[Canucklehead]

Don't get me wrong. I think Corgi's Gladiator, Swordfish, and PBY models are great. Gemini's models are pretty cool too, and they show great promise for things to come. HobbyMaster has spiced things up with their SBDs and MiGs, but for me, the best thing in die-cast this year is something else...

For those of you unfamiliar with the product, Hasbro's Titanium Die-Cast are a series of small but detailed ships and figures from the Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and Transformers universes. Available at most stores (specialty and department), these tiny gems are small enough to fit almost anywhere, and priced to fit almost any budget. With the smaller regular series averaging at about three inches and $4-$7, they are collectibles you can afford to buy, and find a place for.

My favorites so far have to be the Colonial Vipers from the hit Sci-Fi Channel effort Battlestar Galactica (the new one). The Mk.II features dead on detailing, an opening cockpit, and flip down landing skids, which is pretty remarkable considering the model's size. While the Mk.VII lacks these features, it is also a faithful rendering, and does have some weathering from heavy interstellar combat.

The latest release, as mentioned in another thread, is the "Classic" 70's version Viper from the original Battlestar Galctica series. Other ships from the new series include two Cylon Raiders, one in a regular scheme, and the other painted up as the dreaded Viper-killer "Scar". A Colonial Raptor, Colonial One (president Roslin's transport), and the famous Galactica herself round out the line. The Galactica is available in the smaller regular releases, and as an "Ultra" Titanium version, which is considerably larger and features moveable launch bays and a plastic display case to keep it dust free. A Titanium Cylon Centurion figure is planned to be available sometime in the first quarter of 2007.

A tip of the hat to DADoser and hworth18 for helping me out with my collection!

[bsmith13]

I like these nice little pieces too - enough to sacrifice part of my jealously guarded diecast funds for them.

I finally found Scar and the Classic Colonial Viper yesterday. They make nice additions to my diecast collection.

I am also impressed with the new Star Wars Titanium diecast that Hasbro has been releasing lately. They are releasing some very nice ships lately.

[Gunner]

I picked up several of these and like them very much.

As luck would have it, just a few days after buying the "Titanium" classic Viper, I found a bigger Classic Viper and a Classic Cylon Raider in a video game store. They are a little smaller than 1/72 scale (about 1/87 would be my guess), but they're close enough that I've got them on the shelf with my 1/72 Aircraft...

[Canucklehead]

Those would probably be Joyride Studios' product, released in 2004 and 2005. Here is a pic of the Silver Spar Squadron Viper:
You can still pick these up on eBay for less than $20.

[bsmith13]

In which video game store did you find these?

[Gunner]

Yep, Joyride Studios is it. I didn't keep any of the packaging.

I found them at a little independent game store in a strip mall outside of Sheridan, Arkansas...

[STARMAN 352ND]

I wish they made these a little bigger i like the looks of the Vipers.
I have seen these in Suncoast stores...But that was then and Now these stores are starting to close up all over the country.
JP

[DADoser]

I've got an independent, local diecast store - that, I'm sure has/had those (Larger vipers).

Here's the link: http://www.skidmarksdiecast.com/

He doesn't do a formal internet/mail order business - but I'd be willing to bet he would get them to you/help you out if you can't find them anywhere else. (His prices are good/reasonable on Corgi, Dragon and other stuff I'm familiar with.)

[flyXwire]

Thanks DaDoser! I'll give him a try.

I have seen these in Suncoast stores...But that was then and Now these stores are starting to close up all over the country.
JP

Last year it was Media Play, this year it was Tower Records....and now Suncoast??? <sigh>

[Canucklehead]

Colonial Raptor
Function: Surveillance and reconnaissance
Crew: Pilot and Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECO)
Operational Conditions: Atmospheric and space
The rugged and versatile workhorse of the Colonial Military, this adaptable ship has proven to be invaluable in the fleet's struggle for survival. Originally intended as a medium-range recon vehicle, the Raptor has been used as evrything from a boarding vessel to an ordnance delivery platform. Though not as fast as the Colonial Viper, it is also an effective combat platform, sporting electronic countermeasures capable of thwarting many Cylon weapons. The Raptor measures 28' in length and is hyperlight jump capable.