Author Topic: Budget Diecast WWII Fighters (Read 2960 times)

Widewing · « **on:** January 03, 2004, 05:46:53 PM »

About 10 months ago I stumbled across a new line of diecast fighters issued by Matchbox, all in 1/72 scale. Cost is under $10 US, and the detail is extraordinary for this price range. The line includes the F6F-5, F4U-1A, P-40E, Spitfire Mk.II, P-51D (in bare metal and olive drab), A6M2, FW 190A, Bf 109G, P-47D-25 and Razorback, P-38J and several others. More aircraft being released periodically. Have a look.

This P-38J was just picked up. It represents a P-38J-15-LO flown by the 38th FS of the 55th FG, 8th AF in June of 1944.

Here's a close-up of the cockpit area showing the attention to detail on this inexpensive diecast Lightning.

The P-51D-10-NA was flown by Bud Anderson of the 362nd FS, 357th FG, 8th AF in November of 1944.

A close-up of the cockpit area.

Spitfire Mk.II

Gabreski's P-47D-25-RE

This tiny F4U-1D gem (note coin for comparison) comes from Johnny Lightning. It was packaged with a P-51D. About $5 for two fighters. The collection includes the P-47, P-38 and P-40. Others are probably offered, although I have only seen those listed.

All of the above can be found at Toys-R-Us, Target and Walmart stores as well as online.

My regards,

Widewing[IMG]

Wmaker · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2004, 05:52:20 PM »

Those do look clearly better than the ones from Corgi.

Delirium · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2004, 05:59:59 PM »

I have a couple from 'Armour' before they were bought out by the Franklin Mint. Before they were affordable, now the price on them has gone up $50 an aircraft.

Unfortunately, they don't even sell the P38 'Pudgy' anymore... its fairly close to the same color scheme as the AH P38. I'm lucky I got mine just before they got bought out and stopped making them.

I'll definitely take a look at those aircraft next time I'm in the store, thanks for the heads up

eskimo2 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2004, 06:03:03 PM »

Toys R Us has some giant scale WWII planes. (Like 1:18 scale maybe...? 2 to 3 foot spans) Pretty realistic and good detal as well.

eskimo

Widewing · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2004, 06:07:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2
Toys R Us has some giant scale WWII planes. (Like 1:18 scale maybe...? 2 to 3 foot spans) Pretty realistic and good detal as well.

eskimo

They sure do. I have the 1/18th F4U-1D, a gift from a friend. My problem is finding enough display space for these monsters!

My regards,

Widewing

Nefarious · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2004, 10:19:27 PM »

I own everyone except for the P-38...

Where did you find it?

I ordered the ones I couldnt find in stores from the flying mule, They had them all except for the P-38.

1K0N · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2004, 10:33:10 PM »

Would be nice to see an aceshighs 2 week promo attached marketing piece placed inside the box of any of those companies aviation diecast products, Corgi..etc.. Anyone interested enough to purchase them would be a potential target in more ways then one.. Use a promo code to track subcripts and share revenue %..

IKON

Halo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2004, 10:41:32 PM »

I agree, Widewing, the Matchbox 1/72nd Collectibles are my all-time favorite model airplanes. I have most the set. Got some bargains in Toys R Us clearance, but had to get the latest from Flying Mule at $17.95 premium. But they're worth it.

Except, what do you think about the TWO U.S. stars and bars on the underwings of the P-47? Never saw two before. Posted the question in historical section but no responses yet.

Can't decide whether MIGHT have been more D-Day emphasis or an error by the Chinese model makers.

Widewing · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2004, 12:41:11 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nefarious
I own everyone except for the P-38...

Where did you find it?

I ordered the ones I couldnt find in stores from the flying mule, They had them all except for the P-38.

I found the P-38 in our local Toys-R-Us (Smithaven Mall, Lake Grove, Long Island). It was the only P-38 they had, and was a Christmas return (still some wrapping paper on the box).

My regards,

Widewing

Widewing · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2004, 01:35:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Halo

Except, what do you think about the TWO U.S. stars and bars on the underwings of the P-47? Never saw two before. Posted the question in historical section but no responses yet.

Can't decide whether MIGHT have been more D-Day emphasis or an error by the Chinese model makers.

Insignia on the underside of both P-47 wings was common to the 8th AF. It was done for recognition purposes (to help bomber and tripleA gunners recognize they were USAAF fighters, not 190s). I have many photos with dual national insignia on Jug underside of the wings. If you should see a photograph with the insignia under the left wing, that plane has dual insignias. I'll go through my digitized photos and see If I have an example where both are visible.

Here's a picture of Col. Dave Shilling's P-47D-25-RE. Note the two stars and bars on the underside.

My regards,

Widewing

GScholz · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2004, 01:37:31 AM »

What's wrong with that P-47??? It looks so good, makes me wanna fly Jugs!

hogenbor · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2004, 04:27:58 AM »

Hmm, anyone have an idea if they are available in Europe? (The Netherlands in my case). Inexpensive and beautiful, they'll be just the thing for my new home.

Gonna check the Toys 'r us on my way to work on of these days.

_Schadenfreude_ · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2004, 09:49:33 AM »

For people in the UK try....

http://www.aircraftmodels.co.uk/455_1_1002344.html

Halo · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2004, 10:36:09 AM »

Widewing, many thanks -- you're the only one who has been able to answer my question about two stars and bars on the underwing surface of the P-47.

Nefarious, I found my P-38 more than a year ago at a Toys R Us markdown in Northern Virginia. Since they cleared out that first batch of Matchbox Collectibles, haven't seen any since.

That first series was in connection with the Hall of Fame near the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. The second (?) series doesn't seem to retain that connection (i.e., identifying specific aircraft with a specific ace).

The second series seems to retain the P-51 and P-38 in different markings (olive drab) from the first, changes the Spitfire to slightly different version, and substitutes the Zero, FW-190, Bf-109, and P-47 for the Corsair, Hellcat, and P-40.

Halo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2004, 10:46:18 AM »

Widewing, your photos are excellent, thanks. And I agree those little Johnny Lightning models are indeed gems too. I have the P-51, P-47 Razorback, Corsair, and P-40.

I forget whether they are 1/144 or 1/120, but definitely small.

I had to resist those big handsome 1/18s at Toys R Us. No room to display models that large.