[Epapazian]

Among the most intriguing conflicts of the 20th Century, one that was immensely ideological and a precursor to the much larger bloodbath of WWII, was The Spanish Civil War. A host of aircraft from a variety of sources was utilized by the opposing sides, some of which are of considerable interest to modellers and diecast cellectors. Except for a few German planes rendered by Armour in Legion Condor liveries, plus some models in DeAgostini's new biplane series, there are virtually no Spanish Civil War diecast replicas to choose from. Here is a list of some of the well-known aircraft that were used in that war. A few are available in diecast, but not in Spanish liveries; the others have yet to be made in diecast form. Which of these would you buy if a quality-conscious manufacturer produced them in 1:72 or 1:48 scale? Fascists: JU-52, BF-109C/D, JU-87,HE-51, HS-123, JU-86, Fiat CR-32, Fiat CR-42, SM-79, SM-81, Fiat BR-20, Breda 65. Republicans: I-15, I-16, SB-2, Grumman GE-23 (Delfin), Breguet Bre 19, Hawker Fury.

[larz]

I would buy all liveries of I-16's offered in 1/48. Spanish Civil War liveries sounds great.

Larz

[Shamrock]

Epapazian, you're bang on the nail about the Spanish Civil War. I've just finished Antony Beevor's up-dated 'The Battle For Spain'. It is a superb book once you get past all the acronyms for the myriad of groups allied to both sides. The cruelty and savagery inflicted by both sides was horrific.

The Luftwaffe used tactics which all the world would see a few short years later. A brilliant testing ground for the JU-87, HE-111, and ME-109. The Russians and Italians also got a look in with the Polikarpov 1-16 and Fiat CR32/42. I would love to see this period covered.