Recent years has seen the roll of companies producing diecast aircraft shrink significantly; gone are the likes of Eagles International, GMP, Franklin Mint, Carousel 1, and others, while companies like Dragon and Witty appear to have curtailed their operations significantly. Thus, it's certainly encouraging when any new entrant enters the field, and doubly so when the entrant seems intent on trying their hand at more esoteric subjects such as, in this case, Falcon Models T-33A.
Falcon certainly deserves full marks for subject choice here. As a fan of the unique schemes of the Korean war, I couldn't be happier, even if I found the particular scheme to be somewhat unaesthetic.
Unfortunately, the model itself is overpriced and below average qualitywise.
- Panel line depth is inconsistent; on the tail it has the 'soft' feel that we've come to associate with particularly bad moulds.
- Parts quality is questonable - mine came with a main gear broken in two places.
- Quality is questionable - mine came with a major flaw on the fuselage below the canopy.
- Overall quality is less than ideal. Poor canopy fit, poor detail in various places (including in front of the front instrument panel)
- The livery is oddly applied. I can't quite place it, but it looks artificial and toy-like.
I hope Falcon Models continues to improve and do better. I *will* buy their two upcoming blue angels releases (to further complete that series) and I'd kill for a grey-colored TV-2 (USN version of the T-33), which I think is safe to say is in the pipeline, as, frankly, the T-33 only has so many liveries. Wow - that will leave me with three versions of this overpriced and, by my own admission, poor model. I must be an addict.
