Diecasts: Collecting WW2 aircraft

Hi there, I’m new to this forum. For the past four years, I’ve been building a large collection of 1/72 models representing RAF types flown by Polish pilots in WW2. I have over 30 completed, some five on the go and another 11 to build. The planes will represent all 16 Polish squadrons from 1940 to 1946.

Anyway… Last week I bought a diecast Spitfire Vb, issue one of a partwork from DeAgostini. The price here in Poland – a mere 2.50 quid – less than a pint of beer to you Brits. So I bought as many as I could find – 12 in total. Eight will be repainted to represent Spit Vbs in service with 302, 303, 306, 308, 315, 316, 317 and 318 Sqns. If I can work out how to attach a Vokes filter, I’ll have a bash at a Polish Fighting Team Spit too.

Anyone collect diecasts? Are you of the opinion that they should be kept preserved in their original boxes? Do you customise them (I will have to clip the wings of a few of the Vbs)?

Anyone else got this Spit diecast? Apparently, it’s made by IXO. Its one great fault is the fact that some twit decided that the Malcolm Hood had horizontal frame lines running front to rear. And as such, all my Spit Vbs have these painted on. Anyone know how to get rid of them without clouding the canopy?

Also, anyone knows anything about how modern diecasts are made? I read the post here re: the demise of Airfix. Diecasts today MUST be machine-painted; each of my 12 Spit Vbs is identical. How do they do it?

FlyingOko, Warsaw, Poland.