Small Scale Military Headquarters

I have always enjoyed WW2 military aircraft and have just recently been looking at 1:18 scale as a collectible. Is it a good time to get into 21st century or is there a better company to look at? The future of TFC seems to be in question from what I gather...does that make the planes worth more or worthless if the company goes under? Looking for any helpful input,, dont want to throw money in the wrong direction...
and thanks again

21C is in some bad financial mess now/again. They pulled through before, hopefully will again this time. Now probably isn't the best time to start as selection is limited and prices high, but better late than never. 1/18th stuff is very collectible. 21c, BBI, Admiral Toys and Skyworks all have some good 1/18 scaleplanes. Skyworks stuff is cool but can be prohibitively expensive sometimes. If 21C goes under, I'm rich. The prices of their stuff would def go up if they went under.

I really like 21C but they can make you crazy! there are still some good deals out there if you look and watch

Sometimes?

Don't take me wrong, I like Skyworks' models as much as the next guy, but I don't think it's even in the same league as 21st. The Jay Hawk was superb, BTW.

Now those are truly short-run collectibles worth waiting/paying for.

King O' Fools wrote:Sometimes?

Don't take me wrong, I like Skyworks' models as much as the next guy, but I don't think it's even in the same league as 21st. The Jay Hawk was superb, BTW.

Now those are truly short-run collectibles worth waiting/paying for.

i agree, but the price matters when you start out

It sure does. I wouldn't pay any mind to 21st's mass-produced toys if I could afford PHP's works of art.

If only I could hit the gravy train...

starting out? you can't go wrong with a Spitfire off ebay
or any of the planes found at TRU
or the 88

If you are just starting out, and want something cool to have. There are plenty of P-51D Mustangs out there to choose from. They are pretty much worth what you pay for them if you get them at a Toys R Us at $44 or on sale, but they could go up if they quit making them. Though some paint schemes are more popular than others.

If you can score almost any plane on eBay or elswhere that is no longer in stock at online stores, usually it goes up in value, though some more than others.

While ebay prices are fairly down at the moment I'd take advantage of scoring some of the out of print stuff on ebay..

Light.Inf.Scout wrote:21C is in some bad financial mess now/again. They pulled through before, hopefully will again this time. Now probably isn't the best time to start as selection is limited and prices high, but better late than never. 1/18th stuff is very collectible. 21c, BBI, Admiral Toys and Skyworks all have some good 1/18 scaleplanes. Skyworks stuff is cool but can be prohibitively expensive sometimes. If 21C goes under, I'm rich. The prices of their stuff would def go up if they went under.

You forgot about me

<a href="http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa62 ... 1_0055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa62 ... 1_0055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Pickelhaube, im not sure what scale that plane is but you and I have the same idea it seems. I saw 1:48 scale planes in Wal-mart today by 21st century at a price cheaper than I can buy a decent Tamiya model of same scale at, and I love to do airbrush work...I think im going to buy some of these cheap planes just to play with the airbrush on. I'd like to see your finished product when you're done.

Tom

1/18 is still my passion, but I am slowly replacing some of my 1/18 tanks with Henglong 1/16 r/c tanks, which look fine against all my 1/18 figures and items, I just keep my corresponding 1/18 tanks out of the picture. I am now relying on 21ST to provide me with more 1/18 support material ie figures, guns like the 88 and vehicles. So far in 1/16 I have......2 Stugs, 2 KT, 2 Sturmtigers, 1 Tiger, 2 grey panzer 1V, 1 DAK panzer 1V, 2 panzer 111, 2 T34's (these 2 not Henglong). This is working for me, I am wrapped. Apparently the Jagdpanther is due out mid December, just keeps getting better. I am over the fustration of waiting for new product from 21ST, but that said I will still buy anything they care to release, so far five 88's and will get 2 KT next year.

Army Group 1, that's an impressive collection! I have 1 HL Bulldog with metal treads, working suspension, metal gearboxes and upgraded motors. Boy I love this 11lb tank that runs over BBI Super Humvees with ease. Soon it will be completely gutted and rebuilt with El Mod electronics. I'm also planning a full conversion of a 21C Bradley using the PIII guts. The only static armor I would purchase now is a Stryker and that bad boy would be converted as fast as I could afford to do so. Here's hoping for a quick release of that T-55.

I was collecting 1/24th RC VsTanks prior to HL and have 2 T-72's, 1 Abrams, 1 A6 Leopard, 1 Type-90 and 1 early Tiger. Just love the IR battles that take place on summer evenings.

oxfordlawn wrote:Pickelhaube, im not sure what scale that plane is but you and I have the same idea it seems. I saw 1:48 scale planes in Wal-mart today by 21st century at a price cheaper than I can buy a decent Tamiya model of same scale at, and I love to do airbrush work...I think im going to buy some of these cheap planes just to play with the airbrush on. I'd like to see your finished product when you're done.

Tom

It's 1/18th