Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Widewing on January 03, 2004, 05:46:53 PM
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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.
(http://home.att.net/~c.c.jordan/P-38J-1.jpg)
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.
(http://home.att.net/~c.c.jordan/P-38J-2.jpg)
Here's a close-up of the cockpit area showing the attention to detail on this inexpensive diecast Lightning.
(http://home.att.net/~c.c.jordan/P-51D-1.jpg)
The P-51D-10-NA was flown by Bud Anderson of the 362nd FS, 357th FG, 8th AF in November of 1944.
(http://home.att.net/~c.c.jordan/P-51D-2.jpg)
A close-up of the cockpit area.
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008YSW0.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Spitfire Mk.II
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000094ABB.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Gabreski's P-47D-25-RE
(http://home.att.net/~c.c.jordan/F4U-1D.jpg)
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]
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Those do look clearly better than the ones from Corgi.
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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 :)
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
(http://mo.playnet.com/schilling/schilling_front_1.jpg)
My regards,
Widewing
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What's wrong with that P-47??? It looks so good, makes me wanna fly Jugs!
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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.
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For people in the UK try....
http://www.aircraftmodels.co.uk/455_1_1002344.html
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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.
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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.
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Found this Fw 190A-8 (looks like an A-8 to me) at the Flyingmule.com
(http://www.flyingmule.com/img/prd/MB-91733_01_lrg.gif)
And this Bf 109G-6 too.
(http://www.flyingmule.com/img/prd/MB-91731_01_lrg.gif)
A6M5c
(http://www.flyingmule.com/img/prd/MB-91732_01_lrg.gif)
They also carry the P-47D and P-51D. All but the Mustang and Zero would be back ordered as demand is high. You can get the F4U-1A directly from Mattel or Target online. P-40s, Spitfires and F6Fs are still on store shelves at Toys-R-Us and Target.
My regards,
Widewing
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Originally posted by 1K0N
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
Great Idea Ikon with small problem. Take Mattel for instance...
Legal fees alone would cost 10s or 100s of thousands of dollars just to setup up the Promo. No cost for the actual marketing yet included. There is ZERO chance of doing anything like this on the cheap. Can't give them a cut of profits, etc, etc, etc.
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Originally posted by Widewing
My problem is finding enough display space for these monsters!
Hang them up Widewing, they shine in the air. Have 4 "up" so far and have to make room for the 4th FG Jug that's on the way.
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I like them all, although I think the external fuel tank and the guns on the 190 were kinda crappily fabricated and could have been produced better.
Man I wish I had my hands on that P-38.
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Wow...the detail on those is amazing...I've tried many times to make german 1/72 models and can't ever get the paint to look that good...Might have to make a trip to Toys R Us tommorow ;)
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Originally posted by Wmaker:
Those do look clearly better than the ones from Corgi.
I have the P-40 and F-4U by Matchbox and they are nice diecasts. The things I don't like about them is that they come on the stand only and have the horrible "Matchbox" logo on the stand. Corgi has a nice clear plastic stand and landing gear are optional so you can display them on the ground. If you want to see an outstanding diecast in 1/72 scale, take a look at Dragon's line. Moveable flaps, engraved panel lines, etc. Their Zero and P-51s look really nice and they do modern also.
I work at an air museum store and we also carry Armour/Franklin Mint. They are coming out with new planes all the time, and dispite the cost, make a good product. If you want to avoid high cost and lack of display space, try collecting the Corgi minis. They are 1/100 scale and all sell for $6.95 in our store. Model Power is also a good diecast, although not as nice as the ones mentioned above. They come in scale right around 1/100 and retail from $9.95 to around $15.00. They make a lot of unusual types not usually seen in the diecast world. Planes like the Val, He-111, F4F and Ki-45 to mention a few.
If anyone is in the Seattle area, come by and check out the Museum of Flight's store.
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Been collecting these myself.
HiTech
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wow...clearly better than the sand cast spitfire i made from a old model i built when i was 8...
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Originally posted by 2stony
I have the P-40 and F-4U by Matchbox and they are nice diecasts. The things I don't like about them is that they come on the stand only and have the horrible "Matchbox" logo on the stand. Corgi has a nice clear plastic stand and landing gear are optional so you can display them on the ground. If you want to see an outstanding diecast in 1/72 scale, take a look at Dragon's line. Moveable flaps, engraved panel lines, etc. Their Zero and P-51s look really nice and they do modern also.
I work at an air museum store and we also carry Armour/Franklin Mint. They are coming out with new planes all the time, and dispite the cost, make a good product. If you want to avoid high cost and lack of display space, try collecting the Corgi minis. They are 1/100 scale and all sell for $6.95 in our store. Model Power is also a good diecast, although not as nice as the ones mentioned above. They come in scale right around 1/100 and retail from $9.95 to around $15.00. They make a lot of unusual types not usually seen in the diecast world. Planes like the Val, He-111, F4F and Ki-45 to mention a few.
If anyone is in the Seattle area, come by and check out the Museum of Flight's store.
