[Epapazian]

As biplane enthusiasts on this forum probably know, DeAgostini is including a long list of 1:72 diecast biplanes as part of one of its magazine subscription deals in Europe. These have been mentioned in other threads, with many of us expressing concerns about the likely poor quality of these models----which would not be surprising considering who makes them (the Altaya/IXO guys ) and the mass production-low budget standards set for them. I have just received my first, of a number of these planes I intend to collect. It's a replica of the Curtiss Hawk III, as flown by the Chinese Nationalists in the late 1930s and, frankly, it's not as bad as I feared. For one thing, the model is very heavy. For another, the propeller and its piston is firmly attached, not loosely fitted and dangling askew, as some of the pictures indicate. And the pilot figure is acceptable. OK. So there isn'tvery much detail----no surprise here. And there are those inevitable glue blobs, especially where the supporting wire braces for the wings are installed. But these can be sanded off with care and new paint applied, while other minor corrections also seem possible. I'm sorry I can't post pictures right now, but I just wanted to let you biplane fans know that there may be hope. It's not a lock by any means, but this series may provide us with reasonably useful--albeit not perfect--replicas of planes like the Fiat CR-32, Fiat,CR-42, I-15, HS-123 and even the Japanese "Pete" floatplane. Certainly, we're not going to see the likes of these from regular diecast manufacturers any time soon.

[no4mkit]

Hi Epapazian - can you post some pics of the Hawk?

[mhackl]

While this is a Hawk II and not a III, the paint scheme is very similar to what I believe the Hawk III from Altaya is supposed to wear.

[no4mkit]

Thanks mhackl. Though I'm not into the biplane era much, I like some of the later (read 1930's) types so I'll be interested in seeing the actual results from Altaya.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by no4mkit

Thanks mhackl. Though I'm not into the biplane era much, I like some of the later (read 1930's) types so I'll be interested in seeing the actual results from Altaya.

Sorry about my lack of pictures but I need to get a much better camera and then I will learn how to post pictures. In the meantime the Planeta DeAgostini website has fairly small pictures of the entire series---the Hawk III is in the last sequence-- and even better shots are available on ebay seller , macemundi's, website from time to time----but not today.

[admin]

Originally Posted by mhackl

While this is a Hawk II and not a III, the paint scheme is very similar to what I believe the Hawk III from Altaya is supposed to wear.

It does look similar, at least the number is different as far as I can tell.


Fascículo 27 + Curtiss Hawk III

List of credits

• Country of origin and date of the first flight:
  EE.UU., spring of 1933
• Type:
  hunting single-seater
  
  
• Power plant:
  Wright R-1820-F53 Cyclone of nine star cylinders of 785 HP to the takeoff
  
  
• Benefits:
  terminal velocity, 387 km/h to 3,505 ms; you go. of cruise, 328 km/h to 3,505 ms; maximum range with auxiliary tanks, 1,270 km; you go. upward initial, 10.16 m/s; ascent to 1,524 ms, 2.4 min; ceiling on watch, 7,864 ms
  
  
• Weights:
  in emptiness, 1,457 kg; maximum to the takeoff, 2,107 kg
  
  
• Dimensions:
  spread, 9.58 ms; length, 7.14 ms; height, 2.98 ms; wing area, 24.33 m2
  
  
• Armament:
  Two Colt-Browning machine guns of 7.62 mm synchronous on the hood with 600 cartridges by weapon and four pumps of 45 or 52 kg, or the one of 215 kg under the lower wings or fuselage

[admin]

There are some really interesting aircraft on this list.

Mythical biplanes series

Fascículo 1 + Boeing PT 17 Stearman


Fascículo 2 + Bristol Bulldog


Fascículo 3 + Fokker Dr. I


Fascículo 4 + Nieuport 11-16


Fascículo 5 + Henschel HS-123 "Angelito"


Fascículo 6 + Spad VII


Fascículo 7 + Polikarpov I-15 Chato


Fascículo 8 + Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5


Fascículo 9 + Sopwith Triplane


Fascículo 10 + Curtiss JN-4 Jenny


Fascículo 11 + Sopwith B1B


Fascículo 12 + Gloster SS.37


Fascículo 13 + Fiat CR-32 "Falco"


Fascículo 14 + Boeing P-12 E


Fascículo 15 + Arado Ar 68


Fascículo 16 + Albatros D.III


Fascículo 17 + Pfalz D. III


Fascículo 18 + De Havilland 82 Tiger Moth


Fascículo 19 + Fairey Flycatcher


Fascículo 20 + Avro 504K Tutor


Fascículo 21 + Fokker D. VII


Fascículo 22 + Bristol F2B Fighter


Fascículo 23 + Sopwith Camel


Fascículo 24 + Fiat CR 32


Fascículo 25 + Mitsubishi F1M2 Tipo Cero


Fascículo 26 + Spad XIII


Fascículo 27 + Curtiss Hawk III


Fascículo 28 + Fairey Swordfish - 5C


Fascículo 29 + Ansaldo S.V.A.


Fascículo 30 + De Havilland DH 2

[Lakota Mech]

When are these going to be available? I like the japanese seaplane.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Lakota Mech

When are these going to be available? I like the japanese seaplane.

They are only available via ebay sellers, not regular online sources. Most of them now appear in ebay listings by macemundi and others, but these are hit or miss, depending on supply and demand. The best way to keep tabs on the plane you are interested in is periodic ebay searches. But beware. Their quality varies from plane to plane and it is important to study whatever pictures are available. I'm already in the process of removing glue blobs from my Curtiss Hawk III and will repaint the whole plane shortly. If you aren't prepared to make essential "corrections", including some sanding, fixing loose props, painting, etc. these models can be a risky proposition.