My Try @ Product Photography - Toys and Collectables

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For TABLE OF CONTENTS of all images in this thread please see Page 19


What's featured on this Page 35....

NOTICE: If you don't see the images in some of the older posts means I had used up the 10GB bandwidth for this month. I'm sorry these pictures can no longer be viewed until next month where the counter will be reset to zero and the pictures would then appear again. For the newer posts I am using another account so it is not affected. Enjoy !




Fighter Aircraft Collection

Fighter Aircraft Collection is a fortnightly, must-have collection of highly-detailed die-cast models (in 1:72 and 1:100 scales) featuring the fighting machines of the aces.

Free with each model is a fact-filled magazine that builds into an encyclopedia of Fighter Aircraft, telling you all you need to know about the legends, their histories, pilot stories and much more.



(My collection is mostly WW1 and WW2 Planes and in 1:72 scale only. As such there would be some skipped issues. These planes are die-cast models and one can feel the weight of these metal planes holding them in your hands or displaying them in your cabinets !)




ISSUE 1 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb (United Kingdom) - 1941

This diecast model represents the British Spitfire Mk Vb. The only fighter aircraft of the World War II to fight in front line service from September 1939 to the end of the conflict in August 1945. This variant powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 engine proved to successfully combat enemy aircraft. In total 3925 of this variant were produced.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Supermarine Spitfire (Amercom Spitfire)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 9.12 m
Wingspan: 11.23 m
Height: 3.86 m
Wing area: 22.48 m2
Empty weight: 2,297 kg
Loaded weight: 3,000 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 supercharged V12 engine



Performance
Maximum speed: 595 km/h
Combat radius: 756 km
Service ceiling: 11,125 m (36,500 ft)
Rate of climb: 13.2 m/s (2,600 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.36 kW/kg (0.22 hp/lb)

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries during and after the Second World War. The Spitfire was built in many variants, using several wing configurations, and was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft.

Designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor aircraft, the development of the Spitfire's distinctive elliptical wing with the thinnest possible cross-section enabled this fighter aircraft to have a higher top speed than several contemporary fighters of its time.

 

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ISSUE 2 - Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 (Germany) - 1942

This model represents the Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 of Jagdgeschwader 54. Best known as the "Grünherz" or "Green Hears" Wing, JG 54 was the second highest-scoring wing of all time. JG 54 flew in the Battle of Britain and the Eastern Front, claiming 9600 kills.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Bf109 (Amercom Bf109)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 8.95 m
Wingspan: 9.925 m
Height: 2.60 m
Wing area: 16.05 m2
Empty weight: 2,247 kg
Loaded weight: 3,148 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 liquid-cooled inverted V12, 1,475 PS



Performance
Maximum speed: 640 km/h
Combat radius: 850 km with droptank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.344 kW/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

The Messerschmitt Bf 109, commonly called the Me 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft . It was one of the first truly modern fighters of the era, including such features as all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear. It was powered by a liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine.

The Bf 109 first saw operational service during the Spanish Civil War and was still in service at the dawn of the jet age at the end of World War II, during which time it was the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 was the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 33,984 airframes produced from 1936 up to April 1945.

 

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ISSUE 3 - P-51B Mustang (United States) - 1944

This 1:72 diecast model represents P-51B Mustang aircraft. American Aviation P-51 Mustang was a single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II and the Korean War. Mustang generally considered the best fighter of WW2 was known as the plane that defeated the Luftwaffe in WW2. It was deadly, fast, high-flying and fuel-efficient. The Mustang's range and combat capabilities permitted it to escort the heavy USA AF bombs on massive daylight bombing raids over Germany.

 

[DM101]

Fighter Aircraft Collection - P51B Mustang (Amercom P51B)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 9.83 m
Wingspan: 11.28 m
Height: 4.08 m
Wing area: 21.83 m2
Empty weight: 3,465 kg
Loaded weight: 4,175 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Packard V-1650-7 liquid-cooled V-12, with a 2 stage intercooled supercharger, 1,490 hp



Performance
Maximum speed: 703 km/h
Combat radius: 2,755 km with external tanks
Service ceiling: 12,800 m (41,900 ft)
Rate of climb: 16.3 m/s (3,200 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.300 kW/kg (0.18 hp/lb)

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts.

The Mustang was originally designed to use the Allison V-1710 engine, which had limited high-altitude performance. The addition of the Rolls-Royce Merlin to the P-51B/C model transformed the Mustang's performance at altitudes above 15,000 ft, matching or bettering that of the Luftwaffe's fighters.

