Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Widewing on February 08, 2004, 12:28:08 AM

Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Widewing on February 08, 2004, 12:28:08 AM
Matchbox offers a pair of Korean War fighters as part of their 1/72 scale diecast line. I found the two planes shown below at our local Target store, along with a new P-47D-25 in 9th AF colors.

My favorite is the North American F-86F Sabre. They have modeled the Sabre flown by John Glenn during his TDY assignment to the Air Force (Glenn was a Marine). Matchbox has done an outstanding job with the Sabre.

(http://home.att.net/~historyworld/GlennF86F-1.jpg)

(http://home.att.net/~historyworld/GlennF86F-2.jpg)

(http://home.att.net/~historyworld/GlennF86F-3.jpg)

Glenn's actual Sabre:

(http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/fighter/f86f-1.jpg)

I like the MiG-15bis, except that they went overboard with the rivet dimples. Overall, it's no too bad.

(http://home.att.net/~historyworld/MiG15bis-1.jpg)

(http://home.att.net/~historyworld/MiG15bis-2.jpg)

(http://home.att.net/~historyworld/MiG15bis-3.jpg)

My regards,

Widewing
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: TBolt A-10 on February 08, 2004, 03:02:13 AM
Let's see pics of the Jug.

TBolt
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: LWACE on February 08, 2004, 03:20:08 AM
Nice Widewing!, i got the Jug, ima go back and get the Mig and F-86, i also go the 190A and 109G.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: TBolt A-10 on February 08, 2004, 03:50:17 AM
Quote
Originally posted by LWACE
i also go the 190A and 109G.


:eek: :eek:   A 190 and 109?!?  Damn, I guess Matchbox isn't what it was 30 years ago.  lol.

TBolt
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Curval on February 08, 2004, 07:46:17 AM
Quote
Originally posted by LWACE
Nice Widewing!, i got the Jug, ima go back and get the Mig and F-86, i also go the 190A and 109G.


I just went to Matchbox's web site and couldn't see the 190A or 109G.....I want them too.:(
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Widewing on February 08, 2004, 09:41:29 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Curval
I just went to Matchbox's web site and couldn't see the 190A or 109G.....I want them too.:(


You can order the Bf 109G-6 and FW 190A-8 at the Flying Mule (http://www.flyingmule.com)

My regards,

Widewing
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Curval on February 08, 2004, 11:29:35 AM
WHoa..great site.

Thanks a bunch.:aok
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Curval on February 08, 2004, 11:48:30 AM
Question for the experts...

Why choose Matchbox..over, say Corgi?

Is one more "collectible" than the other?
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Nefarious on February 08, 2004, 09:13:16 PM
gotta make my way over to the Flying Mule, Still looking for that P-38 :mad:
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Halo on February 08, 2004, 09:51:21 PM
Thanks, Widewing -- hadn't heard about the Matchbox Collectible jets.  Will check local Target tomorrow.

Curval, I think Corgi has a longer history of diecast collectibles and usually is more expensive than Matchbox.  I like them both and have a few models from both companies.  I particularly like 1/72 scale.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: gofaster on February 09, 2004, 12:46:58 PM
For diecast, that's not bad.  The MiG's rivets are the size of golf balls, but it looks like they did a good job on the pilot figure.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: humble on February 09, 2004, 01:17:30 PM
I noticed the Matachbox zeke seems to be a 4 x 20mm model...curious how common that load out was...we have a 2 x 20mm in AH I believe.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Nefarious on February 09, 2004, 02:00:34 PM
the A6M they (matchbox) modeled is a A6M5c Model 52c, they deleted the 7.7 fuselage gun and added two 13mm guns to the wing, giving it 5 guns 2x20mm 3x13mm.

So i guess they modeled it incorrectly.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: 2stony on February 09, 2004, 03:20:25 PM
Originally posted by Curval:

Quote
Why choose Matchbox..over, say Corgi?


   IMO, Corgi makes a better product with more options. You can mount the Corgis on their landing gear or on the stand, where as Matchbox only come on the stand. Speaking of Matchbox stands, they're horrendous and slightly unstable. Now, if you want a really nice diecast in 1/72, take a look at Dragon's line. Movable flaps, gun bays, etc. Etched panel lines. We sell Corgi and Dragon in our museum store and both of them sell well.

