Small Scale Military Headquarters

Four Japanese fighters, including the much desired Tojo:

A group of WW2 Soviet planes, including several fighters and a SU-2 attacker:

Three more Italian WW2 birds---a Breda 65 attacker and a MC-200 and Fiat G.50:

Moving up to WW2, here are three 1:100th scale Reggiane fighters--the RE-2000, 2002 and 2005:

I make it a point to scour the net as well as other sources, to find unusual subjects in diecast and I'm not fixated on any particular scale---so long as the result is a reasonably detailed model that's big enough to be worth displaying. This penchant, inevitably, leads me to the mass produced subsc...

That's right, AF. I thought about it but the models were just too "basic" to be worth a code 3 effort.

I bought a few a long time ago, AF, but they were not only toyish---especially the wheels----but also had really weird paint "schemes" and markings. As I recall, some of the U.S. planes had German crosses, for example. I deep- sixed my small Boley collection about five years ago.

These are more of the GE Fabbri series, AF. I have the Ansaldo and it's a nice model for the price.

As I recall, the Altaya test also included a reworked version of the Fiat CR.42 from its old series. I hope I'm correct. At any rate, I'm keeping a watchful eye out for it.

The WW2 types to be released by Oxford are all based on the rather generic Atlas Editions toolings that Oxford managed for them. I doubt whether Oxford will go to the trouble of modifying any of thesemodels to make them more accurate relative to the schemes utilized. As AF noted, the Gladiator with ...

Nice build, cnq Good to see that chipping----very realistic.

Is there a US Distributor for Hachette? I bought a couple while in Japan, I really like my mottle schemed Zero and Green Cross Betty. I noticed while there they also did ships, trains, and other things too boxed like the aircraft are. There is no U.S. distributor. These are showing up now on eBay v...

Snake, the 1:87th scale is not unusual for part work lines and it is really a way for them to save money. Also, Japanese collectors tend to be short on display space so this, too, is probably a factor. As for Hachette branching out into non-Japanese subjects, while I, also, don't need any more Spitf...

And here's a picture of the BF-109G-6 that just appeared on Hachette's website:

It appears that Hachette will expand its all-Japanese diecast series to include American, British and German fighters like the BF-109, FW-190, P-38, P-47, Spitfire, etc. The single engine fighters will all be in the 1:87th scale but the twins---like the P-38 and ME-262 may be slightly smaller. Here'...

As there doesn't seem to be a useful picture of the actual scheme in this case it is possible that it was originally a sand over light blue-gray bird that got supplemental squiggles and blotches for anti-ship torpedo bombing roles. Also, there is an artist's rendition that looks like the Corgi model...

One of the interesting aspects of night bombing was the British experience with the camouflage on RAF bombers. At first, only the undersides were painted matte black but soon, this was extended up the fuselage sides. Still, the planes appeared conspicuous from the ground when searchlights sought the...

While I agree with you, AF, about the general ineffectiveness of many "camouflage" schemes, we must remember that we are looking at this in hindsight. At the time, there was a widespread belief that the various schemes did protect the aircraft from being observed and/or identified while on the groun...

Some comments, guys. Regarding camouflage on aircraft----especially WW2------AF is right when he says that if often made little difference when the planes were in the air. However, it did make a difference when they were on the ground and likely to be attacked by enemy planes----if they could see th...

Nice job on that Rufe, cnq.

As I recall, it was the Brits who developed the gray over white scheme after much experimenting showed that it was the most effective camouflage when seen from a ship looking up at an angle. The actual scheme, which is never followed by diecast factories, called for gull gray----or dark sea gray, pl...

SBDs participated in "Operation Torch" ----the invasion of North Africa----and were useful in suppressing the Vichy air bases which launched numerous attacks on our ships and landing forces for several days. Aside from that they were mainly employed in anti-sub work with nothing spectacular to repor...

And "The Enemy", also all-diecast:

Here's a picture of my diecast-only Spanish Republican squadron with the new I-15 front and center:

The new and dirtier underside: