Small Scale Military Headquarters

The picture copy for this model (No. 85051, German Panzer IV Ausf. J) is three detail shots that are provided by the company for use as sales literature. Two of these purport to show a hull machine gun and an a.a. machine gun on a pintle attached to the turret hatch ring.

In fact there are neither a hull nor a.a. machine gun on the tank model itself. These pictures are phonies.

These photos also provide close-ups of the "scaffold" on which the skirts are mounted. In any event the picture shows much thinner attachments than are actually on this tank.

The fourth picture is of the entire tank. This picture, however, is of the 1/32 scale FoV model of the Panzer IV-G, as are the other three noted above.

In effect we have a misrepresentation of the item in the advertising copy put out by the manufacturer. They are providing what are supposed to be pictures of the 1/72 model but are in fact those of the 1/32 scale one. This is what bothers me so much about FoV- they just seem to be somehow dishonest. That lipstick on a pig thing....

In any event there is no hull mg, no a.a. mg and the frame on which the skirts are mounted is very thick and clearly out of proportion.

On the other hand it is a decent little model. Probably worth the ~$10.00 it costs, and comes with a nice 1940s Europe-Style Street Lamp, a pile of rubble and two little gas cans. And the commander is easily removed and the hatch closed if you prefer.

I just wish that they presented it honestly!!

Where have you been the past...8 years?

21st is/was notorious for showing paint masters instead of the actual production model of their XDs.

* * * ... ain't it the truth ! ... even some of their old 32x sh*t .


Mitch v MG

MG-42 wrote:* * * ... ain't it the truth ! ... even some of their old 32x sh*t .


Mitch v MG

I am not to vound of the 32X me-262..its yucky....lol

I know it's an old mold in the day before ROY the master of 1/18th and 1/32 came.

Googly: Paint Masters is one thing. Most of 21stC's stuff are repaints anyway.

Here we are talking about 100% flagrant misrepresentation by showing a completely different product. My presumption is that they are doing this across the board, using the 1/32 photos in their 1/72 ad copy to sell their product. Especially when the presentation is being specifically made to show the "detail" of the item.

Hi,
I agree with Itcbj. The actual vehicle doesnt look near as good as the image supplied. I think this particular item is selling well because of the relative paucity for Panzer IV tanks, especially late model versions with the schurzen. So, while its a nice model and certainly worth the price, I think its a little bit of a let down when you see it in person versus the image supplied.

On the other hand, the Hobby Master Chaffee, in my opinion, looks better in person than the image supplied by the manufacturer. The product image has sort of a plasticky glow about it, giving it a more toy like appearance. However, when you look at the actual product, the paint scheme is more matted, giving it a more true-to-life image.

Just goes to show that an image doesnt always tell the entire story about a diecast product.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Yes. Ultimately I bought it only because it is (probably) the best of the 1/72 made Pz-IV-Js (and other marks) available.

It is just the pervasive disappointment with FoV that bothers me.

ltcbj wrote:Googly: Paint Masters is one thing. Most of 21stC's stuff are repaints anyway.

Here we are talking about 100% flagrant misrepresentation by showing a completely different product. My presumption is that they are doing this across the board, using the 1/32 photos in their 1/72 ad copy to sell their product. Especially when the presentation is being specifically made to show the "detail" of the item.

No, what I meant was what 21st has been showing in their boxes are 1/48 and 1/32 highly detailed scale models, and passing them off as 1/18 XD models.

If you really think about it, that's worse than what FOV has been doing. At least FOV has been using pictures of their own products, instead of using other companies' products, like the way 21st has used Tamiya models.

But I agree with you. It's quite dishonest. But like I said, after so many years of 21st doing it...I kinda got used to it.

It is sad that we have not only come to expect such behavior, we have come to accept it as well.

Sorry guys, but somehow I can't round up much anger over this. FOV has always had some pretty "artistic" photos of their models which never matched even their 1/32 offerings. If I were buying a $60 release I would be upset, but that $10 puts it in the realm of "toy."

I am assuming you could always have returned it ltcbj...

olifant wrote:Sorry guys, but somehow I can't round up much anger over this. FOV has always had some pretty "artistic" photos of their models which never matched even their 1/32 offerings. If I were buying a $60 release I would be upset, but that $10 puts it in the realm of "toy."

I am assuming you could always have returned it ltcbj...

Olifant:

Actually I don't care. Initially I was going to buy a dozen. Then I saw a photo review and cut that in half. (I "needed" late war Pz-IVs.) But I got a really good deal so I got nine.

My initial decision to get a dozen was based largely on the manufacturer's ad copy. I figured that these were magnificent for 1/72, easily rivaling Dragon Armour. I had seen these 1/72 FoVs in stores (Target) and had never purchased any because of their quality differential with Dragon. This I could live with....

Upon seeing actual photos I cut my order in half. Then upped it by half again due to the deal I got (Crossroads Diecast). I bought this with my eyes open. It wasn't until after seeing them in person, then looking at the advertising copy again, that I got peeved.

I bought these because when Dragon gets around to them their price point will be ~$20, and they aren't here yet anyway. But yes, I certainly could have returned them had I wanted, but I don't.

I'm not even complaining about the little tanks themselves. I am alerting everyone (one if by ad, two by deceit) regarding FoV ad-copy. I'm quite satisfied with my purchase.