[Cruver Collecter]

Not to leave out the jet junkies. How about a Supermarine Attacker. Good one for 1/48th scale.

[Epapazian]

These pictures rekindle fond memories. At one point, I had ten of the planes whose pics you posted, but only four remain---all in poor condition. In my opinion some of the best recognition models, in terms of crispness and general accuracy, were the P-51A, A-20, B-25, Mosquito, Fiat CR-42, SM-81, P-61, MC-200, MC-202, HE-115, Zero, Lily, Betty , Frances and the FW-200. There were some pretty poor ones, including the first version of the FW-190, the F6F with that spinner, the misshapen FW-189, the portly HE-111, and the skinny Oscar with an oversized canopy. As I understand it, the craftsmen who made many of the early war "master models" had very little to go and often were forced to use newsreels or bad photos to guide them. Their work was supposedly approved by military "experts" before metal molds were made, but even so, a lot of errors were made.If you look closely, you can see these planes hanging from the ceilings of WWII movie "briefing rooms" as pilots like Robert Stack or Edmund O'Brien are given their next mission assignments.Sigh! Those were the good old days.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Where did you GET those planes!!?? (Wow!)

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

These pictures rekindle fond memories. At one point, I had ten of the planes whose pics you posted, but only four remain---all in poor condition. In my opinion some of the best recognition models, in terms of crispness and general accuracy, were the P-51A, A-20, B-25, Mosquito, Fiat CR-42, SM-81, P-61, MC-200, MC-202, HE-115, Zero, Lily, Betty , Frances and the FW-200. There were some pretty poor ones, including the first version of the FW-190, the F6F with that spinner, the misshapen FW-189, the portly HE-111, and the skinny Oscar with an oversized canopy. As I understand it, the craftsmen who made many of the early war "master models" had very little to go and often were forced to use newsreels or bad photos to guide them. Their work was supposedly approved by military "experts" before metal molds were made, but even so, a lot of errors were made.If you look closely, you can see these planes hanging from the ceilings of WWII movie "briefing rooms" as pilots like Robert Stack or Edmund O'Brien are given their next mission assignments.Sigh! Those were the good old days.

Yeah, I noticed that too. The movie those two actors where in is titled "Fighter Squadron"...it's one of my favorites to watch if not for the vintage P-47s! Also, in the movie "Command Decision" which starred Clark Gable, pay attention to the recognition model of the Me-262 jet fighter.

[Merritec]

I have a customer with a extensive collection of recognition models. I will see if he can take some pictures and I will post them.

[Cruver Collecter]

Planes came from a variety of sources. Some of the models were found on eBay while others came out of Fleamarkets and yard sales.

[no4mkit]

Nice stuff, Cruver Collector. I had several Cruver ID models myself until selling them off a few years ago due to space limitations. I have a few 1/200 Wiking models stashed away still but can't recall what all of them are.

A word to the wise for anyone thinking of investing in Cruver recognition models. Pay special attention to the condition and get plenty of photo's from the seller before you purchase. These models are made from a material that is very prone to shrinkage and warping and you could end up with something that looks more like a pretzel than a plane. Also, there are a lot of repro's and refurbs out there that people try to pass off as original or authentic so don't assume anything. You know what they say about assuming....

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by no4mkit

Nice stuff, Cruver Collector. I had several Cruver ID models myself until selling them off a few years ago due to space limitations. I have a few 1/200 Wiking models stashed away still but can't recall what all of them are.

A word to the wise for anyone thinking of investing in Cruver recognition models. Pay special attention to the condition and get plenty of photo's from the seller before you purchase. These models are made from a material that is very prone to shrinkage and warping and you could end up with something that looks more like a pretzel than a plane. Also, there are a lot of repro's and refurbs out there that people try to pass off as original or authentic so don't assume anything. You know what they say about assuming....

Authentic Cruver ID models have small c in circle on underside of plane, while the reproductions out of the Fortworth area have a c with slash through it on a raised diamond shape. Hope you find your Wiking models and maybe add some pictures to this thread.

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by no4mkit

These models are made from a material that is very prone to shrinkage and warping and you could end up with something that looks more like a pretzel......

Kinda describes my winky.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Kinda describes my winky.

Now this is gonna bring lots of comments.