Franklin Mint Warbirds worth the cost?

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:17 am

I have not seen any of the Franklin Mint Warbirds firsthand and wonder if anyone could tell me if they are worth the signifigant cost. The ones I have seen are in the $70-100 range. My financial advisor (wife) is not to keen on any eminent purchases.

Input on them would be welcome. Thanks!

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:19 am

Used to collect each and every Franklin Mint / Armour plane made - but, after seeing Dragon quality (especially for the price) and the decline in Armour quality (decals, paint, landing gear, etc.), I stopped purchasing and even sold-off some of the collection.

There are some planes that I still look for from the Franklin Mint - Me262's, Spitfires, Corsairs, Stuka's, Hurricanes, etc. that don't seem to have too many quality issues.

But, Mustangs, Thunderbolts, FW-190's - buy Dragon. Armour seemed to have better quality and the price was more appropriate. I know Franklin Mint has dropped their prices, but whether the prices was 90.00 + or 50.00, there should be more attention placed on detail for that amount of money.

Just my opinion.

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 5:56 am

Thank you

Hoverbug · Post by **Hoverbug** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:28 am

A couple of comments on the state of Armour. They are now pad printing everything, so the decals aren't an issue. Also, you can find most of the medium size fighters in the $50 range. I think this is a pretty fair price for what you get. They are definitely more imposing looking across the room at this scale. The most bang for the buck is probably the Eagles International P-51B/Cs.

Mr. Football · Post by **Mr. Football** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:14 am

I agree, they've re-structured pricing to be a whole lot more reasonable. Good value for the money.

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:10 am

I have a couple and will soon be adding another one... I think they are a good piece for the $50+ asking price, but the old pricing was too much for what you get..

Sgt. Stryker · Post by **Sgt. Stryker** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:02 pm

Hi!
Go to discounttrainsonline.com.
The selection of FM 1:48 airplanes is limited, but the price is less than $40 for the fighters!
Stryker

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:17 pm

With respect to the decals - I really never had as much an issue with whether the decals were pad-printed or otherwise as I did with whether some effort/time was taken to make sure that decals were put on strainght and aligned properly.

Look at the US insignia on the side of the fuselage on the 'Jumpin' Jacques' P-51 Mustang - completely absurd (especially for 90.00).

donnieboy · Post by **donnieboy** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:21 pm

Olifant: IMHO, Franklin Mint/Armour Collection planes are THE standard for 1:48 scale. Eagles International are better but so far they've only come out with the P-51B/C. The Franklin Mint planes are true to scale and highly detailed, and each paint version of a given plane often has unannounced variations in ordnance loads, etc. They've made a few goofs (no cowling side air scoops on the Bf-109G) and an egregious error or two (their "Spitfire Mk. IX" is just another Mark V), but no one else comes close to them. Try www.diecastdirect.com and www.aikensairplanes.com for good prices!

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:17 pm

Eagles International P-51's put the Franklin Mint Mustangs to shame - body panels, marking, landing gear/struts. I still can't believe that Armour and the Franklin Mint couldn't engineer a landing gear strut that wasn't completely attached to the landing gear door.

For 95.00, Eagles International provides landing gear u/down, movable wing flaps, pilot, some minor weathering and wear-n-tear effects (i.e. 'flash' behind the machine-guns) - sure, the prices on Franklin Mint prices have come down somewhat, but I have heard that Eagles Int'l pricing will be decreasing when they introduce the P-47 in a few months.

I simply became tired and frustrated with German crosses and squadron markings that were (noticably) out of alignment - two American insignias on the bottom of the P-47 'Gabreski', and American star on the side of the 'Jumpin' Jacque' P-51 that was placed at a 15 degree angle (and Frnklin Mint telling me that was how the plane actually was marked until I sent them a picture of the actual airplane). Some may say 'what do you expect for 90.00, or even 50.00). Well, I can buy a 1/72nd Dragon for 20.00 that puts the Franklin Mint plane to shame - true, the FM/Armour is a larger scale, but why can't I expect the same quality

Mr. Football · Post by **Mr. Football** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 1:05 am

I don't think anyone can compete with the vast array of models offered in 1:48 by Armour.

I would like one of those GMP 1:35 Mustangs, though.

smh_1021 · Post by **smh_1021** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 5:02 am

The GMP planes are exceptional - I have the Ole' Crow, the Glamorous Glen', 'Cripes A Mighty' and the special edition 'Petie 3rd' that GMP made for the Danbury Mint. Combined with the tarmac diorama display base you can purchase with the model you have quite an impressive model to display. Wheel struts open/close and even extend/compress when opening and closing. Landing light extends from landing gear compartment - GMP is also coming out with the P-40 Warhwak and the F4U Corsair (long-term).

Gambit · Post by **Gambit** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:30 am

What about the limited edition Franklin Mint Helicopters, Apache Longbow and Vietnam Huey. I have only seen pictures of them and was wondering if they are as detailed as they say?