Page 7 of 7

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:57 pm
by Teamski
I think Andrew has a good point on the quality issue. 1:18 has always been a sort of mixed bag. But, for $50 you get a lot of bang for the buck. I quit a long time ago sqawking about minor defects. I found that I didn't even notice them after a while and it wasn't worth the effort to go returning the things. Many people should remember the famous "finger print" Kepford Corsairs way back in 2002. Now those are classics, hehehehe.....

I am soooo looking forward to getting my F-86's. There's no way in hell I would send them back, period. If there are minor defects on them, so what!

-Ski

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:31 pm
by scbvideoboy
Ski, what movie is the quote from on your signature?

DH

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:34 pm
by CW4USARMY
aferguson wrote:So far it sounds like Admiral Toys first effort in the 1/18 aircraft arena is a beauty. Except for some pretty minor complaints, for the most part the quality, packaging and detail sounds top notch on the F-86.

I'm worried about their very generous customer service policy backfiring on them though. I know they want to make everyone happy but i'm afraid people will take advantage of it.

I know how certain collectors can be, perfectionists for whom nothing is good enough and with AT willing to replace parts or even whole planes free of charge and paying shipping both ways they could run into some pretty big expenses trying to satisfy everyone. They are a new company and don't need the extra hassle or expense, i can bet.

If we think back to 21c's and even BBI's first offerings they were not perfect either but were, and still are fantastic value for the money. These are $50 toy planes, not thousand dollar custom models and i hope everyone is thrilled with what they have come out with and not nit pick them to death.

We all have a vested interest in keeping them around for years to come...but if it were me running Admiral Toys, i could see myself getting pretty discouraged and frustrated by a lot of microscopic complaints and returns. They are people, working hard, just like you and me..
I agree. I had mentioned in my review that my F-86 had a few minor paint smudges, and Admiral personally conacted me about replacing it.
I told them no way! I love this thing just like it is and that they can keep any money it would have cost them to replace mine and put it to new molds and development :D

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:36 pm
by tmanthegreat
I was able to repaint the scratch on mine, thanks to Admiral using a common shade for their aluminum paint :)

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:54 pm
by Teamski
scbvideoboy wrote:Ski, what movie is the quote from on your signature?

DH
It's not from a movie. It's a quote out of Donald Burgett's excellent book, Curahee, about his combat in Normandy. I actually walked the route he shows in his book. The town I started the walk in was Ravenoville, just inshore of Utah beach................


-Ski

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:34 am
by gustav
I finally had a chance to open up and inspect my f-86...

Wow, what a classic plane! A nice, crytsal clear canopy, solid fit, and a sharp paint job make this plane and admiral toys a keeper.

Plus, the packaging allows for easy storage when I realize that I have too many planes going on at once.

Nicely done admiral, especially for a first timer.

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:40 pm
by Black_Dragon_One
for those of you who bought the f18 1:20 scale from elite forces..

there is a ladder that comes with thef18.. it look great to use with the f86.

i place mine right next to the air pump and welding tools i bought from the 1:18 scale car kit..

it look mighty nice....

ts

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:49 pm
by eddie372
Thanks for the tip there BlackDragon. The ladder that came with the F-16 is the one that's been standing besides my Sabre, for want of anything better.

Any pictures to share?

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 7:58 pm
by Black_Dragon_One
sorry eddi

i just place my collection at the
Rancho Santa Margarita Library and i do not have a camera

if any of you come to view my collect and have a camera can you take a couple of shot thanks.....

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 4:20 pm
by Teamski
Yeah Baby!!


I got my 2 Admiral F-86's today from BCT. I was pretty worried when I saw the damage to the boxes. Gotta love Fedex :evil: :

http://community.webshots.com/photo/127 ... 8193QYYuEp

Oh, but luck was on my side and the plane that had the damage was perfectly fine. I too, was impressed by the packing method. The styrofoam is by far the best method I have seen. Well done Admiral!

Anyways, I pull out the plane and I am absolutely amazed at it. It is right on par with anything put out!!! I love this F-86! It looks right all the way around. It is pretty heavy, but if it wasn't, you would have a tail sitter!

I also was shocked at how small it really is. I always thought that F-86s were huge, but it isn't so. Check it out next to Ridge Runner:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/127 ... 8193PSJVAa

This is the first plane I have had this reaction to. Blows me away!

So, I put it together and I just can't keep my eyes off of it. The canopy is excellent, so much better than the original prototype. I finally looked at the pilot in dismay and after lamenting about him, I went to go find my dremel. I couldn't find it, so I had to use a razorblade that did a pretty good job on my right thumb. I hollowed out the mask and glued it on:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/127 ... 8193gvgLUz

He looks much better now! You can sit him up in the cockpit even with the seat back the way it is. Thank god! And, it looks fine to me.

The markings and paint are really, really crisp! Its got nicely detailed stenciling on it that puts it even with bbi and 21st.

I very highly recommend this airplane with 2 thumbs up! While there is a bit of puffyiness to the wings and tail, the over-all look of the plane more than make up for it. The gear is still suseptible to collapse, but that never is a big issue with me. Wow Admiral. I am trully impressed!!

There have been reports by neighbors of some guy in a t-shirt and shorts running around the backyard with some sort of silver plane. I hope they never catch me.....

-Ski

Your F-86

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:29 pm
by eddie372
Ski, congrats on your new acquisition man! Is it the S1 version or the new edition F-86? As you know, I totally love this model airplane and now own three of them.

Eddie

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 5:48 pm
by Teamski
It should be the 2nd edition. It was covered in plastic in the box....

-Ski

Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:13 pm
by tmanthegreat
Really glad you like the plane, Ski, and its great to know that AT has provided better protection for the aircraft in the packaging. I hung mine from the ceiling in the most prominent spot in my room - and it looks fantastic!

Question about gear locking?

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 6:18 pm
by Warthog75
Hey guys

I just got my F86 - i think it's an S2 as it was part of the second wave from BCA that shipped in late April. However, I noticed that the front gear doesn't really lock down. How hard do I need to pull on the wheel to get it to lock -- I'm afraid of breaking the strut.

DId anybody who get the S2 have a problem with the landing gear?

Thanks

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:38 pm
by Teamski
I also got an S2. The gear doesn't fully lock, so don't even try. The plane more than makes up for it, though IMHO.

-Ski