justin

I picked up the Corgi 1/72 Mosquito FB VI from my local toy store today and my reaction is that this is a very fine model indeed. My impression of the shape is that it captures the look of the mossie superbly, the engines look particularly good. The RAAF 464 sqdn markings are very sharp and crisp, and paint finish good. The cockit is nice, nice deep colour imprint on the frames and it meets the fuselage nicely, some older Corgi's suffered from the cockpit canopy looking like an afterthought add-on. The mould has been very well engineered, there are no distracting seams, and the fit of the wings and tail are first class. Overall it's very hard to see how they could make a meaningful improvement here, VERY highly recommended!! Corgi have redeemed themselves for the "Grim Reaper"!

Picked up at the same time,

RAF Harrier GR3, again a nice model, this is in the markings of one of the RAF 1 sqdn machines in the Falklands conflict. The shape and overall impression are pretty good, and the markings and paint finish good. My only (small) gripe is that the mould could have been tooled with the seams a little more hidden, but it's not a big distraction.

RAF (Norwegian) Sunderland V, weathered effect. Nothing to add to the old mould other than to say again that Corgi have made a nice job of it. The news here is the weathered finish. You will either love it or hate it, I like it, it's quite subtle, weathered enough to give a nice in service look without going over the top, although looking at pictures of some Sunderlands it would be impossible to over weather one of these.

Some reflections on recent Corgi releases, in my view they're improving fast, in recent months they have been improving the following;

-tooling is paying much more attention to how they place seams, some older releases were rather let down in this regard

-Cockpit canopies look more crisp, panel lines now have a nice deep colour rather than the wishy-washy effect of some early releases

The old boy who runs the shop was saying he's been surprised at the popularity of this range, he's bsasically a train and diecast road veichle shop but now does quite a good business in these. One slightly worrying thing is that he was saying a few collectors are jumping on the limited edition bandwagon, buying as a speculative investment rather than to enjoy the models. I ordered a CDC Armour 1/48 F4U Corsair at the same time, the one in FAA BPF markings, it was hard picking as I decided to treat myself to something from the CDC catalogue and basically everything they make looks nice. I can't wait for the B25, he was saying that is due in the UK in October.

Ozz

The FB VI is out already?? Good news, this means it will be over here in a couple of weeks.
I think it's time to head down to my retailer, to see what's available.
I was going to buy the FAA Corsair but the only one in the store had the engine mounted wonky so I picked up the USN/MC Mary instead.
Next month is going to hurt my bank account!

__________________
Ozz

ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL
GO WESTJET!!!
We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

justin

I think you'll like the FB Mosquito when you see, I didn't think twice about buying it yesterday. I hope my Corsair turns out OK, I've been incredibly lucky as out of all the diecast aircraft I've ever bought I've always had good ones. I'm gonna have to cut back as my collection is going out of control, I'm collecting 1/400, a little 1/500, a little 1/200, 1/144, 1/72 and 1/48, it's crazy!!! I keep threatening to concentrate on 1/144 and 1/72 but then I see a great 1/400 airliner or great 1/48 model from CDC Armour, oh dear .

Ozz

I know what you mean, I have limited myself now to 1:400 and 1:48 for collecting. That doesn't mean I won't pick up the odd 1:72 (Corgi) or 1:200 (Bader) or anything else that grabs my attention, but I'm really sucking for space and I want to continue with this hobby without having to store my models in the crawl space.

__________________
Ozz

ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL
GO WESTJET!!!
We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

egonzinc

Ok you guys have me confused now!
In another post I had heard that the Mosquito from Corgi had some sort of major flaw.
I just received today item # 32802 FB VI and its beautiful!
Is the mistake the fact that it is a gunship and the markings used should have had a clear nose?

How about the 32801 B IV is that the one with some fault?

I'll be gone over the weekend but I'll check here next week.

These were the only two Corgi Mosquitos I have seen on the sites. Apparently the 32802 is hard to get...

I received earlier in the week the Lancaster and its a beauty indeed!

Thx in advance!
Eduardo

justin

Hi E, Corgi have made two mossie's, a B IV and FB VI, the FB is superb and is very hard to criticise in any meaningful way. The B however has the nose painted to match the rest of the aircraft, this was crazy, because it is actually the correct nose, just that they decided to paint it!!!!! If it wasn't for the nose it would be a superb model too, it has the correct canopy (different to the FB) and a nice finish, this really made me angry with Corgi. So my advice is not to get the B IV but very much yes to get the FB VI which is one of Corgi's best.

For any people not familiar with the Mosquito, the B variants were unarmed with a bubble nose for the bomb aimer, while FB variants had a solid nose to hold 4x20mm cannon and 4x303 machine guns, there were other detail changes too but the nose was the most obvious change.

