Small Scale Military Headquarters

I would love to see a 1/18th scale P-39 Airacobra. I love the lines of that plane with its rear engine. I would really like to see one in a Russian paint scheme. What do you think?

Heck yeah! While not widely acclaimed, it's an intersting and unique aircraft. Very effective CAS aircraft. Plus, repaint possibilites abound. US, Russian, French, British. What's not to like?





Or, if that doesn't tickle your fancy, the P-63 Kingcobra. A much more capable high altitude fighter.

I would like to see one because thats the plane the 357th flew as trainers before they went off to fight in the skies over Europe. Will we see one in 1/18th scale? I doubt it.

Well, it is local to my birthplace (Buffalo, New York). So, I am partial to it. Also, I think it has that shelf appeal factor that 21st looks for. Sure, it might not have been the hottest air to air fighter plane. And, it might have had the glide characteristics of a rock. But, it really catches that Art Deco stream lined look that is so apealing.
Aaron

Manufactuers have to go with the majority for sales potentials.

What did someone say here recently ...5% product is sold to collectors.

I would like to see some WW1 biplanes, Camel, Fokker D7, Spad, others.

Biplanes are smaller less to tool and EVERY KID loves biplanes, that is if you unglue them from the TV

Dave

The P-39 is an interesting plane and saw extensive use in the early part of the Pacific theater (when there was nothing else to take its place) and on the Russian front. I doubt that we will see one in 1:18 anytime soon, simply due to the fact that it probably doesn't have much recognizability outside of the collector/ WWII aviation fan community.

Personally, I would love a P-39! It's 37mm cannon has gotta be the biggest bang from a standard US figher plane of the period (even by today's standards that's an awfully big shell to come out of an airplane!).

Plus it had unique features like a car-style cockpit door, mounting the engine behind the cockpit, tricycle landing gear, and that big ol' gun.

And I can't help but find its lines very appealing. True, it's more of a footnote in US WWII aviation. But I bet you all the non-collectors who buy XD wouldn't know any better and would snatch 'em up as a pretty cool- looking airplane.

oh, and check out http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/engines/eng2.htm
for a pretty cool shot of the gun/engine assembly.

it would be great if mold and tool making skills/costs could be reduced to a point where manufactuers didn't have to bet the future of the business on "a sure thing seller"

The P-39 would have out sell the 190 D likely, especially with USA colors.

Dave

scbvideoboy wrote:Manufactuers have to go with the majority for sales potentials.

What did someone say here recently ...5% product is sold to collectors.

I would like to see some WW1 biplanes, Camel, Fokker D7, Spad, others.

Biplanes are smaller less to tool and EVERY KID loves biplanes, that is if you unglue them from the TV

Dave

A "Red Baron" Fokker would "fly" off the shelves!

nfafan wrote:

scbvideoboy wrote:Manufactuers have to go with the majority for sales potentials.

What did someone say here recently ...5% product is sold to collectors.

I would like to see some WW1 biplanes, Camel, Fokker D7, Spad, others.

Biplanes are smaller less to tool and EVERY KID loves biplanes, that is if you unglue them from the TV

Dave

A "Red Baron" Fokker would "fly" off the shelves!

A Camel and Triplane from the Movie "The Great Waldo Pepper " with likeness figures of Robert Redford.

One of my favorite war movies "The Blue Max"


Dave

I could see a P-39. Maybe it would sell to the non-collectors just because it is such a pretty (IMHO) plane. Also opens up the Russian arena; many went there through Lend/Lease.

JimBob

My points exactly JimBob
Aaron

I have always found the Airacobra an interesting plane. It would be nice to see some less mainstream planes to spice up the mix.
Todd

Sabrefan wrote:I would love to see a 1/18th scale P-39 Airacobra. I love the lines of that plane with its rear engine. I would really like to see one in a Russian paint scheme. What do you think?

Some one needs to make it!!!!!!!!!!

Nice aircraft, but try to get a pilot in it. They would have to over-blow the canopy to allow you to fit a figure. Over 8,000 feet, it was a disastorous aircraft. Under that, you had one of the very best fighters in the war, no lie!


-Ski

I don't think getting a pilot in a P-39 would be a problem. It has the door that opens to the side, and if it opens wide enough, it should be no problem. I got to sit in a P-63 Kingcobra at an airshow once. What a cool plane that was!

If you want to see the real thing, there's a flyable P-39 that lives at the San Marcos, Texas airport at the Commemorative Air Force hangar. It's about five minutes east off Insterstate 35.

http://www.realtime.net/centex/p39.htm

I'm telling ya--A removeable panel so you can see the cannon and gear box and it would be a hit.
Aaron

I would like to see a panel you could remove to see the rear mounted Allison V-12 engine. Very cool indeed!