Corgi 1:72 Predator Series

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:14 pm

I saw that some of the new aircraft from the Corgi predator series are up for sale at theflyingmule.com! They look great. However, what's up with the omission of the pilot figures? For me, the fact that Corgi put pilots and crews in their planes always kept them a step above the competition, but now that they've omitted them...

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:12 pm

The Predator series is actually made by Hobby Master (reboxed in Corgi packaging) which is just now putting pilots in their planes, so many including the new series don't have pilots..

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:35 am

Are you sure on that? I would have thought Corgi would have made these seperately, as Hobbymaster also supposedly has 1:72 Avengers coming out this month as well. Then again, I've seen XD Spitfires, Stukas, and P-40s repackaged and sold by Corgi, so them borrowing Hobbymaster planes would certainly be plausable!

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:46 am

tmanthegreat wrote:Are you sure on that? I would have thought Corgi would have made these seperately, as Hobbymaster also supposedly has 1:72 Avengers coming out this month as well. Then again, I've seen XD Spitfires, Stukas, and P-40s repackaged and sold by Corgi, so them borrowing Hobbymaster planes would certainly be plausable!

Yeah, I'm sure.. I mostly collect 1/72 scale and on my home forum, that is the primary scale discussed there..
When Corgi first announced they were "making" this line in partnership with Hobbymaster, there was a bunch of hoooplah about it, now not so much other than the rumor that Corgi and HM are parting ways after only the first series..

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:58 am

Fun. So now I can get a Hobbymaster Avenger before the actual Hobbymaster product is out

I thought the pictures of the Corgi and HM planes looked very similar!

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:59 pm

tmanthegreat wrote:Fun. So now I can get a Hobbymaster Avenger before the actual Hobbymaster product is out I thought the pictures of the Corgi and HM planes looked very similar!

Some retailers already have the George Bush Avenger in stock..
flyingmule.com had them, but is SOLD OUT..
Petes collectibles is still showing some in stock, but a limited amount..

http://www.petescollectibles.com/Corgi.asp

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:39 pm

I ordered the Bush Avenger from theflyingmule on Wednesday

It looks better than the IXO Avenger, which I also have. I thought for a while as whether or not to get the Corgi or Hobbymaster version and decided to get the Corgi, figures or not. Funny they are both going to be essentailly the same plane!

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:56 pm

tmanthegreat wrote:I ordered the Bush Avenger from theflyingmule on Wednesday It looks better than the IXO Avenger, which I also have. I thought for a while as whether or not to get the Corgi or Hobbymaster version and decided to get the Corgi, figures or not. Funny they are both going to be essentailly the same plane!

Kinda weird.... I don't know how that will work out for either company, but it probably won't be that good, unless there is that much demand for them..

BTW Tristan, If you are into 1/72 you should go join the modelhangar.. A great bunch of guys that talk small scale aircraft and I great forum too!!

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:29 pm

I think this should be called the "Hworth18 & Tmanthegreat" thread

Anyways, I got the Corgi/HM Predator series "Bush" Avenger today. Having only the IXO 1:72 Avenger to compare it with, I must say that I am pleased, even if there are no figures. The plane is a little lighter in weight than the IXO Avenger, but has much sturdier landing gear that are properly detailed. The antennas are much stronger and come pre-attached, save for the radio mast over the cockpit, which must be inserted into the canopy. The cockpit detail is better than the IXO Avenger, though still not quite what it could have been. The turret does not turn. The canopy is much better detailed. The bombay can also be displayed, via seperate pieces, as opened or closed and the bombay interior has been painted OD Green. The best part of the plane is all the ordinance: 4 bombs, a torpedo, and rockets! The panel detailing is also on the wings and fuselage is also crisp, though they are not highlighted as on the IXO plane.

All in all I give this a 7 out of ten - it looses points in my book for being a Corgi plane and not having figures, but is a better display piece than the IXO bird.

Still, I am quite spoiled by the 21c 1:18 Avenger, so much so that when I look at a 1:72 version plane, I ask myself where are the folding wings and moving turret assembly? That large plane is in a league of its own

hworth18 · Post by **hworth18** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:31 pm

tmanthegreat wrote:I think this should be called the "Hworth18 & Tmanthegreat" thread

Nothing wrong with that is there??

I will say this, I only have one Predator plane so far (Bell Dauntless) and I will probably buy more, but I do wished they would include pilots..
My 1/72 collection is over 200 planes, with about half being my favorite brand, Corgi.... Also, The new Gemini Aces offerings are exceptional and I highly recommend looking at them if you get a chance..