COLLECTORS MARKINGS/SQUADRON RECOMMENDATIONS

Dave, Hope Oskhosh went well for you.On the plane front
1. Spitfire ( depends on the mark) in RCAF in 403 Squadron markings as they
have a Wolf motif ( I have a bias as my dad was attached to 403 during WWII
and flew spits). Or 402, 412, 416 Squadrons. Code letters on fuselage for
403 were KH ( roundel) then plane designation letter ( Colours Ocean Grey,
Dark Green on surface, Med Sea Grey underneath, black spinner). Or desert
colours again RCAF ( red spinners, Azure blue underneath, Brown and dark
brown surfaces.)

2. A 10 Warthog - How about the 195th National Guard Fighter Sqn colours
and motifs out of Idaho. I am sure Vice Coimmander Pat PatO O'Rorke would be
pleased to see a model in that groups colours.

3. ME 262 - whatever - how a bout a night fighter colours.

4. Mitchel - How about those Mitchell that were used in the Italian
campaign in similar markings.

5 Hell cat - anything blue

6. P 47 Thunderbolt - depending on model how about Zemke's.

7. Huey - green would be nice (:))

I wish I could have spent more time researching for you. See
attached on RCAF 403 Sqn. In addition check out the following website for
more plane info on Canadian aces during WWII that flew Spitfires ( the US
Eagle Sqn would also be neat to see as they all flew Spits before converting
over to P51 Mustangs and P47 Thunderbolts.
http://www.accessweb.com/users/mconstab/index.html-ssi
A good new source would be the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces publications
that you can find all over and or check out Osprey Publications website at
www.ospreypublishing.com I am not that familar with Hell cats or Heuy's.
Sure hope someone comes out with an A6 Intruder at some point. See also
Idaho A10 n124th Wing, 190 Fighter Sqn National Guard website some good
photos there "www.idaho.ang.af.mil/" . That would be great if some of the
producers of Die cast planes made your the planes on your list - I would buy.
I would buy anyway and just re-paint into the type of plane ( Squadron etc.)
I would want at that.

Cheers Tom Fly Safe.
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Dave,

In response to your request for markings on the Armour 2001 releases, here are
my candidates.

1. Spitfire
Depends on the Marks they are going to produce, but I would vote for a late war
Mk. XIV (black spinner, no fuselage band)
A desert camouflaged 92 Squadron Mk. V
A high Altitude Mk. VII/VIII in the overall light blue Camouflage.
A RAF/RAAF Spitfire with South East Asia Command markings
A RN Seafire

2 Me-262
A JV44 plane
A 2 seat nightfighter
A JG7 machine with stab markings

2. B-25
Any 345 BG (Air Apaches) Machine, But specifically A late war natural metal
B-25J strafer named Dirty Dora 2 from the 499 BS. Dark blue Bat head looks good
against natural metal finish
A PBJ from USMC Squadron VMB-611 (would require radome on nose of aircraft)
A PBJ from any other USMC squadron

3. F6F
A nightfighter from USMC Squadron VMF (N)-541 (nice nose art)
A nightfighter from USMC squadrons VMF(N)-533, VMF(N)-542 or VMF-511
A photo recon plane from USMC squadron VMD-354

4. P-47
Any 56th Fighter Group P-47M, specifically one from the 61st fighter Squadron
(would be nice to have a sample from each of the squadrons)
Any other 56th FG P-47D
A 353d FG machine
A 35th FG machine

5 Huey
A UH-1E Gunship from USMC squadron HML-367 (nice markings- black
tailboom with squadron emblem on side)
A UH-1E Gunship from USMC Squadron HML-267 (nice colorful markings)

I suggest leaving the B-25 in 1/48 scale. It shouldn't be much larger than an
A-10 in the same scale.