:aok
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Curval on February 09, 2004, 03:30:34 PM
Thank you stony...you've convined me.:aok
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: humble on February 09, 2004, 04:25:58 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Nefarious
the A6M they (matchbox) modeled is a A6M5c Model 52c, they deleted the 7.7 fuselage gun and added two 13mm guns to the wing, giving it 5 guns 2x20mm 3x13mm.

So i guess they modeled it incorrectly.


In the picture it looks very similiar to the nikki in AH, so I assumed they were 20mm...could be 12.7mm instead I guess...where is the 5th gun located ?
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Halo on February 09, 2004, 05:14:21 PM
Widewing, you were right on Target (good double entendre).  If you hadn't mentioned Target, I never would have searched extra thoroughly to find them down on a lower shelf.  

Excellent models.  Rather strange the P-47D is marketed with the Sabre and MiG-15.  Might have expected a Mustang or Corsair or Yak-9, but not the Jug.  

2stony, agree the Matchbox stands are too flimsy, but the Matchbox Collectibles are still superb.  

Interesting to see the name Dinky on the later Matchbox Collectibles.  Dunno which company is absorbing which other in the toy business, but Dinky made great stuff back in the '50s.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Nefarious on February 09, 2004, 09:58:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by humble
where is the 5th gun located ?



In the cowl, it only housed one gun.

The A6M5B in Aces High, has two different guns in its cowl.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: 2stony on February 10, 2004, 10:29:18 AM
Originally posted by Halo:
Quote
but the Matchbox Collectibles are still superb.


I beg to differ. If you look underneath the Matchbox planes, you'll see information about that plane written in black letters. I don't think the real ones had that.:rolleyes:

IMO, Dragon are the best and most realistic. More expensive, but worth the price.

:aok
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Eagler on February 10, 2004, 10:42:49 AM
the matchbox stands are 110% better on the ones from Target than the ones I recieved through the mail for the original series..have the zero, 109 and spit from target - can't beat them for the price.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Halo on February 10, 2004, 11:39:06 AM
2stony, I'll have to check out Dragon models -- have never seen any.  But meanwhile I remain impressed with the Matchbox Collectibles and Corgi, which remain much more affordable than some others I have seen.  

I admit I was wondering why Matchbox assembled the Collectibles with black screws on the bottom instead of matching colors.  And I agree model information on the bottom such as manufacturer and scale size are not realistic; however, I prefer that information be there as boxes and cards get lost.  

Eagler, glad you got better stands on the Matchbox from Target.  Mine from there are the same as I got on other Matchbox from other sources -- okay, but not as substantial as I would prefer.
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: 2stony on February 10, 2004, 11:45:49 AM
Halo(and everyone else too), here's the link to Dragon's 1/72 scale warbirds.

http://www.dragonmodelsltd.com/catalog/warbirds/

:aok
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Modas on February 10, 2004, 12:24:19 PM
I got the p51, f4u, p38, f6f, and the spit direct from matchbox.  The diecast models were very nice, but the stands that came with them sucked big time.   Most of them don't stay on the stand as the little "plug" that goes into the model is too small

The other manufactures look pretty nice.  Definitely bookmarking this site!!
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Eagler on February 10, 2004, 02:04:22 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Modas
I got the p51, f4u, p38, f6f, and the spit direct from matchbox.  The diecast models were very nice, but the stands that came with them sucked big time.   Most of them don't stay on the stand as the little "plug" that goes into the model is too small

The other manufactures look pretty nice.  Definitely bookmarking this site!!


that was the case of my mail order monthly collection series

the planes from target have a two size slot that slips up tight with the improved stand support , they don't fall of with a fly fart like the monthy ones do
Title: Latest Matchbox fighter diecasts
Post by: Halo on February 10, 2004, 02:42:48 PM
Thanks, 2stony, for the Dragon warbirds link.  The models look great.  I sent an e-mail to Dragon sales asking for the nearest retailers.  

Strange how difficult it is sometimes to find what models are being sold where.  Not nearly as responsive as UPS tracking.