Small Scale Military Headquarters

Damn!, I've been bitten by the Aircraft bug. I started just wanting a couple of German Aircraft, to flesh-out my dios, then, I felt I needed a P-51 to chase down my Bf-109. Now, I want some Pacific theater aircraft. Which models best represent the war for the Pacific? I don't want to get everything just a couple of the more iconic aircraft.

Hellcat and/or Corsair.

BBI 1/18 Hellcat (either one)
BBI F4U Corsair "Daisy June"
JSI P-38 "Putt Putt Maru"
21st Century P-51 Mustang "Flying Undertaker"
21st Century P-40 "Flying Tigers"

I like the hellmouth Hellcat and the Sakai Zero - great stories behind each.

Yup, consider going for a duel combo. Definitely a Zero and either the Corsair or Hellcat. I have all the above examples by BBi and they are great. I love the under carriage work on the Zero.

I have both the Catmouth Hellcat and Zero. They're both EXCELLENT models.

You can buy the 1st edition (green) Zero at SmallJoes for a very decent price ($44.95). (And to think people here insist that the era of $40-50 1/18 scale aircraft is dead'n'gone ).

King O' Fools wrote:You can buy the 1st edition (green) Zero at SmallJoes for a very decent price ($44.95). (And to think people here insist that the era of $40-50 1/18 scale aircraft is dead'n'gone ).

^^^^ What KoF said,
Got both my Hellcat and Zero from Smalljoes

All those fighters mentioned are cool. The BBI Corsair seems to be the best made fighter.
Too bad the Bunker Hill Avenger TBF Torpedo Bomber is really hard to get.
That would be my recomendation.

You can still get the Atlantic TBF fairly cheap. You won't be sorry. It's just simply huge and well detailed. Don't mess with the folding wings too much or glue them open. Of course the BBI Hellcat has this minor flaw too. Haven't heard too many complaints about the BBI corsair's folding wings.

Soon the JSI Lucibell will be available. The paint is suppose to be an excellent Pacific scheme, like the first release so that's an option too.

Bunker Hill Avenger. You'll love it.

Historic Aviation had the BBI Hellcat for under $30. That combined with a BBi Zero and you will things pretty well covered. Of course any of teh Corsairs are nice.

Pa Deuce you are doomed. The road to addiction always starts with just one.

Me, I like the corsairs but I'm biased.

I got to get one of those new Pappy's Corsair when they get to the US next month. Missed the first run, but don't want to miss the second.

catmouth for sure

let's not forget the flying tiger p-40, a classic. Techinically CBI not Pacific but close enough..

AGREED!

NWarty wrote:I have both the Catmouth Hellcat and Zero. They're both EXCELLENT models.

beg your pardon, catmouth hellcat

Huh?

Well, I've always called it the "Catmouth" Hellcat.

You say Potato.

Plug in catmouth and hellcat into google and see what ya get Not sayin' it's right, I'm just sayin'

NWarty wrote:I've called it that since I was 11 years old in 1986 after my father bought Rikyu Watanabe's "Great Book of WWII Airplanes".

You say Potato.

plug in catmouth and hellcat into google and see what ya get Not sayin' it's right, I'm just sayin'

No it's universally known as catmouth, without even looking. But hey, I bought that same book when I was a kid with lawn mowing money - about the same age you were then. I loved that fold out of the Hellcat, not to mention that huge four fold B-17 profile. Still have that volume in like new condition - what a brick though.

My apologies Pa, didn't know what you were saying.

My sister bought my father a like-new copy a couple of years ago for Christmas from Amazon. Cost her an arm and a leg though. His first copy was lost when our basement flooded in the early 90's.

I spent HOURS drawing those aircraft profiles. Probably my favorite aviation book of all time.

A zero is almost a must as it's the only PTO adversary made, and I'd go with a Sakai zero, a PH is cool but expensive, the first release green scheme is incorrect as from the rear greenhouse back should be a diff shade of green and also they failed to put the white diagonal stripes on the wings (21st got it right on their 32xw version), the Koniouke scheme was attached to a training wing, so to me Sakai's is the most accurate with some great history. If I had to choose one of the Allied planes though I'd go for a Boyington Corsair...imagine that. Colorful fella and helluva pilot.

On the 40-50 dollar aircraft I don't think that's the argument for "past" releases....future releases is what I'd say everyone is referring to. I have found no new releases in the 40-50 range.

NWarty wrote:My apologies Pa, didn't know what you were saying.

yeah.. nah, I was calling it hellmouth before - was saying you had it right

NWarty wrote:My sister bought my father a like-new copy a couple of years ago for Christmas from Amazon. Cost her an arm and a leg though. His first copy was lost when our basement flooded in the early 90's.

I spent HOURS drawing those aircraft profiles. Probably my favorite aviation book of all time.

I recently got the updated modern aircraft 2nd volume - it's... pretty good but not like volume 1.

Well, I decided on the BBI Hellcat and Green Zero. I know the white paint scheme on the Zero is reflects the more iconic image, but I find the Green paint scheme more interesting.

the green zero will go better with the hellcat as well. In 43 the japanese navy started painting and repainting it's fighters in dark green and that was the same time the hellcat was entering service.

I think you'll find pacific aircraft addictive. You really ought to get a corsair and an avenger eventually.

The last few weeks i've developed a keen interest in the pacific war. It's an aspect of wwii i've only ever had a passing interest in but i'm finding now that it's like a breath of fresh air and i am learning many interesting things about it.

The last few weeks i've developed a keen interest in the pacific war. It's an aspect of wwii i've only ever had a passing interest in but i'm finding now that it's like a breath of fresh air and i am learning many interesting things about it.

Yes, it's sparked a renewed interest for me as well. I started making Pacific custom Marines and Japanese. I've been trying to find asian heads for my 1:18 Imperial Marines, but there is a very limited selection out there.