Small Scale Military Headquarters

Is the Smoke II in WMs? If so have they hit all over? I know everyone is focused on the Avenger right now but I was just wondering. Thanks.

While no Avengers have gotten to my area, a couple "Smoke II" F-104s mysteriously did...

They aparently came as a case with 2 retooled P-51s (the first I've seen at a Wal Mart in my area.) Here's the odd part: The P-51s were the "Flying Undertaker" version and the "Smoke II" F-104s came in the special box for the German "Marinefleiger" F-104

Amidst all the Avengermania, I haven't heard any other reports of the "Smoke IIs" elsewhere, but I know for certain what I saw. I have a "Flying Undertaker" P-51 (so I can ID that) and the German F-104 (of which I have one as well) does not come in green & brown cammo, say USAF on the tail, and have a pilot with an American flag helmet

There has been one report of a find at Wally, but BadCat had been advertising these as "exclusive to BCT". Makes me wonder if 21st is pulling another "Avenger" and favoring Wally over the small dealers.

or maybe Tman experienced a slight trip into The Twilight Zone

Morian Miner wrote:or maybe Tman experienced a slight trip into The Twilight Zone

Nope, I know what I saw! It was strange though. I guess 21c could potentially get the wrong plane in the wrong box. The parts for the F-104 were all in there, down to the flag-painted helmet for the pilot. I once got a factory sealed 32x FW-190 in a 32x P-47 box, so this sort of mixup can happen

Can anyone confirm the Smoke II came in anything BUT the German box? I saw one like that on ebay but cannot find the listing.
And Smoke II was never an absolute BCT exclusive - they got first dibs and that is why they had it before any other small retailers. To their credit they have been selling them on ebay for less than what they go for at WM.

I can also confirm seeing F-104 Smoke II's in WM inside German Marine boxes. I can also confirm seeing it in cases that included the flying undertaker P-51's

My advice is to look at all the german F-104 boxes from this point forward if you are looking for a Smoke II

My Smoke II came from BCT in the German box...

Thanks everyone, goodluck with the Avenger. I found my Avenger last night in Colorado thanks to a report on this site. Colorado never gets new items this fast. I'll have to start checking the German F-104 boxes a lot closer.

I had the same experience as Gunner.

While I was looking for Avengers, I did notice one Walmart had two new German F-104s. I didn't look to see if they were the Smoke II version. If I would have seen that, it would have come home with me.

I can also confirm seeing F-104 Smoke II's in WM inside German Marine boxes. I can also confirm seeing it in cases that included the flying undertaker P-51's

My advice is to look at all the german F-104 boxes from this point forward if you are looking for a Smoke II

I wonder if 21C just had an excess of German 104 boxes that they decided to use up rather than toss out, or if this is indeed a bonafide mistake?? If it is the latter, it could make these Smoke II / German box examples something of a rarity no?? Don't know how this works in the world of models, but as a coin collector I can tell you that mint "mistakes" often become quite valuable comparitively speaking.

Glad others are reporting that the "Smoke II" F-104s are coming in German F-104 boxes. I thought everyone would think I was crazy... The fact that they are in those boxes is almost comical, especially since the F-104 isn't the G variant, but the C, and the product description on the back is for the Marinefleiger The Average WM customer won't really know the difference.

I wonder if 21C just had an excess of German 104 boxes that they decided to use up rather than toss out, or if this is indeed a bonafide mistake?? If it is the latter, it could make these Smoke II / German box examples something of a rarity no??

Since they are all packaged like that I wouldn't think too much of it. A collectible might be one you find in a standard box.

The Average WM customer won't really know the difference.

But the ones who buy these planes might. Afterall, if it is what you collect you would know if what is in the package matches what is described. Even if it is not what you collect I think it is pretty clear that the contents don't match the pics on the box.

Just checked my local WalMart and the two German 104 boxes, have German 104's in them.
JOC

I actually found a Smoke II at WM. It was in the German Scheme packaging. I guess I lucked out. $39.99

Smoke II was in a big rush to meet retailer order requirements. China got way ahead of themselves and they ended up in German Boxes! Nobody knew for sure that this was the case until just recently.

If you want a Smoke II you gotta check the German boxes. It's kinda like an easter egg hunt! Hey to those factories an F-104 is an F-104 just pack em up and ship em! Who cares! I am just going to open it up anyway! I know Teakski recently got in the mood to throw out old boxes!

Smoke II sure is a sweet looking F-104. Nice job on the paint work 21st Century.

Just checked the closest WM to me during lunch and found two F-104 Smoke II's inside German Marine boxes. I agree that in time this could be a rarity for collectors in the long run.

warhawker wrote:Just checked the closest WM to me during lunch and found two F-104 Smoke II's inside German Marine boxes. I agree that in time this could be a rarity for collectors in the long run.

If they are all in German boxes (as they are at the moment) how would it be rare?

I agree with digger on this point. Anyone remember the ultra rare first time in Wal Mart stores Corsair? Well I have one and it isn’t worth anymore than the others in the original boxes.

I thought that I saw a comment on a confirmation that they were also in other boxes as well? One of the definitions of rarity is denoted to have an object/item in a low numbers of abundance or unusual. That is all I meant.

I hear you. I think they have only been spotted in the German boxes so far, even those coming from BCA.

Well, it will be a real chuckle fest if the rarities turn out to be ones in correct boxes...

I don't think there will be a rare version... At this time it is 99.99% certain that all of the Smoke II birds have shipped in the German SE boxes.