Aerobatic team aircraft?

[BSteinIPMS]

I've just finished reading an interesting book:

"Aerobatic Teams of the World", Adrian M. Balch, Motorbooks International, Osceola, Wisconsin, USA, 1986. (originally published in the UK by Airlife Publishing Ltd.)

I was struck with the thought that Corgi might do well - at least in their Showcase line - by producing a series of aircraft in the markings of military aerobatic teams, such as:

Red Arrows - RAF- Folland Gnat or BaE Hawk
Yellowjacks - RAF - yellow Gnat
Red Pelicans - RAF - Jet Provost
Red Devils - RN - Sea Hawk
Snowbirds - RCAF - Tutor
La Patrouille de France - FAF - Fouga Magister
Frecce Tricolori - IAF - Aermacchi MB 339, Fiat G-91
Blue Impulse - JASDF - Mitsubishi T-2
Haglind-Team - SAF - SAAB J-29, J-35 Draken
Thunderbirds - USAF - F-84G, F-84F, F-100, F-4, T-38, F-16
Blue Angels - USN - F8F Bearcat, F9F Panther & Cougar, F11F Tiger, F-4, A-4 Skyhawk

This list is by no means all-inclusive and represents only an idea. I think it would be an interesting line to collect.

[Albert Ross]

I've just finished reading an interesting book:

"Aerobatic Teams of the World", Adrian M. Balch, Motorbooks International, Osceola, Wisconsin, USA, 1986. (originally published in the UK by Airlife Publishing Ltd.)

I was struck with the thought that Corgi might do well - at least in their Showcase line - by producing a series of aircraft in the markings of military aerobatic teams, such as:

Red Arrows - RAF- Folland Gnat or BaE Hawk
Yellowjacks - RAF - yellow Gnat
Red Pelicans - RAF - Jet Provost
Red Devils - RN - Sea Hawk
Snowbirds - RCAF - Tutor
La Patrouille de France - FAF - Fouga Magister
Frecce Tricolori - IAF - Aermacchi MB 339, Fiat G-91
Blue Impulse - JASDF - Mitsubishi T-2
Haglind-Team - SAF - SAAB J-29, J-35 Draken
Thunderbirds - USAF - F-84G, F-84F, F-100, F-4, T-38, F-16
Blue Angels - USN - F8F Bearcat, F9F Panther & Cougar, F11F Tiger, F-4, A-4 Skyhawk

This list is by no means all-inclusive and represents only an idea. I think it would be an interesting line to collect.

Yeah, yeah, we ARE doing all the aerobatic team aircraft within the restriction of Corgi's available toolings. I will manage a few more with a certain new casting next year.....ooo, oooh, hush my mouth!! :cool:

[NeilD]

what, not the Rothmans Pitts Specials!!! :D those were the days...

[maple 01]

I hope that's a dimond nine of Yellowjacks and real Red Arrows in Gnats I see inbound
The only good Hawk is a Sea Hawk!

-Nick

[charley]

Surely if theres a God above (or an Albert in Leicester!) we are gonna see a 1:72 Hawk! All 9 in a comemorative box set circa £150-160 worth???
Limited Run signed buy the pilots with prints and DVD's etc...


:)

[BSteinIPMS]

Yeah, yeah, we ARE doing all the aerobatic team aircraft within the restriction of Corgi's available toolings. I will manage a few more with a certain new casting next year.....ooo, oooh, hush my mouth!! :cool:

Thanks for the "heads up", Albert. I was familiar with the entire Red Arrows team in the Corgi Showcase line, albeit they're not available over here except through eBay. I had no idea Corgi was pursuing a deliberate policy of producing other aerobatic team aircraft and I was contemplating them doing a separate line of same. I believe it would sell well, but think it would have to be done in the Showcase line to make it profitable.

I suppose I'll have to start collecting these based on your observation, above, and hope to see the line expanded to encompass many teams from around the world.