Thanks,
Steve Blue
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Hi Dave,

I'm out at my folks place, but will certainly participate... but a couple
of questions... what mark spitfire (my vote would be for an "E" wing Mk IX)
but what mark would be a big factor in what historic paint jobs to apply.
The same for the P-47 Thunderbolt... bubble canopy or razorback (there
were "neater" paint schemes for the bubble models, but were more
historically significant razorbacks).
Pat Foley
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Folks

My input follows:
Spitfire - 1) A plane from the Eagle Squadron (133 Sqdrn) in its U.S.
markings. 2) A Spitfire from No. 303 (Polish) Sqdrn, circa 1942, preferably the
one flown by Capt. Jan Zumbach when he was commander of 303. 3) A Desert
Air Forces sand filter equipped Spitfire. 4) WgCom. Douglas Baders aircraft coded 'DB"

A-10 Warthog - 1) An aircraft from the 23rd TacFtrWg,

ME262 the Flying Tigers ME 262 - 1) A Reichs Defense marked a/c with the rear
fuselage bands as worn by III/JG 7 in early 1945. 2) The ME 262 that Luftwaffe
defector Hans Fay flew to the Allies. 3) A two-seater night fighter version.
4) A KG 51 (Edelweiss Kampfgeschwader) bomber variant as based at
Rheine airfield in Nov., 1944

B-25 Mitchell - 1) A -G model from the 1st Air Commando's with the 75 mm
nose gun. 2) A -B model of one of the Doolittle Raiders. 3) A Desert Air
Forces type such as 487th BS, 340th BG with the yellow border around the
national insignia. 4) A 5th AF Air Apache -H model with the 8/12/16 .50
cal machine gun nose.

F6F Hellcat - Very little variations were used here but you might
consider a post-war Naval Reserve paint scheme or a target drone color scheme.

P-47 Thunderbolt - 1) A razorback a/c from the 8th Air Force's 5th
Emergency Rescue Squadron, May 44 - May 45. 2) An 8th AF 353rd Fighter
Group razorback with the D-Day stripes. 3) A P-47D of the 69th FtrSq,
58th FtrGp, 5th AF, New Guinea, 1944 with the white nose and white tail.

4) A P-47D of the 460th FtrSq, 5th AF. The unit was called the Black
Rams and the plane flown by the CO, Maj. Bill Dunham was very well
marked.

Huey - I have very little input here but one variant has to be a gun
ship and one has to be a Med-i-vac bird

Rich Lindsey
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Dave,

I am particularly interested in the following:

1. F6F Hellcat.
* Aircraft flown by LT Alexander Vraciu, VF-16, USS Lexington, June
19, 1944. He bagged six Yokosuka Judy dive bombers on this day to become the
Navy's leading ace with 18 kills.
* Aircraft flown by ENS Wilbur B. "Spider" Webb, VF-2, USS Hornet,
June 19, 1944. ENS Webb "surrounded" forty Japanese Val dive bombers and
Zero fighters that were retuning from a mission to their base on Guam. He
radioed "Any American fighter pilot, the is Spider Webb at Orote Peninsula, I
have 40 Jap planes surrounded and need a little help." Aboard the Hornet
after the battle, Web's aircraft was so badly damaged that it was pushed
overboard. He counted eight kills, but because of a defective gun camera,
he was credited with only six confirmed kills, plus two probables on that day.

2. P-47 Thunderbolt.
* Any ace from the European Theater of Operations (ETO).
* Any ace from the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO), if any.

3. B-25 Mitchell
* Jimmy Doolittle's B-25 from the first raid on Japan.

Thanks,

Howard Melching
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1. B-25 Mitchell- 1) The Air Apaches (don't know their number). 2)
Doolittle's squadron, if it isn't already in use, that the general used on
his bombing run over Tokyo.

2. F6F Hellcat- 1) Fighting Ten and 2) The Grim Reapers (both served
off the U. S. S. Enterprise (the original Big E). Don't know their numbers,
either. Fighting Ten used the F4F Wildcat during the battle of Midway, but
may have switched over to the F6F afterward, when their original aircraft
were replaced with the Hellcat). 3) Gregory "Pappy" Boyington's squadron,
if they ever used the F6F. I know they used the Corsair, but everything else
is unknown.

