decent & not as bad as Riceless' first JR. Could you post more close
up pics if you have the time Monsieur TC?
Riceless also received a 2nd JR copy which is decent, but he had to go to another store to find this since the original store had all defective JR models. He also received an email from Calibre which had full transparency of what happened from a mfg & QC standpoint. Also looks like Calibre was willing to offer an exchange if Riceless did not find a decent model.
So all that being said, it appears the rough glove vane issues may be widespread, but the wrong gun panel may be limited to a small batch that slipped through QC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by geeforce9
I have my VF-1 on pre order from Flying Tigers, so I'll just have to hope that their dispatch is a batch of better models...
here are more pics, as requested (including the gun vent panel and glove vane). calibre really shouldn't have reinvented the wheel...
Thanks adding more pics TC, the more content about this model, the better informed collectors are.
It does however seem to be a problem with most of the batch, Riceless, TFM's marketing promo, a HK dealer with multi copies with issues and now yours TC
Well, with the beaver tail, now we see, why HM decided against the VF-1. They would have to invest a lot of money into making a new mould only to risk it looking like someone cut away a part of the plane with a chainsaw and then performed an amateur plastic surgery
didn't take that much effort really. gimme a shout out if anyone wants a pic of any specific area of interest. I'll try to oblige as soon as i can. i know how difficult it is deciding on whether to get such a model by mere online pics although it really would be best to see them in the flesh if you were actually deciding between the manufacturers.
didn't take that much effort really. gimme a shout out if anyone wants a pic of any specific area of interest. I'll try to oblige as soon as i can. i know how difficult it is deciding on whether to get such a model by mere online pics although it really would be best to see them in the flesh if you were actually deciding between the manufacturers.
Hi Tomcatter
Nice pics!
I haven't started assembling on the parts on mine, may i ask how is the fitting?
I haven't started assembling on the parts on mine, may i ask how is the fitting?
i had trouble fitting both the under glove vane multi-purpose pylon. the gbu's didn't fit the rails too well either... and neither does the rails sit flush. other than that, they're pretty good (although i still think century wings provide better fit generally).
Thanks for the additional pics TC. The glove vanes on yours are actually not too bad. May I ask where you purchased your model since you had pretty quick delivery?
This is a joke. What's up with all those banning? This forum is really going down the drain. Banning people that were big contributors.
Look at the title in post #2 onwards and you'll know why, promoting other forums is against DACs rules.
As for any other members that were banned, sorry to say mate but no, they weren't big contributors, between the lot of them we never saw ANY content. Also shill news and apologies are not contributions, not on this forum anyway but maybe on others.
Please tell me where SKF promoted any other forum? Also he never said it was a production model. And I think Dan was a big contributor. His reviews were always well researched with pictures of the actual aircraft and a nice background story.
Please tell me where SKF promoted any other forum? Also he never said it was a production model. And I think Dan was a big contributor. His reviews were always well researched with pictures of the actual aircraft and a nice background story.
Like I said, check from post #2. Also the title has been edited since to remove the promotion of this other site.
Um... no. Because when others did "research" on future releases, out came the apologies and bullying because he was a shill.
Plenty of other ppl share content, they just do it without secret deals.
Like I said, check from post #2. Also the title has been edited since to remove the promotion of this other site.
Um... no. Because when others did "research" on future releases, out came the apologies and bullying because he was a shill.
Plenty of other ppl share content, they just do it without secret deals.
I checked all the post but I don't see a single other post by SKF. Only people assuming he wanted to have this model pass as a production model. In another forum he specified that this is the pre production model that a retailer sent him. I don't see the original threat title so I don't know if he mentioned another forum name in there or what it was that needed to be edited out. I just know that I always looked forward to his photo review. I bought a couple of models based on his reviews. It's a shame to lose a skilled photographer like him. He reviewed models from different manufactures so I don't think there are secret deals in place there.
And I've seen you go head to head with other members as well, so you're no saint either.
Well then you would have noticed how hard some ppl were apologising for errors and then his possie came out to single out any members that jeperdised any secret deals they had going on.
I can't believe I was banned a few days because I accidentally copied the title of another forum to this thread, I corrected the problem immediately after posting but it's not my fault this forum doesn't update the original title. Since this forum doesn't appreciate the reviews and bash on models all day (seriously....why do you guys even buy models?), I simply would just stop posting the reviews here
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I can't believe I was banned a few days because I accidentally copied the title of another forum to this thread, I corrected the problem immediately after posting but it's not my fault this forum doesn't update the original title. Since this forum doesn't appreciate the reviews and bash on models all day (seriously....why do you guys even buy models?), I simply would just stop posting the reviews here
oops... didn't you get the memo about proper thread title referencing?
title changes are pretty straightforward with a pm to the mods (although some would like you to think that you've gotto be chums with the mods and insists thread starters request the mods to include proper referencing instead of doing it themselves)
the title's been edited anyway, but do what you must...
I can't believe I was banned a few days because I accidentally copied the title of another forum to this thread, I corrected the problem immediately after posting but it's not my fault this forum doesn't update the original title. Since this forum doesn't appreciate the reviews and bash on models all day (seriously....why do you guys even buy models?), I simply would just stop posting the reviews here
Bull$**t Alert
It just happened to copy "Read more at..."
Cop it like a man or keep whinging about it, hobbies still gonna keep rolling
SKF, I and I'm sure many other posters here really appreciate your reviews, photos, and overall effort. I for one very much hope that you continue your great work here. I'm guessing that the mods took some technical steps to try to slow down some of the aggressive, irrelevant, and distracting posts by particular members and you accidentally got caught in that net. A pity.
Sorry but no, that's not how it works, copying text from one board to another doesn't magically add a link to that site and magically adds "Read more" at that.
SKF - I always enjoy your always thorough and professional-standard photo reviews, and have found them very useful in terms of making me excited for pre-orders, weeding out a number of models I had been considering, but which turned out to not quite be my thing on closer inspection (for which my wallet is highly grateful ) and even deciding to pull the trigger on a model I had not been interested in!
It would be a loss if you were to stop posting, and I very much hope you decide not to go down that path. While I can understand your rancour, I do, OTOH, understand the mod's issue with posting references to the specific other forum mentioned given the recent spate of execrable behaviour from certain virulently vociferous members of said forum as well as recent incidents of rule breaking/bullying by its proponents before they were permanently banned.
However, it would be a very great shame were you to let a bad experience stop you from providing content you clearly take pleasure and pride in creating, and which is, as I mentioned, of a very high standard indeed (to the point "professional" is not hyperbolic )
WRT to people criticising models, and while I agree entirely it can get tiresome when coming from people who do not themselves buy many models anyway, I have to say overall I actually think it is healthy for the hobby. Most here who pass comments (praiseful or critical) do so because they actually buy models, so it is not pointless noise. This is particularly true as recently HM seem to be listening to collectors again, responding with changes to releases which have made a number of recent models much better than the pre-prods in terms of both accuracy and QC.
This is great, and can only be good for sales which are what keeps the hobby alive.
This is notably in marked contrast to the bad old days when the "DAC Gestapo" ruthlessly suppressed any discussion which wasn't slavishly adoring - for a while there HM even stopped bothering with pre-prods and QC suffered dreadfully.
Happily though QC seems to be back on the up, and I honestly think both your professional reviews and the voices of collectors have influenced that positive trend
Calibre Wings F-14B Tomcat VF-103 Jolly Rogers, CA721401
(source: 
) and even deciding to pull the trigger on a model I had not been interested in!
