Small Scale Military Headquarters

Let's take nominations for the "off-the-beaten-path" award for 1:18 military. Sure, none of our collections would be complete without those Mustangs, Shermans, Tigers, or Humvees. But for what items did the manufacturer break with convention and make something decidedly different? Items that keep things original, and keep the sighs of "oh, no, not another..." at bay.

I propose nominations in three categories: Figures, Ground Vehicles, and Aircraft.

Here are mine to kick things off:

Figures: 21C Eastern Warriors - nobody else dared to do the subject matter!

Ground: Maisto Vespa scooter w/recoiless rifle. I didn't even know such a thing existed 'til they made it! I think this is the most original 1:18 item, period.

Aircraft: Pegasus V-1. Very much off-the-beaten-path as aircraft go (if it can fairly be called one).

I agree on the eastern warrior and the Vespa, but not so much on the V-1.


The F-104 was more of a head-scratcher than than the V-1.

Ok how about the 16 figure Schutzstaffel or SS set. You want to talk about off the beaten path ? I think this one's up there.

The unexpected (and for some undesired) Quad .50 trailer.

phil

2 seater 262 imo for aircraft, most that think of the 262 don't usually associate it as a 2 seater. Agree with em on the quad trailer, and also agree the SS set for figs which took balls btw in our lovely pc society.

The quad 50 trailer and the F-104 and all the repaints were certainly unusual choices.

For 1:18 scale,non custom "aircraft",my vote is for the V-1.

normandy wrote:Ok how about the 16 figure Schutzstaffel or SS set. You want to talk about off the beaten path ? I think this one's up there.

Yup

On the figures I have to agree on the SS set. I'm glad I got one.

I'll have to agree on the Quad 50 too.

Aircraft, somehow though it's obscure the V1 I just don't think qualifies completely as an aircraft, but more of a rocket weapon IMO.

I'm going to say the TBF Avenger.
The 262 Night Fighter with radar is close though if not more so. A toss up.

Can you imagine if 21st decided to issue the 1:32 Macchi 202 Folgore in 1:18 scale? Talk about obscure. Took some cahones to do that one. Beautiful fighter though.

Dauntless wrote:On the figures I have to agree on the SS set. I'm glad I got one.

I'll have to agree on the Quad 50 too.

Aircraft, somehow though it's obscure the V1 I just don't think qualifies completely as an aircraft, but more of a rocket weapon IMO.

I'm going to say the TBF Avenger.
The 262 Night Fighter with radar is close though if not more so. A toss up.

Can you imagine if 21st decided to issue the 1:32 Macchi 202 Folgore in 1:18 scale? Talk about obscure. Took some cahones to do that one. Beautiful fighter though.

Wow - I completely forgot about the SS set! That really did take guts for them to do that one. For all of 21Cs probs, that's what I did love about them - the willingness to try some unique stuff like that and the F-104 and the Walker Bulldog and Avenger. They really went all out doing those last two as well - almost makes me wonder why they didn't put as much detail into some of the other more classic items. And a Macchi would have been glorious in 1:18.

That is a good point, I love my Starfighters. I would never have suggested producing them and it wasn't probably a good return on their investment but they are really cool.

21C has a bunch of these - no way anybody else would have made Japanese soldiers. 6 different ones to boot. Pioneerpanzerwagon?

BBI LAV had so much potential but just didn't cut it for a number of reasons..

for figures:
SS set
Vehicles - the quad did make sense - something that could be boxed for WWII, Vietnam, and Korea. Plus we had been asking for items to tow behind our half tracks - 21st was listening to us and probably decided quads would sell best

my choice for vehicle is the Sd. Kfz 251/7 Hanomag Pioneerpanzerwagen
I love it and glad we have it but its not a halftrack you see in everyday WWII photographs

but i love what they did - fans were asking for all kinds of vehicles and variants and 21st had to start somewhere. I for one think they would have done better making more american vehicles but am very thankful for the cool items we do have.

Plane? I agree with the starfighter - I remember thinking - good thats going to sit and I can get it on clearance - but they actually sold very well -

there was proably a 21st staffer who flew one or really liked that plane -

something that would have helped 21st? Im going to make that thread next

For aircraft I'm in the Pegasus fold as well with my GeeBee Model Z. I've always loved this plane and Pegasus produced a nice representation of it. Got it from the cat... was de-listed right after, possibly the last one. Can't really find them anywhere else.