 

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ISSUE 5 - Fokker DR.I 1917 (Germany) - 1917

Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen Dr.I 425/17 (also widely known as the Red Baron) was one of the few aircraft that flew that was actually all red - the smooth finish evident in photographs of the aircraft suggest that it may have been painted this way in the Fokker factory at Schwerin.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Fokker Triplane (Amercom Fokker Dr.I Triplane)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 5.77 m
Wingspan: 7.20 m
Height: 2.95 m
Wing area: 18.70 m2
Empty weight: 406 kg
Loaded weight: 586 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Oberursel Ur.II 9-cylinder rotary engine, 82 kW (110 hp)



Performance
Maximum speed: 185 km/h
Combat radius: 300 km
Service ceiling: 6,095 m (20,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 5.7 m/s (1,130 ft/min)

The Fokker Dr.I Triplane was Germany’s most famous fighter aircraft in World War One combining excellent maneuverability with a high rate of climb. It was Germany’s response to the British Sopwith Tri-plane in 1917.

The lower and middle wings were attached to the fuselage while the top wing was much above the fuselage and was attached by steel-tube struts. The D.VI was powered by a 110 hp engine and was armed with two synchronised 0.31 inch LMG 08/15 guns.

 

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ISSUE 6 - Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB (United Kingdom) - 1941

This model represents fighter aircraft Hawker Hurricane that served as fast communications aircraft with the British Royal Air Force at the beginning of World War II. This aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, when the Hurricane accounted for the majority of the enemy planes shot down by the RAF.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Hawker Hurricane (Amercom Hurricane)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 9.84 m
Wingspan: 12.19 m
Height: 4.00 m
Wing area: 23.92 m2
Empty weight: 2,605 kg
Loaded weight: 3,480 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin XX liquid-cooled V-12, 1,185 hp at 21,000 ft



Performance
Maximum speed: 547 km/h
Combat radius: 965 km
Service ceiling: 10,970 m (36,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.1 m/s (2,780 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.250 kW/kg (0.15 hp/lb)

The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Although overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War.

It was the first fighter monoplane to join the Royal Air Force and was present in greater numbers than the Spitfire. However, the war kept catching up with the Hurricane - it slowly became obsolete as a front line fighter against the German Luftwaffe.




The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces. The British were using Spitfires and Hurricanes and the Germans the BF109 fighters.


The Spitfire is tops for glamour and romance but in fact it was the Hurricane that was the real No. 1 fighter plane in the Battle of Britain. Though slower than the Spitfire, the Hurricane developed a reputation as a plane that could take more than a few hits from the Germans and continue to fly.

To some the Spitfire was a thoroughbred horse; superb until it was damaged. The Hurricane, though less graceful and slower than the Spitfire, was more a shire horse; incredibly strong and capable of taking many hits before it was taken out.

The fact that the Hurricane was responsible for more enemy aircraft destroyed is eclipsed by the Spitfire’s graceful silhouette and romantic legend. Glamour usually outshines performance, in war as in love.

 

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ISSUE 11 - Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen Zero (Japan) - 1942

The Mitsubishi A6M was the most famous Japanese aircraft of World War 2. When it first entered service, no other carrier-based fighter could match its range and manoeurvability and the type quickly gained a reputation as a deadly dogfighter. However, as the conflict progressed Allied pilots were given the machinery to take on the Zero and win. Although it was outdated by 1944, in the course of the conflict more Zeros were built than any other Japanese aircraft.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Mitsubishi Zero (Amercom Mitsubishi Zero)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 9.06 m
Wingspan: 12.0 m
Height: 3.05 m
Wing area: 22.44 m2
Empty weight: 1,680 kg
Loaded weight: 2,410 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Nakajima Sakae 12 radial engine, 709 kW (950 hp)



Performance
Maximum speed: 533 km/h
Combat radius: 3,105 km
Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 15.7 m/s (3,100 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.294 kW/kg (0.18 hp/lb)

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero is a long-range fighter aircraft, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy from 1940 to 1945. When it was introduced early in World War II, the Zero was considered the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world, combining excellent maneuverability and very long range. It is also as a land-based fighter.

In early combat operations, the Zero gained a legendary reputation as a dogfighter, achieving the outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1, but by mid-1942 a combination of new tactics and the introduction of better equipment enabled the Allied pilots to engage the Zero on generally equal terms.

By 1943, inherent design weaknesses and the failure to develop more powerful aircraft engines meant that the Zero became less effective against newer enemy fighters, which possessed greater firepower, armor, and speed, and approached the Zero's maneuverability.

 

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ISSUE 12 - Messerschmitt Me 262A (Germany) - 1944

Commanded by Maj Walter Nowotny, Erprobungskommando (Testing-Command) 262 was the world's first front-line jet fighter unit. On November 8, 1944, after claiming victories against a B-24 Liberator and a P-51 Mustang, Nowotny radioed in and reported a failing engine. His final transmission was "Just made the third kill... left jet failed... been attacked again... been hit" Adolf Galland was among the witnesses that saw Nowotny's Me 262 "White 8" dive vertically out of the clouds and crash. During his career, Major Walter Nowotny achieved 258 aerial victories.

