[Louie]

I would pay $100 for a 1/72 Short Sunderland in diecast.

[Epapazian]

Trying to be realistic and avioding planes that have already been done or are planned by the major diecast makers, I would suggest the following in rank order as Hobby Master's next line of 1:72 bombers:1)Japan,s AichiD3A "Val",2)Japan's Nakajima B5N2 "Kate", 3)The USSR's IL2M, 4)Italy's SM-79,5)The USA's Grumman A-6A "Intruder",6) The USSR's PE-2,7) Japan's Mitsubishi G4M1 "Betty", 8) The USA's A-20C and G,9) Germany's DO-17Z,and 10)The USA/Great Britain Lockheed Hudson.As for the 1:144 scale my "realistic" top ten goes like this:1)The USA's B-36, 2)The USA's B-47, 3)Germany's FW 200 "Condor",4)The USA's C-46, 5)the USSR's Tu-20 "Bear", 6) Japan's Kawanishi H8K2 "Emily", 7)Germany's JU-290, 8) Italy's Piaggio P.108B, 9) Germany's HE 177 (supposedly planned by Dragon for who knows when), and finally 10) Great Britain's Short Sterling.

[Nimrod48]

For me it would have to be 1:72 scale aircraft like thw F-W Condor & the Hienkel Grief, it is also about time a manufacturer started producing ground crew, petrol bowsers & associated equipment to display with appropriate models.
Of course 1:32 scale planes would be nice like the F-W190 & the later marks of the Spitfire (with optional sitting & standing pilot + ground crew).
Away from planes I want a 1:8 or 1:6 scale RC166 Honda GP bike of 1966 (Dream on....)

[jim]

Originally Posted by Louie

I would pay $100 for a 1/72 Short Sunderland in diecast.

I would expect Corgi to charge somewhere around $300 if they ever make one!

Just the thought of that bird in 1/72 creates shock and awe>

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by Louie

I would pay $100 for a 1/72 Short Sunderland in diecast.

As well as a B-29.

[swoop]

Louie If only, a 100 dollar 1:72 Sunderland. That would be a more daunting quest than finding "El Dorado, The Golden Fleece and The Yellow Brick Road'.

[HotTrap429]

(1) 1/72 or 1/144 bombers
I love the idea of 1:72 bombers - there are plenty of types not yet made by Corgi that would be great sellers including Japanese, Germain and some single-seaters. FoV is jumping the gun with their B-25 and B-26, but I'm sure HM could do a better job. As to the heavies - no matter who makes them they will cost a great deal and I'm not willing to spend $100.00 for a B-24, Lanc or Fort. I wouldn't buy any 1:144 bombers as I've sold off the ones I had because I only collect one scale.
(2) civilian cars, trucks, farm machines, etc. in the scale of 1/43, 1/72, 1/87.
I don't collect anything except 1/72 scale diecast airplanes. IMHO car & truck models are available at every Walmart, KayBee, Toys-R-Us and Target and they are sooooo boring.
(3) Distributors stated that 1/87 is a very popular scale in Europe playing with steam engines.
So???? If HM wants to cater to a European market, more power to them. But there really is a very big difference as to what is popular to European collectors and American collectors. I personally don't have the money to chase down everything a manufacturer decides to sell. Let them decide this one on their own.
UK recommends us to consider a line without scale for kids (something like Model Power).
Are we talking American kids here? Then it better snap together and make things, beep, flash, and include a control pad. Trust me, I teach 9 and 10 year olds and hear daily what they really want. Diecast airplanes are not mentioned even though I display some of my models in my classroom. As for more serious collectors, probably won't help them recoup development costs.

Hobby Master: special collector editions with very limited numbers (like the Flying Mule special editions) based on planes of the Battle of Britian", Famous Fighter Duels - maybe based on The History Channel's Dogfight series and specific air groups would probably sell-out.

Oh yeah: 1/72 scale decently pre-painted pilots that can be placed in planes without pilots - instant cash cow! I'd pay $10.00 to $15.00 a pop for at least a couple of sets right now.

[easy8]

Originally Posted by HotTrap429

Hobby Master: special collector editions with very limited numbers (like the Flying Mule special editions) based on planes of the Battle of Britian", Famous Fighter Duels - maybe based on The History Channel's Dogfight series and specific air groups would probably sell-out.

Oh yeah: 1/72 scale decently pre-painted pilots that can be placed in planes without pilots - instant cash cow! I'd pay $10.00 to $15.00 a pop for at least a couple of sets right now.

I second HotTrap on the HC specials and the pilots...I would definitley buy "pilot packs"...but they must be in an "in flight" pose!

easy8

[Cavtanker]

I'm with you guys. I have a no pilot figure = no thank you approach to my collection now.

[gbeck]

Thanks Pappy B for the info, but $300.00 bucks is out of my league for collecting at this time, even for a "Betty".
Maybe HOBBY MASTER can do one for around $125.00.

GBeck