If you lack for photographic inspiration, you might look into the book I've referenced above. The author seems to know what he's talking about and the photos he's provided are, for the most part, striking.

[Seafire47]

So Albert hints:

"I will manage a few more (aerobatic team liveries) with a certain new casting next year"

You'd think the Hawk would be an obvious choice, but Corgi have seemed reluctant to do one. I know everyone says a Red Arrows model would sell well to the general "non-collector" public, but I think Corgi have already covered that market with the Showcase model and sets. If they won't do a Hawk, there's not much chance of other UK training types like the Gnat or Jet Provost, so what will the new model be?

Well I've also got "Aerobatic Teams of the World", and flicking through it last night it struck me how often the Sabre appeared! It's an obvious choice for Corgi having served with the airforces of all of their major markets (UK, USA, Australia, Canada and S.Africa) and Albert has said in the past that it's been "on the cards" for some time now. Perhaps next year the Sabre will finally make it into production. ;) If so, please Albert, can we have one in RCAF Golden Hawks colours?

Another photo in the book that caught my eye was the Blue Angels C-121J. From the hints on the old forum, my money's on next year's new 1/144 casting being a Super Connie, so how about this one to go with the Herk?

Seafire

[Albert Ross]

So Albert hints:

"I will manage a few more (aerobatic team liveries) with a certain new casting next year"

You'd think the Hawk would be an obvious choice, but Corgi have seemed reluctant to do one. I know everyone says a Red Arrows model would sell well to the general "non-collector" public, but I think Corgi have already covered that market with the Showcase model and sets. If they won't do a Hawk, there's not much chance of other UK training types like the Gnat or Jet Provost, so what will the new model be?

Well I've also got "Aerobatic Teams of the World", and flicking through it last night it struck me how often the Sabre appeared! It's an obvious choice for Corgi having served with the airforces of all of their major markets (UK, USA, Australia, Canada and S.Africa) and Albert has said in the past that it's been "on the cards" for some time now. Perhaps next year the Sabre will finally make it into production. ;) If so, please Albert, can we have one in RCAF Golden Hawks colours?

Another photo in the book that caught my eye was the Blue Angels C-121J. From the hints on the old forum, my money's on next year's new 1/144 casting being a Super Connie, so how about this one to go with the Herk?

Seafire

Regret the Hawk was not the type I was referring to! The Sabre has been short-listed to be done by Corgi for a couple of years now, so I'm sure it will be done.

[Typhoon-MKV]

Surely if theres a God above (or an Albert in Leicester!) we are gonna see a 1:72 Hawk! All 9 in a comemorative box set circa £150-160 worth???
Limited Run signed buy the pilots with prints and DVD's etc...


:)

If that was going to happen it should of been this year because......now.....what was it...........oh yes the 40th Anniversary of the Red Arrows...... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Horrido!]

Albert,

Matchbox have done a very nice Sabre for a fraction of Corgi price - don't let them waste a casting on another one - do something else that hasn't been done by the faster manufacturers.

Horrido!

[charley]

Albert,

Matchbox have done a very nice Sabre for a fraction of Corgi price - don't let them waste a casting on another one - do something else that hasn't been done by the faster manufacturers.

Horrido!


...in one livery and i would have to disagree on the 'quality' aspect.

Albert Sabre sounds fantastic, Hopefully spawning some early jets Mig 15. Meteor etc...

Shame about the Hawk... Those showcase models just don't do it for me... :(

[Horrido!]

Which of the liveries do you consider to be "the one"?

Bear in mind the price difference when you disagree on the "quality aspect" of a real model and a pipe dream.

Horrido!

[Agent X20]

Alberts words...

a few of these will be catered from one casting........

So it aint a Hawk...

[Albert Ross]

I hope that's a dimond nine of Yellowjacks and real Red Arrows in Gnats I see inbound
The only good Hawk is a Sea Hawk!

-Nick

...and the only good King is a C.King :D

[Agent X20]

King Cobra..