3. Huey Helicopter- 1) The Kingsmen (don't know their number, either).
They were a rescue and pick-up unit in Vietnam. I'm afraid those are the
only ones I can think of off the top of my head. Hoping to find out
something soon in this department.

See ya soon.

Brad Morgan
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Good Morning Dave and Sally,

Sorry, I couldn't find a minimum of 4 Sqdns on all the Armour, 2001 scheduled
releases. Here's my selections.

SPITFIRE

17 Sq., 72 Sq., 416 Sq. and 421 Sq. I'd like to see 4 and 5 blade propeller varients on the Spit's.

A-10 WARTHOG

355 FS (Eielson AFB Alaska)

ME 262 MESSERSCHMITT

JG-7 (1st Operational Squadron)

B-25 MITCHELL

B-25B 17BG (Tokyo Raid) PBJ-1 VMB-13 (Navy Version)

F6F HELLCAT

VF-9, VF-17, VF-31 and VGF-29

P-47 THUNDERBOLT

61 FS, 62 FS, 63 FS, 82 FS, 83FS, 84 FS I'd really like to see razor back varient painted with invasion stripes but any of the above showing invasion stripes would be desireable.

Colorful examples of P-47 markings are; P-47D-25, 42-26634, 350 FS, 353 FG

P-47D-16, 42-76072, 378 FS, 362 FG

P-47D-27, 42-27236, 493 FS, 48 FG

HUEY HELICOPTER

Can't help here, besides, everybody knows that helicopters aren't real airplanes. They just make so much noise and vibration that the earth rejects them. (With apologies to many friends and others that put themselves at risk and did so much good with rotary wing aircraft)

Thank's for the opportunity to make an input.

Best regards, Paul
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First, here is a list of future units/specific aircraft to do for current
aircraft produced: F-4: The 457 FS based F-4E at Carswell AFB, TX circa late 80s
One aircraft had two mig kills from Veitnam as well as a nice "Texas Flag"
banner running down the fuselage(TH tailcode)

F-14: The last USN Reserve F-14A ever to serve. (NAS Fort Worth, TX)
This Aircraft was titled "Jim Bob" and had full red and black
markings on the nose and tail(VF-201)

F-16: The South Dakota ANG unit based at Sioux Falls. The aircraft
have a very nice "wolf head" scheme on the tail and nose art on
the cockpit section of the aircraft. The Iowa ANG based at Sioux City had a Gold
50th anniversary F-16 that Armour already produced in 1:100 scale. I suggest
1:48 scale as well.

The Israeli and Singapore Air Force each have F-16D aircraft with dorsal spines
that wouldmake for a very intersting/unique eye catching collector piece. The
Israeli a/c also are in desert camoflauge for an added bonus. The one of a kind
VISTA NF-16D is also unique with a dorsal spine but is very nicely painted
red white a blue overall scheme that would really shine on one of their 1:48 models.

Last for the F-16 suggestions is the LM AERO based F-16D Block 50 that has a
Texas Flag stripe on the tail along with the LM AERO "Star" logo.

F-15: The Israeli desert schemes are always nice and their new F-15I
ground attack aircraft are eye catching as well.

F-18: The new "Canada 2000" paint scheme on their F/A-18A would make
a great addition to the F-18 lineup

Secondly....I believe that if large bombers are to be made by Armour that
they would best be done at a scale of 1:72 or smaller so the prices would
not be too high.

Finally..I have a list of suggestions for future Armour aircraft:
1:48 F-111
T-38/F-5
F-100
F-22
SU-27
1:72 C-130
707/C-135/KC-135
B-52
Well....the only thing that really grabs my attention for next years
lineup is the A-10. I will put my suggested squadrons at the end of
this e-mail but I have a few other questions about Armour. Firstly...do
they still make and are continuing to put out 1:100 scale aircraft.
Second...will they continue to add to the aircraft lines that they
already have out(1:48) with newer squadrons and if so, are they taking
requests in that area as well. Lastly, are they taking suggestions for
future aircraft series. I would appreciate any help you can give in
these areas. As for the A-10 squadrons..they are listed below
1. Any squaron that was based at Pope AFB and had a shark mouth (green)
2. Any squaron that was based at Pope AFB and had a shark mouth (grey)
3. The Reserve unit at New Orleans circa Gulf War
4. The Reserve unit at Barksdale (current)
Thanks and Cheers,

