Small Scale Military Headquarters

<img src="http://www.themotorpool.net/v/vspfiles/images/F-22 Raptor Thumbnail.jpg" align="left">
<b>Is Century Wings Doing the Raptor Dance?</b><br>
By the looks of things, <b>Century Wings</b> is getting set to unveil their next 1:72 scale aircraft - an F/A-22 Raptor. Shown on their own website under the 'Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair Nurnberg' link, it appears as if a F/A-22 Raptor is standing front and center amidst a cacophany of aircraft in the fourth image down. If true, the <b>Century Wings</b> replica will likely become the <i>de facto</i> standard among replica USAF Air Dominance Fighters, cutting through the inaccurately rendered repesentations thus far to come to market. We'll certainly follow this lead with utmost care, and will provide further information once it has been corroborated...<i>[posted 2/6/2009]</i>

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

LIGHTNING2000:

I hope you're right about the F-22---I've got a CW SR-71 on pre-order and an F-22 would be next on my "must buy" list.

Ahhh finally!! I've been waiting for more F-22 Raptors to hit the market!!

p51 wrote:Ahhh finally!! I've been waiting for more F-22 Raptors to hit the market!!

What's the laughing for? I'm serious... Raptor is a fav plane of mine.

these new stealth planes, while technologically interesting, are very bland to look at. Very similar to each other and very unremarkable lines. Completely lacking in any character.

Having said that i do like my 1/18 r/c F-35 and F-117 and am looking forward to getting an F-22 this year.

But they are bland looking planes...

aferguson wrote:these new stealth planes, while technologically interesting, are very bland to look at. Very similar to each other and very unremarkable lines. Completely lacking in any character.

Having said that i do like my 1/18 r/c F-35 and F-117 and am looking forward to getting an F-22 this year.

But they are bland looking planes...

i agree,but every new f-22 Franklin mint comes out with sells out asap
so maybe century is following thier big sales

I don't know, I think the raptor looks pretty sleek... might not have the curves of an F/A-18, but it's got that 'bird of prey' look to it...

On another message board, someone said the Century Wings F-22 prototype had working weapons bays---if so, showing AMRAAMs and Sidewinders, etc. that might help with the blandness.

Hi,
Part of the problem why LOST (Low Observable Stealth Technology) based replicas might not do as well at retail as comparable aircraft may have to do with their internal weapons storage, so you dont get to see much of the ordnance. Certainly, having snap open weapons bays will help somewhat so you can see inside.

Another problem has to do with the Low-Vis paint schemes most come with. If NATO is still running Tiger Meets, you'll get more varied schemes to choose from, not to mention schemes chosen by those client nations who will be acquiring these weapons systems.

Lastly, most of these platforms dont have a combat history as yet, apart from Red Flag exercises and such. Once they get blooded, and they will, you'll see more collectors looking to pick up these birds.

Very nice pix Britt...

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

very good points but i would look for this plane to be exported for a long time!

p51 wrote:Ahhh finally!! I've been waiting for more F-22 Raptors to hit the market!!

Ditto. Long overdue.

Nice. I love the look of the Raptor in the air. But on the ground with it's stubby little nose wheel it just looks weird.