Eduard of the Czech Republic has released a 1/144 scale model of the WWII German transport airplane, the Junkers Ju52/3m. They are also preparing versions with snow skis and a barrage balloon bumper. And if you already know that 1/144 scale models of Stukas are going for $25 each on eBay, hold on to your socks! The next series that Eduard will do in 1/144 is the Ju87. First the B, then the D, and finally the G.
Meanwhile, Bandai of Japan has introduced its "Wing Club" 1/144 models of WWII fighters. They have 7 models, with the major parts already assembled and all parts painted, and decals applied. There is an army Zero, a navy Zero, two different Me109Es, a Spitfire MkI, a P-40C (US stars) and a P-40N (Chinese colors). Their scale is accurate and the detail is remarkable. (Some include pilots and instrument panels.) You can assemble them as "on the ground" or in flight. You can get sets of 10 of these models (in a random mix) from HobbyLink Japan: http://www.hlj.com/
Corgi $5 1/144 die case airplane models actually fluctuate greatly in scale to make sure that they fit into their boxes. They can be 1/105, 1/120, etc.
Given the poor selection of 1/144 scale propeller-driven airplane models, it was a relief to find a gentleman making resin models of many airplanes that are not available in that scale in any other form. Photos and prices for the models are available on the web at AirAlex. Alex Trant. http://airalex.homestead.com/
Beside some basics, such as Me109s and Zeroes, he also does aircraft that are out of production and going for very high prices, such as the F-4U Corsair and the F6F, and he loves to produce odd German planes, including Heinkel night fighters and various jet fighters. He also makes some Soviet fighters that are not available from True North Productions.
HOWEVER, if you contact him or place an order, you must do it by postal mail. Debra Trant, who operates the computer, will ignore multiple e-mails and not respond to you for weeks and weeks.
Other sources of 1/144 WWII aircraft - True North Productions http://underworld.fortunecity.com/grandorix/623/catalociue.htmI The owner has created metal in-flight models of many of the common, basic WWII aircraft whose plastic models have gone out of production. He is also the only independent source of basic WWII aircraft decals in 1/144 scale. And he does Soviet aircraft, which never even appeared as models in this scale. Unfortunately, communication is poor and you can expect to wait several months for an order to be filled.
Sweet: Another breakthrough has been provided by a "boutique" model kit company in Japan called Sweet. They make excellent 1/144 scale models of Hawker Hurricanes, Macchi MC 200s, and Grumman F4F Wildcats. The are preparing a model of the Mistubishi A6M2 Reisen. (The "Zero".). Each box contains two models. In some models, to save on molding costs, one whole model is made in clear plastic like the canopies. Sweet models come two to a box and typically come with enough decals to do 4 or more different aircraft. There are two different MC 200 models, Tropical and European. Two types of Wildcat boxes, and three types of Hurricanes: Tropical (desert), Battle of Britain, and fabric-winged (Battle of France and pre-war). The early Hurricanes come with Rumanian, Belgian, and Finnish decals. The Battle of Britain box includes decals for 5 different specific British aces. Boxes routinely include multiple choices of canopies, propellers, and other odd bits. Sweet model boxes (2 models) are available from Sweet Aviation in the East Bay for $16 each. http://www.sweetaviation.com/
Modellers vs. Wargamers One conflict between wargamers and modellers is that wargamers want multiple different copies of an airplane, where as modellers often only make one. Besides the Sweet models with multiple decal sets, there is another out for people interested in U.S. bombers and Stukas. Mike Grant Decals makes 1/144 scale decals in three sets: 1) B-24D and B241 - three aircraft; 2)B-29 SuperFortress - three aircraft; and 3) Ju87 Stuka - two aircraft. These are not ordinary decal sets, but include elaborate nose art for some famous craft as "The Strawberry Bitch" and the Stuka with a snake running the length of the aircraft. http://www.mikegrantdecals.com//
I found out about Mike Grant from a kit company, Cobra Company. They specialize in material for helicopter kits, (e.g., Cobras), but Cobra Company also makes conversion kits for 1/144 scale models of the B-24J, the B-25H/J, and several post war aircraft. All B-24 model kits in 1/144 scale are of B-24Js. The CC kit will allow you to convert on to a B-24D, for instance. Another kit will allow you to create the Navy version of the B-24, the PB4Y-1. Check it out. http://www.cobracomoanv.com/
Shops: The only 1/144 kits in production right now in the US are from MiniCraft/Academy. What is unfortunate is that their choice of aircraft is designed to complement the Revell and ARII line of aircraft, so some basic aircraft are missing, such as the Me109, and any US Navy fighters.
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© Copyright 2004 Hal Thinglum
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