Andy Wolfe
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Dave,

These would be my choices for those die-cast aircraft:

1) Spitfire: Depending on which mark of the 24 they decide to produce, I
would suggest the following pilots; Mk Vb, Ian "Widge" Gleed's
Desert Spit, Clive "Killer" Caldwell's Australian Mk Vc, (Or Caldwell's
Australian Mk. VIII), Bob Tuck's Mk 1, Bader's Mk 2.

2) A-10 Warthog: The Iraqi chopper killer flown by Captain Swain, any of
the light grey Bosnian campaign birds.

3) Me-262: Galland's, Steinhoff's, or Bar's would be nice!

4) B-25: An "Air Apache's" 498th Bomb Squadron Phillipine's Campaign
aircraft would be the cat's meow here....a Doolittle Raider is an obvious
selection!

5) F6F Hellcat: Dave McCampbell's Minsi 3 would be cool, so too would a
French Navy bird from the IndoChina campaign (Vietnam 1953).

6) P-47 Thunderbolt: Neel Kearby's "Fiery Ginger" Razorback, any markings
for Gabreski or Zemke.

7) Huey: Any "Slick" or Medevac bird would be nice....

Karl
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Hello Dave, And thank you for sending me the questionaire for Armour. The
4-6 squadrons for each plane is a little tough for me, but maybe I can put
in a plug.
1.) Spitfire- There were plenty of squadrons which had the spit,
but they were not decorated to my knowledge with nose art to give them the
"individuality" to a given pilot. But Carrol McColphin, Brit ace comes to
mind. Or the Eagle Sq. comprised of the 71 / 121 / 133 rd.
2.)A-10 none
3.)Me-262 - did only a few have these? so the selection may be set already.
4.) B-25 - alot of good nose art ,but I don't have the knowledge on them. A
set of Doolittle raiders sounds nice.
5.)F6F - alot of famous aces, but again limited nose art. Greats like
James Swett and Alex Vraciu come to mind.
6.)P-47 - Now here we go. 56th FG, with Gabreski and R Johnson. The
353FG with Duncan and Beckham to name a few. The 4 th FG / The 325th FG /
And the 348th.
7.)Huey-no info. I probably wasn't much help, but the ideaof having the
bombers at a smaller scale does sound practical. And if I can say one more
thing? Can Armour make the panel detail a lot more subtile? So the airplane
doesn't have that "building block" look. Thank you, Kevin.
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Here is my wish list from Armour:
Spitfire:
No. 616 "South Yorkshire" Squadron
No. 80 Squadron RAF
No. 64 Squadron RAF

F6F Hellcat:
VF-27 USS Independence - CVL22
VF-81 USS Wasp - CV18
VF-3 USS Yorktown - CV6
VF-17 USS Hornet - CV8

I would also like to see the Hawker Hurricane.

Thanks for allowing my input!

Skip Bessell
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Dave, is there a B-25 Mitchell bomber replica of the "Ruptured Duck" flown by Ted Lawson of "30 Seconds over Tokyo" fame? If there is how do I find it, if there isn't please forward the idea. Thanks, hope you are well. Chris.
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Dave......Looked in a "Walk Around , B-25 Mitchell" book and found a squadron that might be a winner. They might try the 500 BS of the 345 BG. operated out of Nadzab, New Guiniea during 1944. The specific aircraft is a B-25D., # 41-30669 with nose art of "Tondelo".
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Hi Dave & Sally,

I would like to see Armour add the following 1:48 scale aircraft to there line, I think all collectors would go crazy over the them:

F-86 Sabre Jet

F-100 Super Sabre

F-101 Voodoo

F-102 Delta Dagger

F-105 Thunderchief

F-106 Delta Dart

F-111 (NA 064) Air Force

F-8 Crusader

A-4 Skyhawk

A-6 Intruder

EA-6B Prowler

A-7 Corsair II

S-3 Viking

A-10A Thunderbolt II

SR-71 Black Bird

PBY Catalina

This is my wish list, I hope that some these will be available in my life time,
I think all of these models would sell like hot cakes.

