[Epapazian]

As has been mentioned many times, diecast marketers feel they must choose aircraft with at least 6-7 distinct livery options when selecting a new mold to develop. Which makes sense to me since few collectors are so taken with a plane that they buy every version of it that comes to market. Most single out one, two or three liveries and call it quits. So, the more paint schemes and operational situations per plane, the better.

With this in mind, a review of, as yet, undone diecast aircraft which command significant appeal, may tell us why there is so much reluctance to invest in new tooling for a P-61, an F-105, or a Tempest V. It's going to be a real strain getting 3 distinctive liveries for these planes, let alone 6-7. I've run down some of the most likely new mold candidates ,in my mind, and concluded that these are the best bets in terms of livery diversity and, as a result, profit potential:

1)U.S.: P-36/Hawk, A-20--especially if a C and G model comes from the same basic mold.

2) Great Britain: Hudson --even though it was U.S.-made

3) USSR: I-16 ,LA5FN/LA-7

4) Italy: SM-79, Fiat CR-42

5) Germany: DO:217- in various bomber, maritime patrol and night fighter versions derived from the same basic mold, ME-410

6) Japan: Oscar, Tony

As far as post WW II planes are concerned, these are used by so many countries other than those that designed them that the list could be endless. However one wonders how many Mirage F-1s in Spanish or Iraqi liveries would sell? Probably the best bets are early Cold War Soviet fighters like the Mig-15, 17, 19 series, or later models such as the Mig-23.

In any event, I assume that many members will have other opinions so let's hear them---but please, in the context of livery differentiation.

[Hornchurch]

A 'good post' Epz' & a subject that I've been (cynically) 'banging-on' about since the 'switchover' from MH.1 to MH.II

Plenty of (typical) examples about, that are STILL sitting around on dealers shelves - & are "brave-efforts" by the Die-cast companies that launched them, to an 'Apathetic' audience, as 'Exotic' (& un-typical) colour-schemes that were NEVER gonna sell in any great numbers........(Orange Franklin-Mint 1/48th Hurricanes anyone ??????? which are viewed by almost all, with disdain)

Even some of the better ones like Corgi's Blue/Yellow/Red ASR Catalina's are viewed with caution by many.

Like you summarised in your initial-post; I'm (very) 'picky & choosy' about which schemes I buy.

YES, the 'Livery' is definately what matters to me, as well as many/most others.

You've only gotta look at the reaction to Halifax "Friday the 13th" to see everyone chomping at the bit.

A "sure-fire" guaranteed winner (as & WHEN) Corgi eventually get round to releasing it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought Hobbymaster were (very) brave bringing out the 1/48th F.9-F Panther, as like the Tempest & P.61 it's not over~endowed with choice of scheme & will prob' sell in moderate numbers (?)..... as opposed to "Friday the 13th" which will (one day not long after release) be in demand, the way 'S'-Sugar Lancaster, or B.17 "Bit O'Lace" are today.

Also, of course a REALLY crisp mold will appeal to collectors & I HONESTLY believe that those two you mentioned (the Tempest & the P.61) would be snapped up - DESPITE limited colour-schemes, as there's PLENTY of Nose-art for '61 & code options/colour for the Tempest (as post-war tugs & F.T.U's).

The P.61 would sell best (be best portrayed) in 1/72 - Black or Olive-Drab, plenty of variations in markings & nose-art.

There's certainly NO SHORTAGE of takers in the Die-cast community - you only have to look on the TWO poll's on the P.61 that have been run over the last year on this forum, to see the potential demand & "to heck" with the Ltd.colours !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Tempest in 1/48 would be another 'peach' that despite Ltd.(overall) colour-schemes would sell by the shed-load (everyone loves a 'Rocket' (or Eight !)

The "Ltd.colours" NEVER stopped Corgi bringing out the Typhoon........& they ain't exactly unpopular, are they ?

The Typhoon has even less colour option than the Tempest -
so, H.M. "if yer listening"
....... a Tempest in 1/48th - as good as your Buffaloes, if you please !"

Changing subject, it's difficult for the F.117's of this world & the TSR.2's.


The Dornier Do.17 however is the UNIVERSAL 'under-dog' of the Die-cast world !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SO MANY (mouthwatering) colour-schemes & options - a "Battle of Britain" mainstay & major participant, not to mention the 10th May attacks (onwards)..... & the Polish (before) & (later) Balkans campaigns.......

GOOD GREIF why on EARTH has this OBVIOUS candidate for Die-cast NEVER been done......

THERE'S NO-EXCUSE !

(I think I need to climb back down "off" my soap-box, before a Coronary takes place

[rarmenda]

Well I think the post WWII jets that would sell great would be. The Mirage F-1, it would have a great livery factor (French european or desert camo, Greek, Iraq, Ecuador and South African). Second would be The Mirage III you would also have many liveries there also (French, Argentinian,Isreal, South Africa,Spain, Switzerland and Austrailia). And we can not forget about the Mig 23 with all of it's warsaw pact liveries.

[roowalker]

I'll go for the Bf109K,Start with Hartmanns and the list just goes on and on. Likewise the Fokker DVII would give a list of possibilities that would throw everybody into confusion. Curtiss P6E is limited in choices,but certainly colorful.