Beginnings of my 1:144 aircraft fleet

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

Here's the Stuka

[aferguson]

sorry to say it's about 1/120 scale. I kind of figured it would be too big. Most of these little Corgi's are. Only the P-38 is pretty much 1/144.

A nice looking piece though.

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

Well that's unfortunant, I'll have to remove that from the "fleet" however I do have my P-38 next to my P-51, I'll be getting my B-25 any minute now, so I guess it can take the stukas spot on the shelf!

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

Got the green B-25, but I lost the pod thing on the top somewhere in the carpet but overall I like it OTHER thenen the wings, I'll post pictures later.

[Dauntless]

I'm doing a lot of 1:144th scale repaints these days. The latest is an IXO Piaggio P.108 which comes in a boring green over gray scheme. I took an "extra" and converted it into the three color scheme worn by Bruno Mussolini's plane when it crashed, killing him. Here's a picture:

That looks cool Epap. (forgot to mention) On my list of 1:144 Italian planes. They seem to be easily available so have been holding off in favor of the harder to get 1:144's.
Got the IXO Fiat BR 90 as my first on the way.
Just purchased a Savoia Marchetti SM 81 from a US seller today. Haven't seen many listed so I jumped on it. Like a JU-52. I had one on watch a while back when you provided the link, but they sold out.

Was looking at which Savoia Marchetti SM 79 I wanted to get first and even after discussing them earlier I still haven't narrowed it down yet. Though will probably get a couple of different makes.

Opinion's on the Dagostini Savoia Marchetti SM 79?
It has an open gunner station on top like the Cafereo at least which is something the Altaya doesn't.
This seller has good pics of them if you scroll down:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-144-Atlas-E ... 19ccb70202

[Epap]

The DeAgostini--actually it's Atlas-----SM-79 probably has the best scheme of the three 1:144th scale versions out there----the others being the IXO and GE Fabbri ( LeoModel ) renditions. Unfortunately the Atlas is the oldest and crudest of the three, with gigantic, out of scale, pitot heads and terrible landing gear. Assuming that you don't plan to redo such models, I'd give the Atlas a go and then see if you can find a GE Fabbri or IXO to keep it company---both are about on a par with each other. If you prefer the "wheels down" mode , then IXO is the one you want. Its early war scheme is a bit exaggerated, and omits the white fuselage band, but otherwise is OK.

[Dauntless]

Thanks, figured it was an Atlas. It didn't appear that you had done much touchup or repaint on yours that I can make out, so I figured it was ok. I do like the scheme. Probably could live with the landing gear and pitots maybe.

The GE Fabbri SM 79 has the gear up, but has a dorsal gunner station. An accurate scheme? (yours is different than the one available now of course)

What do you think of the SM 81? Yours looked good, couldn't find any close ups of it.
It was called an Aeronautica in the description, but it's a GE Fabbri right?

Copied your image from page 13:

[Epap]

The SM-81 is by GE Fabbri and is based on an actual scheme, though it's execution is much too exaggerated by the factory. Otherwise, it's a rather good model. Regarding the SM-79s, I regard the GE Fabbri scheme as very poorly done, especially as to color choices. Based on that, alone, I would go with the IXO as a "second choice" as its scheme is somewhat better. All three SM-79s have ventral gondolas, though I doubt that the respective factories painted in the windows ( I've forgotten if I had to do this myself, but suspect that this was the case ). As I recall, I did make minor alterations in the Atlas SM-79 scheme and I filled in the gear door openings to make the model passable in the "wheels up" mode.

[Epap]

Here's a solo shot of my SM-81 redo:

[Dauntless]

Thanks, my first Spanish Nationalist plane. What did you repaint on yours? It looks nice wow.

One of the IXO SM 79's available looks close in scheme to your GE Fabbri (you painted I assume}

[Epap]

This is what the SM-81 looked like originally:

[Epap]

Of the two IXO SM-79 schemes, I'd take the one with that three color mix rather than the one with the yellow and green stripes. I think that the first one looks more realistic.

[Dauntless]

Yup that's what my SM 81 looks like, a little exaggerated huh? it hasn't arrived yet though.

The tri-color IXO SM 79 I liked better, but no torpedo I don't think...it's always something.

[aferguson]

the cafereo SM 79 is probably the best choice of the bunch, but its scheme, like all the others, would benefit from a bit of work from you. It is all plastic of course but has gear up or down options, finer detailing and less obtrusive gaps.

[Dauntless]

...yeah and pretty cheap too. Already seen some on sale. Should get one, low commitment risk compared to my recent purchases.

Suppose the grey-blue Italian version would be the easiest to modify. It has the similar scheme as the IXO Piaggio P 108, and somewhat of a base color blank slate to work with if modifying or adding on top other colors over it.

Can't believe they got the tan over green backwards version like you mentioned, somebody was color dyslexic.

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

Here's the F-toys B-25!





I really like that it has optional bay doors, and that there's a gun everywhere there should be, but I'm curious why there's no windows on the side, and I don't think I've ever seen a B-25 with a belly gun..

[aferguson]

that's pretty cool........does the F Toys B-17 also have an optional open bomb bay?

[Dauntless]

...no the B-17 doesn't have bombay doors at all which is kind of a let down.

Did you put some weight up in the front HP?
My desert B-25 I put together with gear down came with a tail stand because of tail droop.

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

No, it's balanced perfect.

[Dauntless]

I put together my Doolitle B-25 in flight, but don't remember the clear tail stand being in there for gear down either so must be just the desert version has one.

[[CAT]CplSlade]

... I don't think I've ever seen a B-25 with a belly gun..

I believe the B model had a retractable remote-fired turret on the bottom.


Found a pic:

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

... I don't think I've ever seen a B-25 with a belly gun..

I believe the B model had a retractable remote-fired turret on the bottom.


Found a pic:

Well that's it right there, on the model, it's retracted, but thanks for the picture, now I know for sure it's not an odd add-on.

[aferguson]

My Manchester arrived today. Of all the Altaya models i have bought, this was the one i had least interest in. I've just never been interested in the Manchester (but still had to get it of course ).

However after a couple of minutes research, this plane turns out to be fairly interesting afterall. It belongs to 207 squadron, which was the first squadron to use the Manchester operationally.

It attacked the Hipper during a raid on the port of Brest in '41 and later also participated in the attacks on the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst during the channel dash of '42.

This squadron also participated in the very first 1000 bomber raids in Germany.

So, despite the aircraft itself being a dud, it still has an interesting history and of course being the forefather of the Lancaster makes it more interesting still.

[aferguson]

Is there a good pre built F-15A or C in 1/144?

How about a good pre built F-16?

They're both tough to find or i'm not searching correctly. Anyone know?

[Dauntless]

It's good to know the Manchester was an operational bird instead of just a prototype for the Lanc.

Good question on the Jets. While browsing for a possible good deal on the Century Wings 1:144 jets I did find that Witty Wings makes an F-15C, F-18C, as well as a Mig-29 and F-14. They look ok from the photos I've seen, but haven't read any reviews on them yet.
The Mule has close up pics.
http://www.flyingmule.com/range/diecast ... dians/144/

There doesn't seem to be an F-16 available in 1:144 that I could find.

I picked up a Can Do A-10 Warthog a couple of days ago. Don't know anything about that one but for the price of $9 I figured take a chance. It'll be my first modern aircraft in 1:144.