I want to thank you again for your outstanding service and prices I received,
I'm looking forward in building my collection with your help.

Sincerely,

Larry J. Francis (Thunderhawk)
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Howdy,

I have a few suggestions compiled from Big John's

Here are our choices,

To begin with the F3F (the 3rd aircraft from the top) is a Biplane not a hellcat. (see attached file). Given that here are the results:

A-10 Warthog

Desert storm 23rd Fighter Wing Shark Mouthed version

B-25 Mitchell

The Ruptured Duck piloted by Lt. Ted Lawson on the famous Doolittle Raid in 1942

The Air Apaches Squadron from the Pacific Theather.

The Betty's Dream, a B-25J that escorted the Japanese surrender party to tinian island.

F6F Hellcat

David McCampbell's F6F Hellcat Minsi. (Navy's leading ace with 34 aerial
kills and 20 on the ground)

Huey Helicopter

82nd Airborne Division

101st Airborne Division

57th Medical Detachment

Messerschimitt 262

Adolf Galland

P-47 Thunderbolt

56th Fighter group Col. Hub Zemke's famous Wolf Pack in Europe WWII

Gabby Gabreski

Spitfire

Johnny Johnson

Stanford Tuck

Sqn. Ldr. A G "Sailor" Malan, one of the most experienced and exceptional
pilots in Fighter Command
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1.supermarine spitfire 2A {DO FINLAY} Lo 41 sqn. Hornchurch Dec 1940
2.Messerschmidt Me-262A 1/KG 51 {Achmer}
3.Republic P-47D-25 352nd FS; 363 FG; 8th AAF ( Rayden)
4 North American B25C-10 487th BS; 340th BG; 12th AAF (Sicily)
These are a few that jog my memory---Jon (caddyshack2@msn.com)________________________________________________________________

An Me 262A-1a in the markings of General Galland's while with
VerbandsfuhrerJV 44 would be excellent!. It is pictured in Osprey #17
on page 36 , item 22.

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Can't recall the squadron but one B-25 was Named the
"Borneo Lawnmower" It was in the 13th AF in the South Pacific.
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Hi Dave,

I'm enjoying my "jump" into collecting die-cast aircraft models with my recent
purchase of an Armour F4U and two Spec Cast planes (Armour is definitely the winner!).
As far as the markings on Armours' '01 line-up, I'm too new to the hobby (and history),
but am learning fast! I would like to comment on the scale issue though. I feel that
Armour should seriously consider sticking with the 1:48 on any larger plane they
decide to produce. Regardless of the display limitations, the bombers would look
totally awesome next to their escorts! I certainly would be willing to pay the price
for the larger scale. Are the Marushin bombers 1:48 ? If so, maybe Armour should
consider a "kit" form of the larger aircraft? Finally, are there any plans for an
Avenger and/or Catalina by any of the companies? Regards, Gerry

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Hi Dave,

The only preference I have for squadron markings is for the B-25. I would
like to see at least one of the Doolittle Raiders markings.
Best, Carl Seith
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Hi Dave,

I think the new bomber series by Armour should be in 1:48th scale.
MIKE
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Huey Helicopter 'US Coast Guard'
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Dave about the only one I could give good information on would be the
P-47 Thunderbolt of which I am very familiar with. I would like to see
them cast the 8th Airforce, 56 Fighter Group, 61st Squadron
Col. Francis S. Gabreski Aircraft. Thanks for letting me give input.

Attached is a Photo of Col. Gabreski and his crew during WW2 thought
you would enjoy seeing it as I believe it is one of a kind.

