[STARMAN 352ND]

George Guynemer Spad is the one i'm waiting for but i don't think it will better then my Hallmark Guynemer Spad i have..
Rigging on that one is tight too.
I passed on this Biddle one for now.
JP

[Liberando]

Just want to second Biggies comments regarding the Biddle Spad. I picked one up at the Liberty Memorial WW1 museum yesterday and I am very impressed with this model. Rigging is tight and nicely done, great paint work, pilot figure, and tight seams. This was my first 1:48 scale and first WW1 diecast. Based on the quality of this one, I going to have to start building a WW1 collection. Nice job Corgi!

Lib

[leeG]

I just got my Biddle SPAD today. I like it. I wouldn't call it "fantastic," but it is a very nice model covering a period in aviation history so far neglected by the diecast manufacturers. I have a particular interest in WW 1 aviation and am delighted that Corgi is venturing into this area. I'm impatiently waiting for the Camel, Rickenbacker SPAD, Roth Albatross and No. 1 Squadron SE5a.

This model displays nicely alongside the Hallmark 'Legends in Flight' SPADs. I have the Guynemer and "Smith IV." The Hallmark's have a metal fuselage with plastic wings and tails. The Corgi has metal fuselage and wings, but the tail seems to be plastic. In general the Corgi is slightly more detailed. As far as the rigging goes, the Hallmark thread is tighter and Hallmark also includes the wire bracing on the landing gear. The Corgi rigging looks like wire, but the wire on my model is poorly attached at the front of the top left wing and none of the wires are straight.

Here is a front 3/4 shot of the Biddle.




Here it is head on. Note the small bends in the wires and the lack of wire bracing on the landing gear. The top wing joints are flush. The aileron-rod crank is included (they are the small rectangular truss at bottom of the outside wing struts).




This is a front 3/4 of the Hallmark "Smith IV."




And here is Smith IV head on. One error on the Hallmark is that the propeller turns the wrong way! Also the top wing joints are very noticeable, as well as the small pins where the thread is attached. And no aileron rod crank.




Here they are nose to nose. The gap on the Corgi cowling is very obvious. Both models have oversize interplane struts. The Hallmark has solid plastic wheels. Corgi has plastic rims and proper grey rubber tires. A nice touch! Corgi gives you a pilot.




Here they are from above. The interesting thing to see here is that Corgi has the "late wing" with squared off tips while the Hallmark has the more rounded "early wing." This distinction will keep both brand's models on my shelf. No overlap, as I like to say. The greens in the camouflage are different, but nothing that bothers me. "Smith IV" is wearing French roundels.


And finally, from the bottom. Corgi is tan and the Hallmark is gray. The plastic Hallmark wing is clean while you see the lower wing attachment joint on the Corgi. But then, who ever looks at the bottom?

[Cruver Collecter]

Shame they did not have the rigging on the landing gear. Also curious as to what that rectangular framework on the wing is. At least there is another Spad out.

[Elmer]

Nice review. Thanks, lee. I also have the Biddle SPAD, and I agree, it isn't fantastic, but I like it. If Corgi can straighten the rigging, and make the upper wing join flush (I have/had two and neither are flush... grrr!), the Rickenbacker SPAD could be better.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by Elmer

I agree, it isn't fantastic, but I like it. If Corgi can straighten the rigging, and make the upper wing join flush , the Rickenbacker SPAD could be better.

I agree the rigging has got to be tighter on all their WWI fighters....I hate seeing a wire here and there loose on them....I too hope the rest
of the WWI releases that come out will have these issues with the rigging and wing flush corrected.
JP

[Captain Eddie]

Thanks for the review, Lee. Due to lack of funds, and the fact that I am so daggone pleased with my two Matchbox Spads (even though they lack rigging), and one Hallmark Spad, I'll probably not be getting the Corgi, however. Appreciate the pics!

[leeG]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

Thanks for the review, Lee. Due to lack of funds, and the fact that I am so daggone pleased with my two Matchbox Spads (even though they lack rigging), and one Hallmark Spad, I'll probably not be getting the Corgi, however. Appreciate the pics!

I missed out on the Matchbox SPADs. But between Hallmark and Corgi I'm pretty well fixed. Let's hope the pooch gets the pipeline going again and that we see some more models. Maybe a DVII? And I want some 56 Squadron SE5s!

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by leeG

Maybe a DVII? And I want some 56 Squadron SE5s!

Me too .......I want a DVII and you got to have the 56 Sqn Se5's ......I hope to see a Albert Ball and James "Mac" McCudden Se5

JP