Small Scale Military Headquarters

Pardon my absence for a while especially since I am chiming in with what amounts to a rant of sorts. I had fallen behind on my 1:32 aircraft collecting so I went to a popular dealer website we all know and took a look at the FOV P-39. After reading the description a couple times to be sure of what features were on the model, I ordered the plane with the idea that since the description said "retractable landing gear" that it would actually come with retractable landing gear. Well I was wrong, as was the description the dealer had on the plane listing. It is optional position as some of you may well know already. It is a great model, even with the fixed gear, but that is not what I wanted and it is not what the dealer stated. I collect the larger scale stuff with the intention of having operational features rather than features found on smaller scale aircraft such as the HO Corgi planes or the 1:48 Franklin Mint stuff- like fixed or optional gear.

Dealers, choose your words carefully. Retractable doesnt mean you pull it out of the plane and store the pieces somewhere when you want to display the plane in a flying mode and then go and search for the said pieces when you want to show it with the gear deployed. Retractable means it is attached and it goes up and down into and out of the deployed position.

I will keep this model as I generally like it, but it goes on the shelf with the BBI Phantom, another bird with the "false retractable" gear. Second time I have been burned on this selling ploy. Yeah, I should have asked before I bought it. I will from now on since the online sellers seem to have a new definition of retractable. Finally, I dont give a crap if anyone thinks the fixed gear is an asset. It isnt in my book and it isnt how the models were presented when put up for sale.

Holy @$#&%, where`s the Tylenol...

My deepest apologies for my behavior.

TJ

I hear ya, but I think the way the landing gear is done on the P-39, and the BBI F-4 is a great idea. If the gear did retract, they would have to have used skinny wheels and tires to fit in the wheel wells. Look at those nice fat main gear wheels on the F-4 model, that is how they really look. I have said this before, but I think that is one of the best features on the F-4 model. Who cares if they go up or down, you still have the option of displaying the model either way. Do you plan on displaying the model as it lifts off with the landing gear starting to retract? I don't think so. I wish they would make all 32nd scale models this way. Look at the 32nd scale 21st Century P-51 Mustang. See those skinny cookie cutter wheels and tires? That is so they can fit when they are retracted. I would MUCH rather have scale landing great that you can either display up or down.

Well, to highlight what I already said above for those who didnt grasp my point as stated...

"Finally, I dont give a crap if anyone thinks the fixed gear is an asset. It isnt in my book and it isnt how the models were presented when put up for sale."

I wasnt looking for opinions on if the fixed gear is good or bad. I honestly dont care that an individual would like fixed gear or not. One would be wasting their time trying to convince me otherwise as to the virtues of fixed gear. The dealers advertise them as having working gear and they do not. I dont care if the wheels are skinny or what ever. The 21st stuff is fine with me the way they design it and it works. If I wanted scale gear that is fixed, I will build the scale model instead of buying a premade toy.

TJ

Hi Krieglok,
Not sure who you got the P-39 from. It could be us or maybe some other dealer. You dont have to indicate where you bought it.

I can say this though. When a new item comes in, we rarely open the item, unless we need to take a photo. As a result, we're then going by the feature list provided by the manufacturer. If they're claiming its got retractable gear, then we're not in a position to argue with them. Sometimes these issues become apparent when the item finally gets to the end user, who finally gets to see what they've purchased.

Having said all that, Unimax, the manufacturer, is indicating that the Makin Island version of this plane should be available at their end by next week.

On a separate note, its important that end users such as yourself or Corey Eagle (who just posted a review of the BBI Dauntless) provide detailed and accurate reviews here. As a dealer, we cant tout a replica too loudly because we just dont have the time to pull an item out of its box and critique its features. Secondly, we have a vested interest in the sale of such an item, so a glowing review offered by a dealer should be taken as dubious at best.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

That is a very interesting response on your part and I agree with you to a point.

I will be the first to say that I didnt utilize the available resources to make a true determination as to the functionality of the gear. I didnt search this forum or ask the dealers up front. My bad.

I can also understand that a dealer would use the pre production information to highlight an up coming product in order to get a product up into the purchasing public`s eye.

We part ways with the issue of knowing the product that you sell and how you portray it on a site. It almost sounds like you have to sell the item so there are liberties taken in order to sell it, but I see where you are coming from and I understand what you are saying. You are very honest and I respect you for that.

I didnt buy it from your site, but I do and will continue to buy items from you. A few sites state the FOV P39 has "retractable gear" as it is derived from the FOV liturature. Many of the sites I checked use the exact same wording. Some have the term optional gear "up or down" which is clear to me. I believe a bit of clarification is in order here.

Another site uses another euphamism(sp) saying landing gear is "posable" meaning to me that it is attached but moveable. It isnt in this case as they are describing the BBi F4.

Thanks for your pertenent views Lightning. I do appreciate them.

TJ

Krieglok,

To use your language, I don't give a CRAP what you think anyway, but I am not going to argue with you over a model plane.

Thanks, that is exactly what I wanted.

Sorry to so blunt, but I wasnt looking for a discussion on the attributes of fixed or movable gear. I have read your previous posts about gear before, so I was already aware of your position about the subject. This wasnt the point of my starting this thread. Thanks for your understanding. Sorry if you are offended by my indifference to your opinion at this time...

TJ

Krieglok,

I am sorry also if I got a bit out of hand. I guess I thought you were knocking me for my opinion on the landing gear. No hard feeling on my part, and I do understand your frustration with the way some dealers don't give the correct details about the models they sell.

Cool.

Notice that I said I was keeping it as I did the F4. I like both models as they are great. I dont hate fixed gear or those who like it

It is just that one of my obsessions is having working gear. I like to fly my plane and land it during a battle to pick up a stranded soldier and then take off again. It is terrible when they dont put the gear up as they leave.

I know, I`m wierd.

It is okay to get mad. It means you are a human being. Stay well.

TJ

I prefer optional position landing gear myself. Unless the manufacturer has done a super good job keeping the gear to scale plus keeping the realism there, they never seem to look or work right.

Why Do They Lie? The FOV P-39

Simple, so you will by it. I really wanted the P-39. I like the lines for some reason. I found one at hobbytown. As soon as I saw the landing gear in the bottom of the box. I put it back on the shelf. I was very disapointed.

I absolutely love P-39s. I also realized that I have a hard time spending $50 on 1/32 planes. Now I have a dilemma: if I buy another BBI piece can I keep putting of this FOV piece?

Anyone know when the next paint scheme for the FOV P-39 will be out? I remember seeing a picture of it some time back.