Tom Bowie
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here's your input on upcomming Armour models
SSpitfire--you don't say
what series, but you can't go wrong with doing one of Johnny Johnson's, the
top scoring British pilot--he flew them all from 1942 to 1945. Another pleasing
scheme would be the Spit VB of Wing Commander John Kent, wing leader for
Polish squadrons 303, 308 and 315 in 1941. Kent's starboard 20-mm cannon
was labeled THOMAS and his port one was JOHN, which would be a nice
touch on a 1/48th model.

A-10....don't care

ME262--JG7, "Kommando Nowotny"....Notowotny's aircraft itself would be nice.

B-25..one of the Dolittle Raiders, or one of Kenney's modified strafers with
the solid nose mounted .50s & cannon.

F6F--one of the night fighter varient's would be interesting

P-47...Gotta do the 56th squadron. How about Robert Johnson's, or Hub Zemke,
or Gabby Gabreski's? I've also like the P-47 with a checkerboard nose, and
the 82cnd, 78th and 350th squadrons of the 8th AF all had that.

Huey...don't care

tell Armour they need to start a 'freight dog' series in 1/72ncd. I've love
to see everything from DC-3s and C-46s thru Dc-8s 707s and 747s in the
colors of Seaborad, Slick, Riddle, Airlift, Transcon, and Flying Tigers.

see ya, rick
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Dear Dave,

Here is my vote for the Armour models, those are fantastic:
1. Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII-IX 1943 Burma
2. Hawker Hurricane I Desert War 1942
3. De Havilland Mosquito Fighter Bomber Pathfinder 1943
4. B-25 Mitchell D-Day (weight and span?)
5. F6F Hellcat
6. P-47 Thunderbolt D-Day 47D-25 82nd FS Dux fordGB
7. Douglas C47 D-Day GB or US (weight and span?)
8. Douglas A20 Havoc D-Day
9. Bell P-39D Airacobra USSR
10. Consolidated B-24D Liberator 9th Airforce Benghazi Libya (weight
and span?)
11. Grumman Avenger TBF-1 USS Hornet Midway 1942
12. Hawker Tempest V RAF 56 Sqn 3 1944
13. Heinkel He 111H-2 Sicily 1942
14. Ilyushin Il-2M3 Stormovik 1942
15. Junkers JU52 Stalingrad 1942
16. Junkers JU88 A-4 Benghazi 1942
17. Lavochkin La-7 1944
18. Messerschmitt BF 110G 1943
19. Petlyakov Pe-2 1944
20. Savoia-Marchetti 79-II Sparviero Sicily 1942

Best regards, Frank from Switzerland
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Dave,

Obviously I always like to see VF-27's Catsmouth on the F6F Hellcat!
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Dave here is a list that i would like to see.
A-10 Warthog, 353 Panther Sq. Myrtle Beach AFB
F-111f 524fs Cannon Afb
B-52
B-17
B-29
Ov-10 Bronco
A-6E
C-141
C-130 Gunship Spooky
thanks for your time
Bryan L. Wilson
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The main one that I woud like to see in a color scheme would be the
A-10 Thunderbolt II in Michigan ANG colors
2. A-10 Warthog: Michigan ANG
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A-10 Warthog - Squadrons in Gulf War

B-25 Mitchell

P-47 Thunderbolt

Please keep 1:48 scale so true collectors can show size differential.
Price should be of a small factor.

Sincere thanks - Marc Gattis
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Dave, My logic on the bombers says to keep it at 1/48 scale.My main reasons are
1) the detail on their product is great and the bombers in that scale would be
awesome, to reduce the scale would take away the details we expect from Armour
2} all of their planes are in the same scale , why change because of display
size??, isn't the Marushin bomber 1/48 ?? 3} If the the detail and quality are
good, price shouldn't be a major factor, and finally, the mahogney planes you
sell are quite large and displaying them are not a problem( I have the b-17
and b-25 ) Dave, I would like to know what others think.
Thanks for letting me give my input.
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Dave, I have no preference on squadrom markings as long as they are accurately
reproduced. I woukld also think that doing the bombers in 1/72 scale would be
perfect for my needs as they would fit better on a desk when given as a gift. I would
be more concerned, if I were Armour, as to the logistical effort behind the models.
The dealers try hard to keep stock in but there is quite a gap between the
production line and the dealers shelf. On a side note, if they are receptive to model
resquests. I noticed that the F4F Wildcat is not among their list and also, it would
be nice if the considered the 1950-1960 era aircraft such as the F-89, F9F, F-86,
F-102, etc. Thanks for your interest Dave. Hope all else is well. Jim Engel
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Dave and Sally,

