Small Scale Military Headquarters

I was thinking about the reality of our purchase(s) of the JSI Tomcat.

How many will you buy? Realistically.

Let's think about the most likely parameters that will affect our decision.

$200 plus or minus $20 will be the most likely price.

The first release, according to pics, seems to be a complete low vis (a la the picutre on Aiken's Airplanes) or a low vis with some color (a la the VF-154 Black Knights scheme, see Kawai picture).

I would be very surprised if the first release really is one of these since statistics show that only high vis in well known F-14 squadron's schemes sell the best.

So two situations:

1. Will you buy this first release regardless of what squadron regardless of high or low vis just to get a Tomcat?
2. Will you buy only holding out on high vis or low vis just as long as your favorite squadron is released?

How many? Not how many would you like. There 12 definites I would love to have but realistically for me, 1 or 2 tops max is all I ever could afford.

Personnally, I don't really want a low vis. I will hold out for a high vis in any of these:
late 70's
VF-84
VF-2
VF-41
VF-211
late 80's
VF-111
1995 VF-21 CAG
mid 80's VF-1 CAG
early 90's through 2000 VF-41 CAG
late 90's through 2000's VF-103 XO or CAG
2006 VF-213 showbird
2000's VF-32 CAG
2006 VF-31 CAG black tail

I would most likely buy 2 (different squadron markings).

Perhaps 3 based on the paint schemes.

One for me and I'd wait until I got the scheme I wanted. At that size and price point I'm already pushing maximum girlfriend tolerance... but I WILL have one

I will buy the first one. Low vis or high, doesn't matter too much to me.
Considering the prices of the BBI jets on the secondary market, I think it's a reasonable price right out of the gate for something so huge.
Depending on the quality and paint scheme, if it looks as good as the pic, I would probably spring for a second one. Hopefully a high vis.

One other thing is the GI Joe fans might want this too. I mean there is no Stryker anymore, and this fits the bill even more so with the more detailed Joes of the present day IMO.
I'd like to see Hasbro re-release the Stryker and compare them. of course we're talking about probably a $50 toy there.

I will buy the first one regardless of the paint scheme. If they were to release re-paints I may get picky, but I would still try my best to buy as many of them as I can. If I don't like any of the paint schemes I will just paint them in a scheme I like. If all the aircraft that are slated to come out in the next couple years actually make it to the shelves this could get very expensive. Just think, Skyraider, Dauntless (already have 2 on pre-order), F-14, Pappy F-4U, Pudgy P-38, Sakai Zero, Admirals WWI planes, etc? I need a part time job just for this hobby.

I've been hearing lots of talk about multiples 'round the internet, and i'm curious to see who puts their money where their mouth is, ESPECIALLY among the Joe-collecting sector.

Personally, none for me, simply because i'm not all that interested in an F-14. Call me when that Flanker is on the water, though, JSI.

just one. Too big to consider mutliples and to expensive to store away unseen.

Having said that, i don't think its big size will hurt sales. Many people will buy one of these who are not even die hard plane people. They will be popular gift items too i suspect. I expect the Tomcat to sell well.

I would like to get more than one, but it will be such a huge model I only have room for one. Also, the Admiral Skyraider will be a huge model also, and I have to have a place for that baby.

First release will work for me.

I'll pass too. It's a cool looking aircraft, just not interested in it.

I've already said what I would like to see.

Big Old zero for me. Just not my type of item. But happy for you that want one.

One for me. No room for duplicates anymore.

If it really happens I will get the first release no matter what the paint scheme is. Only because I don't want to miss out on an F-14. I also figure that an F-14 would be in the $200 to $300 range.
There are only two squadrons that I'm interested in and both are late seventies hi vis VF-84, and VF-111. So the first release would end up being one of those two, depending on what repaints are released.

3 easily for me. I know the first scheme will most likely suck... Well maybe not because we don't know this co yet. BUT good old low vis grey seems to always make it's way front and center as a first release on modern AC.

So...

1 Low Vis grey scheme
1 Repainted into a Sundowners VF-111
1 Repainted into a Jolly Rogers VF-84

I liked the same schemes!

It will be nice to see your F-14 repaints TKO, I am a fan of your work.

cornbreadfred wrote:It will be nice to see your F-14 repaints TKO, I am a fan of your work.

Thanks! I would have a lot of fun doing F-14 schemes for sure. I might have to do another one as well... The Black Bunny might be just too tempting. The F-16's and F-18's I have done have been some of my favorite so far. The mighty Tomcat should be a blast!

If I can afford it 3

Maybe 1. The thing is so huge, I have to judiciously allot display space for any new planes.
I would for sure get a F-15, as I see them fly past my house at least 1-2 times a week and feel a bit of a connection to them.

If I could, it would be:
Jolly Rogers VF-84 or Sundowners VF-111

Unfortunately, 1:18 is too big for my situation...
If JSI released a smaller scale (1:32 or 1:48) as well as 1:18, I'd be all over it.

I would get the first one for sure. If I didn't like the scheme, I can always repaint in the scheme I want later. If the scheme can out later and the first was good enough quality, then I'd go for the second. What else am I going to spend money on? Beer and motorcycles?.....wait.....I already spend plenty on beer and motorcycles!!!!

I really might get 2. Only if there is a VF-84 and the other would have to be a Bombcat from Op Enduring Freedom, I don't care what squadron but I love the ground attack version. I know I would buy these because I already collect Macross (VF-84 ) Fighters. I have 16 of them and they run between $100-$225 and they are only 1/60 scale

I would get only one. It is really all the space I have for something so large. While I would love a VF-84 Jolly Rogers scheme, the low vis gray proposed for the S1 version is fine by me. It is the standard scheme for the Tomcat, especially during the last years of their active use, and it will fit in well with my BBI F-18 and F-16, both of which use a similar low vis paint.

I will buy at least one. Maybe two depending on paint shcemes.

Now when/if the A-10 is produced in 1/18, two wouldn't be enough for me.

Just one
id prefer the Jolly Rogers version but will take what I can get.

I have 3 others (if they are produced) to get before a Tomcat. I would prefer teh Dauntless, Skyraider and F-4