Small Scale Military Headquarters

Hello,

I'm starting to get into 1:48 scale WW2 A/C, I have several 1:18/1:32 A/C but room is obviously an issue so I wanted to go smaller. I'm looking for good pre-painted/complete/ realistic aircraft. I like Hobby Master and Corgi, but they are pricey. Are there any other companies that aren't so pricey, plastic or die cast? I have a couple of the 1:48 21C A/C and while not perfect, they suite me .

The major manufacturer of 1:48th scale warbirds used to be CDC Armour which was bought by Franklin Mint and recently stopped production. These are not cheap but there are a lot of planes that are included ranging from fighters to attackers like the Stuka, and bombers---B-17, B-24, B-25 B-26, HE-111, etc. Quality varies from model to model. The German WW2 fighters ---BF-109 and FW-190---are very poorly designed and lacking in detail. On the other hand, the F4F is surprisingly good. Ebay is your best source for these models.

A recent development is the introduction of a 1:48th scale Easy Model series as a follow up to its 1:72nd scale line. So far, they have released a P-47D, P-51B and P-40M. These are all plastic but are based on Hobby Boss kit toolings and as such, feature a good bit of detail. The Easy Model RSP is around $37-39 for these models but they can be had for much less via eBay sellers, especially those operating from China.

There are some 1:48s available from other sources but these are costly and limited in terms of subject matter. One line I would check out is Carousel 1, which has ceased production but made a P-40B, F4F, BF-109E, FW-190D and P-36 with about three schemes each. Trouble is that these are hard to find these days at regular vendors and on eBay.

Yeah, price is the issue and things have gotten a bit more expensive over the past few years. If you want something good, you'll have to pay.

There's those "Smithsonian" 1:48 planes, but those are toys. The 21c 1:48 planes are decent (especially their later toolings like the Hellcat and Tony) but they are plastic and have flaws. The Wings of Glory versions are simply crap.

Years ago, I collected several of the Yat Ming 1:48 aircraft. Lots of diecast and figures in the cockpits (which I like) but overall simple toolings that bordered between models and toys. I'm not sure they are even still around...

I'm a fan of the Hobby Master 1:48 line. They have a good variety of WWII and a lot of unique inner-war (1930s) era fighters. I really like the Stearmans, Furys, P-26s, F2-As, and especially the F3Fs. You can literally collect the entire development series of the Spitfire from a MkI to MkIX, to Mks XIV and XIII. Lots of P-51 and FW-190 repaints to choose from as well. Their Corsair and P-47s are decent. The F9F jet is the oddball of the 1:48 series, but is a great model. The older toolings have quite a few moving parts and display options. I also like the removable pilot figures.

I agree with Epap's comments on the Franklin Mint aircraft - they had a huge variety, but the planes were pricey and quality varied. I was a bit too "poor" to have gotten into Franklin Mint during their heyday, so don't have anything from them. Part of me still wants to get a couple of their heavy bombers...

Carousel 1 (also now defunct) made some good planes ranging from WWI, innerwar period, and WWII. I have one of their BF-109Es and really like it.

Really, you need to take a look at various small retailers that specialize in diecast items or browse ebay.

1/48 is a bit of an oddball scale, but there are some good examples to be had.

Franklin Mint did quite a number of models, and covered most of the WWII types. Pretty decent, but now out of business, and can cost some bucks. But their medium and heavy bombers are something else, and very heavy. Tons of metal in those.

Carousel 1 did some fine fighters in this scale as well, and highly recommend them.

Eagles International { EI} did the P-51, and they are also excellent. And the B/C model, so something that really isn't done by others.

Hobby master has recently gotten into this scale, and is probably your best bet, to start out. Their pre war aircraft are excellent, and they have also done the Spitfire { in numerous Mark's }, P-51, FW 190, Corsair, and the newest, P-47. Not as good as the Carousel and EI models, but good enough, and readily available.

I would check out the HM first, and if you want to upgrade, go Carousel, and EI.

Ok, thank you very much for the replies. I like the HM ones, just keep browsing eBay and other retailers for sales or used ones.