Thank you for including me in your survey. My primary interest is U.S.
Navy, Korea through Vietnam, but I will offer a few responses for next year
which might interest me. Comments will be under each of the seven named
aircraft. And while I have no strong opinion for the year 2001 aircraft, I would like
to campaign for more naval aircraft from the '50's to the '70s for the 2002
production run. Might I suggest the F9F Panther/Cougar, the A-1 Skyraider,
the A-6 Intruder or the FJ-4 Fury.
Hope all the family is well.
David Lindley
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Dave,

I don't know enough about the specific units to suggest the markings for the planes.

The bombers should be done in the same scale as the fighters to give some
perspective on the size and relationship between the two. If they are the same
physical size then all of the function will be lost. Thanks for asking.

Dave
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Hi Dave,

We met at Osh Kosh this year and discussed scales for WW 2 fighters vs. bombers
(1/72 vs. 1/48) There is no doubt in my mind that 1/48 bombers, i.e. B-17, B-24 and B-29
would be very big and quite costly. The A-20, A-26, B-25, B-26 and PBY would be nice
in 1/48 but they would all be great in 1/72 as well. 1/48 is fine for the fighters but 1/72
would match up with the bombers and be perfect for those, like myself, who are
interested in one scale...

Regarding markings:

My thoughts on the Spit would be any one of the squadrons defending London during
the Battle of Britain. I believe that the Spitfire would have to be a Mark V for it to be
accurate. As for the B-25, they could do no better than one of the Doolittle raider's
planes. Ted Lawson's B-25 was "Ruptured Duck."

Take care,

Jim Timms
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Hey Yall,
I would hope the Mitchell will be produced at 1:48 to match the other
aircraft....

Jim LaNier
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SPITFIRE: 41 SQDN EB , 133 SQDN (EAGLE) MD , 402 SQDN AE , FOR ME-262

JG-7 , JG -44 (GALLAND)
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Dave,

Good morning !
I would like to add one more to my wish list - A4 Skyhawk.
Actually, I have several more Navy planes that I would like to have, but I
realize that Armour and other companies producing die-cast must select the
ones that have wide appeal and have a chance to produce a profit.
Hope you don't have to fly too much this weekend and can spent some holiday
time with Sally and the kids. Have a safe and happy Labor Day.

David Lindley
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Dave, for the smaller/medium bombers such as the B-25, I feel they should
be in 1/48 scale. I think a general rule of thumb would be to follow the plastic
model industry standards, except where the size would be too outrageous, as
in your example stated. I would love to see a B-25 in the "B" model, with
Doolittle's Tokyo raiders markings. There are 27 of the raiders still alive,
and I know 5 of them here in San Antonio, 9 in Texas overall.
Lemme know if I can help.

Chris Mann
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1. Spitfire

2. A-10 Warthog You got these already...

3. ME 262 Messerschmitt

Nowotny's "White 8" JG-7

Rudolf Sinner's "Green 1" III/JG-7

Heinz Bar's "Red 13" III/JG-2

any of the JV-44 aircraft flown by Adolf Galland

4. B-25 Mitchell, again, what model? My vote would be for a solid nose strafer but anything you do here is going to limit your choices so I'll put down my thoughts

Glass Nose:

An RAF squadron (take your pick)

Jimmy Doolittle's Tokyo Raider

Solid (Strafer) Nose:

"Bird nosed" 498th BS, 345th BG "Air Apaches"

"Bat Nosed" 499th BS, 345th BG "Air Apaches" (by far the two best Mitchell paint schemes)

5. F6F Hellcat

Anthing BUT the squadron with the bloodshot eye paint scheme (enough already)

6. P-47 Thunderbolt

Razorbacks...

