Small Scale Military Headquarters

I've just about bought up everything that is available from FOV in 1:32 armor, bought the only airliners that interest me. So now I'm thinnking of moving into aircraft.

I've been admiring the pictures posted by Snake of the 1:72 Corgi Lancasters. Detail means a lot to me and 1:72 seems like a good scale for 4 and 2 engined bombers, a bit small for fighters though. I searched Corgi on flyingmule: 1:72 B-17, B-24, B-25, Lancaster (grand slam bomb instead of spinning drum, oh well)...so far so good, but then they get to the B-29 and drop to 1:144!

Why can't anyone offer a consistant line of similar type aircraft, all in the same scale???

The best coverage seems to be in 1:32 or 1:48 fighters over a range of manufacturers but even the quality there seems to suffer. I thought I'd jump at the 1:32 FOV Erich Hartmann model but was warned off it by another forum user. Viewing the pictures I can see why. The Corgi Herman Graf red tulip looks pretty good, not so much with the cowling off. And none of them have a good range of Japanese and Russian fighters.

Not sure which way to go. Comments?

1/72 or God's scale does well on fighters and even armour(depending on the maker)

It's been the standard for aircraft models for a long while.

for armour 1/76 was the standard for the 50s-70s, then 1/35 and 32 started to show up...but at first both were like 1/24 scale armour today.

I like 1/72 as everything relates together. Armour, Soldiers, Aircraft, etc.

LOL, God's scale, I like that.

I'd like to stick with 1:32 to match my armor but there are not enough choices. 1:72 that I've looked at online don't have the detail though Hobby Master comes very close. It's when they take off the cowlings etc and you see the overspray, and the fuzzy aircraft markings that driv eme crazy.

I'm fairly set on HM 1:48, adequate offerings and good detail. Kind of bridging the gap between 1:72 and 1:32. Though I know in anything bigger than 1:72 I'll probably never see a multi-engine bomber for the obvious reasons: shear size and cost to sell.

Franklin Mint made(they are out of business) 1/48 He 111 and Ju 52/3 for multi-engine'd planes.

Panzer_M wrote:Franklin Mint made(they are out of business) 1/48 He 111 and Ju 52/3 for multi-engine'd planes.

Yep, I've found B-25s, C-47, Ju-52s, He 111, and if I remember right even a few B-24s. I've gone head first into 1:48 from Hobby Master, Franklin Mint, Carosel...it's been an expensive day.

If the armor makers could keep up with me they'd make a fortune!

zzzippper wrote:

Panzer_M wrote:Franklin Mint made(they are out of business) 1/48 He 111 and Ju 52/3 for multi-engine'd planes.

Yep, I've found B-25s, C-47, Ju-52s, He 111, and if I remember right even a few B-24s. I've gone head first into 1:48 from Hobby Master, Franklin Mint, Carosel...it's been an expensive day.

!

The question of scale is a tough one zzzipper.

By sticking with just one scale,you really start limiting your choices.And 1/72 single engine fighters are just too small for me.

It looks like you have settled on 1/48 for now.

The HM stuff is very nice,but pretty limited for now.But they are making more models in 1/48.

The Carousel 1 line is great as well.Good choice.Their FW 190 D's are especially good.

http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CA-7143

Unfortunately,they have gone out of business.But on a positive note,you can get these models for cheap right now.I hope you didn't spend full retail for them,as you can get some great deals.I picked up virtually the entire Carousel line for around $35 per model,with combined shipping.

I am sure you will be pleased with them.Give us a review,when they arrive.

There is another important 1/48 manufacturer that you should really check out.Eagles International.They only really did the P-51 B/C.But the models are very nice,and are the much rarer B/C versions.They do require a small amount of assembly,but they are fantastic pieces of diecast,and I highly recommend these.And you can get them for around $50-$75.

http://www.onmarkint.com/static/eagles/


I prefer 1/32 and 1/35 for the fighters.

Corgi is the way to go for 1/32.Check out the "Tricatus" site for these.

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/CorgiAA_pages/caa_index.html

One other line that does simply fantastic models,is GMP.These are 1/35.They do eight different P-51's,and four different P-40's.I have all of them,and love them.Expensive,but very limited.500-1500 units of each model.It doesn't get much better than GMP.

Not the best pictures.

http://www.onmarkint.com/static/gmp_air ... rcraft.php

Hope this helps.The advice is free,the models are not.

zzzippper wrote:

Panzer_M wrote:Franklin Mint made(they are out of business) 1/48 He 111 and Ju 52/3 for multi-engine'd planes.

Yep, I've found B-25s, C-47, Ju-52s, He 111, and if I remember right even a few B-24s. I've gone head first into 1:48 from Hobby Master, Franklin Mint, Carosel...it's been an expensive day.

If the armor makers could keep up with me they'd make a fortune!

Tamiya Masterworks makes excellent and rare subjects in 1/48 expertly built and weathered.

snake wrote:

zzzippper wrote: Yep, I've found B-25s, C-47, Ju-52s, He 111, and if I remember right even a few B-24s. I've gone head first into 1:48 from Hobby Master, Franklin Mint, Carosel...it's been an expensive day.

