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Website · Post by **Teamski** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:05 pm

tmanthegreat wrote:Sorry about that Aferg, I'm just very, very annoyed! I know its completely the Wal Mart distribution system, but until now I had not been all that unhappy with it as the stores in my area got the new items when they showed up in other parts of my state or the west coast. This time, they're not and its far too coveted of a release to let pass by.

Hopefully one of the trustworthy boardmembers that found 8 of these on the eastern seaboard can send you one, since I think you may be worse off in Canada

Just ask, Andrew!! I know you want to....

-Ski

tkjaer21 · Post by **tkjaer21** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:35 pm

-Ski, nice pics man. Great job! What is the name of the reference plane book next to the Avenger?

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 6:42 pm

tkjaer21 wrote:-Ski, nice pics man. Great job! What is the name of the reference plane book next to the Avenger?

Thanks!

The book you are asking about is this one. It is part of a 3 book series and is a really, really good book for it's size. I had the series over in the UK and sold them like an idiot. I was able to find them again in the US at a half-priced book store for $8 each..... Worth picking up.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/078581 ... 46?ie=UTF8

The other 2 in the series are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/078581 ... F8&s=books

And...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/185152 ... F8&s=books

-Ski

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:08 pm

Ski - thanks for the great close-up photos! Looks like a great model - I wasn't too interested in buying one but now I'm sorry I can't even FIND one to look at!! Maybe some of the other versions will find their way here...

Tinman · Post by **Tinman** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:25 pm

Had a chance to check two WMs today, Auburn and Waterloo NY. No Avengers. I'm adopting a patient attitude this time. We're going to see mutiple repaints over several months, so one way or another we'll all get what we want.

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:43 pm

just how bad is the wing sag, Ski? Is it sagging at the hinge?

Flytiger · Post by **Flytiger** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:48 pm

Being wary of plastic hinges on a complex wing hinge with an already bad reputation, I'm reluctant to experiment with somehow "locking" the wings in to the folded position, at least in part because I won't be displaying it that way. The photos in the instructions simply don't match up with what I now have.

But the only real serious annoyance is the oft-mentioned screw hole thing - as it sits, this is a wall/surface display-only aircraft; hanging in a simulated flight position that is mostly viewed from below is, well, let's just say visually tacky - there are far too many little phillips head screws in view.

But some of the things they really got right are the engine and prop hub(we can get decals for the prop if need be) - but the shaft looseness on mine can actually lead to contact with the cowling surface.

Minor things on the punch-list:

You're going to find the ball turret/canopy/fuselage alignment comes out a bit off on the starboard side. The pictures from the other owners demonstrate this. Not something you can adjust but hard to detect unless you get up close and handle it.

The tail hook is nothing like the real one, although you have to give them credit for not putting something as fragile as the real one into a toy.

The bay doors are another compromise - they're not bi-fold, but I can't imagine the expense in making such things workable and especially durable on a "toy" model under $500. Still, if you're going to display it with the doors open for any reason and are into serious authenticity, a bit of custom cutting and hinging will be required.

From my understanding and the books on the shelves, a large number of the Avengers had machine guns in the wings. Not all the airshow birds do simply from a replica cost standpoint and various parts issues. One might assume the role being played by the sub-hunter Atlantic birds didn't anticipate machine guns but I'd have to do more research to confirm that.

All in all, it's a striking example of model production for collectors who are willing to display a fine and very-large piece of history and not go over it with a magnifying glass.

Reseller/collectors will find they need another size box for shipping, and the bird is at least as heavy as the P-38.

$70 at Wallyworld is damn well worth it IMHO, but I'm hoping 21st offers after-market plugs for the screw holes.

Sgt. Fury · Post by **Sgt. Fury** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:11 pm

I could not wait. I left work early and took the usual 2-1/2 hour drive to Virginia Beach. Today it took six. On the way down I stopped at five Wal*Marts. All were restocking with pallets of boxes everywhere (Does WM pay-off Fire Departments or what?). Stukas, Corsairs and Mutts...Oh my! My adrenalin pumped each time I approached the toy aisles. My depression grew each time I left the toy aisles, but I knew I was heading to an area where they had been sighted. I decided to check a WM where it was reported they had not appeared, my last hope before reaching that last WM where they were spotted...a week ago.
Greenbriar WM in Chesapeake VA. Somehow I knew I would find my Avenger. The first turn past the cosmetic counter and down four aisles to the toys...remember to look up. I did.
TBF-1 Avengers on the top shelf caught my eye like a billboard flooded in high beam headlights around a blind turn. This is what collecting is all about...SAR.
Scored my two. I am...happy.

