Small Scale Military Headquarters

I'm some what new to this forum, enjoy it a lot, but I havent heard anyone approach the subject of WWI in 1/18.
I'd love to see a Sopwith and a Fokker, maybe an S.e 5A.
I appreciate how hard it would be to
a. package a pre "wired" biplane or
b. to make one easy enough to wire at home
but I think they would make excellent collectibles.
Also how bout some non military aircraft,
Yeagers X-1, Wright flyer, the Southern Cross there are plenty of others.
What say you?

Yep, it's been brought up and the question was asked to 21st. It's a sales issue. Would they sell? We all say they will, and I would be in front of the line! You never know in this scale what is next. We can only hope. The repaintability of WWI airplanes is immense, especially the Germans....

-Ski

thanks for the update teamski.
I'd definately make some ceiling space for a WWI battle over france.
Of topic, I just got some pics from BBi of the new army green Zero.
As soon as I figure out how to post pics I'll put them on..

i rather see WWI figures instead of planes....
an a Matilda tank....
that would be cool....
even a small 1/18 trench scenario.

A WWI line would sell - especially the aircraft! A red Fokker DR I and a Sopwith Camel already seem to have excellent recognizability factors, and other companies have made small WWI lines. Even the Lego company made near 1:18 scale models of both Fokker and Sopwith Camel.

Soldiers and armor would be a different story, and I would hold my breath on seeing those. Unlike the WWI planes, which have a sort of romance about them, many aren't familiar with the British Male and French Renault tanks. They would still be cool to make, but would be less recognizable to non-collectors than a Sherman tank. WWI British (or American) and German troops would be neat as well. One could even give the Germans the classic spiked dress uniform helmets

Yes Pilotman, me and several others have asked your question on several occasions. I am of the opinion that they would sell well especially the aircraft. I also think the tanks and artillery would do ok. Seems to be a growing interest in WW1 and the first company that does it will get a good foothold in this arena. So far no one seems to be ready to take the risk and jump in. I can understand their concern it's a big investment. By the way, welcome to the board Pilotman!

Who was the guy who made the MALE type tank though more "Indiana Jones 3" style (same guy did a Dr Henry Jones & also a sidecar combo).

Though a MALE wouldn`t be that difficult to make really,I`ve even seen paper models of this & they were indeed quick & easy assembly too.

WWI US & Brit troops. The Tommy helmet is not difficult to make (I`ve made a few myself).
Just need to make sure the legs are in Long Puttees. Or Riding boots for Officers.
Just ashame nobody has done the enfield (WWI or WWII) at all

Anyway would be nice to see WWI troops being made.

ja
Steel Bonnet

I like depth to my collection, not breadth, so I would rather see DAK figs, WWII British & Ruskies before I saw a trench warrior. I would also rather get an 88 or Pak 40 than any WWI artillery. I sure as hell would rather have about 10 pieces of WWII armor before any one from WWI.
However, I still say a Red Baron would sell like hot cakes....

I'd love to see some 1:18 WW I stuff.

Mike

I hope to see somebody like FOV or 21st., do a first WWI tank like the Mk.I "Whippet", either in 32x, or 1:18...... If anybody does, it'll be in 32x., first, and I can't wait for one. I know,...."don't hold your breath"!

Steelbonnet, it was I who created the Tank, BMW motorcycle with sidecar, and Sean Connery action figure from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I originally posted them on the old site back in 01 or 02. The ironic thing is, I just got back into the hobby, so I just re-discovered this site! Next time I go to my parents' house, I'll see if I can dig out some of this old stuff and take better pictures for you guys! Anyway, here are some of the pictures I posted way back then:


This is the Henry Jones, Sr prototype figure. (I made molds with the intention of producing a few to sell to other Indy Fans)


Here are some shots of the motorcycle with sidecar. It actually looks much better in person. The kneeling Dragon Action18 figures fit perfectly on the cycle.


And here's the tank itself. this picture was when it was still a work in progress. It's missing a lot of detail and weathering. The interior is fully detailed as well.


Ideally, I was going to produce a whole line of Indy 1:18 scale figures. Here is the prototype packaging for them. In the end, I only fully created molds for Henry Jones Sr and Elsa. Maybe someday I'll pick up where I left off.

I just got the Merril's Marauders set. (that's what single-handedly got me back into the hobby) I figured the Truck would convert easily into the Mercedes Convoy Truck from Raiders of the Lost Ark. and the Patton command car with a little work can be transformed into a Horch Kfz 15 Command car. I also picked up a 1:18 Maybach Zeppelin DS8 to use as the staff car Belloq and Toht rode in. With a few 21c S1 grenadiers and the original Kenner Indy toys I can recreate the entire Truck chase scene from Raiders!

Great stuff

I'm not a plane collector but I would buy 1:18 WW1 biplanes. Love those.

i have collected 4" figures for years from so many lines, and i love the great detailed ww2 figures that are coming out now from 21c and bbi, and i personally like to have a little of everything.
ive wished for quite awhile now that someone would make a few nice ww1 figures, i would also love to see some civil war and even revolutonary war figures.
i often wonder why it seems to be contained to more modern wars?

i want some knights!

dV

Well the 100the Anv of WW1 will be upon us in 9 more years. Im sure some one will start cranking some kind collectable toys for that .

they're actually 1/19....i've got the fokker. It's pretty good but you'll need to come up with your own decals/markings, as the ones that come with the kit are lousy. I'm still seeking a reasonably priced SE5.

I've also purchased a few wood desktop model WWI planes. The ones i've purchased are all also about 1/19 scale. I've got an Albaross DV, Neiuport 28, Phalz DIII, Eindekker (my favourite ) plus the Fokker DVII.

There are a bunch more available that i'll slowly snag over time when i can find them for a reasonable price.

They are all quite nice, even having little clear plastic windshields, where appropriate. There's room enough in the cockpit for the torso of a little custom pilot figure too. Nicely simulated fabric on the wings and well done, taught rigging.

They really add a nice dimension to the WWII and modern planes..

Would love to see WW1 stuff. I think the planes would be quite interesting and the armor would be great to have!

From the Aurora line there was a SPAD also, have all 3. K&B teamed up with Aurora for the gas plane versions, in 74 Aurora cut the gas plane line and produced the exact same planes...minus engines and control wire ports in the fuse. The kit versions still come with motor mounts and moveable elevators. Even later on, Bachmann and Tomy took over the biplane line and made motorized versions that taxi, have motorized props, and make machinegun noise...pretty neat, have the D7 and SPAD versions of those. They are pricey, especially for the gas plane versions, ie. $500 and up on ebay, major premium if included are the box and instructions. The kits bring an average of $75 for either the D7 or the Se5, to my knowledge they never made a kit version of the SPAD. If anyone ever made 1/18 WW1 bipes I'd say let the customer rig them themselves, it'd be alot easier for the manufacturer plus they wouldn't have to be so assembled in the package...