!

The question of scale is a tough one zzzipper.

By sticking with just one scale,you really start limiting your choices.And 1/72 single engine fighters are just too small for me.

It looks like you have settled on 1/48 for now.

The HM stuff is very nice,but pretty limited for now.But they are making more models in 1/48.

The Carousel 1 line is great as well.Good choice.Their FW 190 D's are especially good.

http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CA-7143

Unfortunately,they have gone out of business.But on a positive note,you can get these models for cheap right now.I hope you didn't spend full retail for them,as you can get some great deals.I picked up virtually the entire Carousel line for around $35 per model,with combined shipping.

I am sure you will be pleased with them.Give us a review,when they arrive.

There is another important 1/48 manufacturer that you should really check out.Eagles International.They only really did the P-51 B/C.But the models are very nice,and are the much rarer B/C versions.They do require a small amount of assembly,but they are fantastic pieces of diecast,and I highly recommend these.And you can get them for around $50-$75.

http://www.onmarkint.com/static/eagles/


I prefer 1/32 and 1/35 for the fighters.

Corgi is the way to go for 1/32.Check out the "Tricatus" site for these.

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/CorgiAA_pages/caa_index.html

One other line that does simply fantastic models,is GMP.These are 1/35.They do eight different P-51's,and four different P-40's.I have all of them,and love them.Expensive,but very limited.500-1500 units of each model.It doesn't get much better than GMP.

Not the best pictures.

http://www.onmarkint.com/static/gmp_air ... rcraft.php

Hope this helps.The advice is free,the models are not.

Thanks snake, I really like the Eagles P-51s. I've always liked the Malcom hoods but for $50 less I can get the Ding Hao razorback so I think I'll go with it. Hopefully they will be expanding their selection.

I didn't get anywhere near as good a deal from flyingmule on the Carolsels as you did.

I'm learning this is not like reloading for firearms. With that I always said the first bullet cost me $2000, the rest were free. With this hobby everything costs $$.

snake wrote:

zzzippper wrote: Yep, I've found B-25s, C-47, Ju-52s, He 111, and if I remember right even a few B-24s. I've gone head first into 1:48 from Hobby Master, Franklin Mint, Carosel...it's been an expensive day.

!

The question of scale is a tough one zzzipper.

By sticking with just one scale,you really start limiting your choices.And 1/72 single engine fighters are just too small for me.

It looks like you have settled on 1/48 for now.

The HM stuff is very nice,but pretty limited for now.But they are making more models in 1/48.

The Carousel 1 line is great as well.Good choice.Their FW 190 D's are especially good.

http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CA-7143

Unfortunately,they have gone out of business.But on a positive note,you can get these models for cheap right now.I hope you didn't spend full retail for them,as you can get some great deals.I picked up virtually the entire Carousel line for around $35 per model,with combined shipping.

I am sure you will be pleased with them.Give us a review,when they arrive.

There is another important 1/48 manufacturer that you should really check out.Eagles International.They only really did the P-51 B/C.But the models are very nice,and are the much rarer B/C versions.They do require a small amount of assembly,but they are fantastic pieces of diecast,and I highly recommend these.And you can get them for around $50-$75.

http://www.onmarkint.com/static/eagles/


I prefer 1/32 and 1/35 for the fighters.

Corgi is the way to go for 1/32.Check out the "Tricatus" site for these.

http://www.tricatus.co.uk/CorgiAA_pages/caa_index.html

One other line that does simply fantastic models,is GMP.These are 1/35.They do eight different P-51's,and four different P-40's.I have all of them,and love them.Expensive,but very limited.500-1500 units of each model.It doesn't get much better than GMP.

Not the best pictures.

http://www.onmarkint.com/static/gmp_air ... rcraft.php

Hope this helps.The advice is free,the models are not.

Thanks snake, I really like the Eagles P-51s. I've always liked the Malcom hoods but for $50 less I can get the Ding Hao razorback so I think I'll go with it. Hopefully they will be expanding their selection.

I didn't get anywhere near as good a deal from flyingmule on the Carolsels as you did.

I also found tricatus but I'm not sure about shipping from a foreign address to a military APO. That's why I've always suck with US sellers.

I'm learning this is not like reloading for firearms. With that I always said the first bullet cost me $2000, the rest were free. With this hobby everything costs $$.

Panzer_M wrote:

zzzippper wrote: Yep, I've found B-25s, C-47, Ju-52s, He 111, and if I remember right even a few B-24s. I've gone head first into 1:48 from Hobby Master, Franklin Mint, Carosel...it's been an expensive day.

If the armor makers could keep up with me they'd make a fortune!

Tamiya Masterworks makes excellent and rare subjects in 1/48 expertly built and weathered.

Wow, Tamiya MW is coming out with a Betty! I guess I can find some decent multi-engined birds in 1:48. Thanks.