[mm33926988]

Being a relatively new collector I am a bit confused by the various types of Corgi Aviation Archive planes. There are the Aviation Archive ones, Legends, Collectors, and Nose Art all in 1:72 scale. Some come only with landing gear down, some with it up, some optional up or down, and some with pilots and some without. What's up with this? I keep trying to figure out from the pictures on the internet which ones to order. It seems it would be simpler and cheaper for Corgi to make them the same (except of course for the paint schemes). I am in the minority (I believe) in prefering to have a pilot and the option to display with landing gear up. This seems to be possible with the regular Aviation Archive planes and the "collectors" and maybe the Nose Art series. The Warbirds lack pilots and the Legends have landing gear down only. Is this right? Can any of you experienced collectors help me get this straight.

[butcherbird]

Ok, here goes,
The Aviation Archive range is often referred to as the collectors version. They come with pilot and can be displayed gear up or down. They are also usually limited editions complete with numbered certificate or numbered stand.
The 1/72 noseart range are Aviation Archive releases that also include a 1/32 scale noseart panel. They are also usually limited editions
The Legends releases come with pilot and stand but can only be displayed gear down. Corgi have discontinued this line.
The Warbirds range have replaced the Legends. They come with a stand but no pilot. They can only be displayed gear up.

You can get the Legends and Warbirds at a much cheaper price than the AA's but they obviously don't come with the "frills".

[bsmith13]

Okay, as far as I can tell, there are four different varieties. Some of them have multiple names.

Aviation Archive/Collector's Edition is the high-end version in 1/72. All of them have two sets of landing gear; up and down.

Legends is 1/72, and less expensive. Thes have landing gear fixed down. (Landing gear = Legends)

Next is Warbirds. Also less expensive 1/72 (with a few 1/144 bombers thrown in), with the gear fixed up.

Then you have the Showcase collection, which is nearly any scale except 1/72. These are the least expensive that Corgi produces.

Did I miss anything?