Fleet Air Arm Collection (1 of 3)

[D H]

Hi All

Attached please enjoy!!

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Dauntless/HA016Code3-F03DouglasDauntlessSBDMkVNZ5277.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Dauntless/HA016Code3-F05DouglasDauntlessSBDMkIJT997-1.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/AA33006-F01VoughtCorsairFMkIVKD345-1.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/DRW50133Code3-F01VoughtCorsairFMkIIKD431.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/WB99626-F01VoughtCorsairFMkIIKD654.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/AA33006Code3-F01VoughtCorsairFMkIVKD230.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/AA33006Code3-F01VoughtCorsairFMkIVKD780.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/AA33015-F01VoughtCorsairFMkIIJT590.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Corsairs/AA33003-F03VoughtCorsairFMkIJT172.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Avengers/PR99415-F01GrummanAvengerTBMMkIJV159.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Avengers/HA1210Code3-F01GrummanAvengerTBMMkIFN908.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Avengers/HA1210Code3-F01GrummanAvengerTBMMkIIJZ656.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Avengers/HA1204-F01GrummanAvengerTBMMkIIIPlonkyNZ2518.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Avengers/HA1210-F01GrummanAvengerTBMMkIIJZ490.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Hellcats/DRA50234-F03GrummanMartletMkIILS348.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Hellcats/HA111-F01GrummanHellcatMkIJV104-1.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Hellcats/HA1102-F01GrummanHellcatMkIIJV316.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Hellcats/HA1110Code3-F01GrummanHellcatMkIIJX822.jpg

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Hellcats/HA1110-F03GrummanHellcatMkIIKD230.jpg http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/Duncan_Hughes/Hellcats/PR99414-F01GrummanHellcatMkIJV145.jpg

[DCRanger]

Some very nice Code 3's in there.:cool:

[COASTIE75]

Just like the CC thread, some fantastic models in there. Although, I think you could do with some more Corsairs...........:)

I missed the "skippers orchid" Dragon Corsair first time round, would love to get hold of one of them.

[tonicola]

Great pics and very nice line up, thanks for posting these.

[Angels one-five]

really nice theme here and some very cool code 3s.

[The Defiant Man]

Missed this thread...think it was posted whilst I was on my jollies.....

I love those.....I'd certainly take the Martlet, RAE Dauntless & HMS Queen Avenger if they were ever done as general releases.....:cool

[MiGAlley]

Great bunch this, and wonderful repaint. That Martlet is fantastic :cool

Shame Dragon haven't been producing any new schemes of late - this would have been a great scheme to revive the line!

[divemikedive]

Great bunch this, and wonderful repaint. That Martlet is fantastic :cool

Shame Dragon haven't been producing any new schemes of late - this would have been a great scheme to revive the line!

Actually, that prompts a question. Why is it that Dragon haven't re-entered 1:72 diecast aircraft? They have the toolings ready - and some good ones too - their P-51, P-47 and FW-190 are generally the best of breed. At the same time, after a long hiatus, they've jumped back into 1:72 armour with gusto and are happily rolling out new 1:144 and 1:200 aircraft as well as their all new space exploration line. 1:72 jets and props obviously still make money - HM is doing ok, Corgi's still in the game, and witness the entrance of new players like Falcon. It's not as if the category died. Any thoughts??????

[MiGAlley]

Well, first up, the best toolings are no longer theirs, from what I heard, particularly the Mustang and Dora. For the rest of them, I seem to recall they had tons of excess stock left - typically no limited editions here, so no telling how many they have made. Some of these schemes have been re-introduced on the market recently, and I imagine they'd like for these to be shifted first. It boils down, however, to the competitiveness of the business of late, I imagine. Both old and new players are tangling in the 1/72nd arena, with HM in particular pumping out release after release. I imagine there's simply not the customers available for all that metal, which is why run sizes have come down and manufacturers have shifted themes, scales and customer bases. Dragon thus have moved to the smaller scales, with recent releases in 1/144 and 1/200.

[divemikedive]

Well, first up, the best toolings are no longer theirs, from what I heard, particularly the Mustang and Dora. For the rest of them, I seem to recall they had tons of excess stock left - typically no limited editions here, so no telling how many they have made. Some of these schemes have been re-introduced on the market recently, and I imagine they'd like for these to be shifted first. It boils down, however, to the competitiveness of the business of late, I imagine. Both old and new players are tangling in the 1/72nd arena, with HM in particular pumping out release after release. I imagine there's simply not the customers available for all that metal, which is why run sizes have come down and manufacturers have shifted themes, scales and customer bases. Dragon thus have moved to the smaller scales, with recent releases in 1/144 and 1/200.

Makes sense. Particularly if their best toolings aren't theirs any longer. Do you know who has them? The P-51D is a sitting duck for a manufacturer, as there isn't a good one (unless you buy an older Dragon) available anymore. As for excess stock, I still see bits and bobs around but these are consistently the same small group of models - two or three P-51's, F4F's and occasionally FW-190s. HM is certainly becoming the McDonald's of diecast and taking control of the market through sheer volume - they're out to make themselves the leader by default in almost every genre; however, we are still seeing the entry of new players like Falcon giving it a go. It remains to be seen if they'll be 'drowned' by HM/Skymax, but their strategy of 'nibbling around the edges' where HM and other competitors seem unwilling or hesitant to go, appears to be working. Likewaise, War Master has figured out that there are some uniques types available from the IXO molds, that could be profitable to re-pop - albeit they aren't the most accurate - but are instead, the only examples available of certain types. I'd still really like to see Dragon get back in there as they have with their armour releases.

[MiGAlley]

I'd like for Dragon to come back too, and release some of those excellent schemes that we've seen as custom repaints - the Martlet below is a prime example. For the early marks, the Fw 190 is excellent too, and there's lots of schemes left for that one. And the mighty Thunderbolt, of course - superb casting and tons of good schemes to be done. Perhaps some PTO versions?

I think I read that HM has part of the Mustang tooling, and I imagine Dragon may have the rest itself. Probably the same thing happened to the Dora. The lack of a good D-mark Mustang in 1/72nd is clear, and values of the more desirable Dragon versions have been on the rise of late. It seems, however, that HM has its mind on 1/48th as the prime scale for WWII fighters, however, and sadly, there's been few signs of anyone being likely to do a version as refined as Dragon's.

Better pick up some of the Dragon versions while you can, and if you're handy with a brush, look at Prune's "Not another silver Mustang" thread for inspiration!