21st Century ME262 Nightfighter anticipation.....

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:39 am

STUKA:

Inquiring minds who are ticked off at paying full price for the FOV Abrams want to know...

chunks · Post by **chunks** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:03 am

Still, looking forward very much for this. With Admiral's, this covers the main production variants for the 262 and will be most welcome.

Tinman · Post by **Tinman** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:37 am

This is one I wanted very much, so I did the preorder as soon as it opened up. I have a feeling that this may turn out to be my new favorite piece....

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:45 pm

Now the anticipation really builds... Its out for delivery in my town, scheduled (hopefully) to come today

I'll post a review on it as soon as I can. Badcat has some nice pictures of the '262 up on their site. It looks even better than the first plane!

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:08 pm

Sorry for the double post, but the Nightfighter ME-262-B came today

Here's my very quick review before I run off to work. I don't have any pictures as of yet, but the pictures on BadCat's site for example should give you a pretty good idea of what the actual plane looks like!

This aircraft is very impressive, even moreso than the 21c ME-262-A1. The assembly is pretty much the same and the feel of the aircraft is heavy and solid. I still think 21c could have gotten by with making the wings and landing gear all one piece, as was done on the AT ME-262. It would make for much easier and less-risky assembly.

The basic moving features are all the same as the ME-262A, so I won't really go into those this time around. Basically all moving control surfaces, opening gun bays and the cockpit canopies. The cockpit detail is excellent, even in the radar operator's compartment. All instruments are painted The double opening canopies are a little stiff, so care must be used when opening them.

The figures are both largely identical - and the same pilot figure that came with the first ME-262. Although the faces are the same, the radar operator has colored eyebrows and a lighter skin complexion than the pilot, which has darker eyebrows and more of a tan. At least there's a little difference, however, I was hoping for a different headsculpt... However, there is one little difference between the figures that is of great importance. The radar operator comes with two sets of legs like the Vietnam figures! The first set are non articulated and moulded in a "scrunched up" position so that the figure can fit in the rear seat. Spare articulated legs are included in the bag of parts.

The paintscheme is the best part of the plane. The underside is flat black with the upperside being the two-tone gray cammo. The dark gray spray looks very realistic and is quite well done. A very close inspection of the paint reveals the little nicks and dings that 21c planes always seem to have, but unless you look really close, they are not nearly as noticable as on the ME-262A.

All in all, I am very pleased with this plane and would rate it as one of 21c's better aircraft in 1:18th scale. I'm eager to hear what the rest of you will think of this plane - you are going to like it

Fitzystigertank · Post by **Fitzystigertank** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:24 pm

i'll receive mine on the 21st

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:37 pm

I can't wait to get mine!!!!!!!!!!

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:39 am

Now that I've had the chance to enjoy mine a little, here's some pictures

MG-42 · Post by **MG-42** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:52 am

[+] > I'll pass ! *

Mitch v MG :p51:

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:34 am

Dude that is sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:47 am

Is it me or do those 2 drop tanks look like 2 nads hanging there.

If it is just me sorry guys

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:54 am

pickelhaube wrote:Is it me or do those 2 drop tanks look like 2 nads hanging there.
If it is just me sorry guys

I think it's just you.

Post by **aferguson** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm

the pilots are a couple of happy looking dudes......i guess they're as pleased about this plane as we are..

olifant · Post by **olifant** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 4:42 pm

Tman, thank you as always for selflessly taking the time to give us a review and post pictures immediately after you receive something. I appreciate it!

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:34 pm

Not a problem! The foremost goal of this discussion board is to spread information about the various aspects of our hobby (not alot of the other stuff that goes on around here) so toward that end, I'm more than happy to comply

STUKA · Post by **STUKA** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:03 pm

dragon53 wrote:STUKA:

Could you please share your secrets on HOW and WHERE you bought all but two of your planes for under $25?