egonzinc

Justin,
Thx!
I think I get it now!
The B should have had a clear nose and it doesn't.
Too bad as the "look" with the clear nose is just beautiful.
Lets hope they realize their error and release a correct B model eventually.
I ordered both of them.
Initially, I was unable to get the FB, but curiously I received it first.
I must admit that I love these planes and models but I'm not familiar with "all types, of all types".
That is where the forum helps a lot.
I must mention that when I first got the Lancaster out of the box I found it smaller than I expected. The reason of course is the many hours I spent looking at a 1/48 Lancaster DamBuster Tamiya model that I made probably close to 30 years ago!
WOW just writing "30 years ago" blows my mind!
It was one of the best models I ever made.
But must admit that 1/72 is a lot more manageable.
My favorite Mosquito was a 1/32 Revell model which I painted in a crazy "tones of blue" camo. I loved those huge 1/32 models, had them all, and stored them in a place that ensured their survival until recently. They weren't the greatest of models ( compared to Tamiya) but the variety was great. One that I kept postponing, and never built, is one that Ozz has mentioned here several times, the Beaufighter. I imagine all those models are still around being re-releases, although compared to recent vintage 1/48 models they are in the 'stone age' in terms of detail.
Another one of my favorite models was a P-51 Monogram model that had working gear by turning a knob under the wings and bombs would drop pushing two small levers... incredible!
Let me stop this rambling of the model memories of my youth!!
Thanks again Justin!
One more question though, on the Sutherland by Corgi, what scale is it? Is thast the one that has a seam running along the side of the fuselage?
Love the look of the Sutherland with the white undersides and camo on top...
Take care
Eduardo

justin

Now you're reminding me of my youth!! . I well remember the Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster, I built mine as one of the B1 Specials with the 22000 pound grand slam bomb, impressive kit! The Revell Beaufighter was a beautiful kit, I haven't seen it in the shops for a long time which is sad as it builds into a lovely model. These days my kit building is not so active, with the availability of such nice diecast models it kind of makes me lazy, but it's still nice to see the results of our own efforts. About the Mosquito, I think the clear nose Bomber and PR variants look more elegant, but I also like that mean prize fighter look of the FB's, I can never decide which I prefer. Take care,

Justin

PS. the Sunderland is 1/144, can you imagine a diecast Sunderland in 1/72, that is a model I'd love to see!

Ozz

Wow! You guy's must be as old as I am, I remember well the Revell Beaufighter, 1:32 scale wasn't it? I spent many a hour pretending to be John "Cats Eyes" Cunningham with that one. I never had a Lanc model as they were not available here but I always wanted one. The Corgi 1:72 is the stuff of my dreams, perfect.
E, I too had that 1:32 P51D with the working gear, even the tail wheel retracted. Did you build yours with the optional electric motor for the prop?
I stopped building models as a habit when I discovered girls, and have built maybe 5 in 30 years including a plank on bulkhead Bluenose 2 that took 8 months to build.
These diecasts are great for those of us who are too lazy and have lost the talent and patience to create our own.
I don't know about you but I fall readily into that catagory.

__________________
Ozz

ORANGE IS BEAUTIFUL
GO WESTJET!!!
We need more CPAir/CDN and don't forget PWA and BA Landor!

justin

I think Ozz has hit the nail on the head for my own attitude too when he mentions the word lazy .

I do still enjoy making the odd kit as it's a nice way of unwinding and spending our depressing English winter days, but I'm too lazy to do many. Another factor for me is price. Airfix, Revell, Monogram, Italeri and others used to make kits of almost anything in the world, things like Avro Ansons, Lockheed Hudsons, Boulton Paul Defiants, basically anything from WW2 and they were affordable. OK they were basic, but half of the fun was the extra effort in improving the detail. Now the kits from Tamiya, Fuji, Hasegawa are incredible, almost perfect, but they're XXXXXX expensive too, it's sad. Also when I look at the price and detail of a CDC Armour 1/48 model, I think "why bother?"

Take care,

Justin

Ozz

And you know that after a few years on the shelf the Armour's and Corgi's won't be shedding parts because you were conservative with the glue.
Also they take more abuse when you play with them.

justin

True, true!!! )

egonzinc

Ozz,
No I did not motorize the prop, but that P-51 had more "missions" than any other of my models. Loved that tail gear operating. Also the interior details were incredible. Too bad most of it was hidden.
I agree on the laxy part but I also have trouble working on models and anything else with glasses!!!
I seem o need four different pair, depending on the distance!
I painted military miniatures for over 20 years and now it would be VERY tough to paint those eyes!
One of my last major modeling projects was maybe 5 years ago and it was building a 1/16 scale PzII. I must have spent 3-4 hours researching the markings and details of the particular model I wanted to build. i also wanted to place a suitable commander and finally kitbashed a figure with appropiate head dress for the period. Every link of track was a separate piece! and I wonder where my eyesight went!
I wanted the tank in the "Barbarossa" look. Gray, dirty, big turret numbers and lots of equipment on the back. I veguely remember that it has appropiate markings for the 7th Pz Div. It was a Verlinden kit and its BIG eventhough the tank is VERY small in real life. I also loved painting the HUGE 200mm Verlinden pictures. The German fighter pilot is a beauty (Galland I think) and I also painted a German Infantryman 1941 and a Roman Standart bearer. These figures stand about 8" !! Dwarf everything else!
I agree completely with you guys in terms of these finished models replacing the urge to built. As soon as I have some time my airplane models will go to ebay 'en masse'. My armor kits I will hold on to ...for now...
E

justin

That Pz2 sounds fantastic!! I detailed a few Tamiya 1/35 AFV's with Verlinden "super detail" kits and Verlinden figures, it take a lot of time and effort (and money!) but the results can be something else. He also made nice super detail kits for aircraft, with new cockpits, ejector seats, engines etc. which transformed a model. I can't imagine ever going to those efforts now, I've just became too lazy .