Frank Klibbe's "Little Chief"/56th FG

Neel Kearby's "Fiery Ginger"/348th FG

Robert Baseler's "Big Stud"/325th FG

Henry Kucheman's "Miss Behave/'Lil Lo" 355th FG (great nose art and on both sides!)

Bubble Canopies

Glenn Eaglesten's "FT-L" 354th FG

Gabby Gabreski's "HV-A" 56th FG

Any one of the better "orange tails" of the 358th FG

7. Huey Helicopter

Pat Foley

______________________________________________________

As a Naval Aviator, my true allegiance is to USN/USMC aircraft, hence I will
advise you on the F6F Hellcat:

1) CAG 15, USS ESSEX, Minsi III, Buno 70143, CDR David McCampbell.
2) VF-16, USS LEXINGTON, LT(jg) Alex Vraciu
3) VF-27, USS PRINCETON, LT Richard Stambook
4) VF-83, USS ESSEX, "Death N' Destruction"

Additionally, is a hard-nosed 8 X .50 cal. machine gun equipped strafing version of the B-25 used in the Pacific by the Fifth Air Force planned for production?

I am hoping these will be 1/48 scale. You make 'em, I'll buy 'em!!!
_______________________________________________________________________

Dave,

I’ve got a few inputs on some of the Armour planes slated for next year.

P-47

P-47D Flown by Capt. Don Archer of the 48th Fighter Group, 493rd Fighter Squadron (see attached jpeg, Wonderful Winnie at http://thehangar.dogfighter.com/images/Examples/CFS/Winnie_2K.jpg )

P-47C, Flown by LT. JOHN HERRICK, 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group (see attached jpeg, at http://thehangar.dogfighter.com/images/USAAF/P47C82nd_TNT.jpg )

P-47C, Flown by LT. WARREN E. GRAFF, P-47C, 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, 41-6391 P-47C MX-Y, Shot down in this a/c 30 July 43, Evaded Capture (see attached jpeg, http://thehangar.dogfighter.com/images/USAAF/P47C-ETO82nd.jpg

P-47D, Flown by MAJOR GLENN EAGLESTON, 354th Fighter Group, 9th AAF, 18.5 kills (see attached jpeg at http://thehangar.dogfighter.com/images/USAAF/P47D%20354%20FG%202.jpg )

P-47D-22 (42-26299), Flown by Capt. Cameron Hart, 63rd FS/56th FG, Boxted, England, December 1944. (see attached jpeg at http://thehangar.dogfighter.com/Files/5-6-00/P47D-22Hart.jpg )

P-47D-11 (42-75242), Flown by Capt. Michael Quirk, 62nd FS/56th FG, Halesworth, England, February 1944. (see attached jpeg at http://thehangar.dogfighter.com/Files/4-20-00/p47DQuirk1.jpg )

F6F Hellcat

I like the 2 showing on your Gearbox page, done by Armour (1:48 scale, not so shiny)

Also, I like the markings of the Hellcat flown by Capt. Dave McCampbell, highest scoring naval ace of WW2 (see jpeg at http://www.flightjournal.com/f6f3.html and at http://www.naval-air.org/The%20Aircraft/Color%20Pictures/F6F-3.jpg )

The Hellcat flown by Hamilton McWhorter - First F6F Hellcat Ace, Fighting Squadron 9, USS Essex; later Fighting Squadron 12, USS Randolph, Shot down 12 enemy aircraft over the Pacific in World War Two (as shown at http://www.westnet.com/~ssherman/usn_mcwhorter.html )

B-25 Mitchell

My only request would be the obvious, the Doolittle’s Raider version

Again, I want to express our sincere appreciation for taking the time to participate in the polling requested by Armour! Each of you responded with very useful and thoughtful information on short notice! Thank You!! I suspect that the markings/squadrons chosen for next years releases will likely reflect your recommendations!!