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:24 pm

Sgt. Fury wrote:I could not wait. I left work early and took the usual 2-1/2 hour drive to Virginia Beach. Today it took six. On the way down I stopped at five Wal*Marts. All were restocking with pallets of boxes everywhere (Does WM pay-off Fire Departments or what?). Stukas, Corsairs and Mutts...Oh my! My adrenalin pumped each time I approached the toy aisles. My depression grew each time I left the toy aisles, but I knew I was heading to an area where they had been sighted. I decided to check a WM where it was reported they had not appeared, my last hope before reaching that last WM where they were spotted...a week ago.
Greenbriar WM in Chesapeake VA. Somehow I knew I would find my Avenger. The first turn past the cosmetic counter and down four aisles to the toys...remember to look up. I did.
TBF-1 Avengers on the top shelf caught my eye like a billboard flooded in high beam headlights around a blind turn. This is what collecting is all about...SAR.
Scored my two. I am...happy.

Yay! Good for you...... I know how you feel. I think we all do, really.

-Ski

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:11 pm

Okay, can someone post a picture of the Bunker Hill Avenger Bad Cat was supposed to have? A buddy of mine is looking for the Dogfight set, and came across the Atlantic Avenger just now. But, he says that the Avenger he saw yesterday was a different paint scheme - more blue - but it wasn't the Flight 19. I'm wondering if the Bunker Hills are now showing. If so, just pain for everyone out hunting.

Post by **aferguson** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:15 pm

are you sure he didn't see a Corsair instead?

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:08 pm

No, the man may not know the paint schemes (same here), but he knows what plane he was looking at. I now wish I had went to the Walmart he had went to earlier.

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:30 pm

I don't have the BCA picture... but the plane should have a two-tone blue coloration on the top and sides, with the underside being white. There's a yellow engine cowling and an arrow design on the tail and wing. Pretty much like this picture of a kit model of an Avenger stationed on the Bunker Hill:

The 21c BH Corsair also has a similar coloration, save that it is all dark blue.

Morian Miner · Post by **Morian Miner** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:03 am

Got a few emails back from him, and he's positive it wasn't the Atlantic, and wasn't the Flight 19. Haven't heard back about Tman's picture.

For anyone in Tucson, the Atlantic Avengers were at the Cortaro Farms Walmart, and the "mystery" plane was at the Valenica/I19 Walmart.

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:24 am

Morian Miner wrote:Got a few emails back from him, and he's positive it wasn't the Atlantic, and wasn't the Flight 19. Haven't heard back about Tman's picture.

For anyone in Tucson, the Atlantic Avengers were at the Cortaro Farms Walmart, and the "mystery" plane was at the Valenica/I19 Walmart.

If this is the case, then that is quite the development!

-Ski

pen07311 · Post by **pen07311** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:03 am

The WalMart in Blue Springs, Missouri (I-70 and Adams Diary Parkway) has half a dozen Averngers out on the shelf.

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:54 am

pen07311 wrote:The WalMart in Blue Springs, Missouri (I-70 and Adams Diary Parkway) has half a dozen Averngers out on the shelf.

Welcome to the board! Thanks for the intel.

-Ski

kevrut · Post by **kevrut** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:40 am

Wouldn't that be great if they released 2 paints schemes this month?

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:56 am

well, there is certainly a buzz about this Avenger release. It already has had more posts about it than any other aircraft release ever and it's only been out for a few days now.

I have a feeling this puppy is going to do really well for 21c...

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:17 am

A comparison shot.......

-Ski

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:16 am

Well at least its not as long as the F-18, bu the wingspan...

That will be one difficult plane for me to store!

Post by **aferguson** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:19 am

do you really need a bed? Could you sleep in a chair perhaps?

kevrut · Post by **kevrut** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:54 am

I was going to post this last night. A little bit bigger than the P-38.

scbvideoboy · Post by **scbvideoboy** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 8:58 am

tmanthegreat wrote:Well at least its not as long as the F-18, bu the wingspan... That will be one difficult plane for me to store!

That's why the wingy thingys fold back. hehe. 21C spent a lot of development on those hinges, so they want you to use them.

DH

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:30 am

aferguson wrote:just how bad is the wing sag, Ski? Is it sagging at the hinge?

It doesn't sag that much. The hinge is absolutely tight with a firm lock, so it's not an engineering problem. You have approx 16" unsupported length to deal with on each wing, so there isn't a workaround. We're talking heavy plastic, not light aluminum, hehehehe. It doesn't detract from the look at all, not like the S1 P-51.....

Nice pics Kevrut!

-Ski

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