I derive much pleasure from collecting and viewing my slowly expanding collection of WWII fighters. Not surprisingly, manufacturer choices concentrate on those that sell well: So Spitfires, P51s, and ME109s are abundant.

I want my collection to have a bit of balance and am keen to add some good quality Axis examples, such as the Ki-51, FW190D (not bloomin’ ‘A’s!), MC202 etc.

I have two questions:

Can you recommend manufacturers with a good reputation for die-cast axis fighters (I’m thinking of perhaps a Japanese company – there must be a demand in the Far East)?

Can you recommend message boards that discuss the merits or otherwise of the die-cast products available?

On an endnote, I used to build plastic models as a teenager, but with ‘time-management’ uppermost in my mind, collecting a model every now and then works well for me – and they look great 🙂

Try here – http://www.flyingmule.com/range/diecast-model/aircraft/ixo-models-junior/

DO-335, French Bloch Fighters, IL2’s etc etc

IXO Models are iffy on supply but do some Japanese aircraft, plus others. The quality is not tip top which is recognised in the cost but I have a Beaufighter X which is not bad for £12 or so. Check out “The Flying Mule” WWW site, they have good quality images of the plans. Dragon wings do a 190 D (I sold my A to but the D!) and these you can pick up in model zone, or I use collectors aircraft club, not the best WWW site but they will find you what you need. will stick the links on if you need – good luck.

I’m not sure the Meteor F.1 should be considered an “also-ran”? It is a true WW2 operational aircraft, and rarely gets credit for this. It did well at the role that was assigned to it in the closing stages of WW2.

The Me.262 grabs much of the limelight because of its advanced aerodynamic design, and axial flow engines, but this design was poorly executed, poorly built, constrained by internal political influences, and dwindling resources, and hence its effectiveness was limited. A case of its “bark being louder than its bite!” I think 😀

I agree, I think there is something “functional” about the Meteor that catches the eye, and the airframe was capable of soaking up a lot more power than it originally had – I just have a pet whinge along the lines above, when people “In the trade” with an interest like us as well as others think that the RAF had only one fighter type etc – to me, there is nothing quite so lovely to look at as a MK 11 Hurricane for example, flaking paint, huge filter, slower than the bad guys but getting stuck in. That said, an ME-262 looks like a shark, it looks dangerous… maybe I’m getting carried away?! (or should be):confused:

Meteor/Me-262

When Adolph Galland flew Meteor’s in Argentina post WW2, he was quoted as saying that the ME-262 with the British engine, would have been an ideal combination – if the quote is true, then I think it speaks volumes.

Lysander Template

My old bedroom carpet, for a few weeks before it was replaced (that being brought forward somewhat) had a weird blacktemplate on it, which looked just like a Lysander wing because muggins here was airbrushing (thats another thread surely….) and got carried away. Beige carpet, black enamal paint, enthusiastic and unskilled model maker

thats baaaaaaaaaaaaad news….:eek:

where oh where are Aston Publications now?

I have the Typhoon and Tempest Story, The Shackleton and the Short Sunderland. The first two go for silly money.

I also have early (jacket says £4.99) Spitfire at war, and Hurricane at war that my dad bought me for a holiday treat when I was 10 or 11, the first grown up aeroplane books I owned, these are very dear to me.

I also kick myself often, for not picking up the other Aston Titles when I saw them a few years back in Kegans second hand Bookshop in Reading, used to pick up loads in there before he moved to a very small shop….