Small Scale Military Headquarters

Now that JSI will be releasing the special edition VF-154 F-14, does anyone know when JSI will be releasing the VF-111 "Sundowners" F-14 mentioned on SSHQ back in May? (I assume it's a regular, non-lighting up version).

Also, Badcat now has the VF-154 F-14 available for preorder at $299.99 and the VF-154 F-14 with Skyworks metal landing gear for $359.99 (I thought Badcat said they were dropping JSI jets after the spot fiasco).

Badcat's disclaimer:

"Product Disclaimer: These large, magnificent aircraft are visually impressive collectibles, not toys. The main landing gear and gear doors are especially delicate. They are modeled to look just like the real thing. Study the gear and learn how they function before moving them. If you are impatient and try to force the landing gear or gear doors, they will break.

DUE TO THE HIGH COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SHIPPING AND THE DETAILED, DELICATE NATURE OF THIS LARGE PLANE, WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT RETURNS OR EXCHANGES ON THIS ITEM FOR MINOR FIT AND FINISH OR SMALL PARTS BREAKAGE ISSUES.

RETROFIT METAL LANDING GEAR HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IF YOU'RE GOING TO DISPLAY THE AIRCRAFT ON ITS MAINS."

Hmmm.

Hadn't heard anything about any Sundowners coming anytime soon.

Certainly a cool scheme though.

NSA:

A couple of months ago, a poster said he heard from Badcat that the next JSI F-14 would be a VF-111 "Sundowners" and that Badcat was probably going to drop JSI jets.

Also, someone posted the new VF-154 F-14 had improved landing gear, but Badcat recommends the optional Skyworks metal landing gear. Apparently Badcat doesn't have a lot of faith in the improved plastic landing gear.

yeah that is pretty funny if you ask me, you shouldn't have to pay extar to have good gear. but i plan on getting a couple of these s2s and repainting them, perhaps i'll do a review on them.

thatf14guy wrote:yeah that is pretty funny if you ask me, you shouldn't have to pay extar to have good gear. but i plan on getting a couple of these s2s and repainting them, perhaps i'll do a review on them.

You need to get a hold of some S-1's and repaint them. Get as many of those spotty kittens as possible repainted.



I’m thinking of buying this one but I still have my lit spotty hanging.

been trying too, people got to buy my repaints! need more customers, but we are working on it for sure, maybe a f-14d bombcat will help bust sales.

dragon53 wrote:NSA:

A couple of months ago, a poster said he heard from Badcat that the next JSI F-14 would be a VF-111 "Sundowners" and that Badcat was probably going to drop JSI jets.

Also, someone posted the new VF-154 F-14 had improved landing gear, but Badcat recommends the optional Skyworks metal landing gear. Apparently Badcat doesn't have a lot of faith in the improved plastic landing gear.

I had heard Badcat was never going to carry JSI again.. but I guess that seems to have changed?

The new VF-154 is really really nice, I have to unbox it and check out all the changes myself, but after playing with one for a little while, it does seem 'more sturdy', though I'd imagine the metal gears would obviously be better in the long run if you have the money.

I am the complete opposite of most of you (for worse or better, or neither). I dont know hardly anything about details and specifics of the individual planes etc, I didn't grow up around them or study them or anything, I just appreciate a good model/toy/whatever. Thats why I come here

I really haven't heard anything good concerning the Sundowners scheme coming anytime soon though, I know it was in consideration for a time, and may still be coming.. I believe there are going to be 2 or 3 more F-14A's before they move to B, D, etc.

Also.. RE: Badcat.. I dont know if they went to SDCC or not, but I dont know if they've seen the new plane + gears first hand or not either.

The 30 they had for sale at SDCC are final molds, so I was told, so theoretically they should be exactly the same (sans weapons) as the ones Badcat is preordering.

NSA:

You seem to be knowledgeable about JSI, so I have a question for you....Is JSI a large toy company with a good long-term future or is JSI another 21st Century?

Well, JSI is (obviously) a Chinese-based toy company, compared to 21st.

This comes with its plus's and minuses (as we've all seen).

They obviously have quicker, better, and cheaper access to the factories and labor in China, and can get things done in a relatively quick/normal time frame.

However, there is a certain level of disconnect between JSI and the USA in regards to what we want (A-10! etc) and how to deliver it to us. I know Merit is basically acting as a middle-man in this, trying to influence JSI to make things that will sell here (Since Merit is based in the US), and working with JSI to try and accommodate us.

I don't have any solid info to back it up, unfortunately, but it does seem that JSI is committed to the scale and to providing stuff for the whole world, not just the USA (VF-154 is going to Japan and Germany for example).

Hopefully it means the scale will continue to flourish and maybe we can get some interesting international variants made as well.

NSA:

Thanks. So you're saying JSI is a large company with deep financial resources that will ensure it will be around for a long time?

I've got no idea as to their financial situation.. again.. China is a very different beast as far as markets and business goes.

They appear to be going strong and have the capital and willingness to keep moving forward with the scale, so that's good, but like anything, here today.. gone tomorrow.

Though I think the fact that all of us scale fans have been burned so bad in the past, will keep us all on our toes for the foreseeable future.

The F-14, spots and all, was a real triumph for 1:18 I think, and the S2 and inevitable S3 S4 etc will be welcomed, but I think it'll be whatever the "NEXT" new item out of JSI is that will give us a real indication of their commitment.

But that's just me talking out my arse

I just pre-ordered the Black Knights. Hello new weapons! Good bye Black Knights scheme. Now just have to figure out which squadron to paint...