Author Topic: The Diff in Diecast Widewing Guppy need some info! (Read 467 times)

Hajo · « **on:** July 17, 2007, 07:51:00 AM »

As an experienced modeler and collector of Diecast now (can't use an airbrush in my Apartment) I look for authenticity and of course the asthetic appeal of an aircraft.

I recently purchased two aircraft from the Franklin Mint (Armour Collection) one a B17 s/n 297081 General "Ike" and a B24 s/n 440973 The Dragon and his Tail. Both of these in 1/48th scale. The wingspan on the B24 is 27 1/2 inches and the B17 has a wingspan of 26 inches. Both in that scale are imho excellent. The Norden is quite visible in the B17 and the detail is very good. The glass lifts off the cockpits in both models making the cockpits clearly visible and the detail and paint is outstanding.

Now.....the "rub". I already had the above B24 in 1/72 scale manufactured by Corgi. I purchased the 2nd B24 (1/48th scale) as an example in my display of the difference between the two scales. All my other diescast in this display are 1/48th scale.

The Corgi B24 has a different s/n then the 1/24th scale. The Corgi has every position mannned and the crew is painted in great detail. The waste gunner doors aren't opened on the Franklin Mint (armour collection) 24 and no postions are manned on either the B17 or the B24. So I would give a slight edge to Corgi in this respect.

The bigger problem that I have is that the s/ns' on the B24s painted in the same scheme (The Dragon and his Tail) do not match. I've looked and can find nothing.

B24 by Corgi S/N 453973 (1/72nd scale)
B24 by Franklin Mint S/N 440973 (1/48th scale)

Which one is correct or are both correct?

Bodhi · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2007, 10:18:57 AM »

The real WW2 "The Dragon and His Tail" was a B-24J-185-CO with the serial number: 44-40973, which would be displayed as the Franklin Mint has done it, by omitting the first number to make a 6 digit tail number.

Bodhi · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2007, 10:22:34 AM »

Here is an interesting page to review from the 380th BG web site.

http://380th.org/HISTORY/PARTVI/DragonTail.htm

Hajo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2007, 11:00:48 AM »

Derek thanks!

Guppy35 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2007, 11:37:15 AM »

1/48th Armour P38s are my deal

Gote em all but the first one.

Eagles International P51Bs are nice too.

And of course Bodhi is a Diecast expert considering all the time he's spent on them. Gotta believe his collection isn't small at all

Phan has quite a pile of diecast as well.

Makoyouidiot · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2007, 01:00:14 PM »

I'm making a pile...lots of small corgi and larger 21st Century Warrior plastic ones...here's a pic of my display shelf...I know it's a bit cluttered....

From left to right...

F-4U-1D Corsair, P-51-B Mustang, Sky Captain's P-40-B Kittyhawk, A-10-A Warthog, Hurricane Mk. IIC, Bf-109-K4, Fw-190-D9, Bf-109-E4, IAI Kfir, P-51-D Mustang "Man'O'War", F-86 Sabre, B-1B Lancer, C. 202 Folgore, F-4 Phantom, F/A-18F Super Hornet.

And crowning the display, the USS Enterprise-E, NCC-1701-E

Solar10 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2007, 01:19:17 PM »

Nice La7 (top right)

FBplmmr · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2007, 03:38:16 PM »