If you bought them online (Badcat, Flyingmule, etc.) did you wait for a sale? If so, are there particular holidays, etc. for the sales?

just check badcat from time to time - picked up a STUKA and 262 at badcat -

tons of planes on clearance at WM over the years - i've posted my finds here on the forum in the pasy - last year picked up 8-9 Migs at 5.99 found the Avenger at $15

only planes I paid full price for:
BBI daisy June - thought they would be rare at first
SMOKE 102 - same reason

AlloySkull · Post by **AlloySkull** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:01 pm

"(not alot of the other stuff that goes on around here)"

Just because I enjoy talking about hats, girls and the occasional mention of how awesome my stereo is, doesn't mean I don't love 32x and XD. You've seen my collection. Not HUGE but it does have an impact on people when they walk in the room. Yes, I stray from time to time (okay, so MOST of the time) but it's only because I'd rather have opinions and thoughts from the guys who share my passion for toy planes than some woohoos from a forum dedicated to random crap.

By the way, great pics! I'd kill for the plane, but I'm trying to limit my 1:18 buying to post-war aircraft... Like F-104s, F-86s, MiGs, and ahem... F-4s!

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:04 am

I think this website was posted before, but here it is again...

It includes some excellent photos, descriptions, and other useful information tidbits of the only surviving ME-262B Nightfighter. The plane is from the same squadron as the 21c aircraft (10/NGJ11, or Kommando Welter) which was the only unit to operate the ME-262 nightfighter during the war. The plane is located in a museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. Enjoy

http://ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2002/ ... .htm#links

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:01 am

STUKA:

Thanks.

Two questions:
1. Do Badcat, Flyingmule, etc. have regularly-scheduled sales?
2. How long does the average BBI or 21st Century plane remain on the market before it's discontinued and replaced by a repaint or entirely new plane?

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:59 am

dragon53 wrote:Two questions:
1. Do Badcat, Flyingmule, etc. have regularly-scheduled sales?
2. How long does the average BBI or 21st Century plane remain on the market before it's discontinued and replaced by a repaint or entirely new plane?

Badcat, TheFlyingMule, etc. do have sales, but they are not entirely regular. The "regular" sales at Badcat tend to pop up around certain holidays. The less regular ones often seem to come about when the store needs to clear space for incoming items. The recent sales on the AT ME-262 and the 21c ME-262 are examples of that.

The shelf life of the average BBI or 21c plane really depends on a number of factors, price, popularity, the numbers produced, etc. The average planes seem to last 2-3 years at the most at small retailers. If the item is popular, it will sell quickly at the outset, but will likely be restocked and then languish. Other aircraft are more constant in their sales. Some items (the 21c FW-190D and BBI Zero come to mind) sat around for months, were the subject of clearance sales, then all but disappeared right when many collectors wanted them.

Here is a link to an entry on Badcat's blog "Pop & Legs for Military Toy Retailers" that might give you some indication of why certain items sell and others get discounted:
http://www.talesofthecat.com/journal/?currentPage=12

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:53 pm

TMANTHEGREAT:

Thanks for the info.

Another question: What holidays are Badcat, Flyingmule, etc. most likely to have sales?

uksubs · Post by **uksubs** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:01 pm

Check out the real thing

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4SOxJbuQyZs

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:27 pm

dragon53 wrote:TMANTHEGREAT:

Thanks for the info.

Another question: What holidays are Badcat, Flyingmule, etc. most likely to have sales?

Not a problem! Sales often seem to happen around the Christmas Holiday season, and then at least Badcat will have sales (of sorts) around the patriotic holidays. You really just have to check the website periodically, as well as this board, as often one member or another will mention if a retailer is having a sale. Then, the sales themselves will not usually be on every item, but on selected items.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:17 pm

TMANTHEGREAT:

Thanks. It looks like it's going to be a long wait....I think the next patriotic holiday is Memorial Day in May.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

21st Century ME262 Nightfighter anticipation.....

[+] Me-262 Nachtjäger [+]