Over in Japan they are selling an honest to God 1/18 scale F-14. It's sounds huge, costs almost 300 dollars and shipping would probably cost a ton but hey someone finally made one. Hope it's not fake like F-4, Mig 21, so on...

Here the translated page:
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bigthunder.jp%2Fproduct_shousai.asp%3Fno%3Dd1028006s&lp=ja_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

Discussing it here:
http://www.warbird-photos.com/gpxd/viewtopic.php?t=14500

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Tempting, but as a limited item at 1000 units, that rascal is going to end up way more than $300. Although, I suppose it's possible that they'll offer the thing again with different squadron markings...if I interpret the article correctly.

Again, tempting...

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Don't get too excited, there is next to no information this other then a 300$ price point and a limited run, pre-orders were cancelled and then allowed. Owner of the shop won't speak of the company making it.


It's too fishy to even pay attention to, untill more details surface.

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The F-14 is the only 1/18 scale aircraft left that I would ever consider buying. But since this is at least $300 (likely much more) I'm not going to bother. I was hoping that BBI or 21st Century would put one out that I could afford. I'm still puzzled as to why they would go make something like the F-104 Starfighter but not make an F-14.

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Because the size of the F-104 allows them to hit the desired price point of the retailers they hope to sell to better than a honkin' big F-14 would.

Take the BBI F/A-18, for instance. I never saw one (or the F-16) in a big-box retailer (though some folks said their TRUs had them). Given the lack of retail support for that product, I don't see a 1:18 F-14 getting out beyond specialty stores (hobby shops) and/or online. Frankly, I'm still surprised the F/A-18 and F-16 made it into production at all.

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I can see why the F-14 wouldn't get made, but i can't see why the 104 did.

It's biggest claims to fame are A: It's a death trap and B: Erich Hartmann called a spade a spade on it.


This is why 21st is in trouble, odd choices.

But getting online from a dealer in the US is okay with me. That is how I got the F-16 and both F-18s I own (from Smalljoes). They are a specialty item and I wouldn't expect too many retailers to be willing to make the commitment and stock them.

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Online is fine with me, too (got mine the same way, though through Ebay). Problem is, it's hard for a company to justify devoting the resources to develop and bring to market a product like that if big-box retailers aren't going to order them. It's a money-loser these days unless they get involved.

Hard to say why 21st chose it, other than size, and the fact that it fit into their Vietnam-era sub-line for 1:18. Personally, I love mine. Loved the design as a kid, and its part in The Right Stuff helped keep its popularity up there for me.

I agree, though, they make some very weird product choices. You'd have thought they'd have been making umpteen different variants off of that 1:18 Panzer III/IV chassis...I know I'd have been snapping those up as soon as they hit the shelves. Instead we got, what, one? I think the most infuriating thing about 21st, though, is their never-ending "We're definitely going to make this" line when showing protos. The lack of A-10, F-4, MiG-21, and B-25 still leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth.

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Personally, I think modern stuff would do better.
Give me an F-35 JSF.

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Personally i think they would have been better suited doing a Huey Cobra for the Vietnam line, even though they hadn't done Vietnam for years at the time. Jets are tricky, because after Korea they get exponentially larger than WWII fighter aircraft, so doing one that will actually make money is a risky venture. I agree that their big talk is bad, but i never expected to see any of those, especially the Mitchell. I think them cock-blocking Admiral is bad medicine and if they sink it may be poetic justice.

Other bad decisions are: TBF Avenger, and even though it's a superior plane and better-looking, they probably should have done an A Model FW-190 as opposed to the Dora, the R/C armor, the M16 gun carriage, plus that un-towable quad .50 trailer....


Now the economy is "LASER BLAST" and if any 1:18 survives it'll be a loooong time before we get something new (not a repaint).