Yep. I haven't seen any of these models live and just saw these matchbox models the first time in this thread. After I took a look in the internet I do agree the stand looks bad and it isn't only the logo but also the position that they are mounted. I whish they could be displayed with gear down. Also the absense of swastikas in the Luftwaffe planes is very silly. That's where the Corgi ones are better. Movable landing gear and position on the stand ect.
I just don't see the overall quality of details in the Corgi line. There are nice ones like the P-51D and then there are some really ugly ones like 109E.
Anyways, thanks for the tips! I appriciate them! I'll definately check out those Dragons 1/72s that's the smallest scale I consider. ;) The problem for me is that any model that I'm going to buy I probably have to order abroad as I think none of them are brought to Finland. :(
EDIT/ Just checked out those Dragon modes. Both Zero and Mustang look great! Can't wait to see 109G and the 190s! :) /EDIT
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Wmaker, we ship internationally, so send me an email with what you're interested in and maybe we can help you. Here's my address: woneal@museumofflight.org
:aok
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Now that I've seen the quality the Dragon puts out I think I'll wait and see when they release their 109G and the Dora. I'd order the P-51 and the Zero in a heart beat but as my funds are limited I'm gonna start with the most essential ones for me. :)
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I bougfht the Gabby jug some time ago, I was amazed by the quality for the price. Even have gun smoke on the wings:cool:
IIRC, about the jug insignias, they had 2 under the wings, but one was smaller than the other... sounds weird ... dam this memory.
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Yes, as has been acknowledged in several places, the weakness of the Matchbox Collectibles 1/72s is the plastic stand that isn't substantial enough to adequately support a diecast metal model.
In contrast, the Corgi plastic stand does very well for its diecast metal model of the DC-3 that hangs in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
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I've been looking on Ebay, just looking ;) and the thier calling the P-38 the rarest of the entire two sets. And the the P-38 and all the axis a/c seem to be the most expensive, I'm kinda glad I "invested" in them. Now to get my hands on that P-38.
Widewing you said there are going to be more produced periodically, do you mean the same a/c or new a/c? Is there a place I can read about new MB a/c?
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The franklin mint has some real cool diecast products....But alot of companies have real cool diecast aircraft... The Corgi and Matchbox diecast sets are for the beginning diecast collector or just toys... But for the collector with big bucks you can buy some "Tim the Toolman" taylor size Die cast aircraft.... Argh Argh Argh"
http://www.aikensairplanes.com/franklinmint48/fmb634.htm
http://www.aikensairplanes.com/franklinmint48/armour98178.htm
Couple of examples:
Franklin Mint also offers the entire collection: Its called the "Divorce collection"
Ikon
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I picked up the Matchbox Collectibles series. They were just allied planes though :(
Amazing detail but the stands were crap. Do the non-collectibles have issues with the little tab staying in the bottom of the plane? My P38 falls over with every fly fart as it is too heavy for the design.
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Divorce Collection? Good one, 1kon. Yeah, for those more premium diecasts, it is to drool.
Display space is always a challenge. I like 1/72 the best, although for larger aircraft the 1/100 and smaller are blessings.
Since can't get more than two 1/72 in a linear foot of display space, the 10 aircraft in the current Matchbox WWII Collectibles already fill a typical shelf.
And they are SUCH fun to dust. I tell the wife to leave them alone because the dust adds historical authenticity as byproduct of unsurfaced runways. No one but me touches those fragile models without a permit, and so far I have issued zero permits.
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Yeah, Eagler, see my earlier post. The Matchbox Collectibles stands are way too light for the heavy diecast models they support.
The planes keep sliding out of those tabs too. Gonna really be agitated if one falls off and breaks some of those fragile guns or antennas.
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Originally posted by Eagler
I picked up the Matchbox Collectibles series. They were just allied planes though :(
Amazing detail but the stands were crap. Do the non-collectibles have issues with the little tab staying in the bottom of the plane? My P38 falls over with every fly fart as it is too heavy for the design.
Yeah, the P-38 does not work with the stand very well, but there is a very simple solution. Look at the top photo in this thread. Notice that the stand is reversed. Yup, that works very well. Turn the stand around and pull the back-side of the stand tab FORWARD (towards the nose of the plane) until it locks tight. Now the P-38 is only slightly nose-up and banking slightly left. Not only does it look better, this also places the Cg of the model directly over the center of the stand base. No more tipping over.
Try it.
My regards,
Widewing
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While out shopping with my wife today, on a hunch I checked our local Target store and found one I did not have, the A6M5C Zero 52. Pulling out my Osprey "Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-1945", I found the color profile for this model. It was flown by Chief Petty Officer Tokeo Tanimizu of the 203rd AG, 303rd Squaron based out of Kagoshima Perfecture, Japan in June of 1945.
(http://www.flyingmule.com/img/prd/MB-91732_01_lrg.gif)
My regards,
Widewing
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Innovative solution for the P-38 stand, Widewing, thanks.
(But I still wish they had better stands.)
And thanks for the info on the Zeke. I think the second series got away from the Hall of Fame affiliation, so plane details are harder to find.