[Epapazian]

I will never forget my first diecast---a WWI French Renault F-17 tank with movable rubber threads--given to me as a little boy by my dad. I wondered over it, played with it and, ultimately lost it, but the experience still lingers in my mind. I see the same tank offered for sale now on ebay for $80-100, but so far, I have resisted the temptation to buy as the models look badly worn and battered by time. Other early diecast memories include some armored cars with turrets--also now popping up on ebay- and several WWII four engined planes---a B-17 and a JU-90 --- with scoped out bottoms and fixed main wheels. I traded these for toy soldiers---sigh! Does anyone care to share their first diecast experiences with us?

[Copland]

I started this "obsession" ca. 1997. My first was a Solido, 1/50 Tiger I, all metal. I purchased a few more Solido/Verem tanks, then, I then discovered the CDC line of tanks, and eventually bought about 50 of them. I stay pretty much with Dragon and Hobby Master, 1/72 line. Great hobby.

[tank nut]

Mine was a m-3 lee when was about 14, I also had a lot of matchbox stuff made from diecast when I was a kid and now there all gone Just like all the hocky card and baseball cards that went out in the garbage when I turned 18 lol. All the money I could have had from those lol oh well it was better to love and lost then never have loved at all LOL.

[PappyB]

Mine was a Dinky F-4 Phantom -- Royal Navy blue with "firing missiles" that actually more resembled "firing centerline fuel tanks"... My dad bought if for me at a lionel train meet he had dragged me to when I was 7 or so and played with the thing for years, eventually painting it in a vietnam camo pattern before it finally hit the trash heap broken and forgotten when I was like 15 or so. Sentimentality pushed me to buy a replacement a couple years ago on ebay, mint in the box, for $125 -- I think the original was $10

To this day, the Phantom remains my favorite jet...

[Cruver Collecter]

My first diecast plane was a Christmas present when I was 4 years old. It was a bright red Hubley Piper Cub and pretty much from then on planes were it.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Mine was a gift given to me by my Grandfather in 1955. It was a tan Dinky Morris Oxford that is so old it doesn't even have a number on the base plate. I still have it today -- albeit it does have new replacement tires.

{ FAST FORWARD to NOW > > > } Around 2000 I started buying MIB Dinky's (starting with my coveted 998 Bristol Britannia CF-CZA) that I either had or wished I had in the late 50s & early 60s. That took me to many of the local Toy fairs where I was first exposed to the NEW Corgi diecast. WOW. Airplanes! First model: 1:72 PO•S Lancaster. Love it! The collection has been growing ever since. I also bought 3 of Corgi's version of that CPA Bristol Britannia CF-CZA -- two which are currently in storeage -- off site(!) Didn't I mention I was an airplane nut?

Oh yes, I have gotten all the Dinky aircraft I was looking for, except for one -- Air France Vickers Viscount -- French. And at $300 -- $350 for MIB, that will have to wait for some other day.

[SKUNKY]

Yes, I was alone in my room at the time....oh wait, that was a different experience

Ummm, I don't actually remember my first diecast as I'm not sure what actually qualifies, but like Pappy, I would have to say I most likely started playing with my Dinky around the age of 7..I didn't camouflage mine, but I did paint the name 'TICONDEROGA, NY' on it, although sometimes it would just read 'TINY'...

What I would consider my first serious diecast model however, would be Franklin Mint's B-17G Shoo Shoo Baby in 1/97th scale around 1990 (which btw, remains my most expensive diecast purchase to date)

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

Yes, I was alone in my room at the time....oh wait, that was a different experience

Ummm, I don't actually remember my first diecast as I'm not sure what actually qualifies, but like Pappy, I would have to say I most likely started playing with my Dinky around the age of 7..I didn't camouflage mine, but I did paint the name 'TICONDEROGA, NY' on it, although sometimes it would just read 'TINY'...

What I would consider my first serious diecast model however, would be Franklin Mint's B-17G Shoo Shoo Baby in 1/97th scale around 1990 (which btw, remains my most expensive diecast purchase to date)

Tank Nut has a similar experience, but I don't wish to know about his Dinky! My first serious Diecast piece that started this mess was the Matchbox 1st release Hellcat. I still have it, but pitched the box on day one.

[aeroeng]

Here's the first die-cast I bought. A Spec Cast corsair. Got it for my oldest sons first Christmas . It's the only non-Franklin Mint in our collection.

[Hurriup!]

My first diecast were Corgi cars like James Bond Astin Martin w/ the cool ejection seat or the Roger Moore underwater lotus I still have some but alot of them went MIA or went to neices and nephews, had some small scale matchbox planes too one time. Now reliving second childhood with this renewed hobby,....who says you can't go home again?