 

[DM101]

Fighter Aircraft Collection - Me262 (Amercom Me262)





General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 10.60 m
Wingspan: 12.60 m
Height: 3.50 m
Wing area: 21.7 m2
Empty weight: 3,795 kg
Loaded weight: 6,473 kg
Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 004 B-1 turbojets, 8.8 kN (1,980 lbf) each



Performance
Maximum speed: 900 km/h
Combat radius: 1,050 km
Service ceiling: 11,450 m (37,565 ft)
Rate of climb: 20.00 m/s (3,900 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.754 kW/kg (0.458 hp/lb)

The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but engine problems and top-level interference kept the aircraft from operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944.

Heavily armed, it was faster than any Allied fighter, The Me 262 was used in a variety of roles, including light bomber, reconnaissance, and even experimental night fighter versions.

 

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ISSUE 15 - North Grumman F6F Hellcat (United States) - 1945

Lt. Hamilton “Mac” McWhorter scored 12 victories during World War Two, all brought down while flying the F6F Hellcat. He was the first US Navy pilot to make ace on the F6F.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Hellcat (Amercom Hellcat)








General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 10.24 m
Wingspan: 13.06 m
Height: 3.99 m
Wing area: 31.0 m2
Empty weight: 4,190 kg
Loaded weight: 5,714 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W "Double Wasp" two-row radial engine with a two-speed two-stage supercharger, 1,491 kW (2,200 hp)



Performance
Maximum speed: 629 km/h
Combat radius: 1,520 km
Service ceiling: 11,370 m (37,300 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.8 m/s (3,500 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.260 kW/kg (0.16 hp/lb)

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft designed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy (USN) service. Although the F6F resembled the F4F in some ways, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800, the same powerplant used for both the Corsair and the United States Army Air Force's (USAAF) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters. Some military observers tagged the Hellcat as the "Wildcat's big brother".

The F6F was best known for its role as a rugged carrier fighter which was able, after its combat debut in early 1943, to counter the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and help secure air superiority over the Pacific Theater. Such was the quality of the basic simple, straightforward design that a total of 12,200 F6F were built in just over two years span.

 

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ISSUE 18 - Albatros D.V (Germany) - 1917

High-scoring ace Paul Bäumer flew edelweiss-marked Albatros D.V with Jasta 5 during summer of 1917. Surviving the war with 43 victories to his name, Bäumer claimed hist first three successes at the controls of this airccraft in July 1917.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Albratros DV (Amercom Albratros DV)







General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 7.33 m
Wingspan: 9.05 m
Height: 2.70 m
Wing area: 21.2 m2
Empty weight: 687 kg
Loaded weight: 937 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Mercedes D.IIIaü piston engine, 150 kW (200 hp)



Performance
Maximum speed: 186 km/h
Combat radius: 350 km
Service ceiling: 5,700 m (18,701 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.17 m/s (1,130 ft/min)

The Albatros D.V was a fighter aircraft used by the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during World War I. The D.V was the final development of the Albatros D.I family, and the last Albatros fighter to see operational service.

Despite its well-known shortcomings and general obsolescence, approximately 900 D.V and 1,612 D.Va aircraft were built before production halted in early 1918. The D.Va continued in operational service until the end of the war.

 

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ISSUE 20 - Bristol Bulldog (United Kingdom) - 1931

Wearing the blue and white squares synonymous with legendary RAF fighter outfit No. 19 Squadron, K2159 was delivered new to this unit at Duxford, in Cambridgeshire, on 8 September 1931.

 

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Fighter Aircraft Collection - Bristol Bulldog (Amercom Bristol Bulldog)







General Characteristics
Crew: One pilot
Length: 7.67 m
Wingspan: 10.30 m
Height: 2.67 m
Wing area: 28.5 m2
Empty weight: 1,000 kg
Loaded weight: 1,586 kg
Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Jupiter VII radial piston engine, 328 kW (440 hp)



Performance
Maximum speed: 287 km/h
Combat radius: 443 km
Service ceiling: 8,930 m (29,300 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.20 m/s (1,379 ft/min)

The Bristol Bulldog was a British Royal Air Force single-seat biplane fighter designed during the 1920s by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Over 400 Bulldogs were produced for the RAF and overseas customers, and it was one of the most famous aircraft used by the RAF during the inter-war period.

The pilot was provided an oxygen supply for operations in high altitudes and even a short-wave two-way radio for communications. In many ways, these two additions were a glimpse into the future of military aviation and were noted collectively as quite the innovation. Optional armament included were 4 x 20lb bombs held under the wings.