[skysurfer808]

Okay, thought about this awhile and decided to break it down according to scale, theatre and timeframe.

1/32-35

1. The Corgi Hartmann Bf 109. Agree with Chief's assertion that this is an essential, as it was flown by the top ace of all time.
2. Any Corgi Camo Spitfire. These are great models, the first metal 1/32 available, and virtually gone from most vendors, except for way too much money. I particularly like the Bader Spit, and am still on the lookout for a Lane.
3. Corgi's Big Beautiful Doll. This one is a particular favorite as it is probably the best depiction of a Mustang out there. GMP's would make the list, but they just don't look like a Stang. The only thing wrong with Corgi's Mustang's is that stupid plastic clip, which makes boxing and unboxing these beauties a tough proposition without damaging them.
4. Corgi's Bader Hurricane closely followed by their Sea Hurricane. Both of these are great models, the Bader wins out on the history of the airplane and pilot.
5. GMP's P-40. I agree with FVD that Texal Longhorn looks sharp, though Old Exterminator is a tough one to beat as well. The thing looks like a Warhawk, and is probably GMP's best model to date. Overall a great model with a level of detail that has to be seen to be believed...also in the case of Texas Longhorn, available for relatively cheap on Ebay (paid 59.95 for mine shipped.)

1/72 WW-2

ETO
1. Any of Corgi's Bf 109s...but especially either the original or current Galland
2. Any of Corgi's Hurricanes, but especially the early BoB Mk 1s...both of the above due to their place in history.
3. Any of Corgi's Fw 190s...especially the Losigkeit and Spring Grunherz, both superior liveries of a great fighter
4. Gemini's P-51B, best mustang in 1/72, hands down.
5 Gemini's Spit IX, great model and a welcome improvement over Corgi's mold.

PTO
1. Dragon's Zero, especially the Sakai version, a historic airplane by any standard.
2. Dragon's Yorktown Wildcat, to honor Jimmy Thach and his contributions to Air Warfare.
3. Hobbymaster's Dauntless, especially the Coral Sea and Midway variants. Both excellent detailed depictions of a history changing aircraft.
4. Hobbymaster's Hellcat, particularly the Vraciu and McCampbell birds, both well executed depictions of the top ace making airplane of WW-2.
5. Corgi's Boyington Corsair, what can I say, Boyington may or may not have been top Marine ace, but he will always remain a legend.

1/72 Jet

1. Any Century Tomcat, but particularly the VF-84 Jolly Rogers, probably the best thing in diecast at the moment.
2. Witty's F-15C 33 FW Gorillas, markings and airplane depicting the airplane with the best victory ratio in air combat history.
3. Dragon's F/A-18C definatly wins despite its inaccurate missiles, their newer Super Hornets are also the best depiction of the Superbug on the market. Only flaw is their weak gear in gear down, but they look more real then the Witty, especially when displayed side by side.
4. Any of Hobbymaster's A-10s, what can I say, the Warthog is one of the more important airplanes flying today...if it wasn't the USAF wouldn't be uprgading them to fly another 20 plus years.
5. Corgi's Parr F-86, a great depiction of the airplane, with an interesting history behind it.

Other models that deserve honerable mention are Carousel 1's AVG P-40, Corgi's Iraq War Blackhawk, and Corgi's P-38s, especially Bong's Marge. Corgi's later Razorback P-47 and Dragon's Thunderbolts are also great, and would make the list but for the superiority of the models listed above. Dragon's F-16 also scores points for accuracy, especially the 363 FW version...and the fact that it has the gear up option. These are my favorites, and I own most of them, despite my moves...only missing the Dragon F-16 and HM A-10. Finally honorable mention ought to go to the Falklands 809 Sqd Sea Harrier, which isn't on the list due to the near impossiblity of finding one...i got one of the last ones out there.

Skysurfer808