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It is officially announced that there will be 2 Me-262's released in Summer 06 (Admiral and 21c) and both companies will also have F-86's simultaneously on the market. I'd like to know who is going to wait to get a good look at both aircraft and buy which ever one they like best, or who can't wait and will buy which ever is released first?

Personally I would like to wait and see both and pick my favorite, but I may not be able to hold out. I am also biased to buy both from Admiral to do my little part to support a new company trying to break in to 1:18. Admiral's future is hanging on the success of its first releases, but 21c is well established.

I'm hoping that the situation with these new jets will be similar to the currently released P-51's. Both BBI and 21c have excellent examples and the only really significant determining factor is paint scheme preference. 21c could have pulled ahead with detailed gun lockers on the P-51, but that ball appears to have been dropped, at least temporarily. Admiral is planning to have opening cannon access doors on the 262 so it seems that just to keep up, 21c will have to do the same.

Things are looking really good for the 1:18 aircraft collector!

Well - you beat me to this poll -
This thread should be used for us to gather the information and check the two out - I will most likely buy the most detailed and durable - nothing worse than something breaking without a lot of force used.

Paint sceme will be important
historical accuracy will be important
detail
accessories
durability
"the little things added"
new tech. used to produce each aircraft.
price

I will wait and see,
I will most likely will get the one that shows up at wal-mart
This is for the ME-262, I hate the F-86's, they seem ugly as hell to me

Sorry guys, I had to break the seal on buy the first one
Besides the fact that I am impatient, I value my free time very much. If in the case of the F-86 there is a half year between releases and the current version is SO nice, then isn't the fun-time worth it? If the next one is better or cheaper or interests you, you can cross that bridge when you come to it. This is especially so for something you really want. Why wait?
If there was King Tiger now and one "in the works," I know what I would do.

The 262s sound like they will arrive at roughly the same time, so waiting to compare makes more sense there imo. But remember, the AC barely lose value so you could always sell 1 if when 2 arrives.

I chose "buy both" assuming they were released at the same time. I'd buy the first one I see.

I'm not really sure which option to put for a vote. I'd probably go with the one I see first... and it sounds like it could be Admiral Toys. The only real difference I can see between the 21c and Admiral Toys products, based on current trends, would come down to the level of cockpit detail and many of the little features.

The AT F-86 has a paintjob that is as good as 21c's current releases, only its cockpit is less detailed (I won't even talk about the figure). AT however, put on the gunbays and airbrakes, features 21c hasn't normally included on their 1:18 aircraft. Jason has hinted that the AT ME-262 will have an even greater level of detail than the F-86, so it and the 21c version may likely be on par with one another, with only differing paintschemes. The 21c version of either plane will perhaps have the better figure. 21c will also have the option of selling their planes for cheap at Wal Mart.

So I am still undecided and will now probably go for the wait and see option. For me, one thing is for certain - I will be getting the 21c Mig-15

I CAN WAIT,....THANK YOU ! .......NO MORE PRE-ORDERS FOR ME. I'M DONE WITH THAT.

I know I will end up with both. Seems even if I don't plan on it I do. I also am really looking forward to a MIG 15.

Well, I bought the Admiral Toys F-86, so I don't really plan to buy the 21C F-86, so I I guess the F-86 comes under the heading of "Buy First Released".

However, if 21C does an interesting paint scheme, I'll probably buy it too.

Since I don't collect WWII, I haven't had TOO much trouble deciding on whether to buy from "Company A" or "Company B", since armor and modern stuff has been so rare, it's more a case of "Get while the gittin's good"...

I'll buy the first one to be released. Then, if the second one is better, I'll buy it and sell off the first.

Being the completist that I am I will buy both and will be curious to compare the differences.

I voted "wait and see" but that really applies to seeing what the AT 262 looks like when it's ready to go. If the airframe is accurate and the detailing is good I’ll buy it. I’d be willing to be the AT version will be the first one out and considering how poor the paint on the last two 21st planes I’ve purchased is, their 262 will have to be magnificent to get me to buy it.

all things being pretty much equal, i will probably get one of each. I like having at least two of each plane; one to display in flight and one on it's u/c and one of them will probably look a bit better on its u/c than the other..

The AT F-86 is waaay too sweet to wait and see.

Besides it has "collector value" written all over it - IMO.

I'll say, buy both as well. It supports the companies that make them; it gives us a chance to compare side-by-side, and more importantly...there are no two identical aircraft.

Ed

i voted for buying both.
i have two everything & sometimes more if the mood stricks me.
( like 5, 21st Corsairs and 2, BBi Corsairs)
so i know i'll have to have a 21st F-86 to go with my 2 preorderd AT F-86Es. plus you can never have to many Me 262s

It's wait and see for me. I'm not much into aircraft, but the F-86 is a nice plane which I would like to have, but since I've heard there are others coming out, I've put off purchasing the plane from Admiral and will wait until 21st gets there model out. The 262 is not on my want list right now so I can wait on that one.

Looks like the "wait and see" strategy paid off on the Sabre. The 21c F-86F looks great in the test photos on Area 21.

I wonder if the Me-262 will be the same. I'll be in wait and see mode for that as well.

thetatau87 wrote:Personally I would like to wait and see both and pick my favorite, but I may not be able to hold out.

thetatau87 wrote:Looks like the "wait and see" strategy paid off on the Sabre...

Eh, you haven't held out yet...until you're holding a Jet in your hand you are still holding out..

Definitely buying the Admiral version. I'll buy 21st's version when it comes out in 2008.

digger wrote:Eh, you haven't held out yet...until you're holding a Jet in your hand you are still holding out..

Now that I've seen pics of the 21c Sabre, I'll have no trouble holding out until the 21c F-86 is released. Holding out is only hard when you don't know what is coming down the road. 21c is the clear winner over AT with the F-86. The Me-262 is another story...

I spoke to Roy from 21st earlier today. The Me-262 is a total "black" project status for the moment. Especially surrounding it's features. What I do know is that as the timing is appropriate fans will be shown the progress of this airplane which has been underway for over a year already.

As you already know Roy Sutherland is the guy in charge of projects like the Bf-109G-6, F-104, P-51, Avenger and the new korean jets. He knows a ton about these airplanes. The Me-262 has had a lot of research gone into it already. It was reworked 100% from the ground up. The old prototype of 5 years ago was thrown out and did not match the current status or take advantage of the new technical advancements of the more recent products.

So TkO aside from he aircraft that we know of, ME-262, Avenger, F-86 and Mig-15. Is there anything else under wraps for the moment. You don't have to identify it just confirm or deny.

I have found that there is always things going on at 21st. I know of a few vehicles that I am not allowed to talk about yet. Sorry guys, I really don't like to tease and I openly don't... In my position sometimes I am left in the dark, sometimes I am told, sometimes I find out hours before you guys do.

I am pretty sure we have the 1:18 planes already ID'd for 06. 07 is a different matter. Knowing how long projects take... I would bet good money 21st top brass already has a something else cooking for 07. I just don't know what they are looking at yet.

Perhaps it might be time for another interview with Roy Sutherland on AREA-21.

I will buy thiem both. I like them all.
Aaron