2008 Die Cast Buys of the Year

[KG_Jag]

It's New Year's Eve and an appropriate time to pick our second annual die cast buys of the year. While there may have been a few better selections among the over 200 recommendations we made in 2008, I'll end the year by giving the top picks of year, inspired by the selections made during the entire year and tempered by what is still available at year end.

We'll start with aircraft and a selection from the very first week of the this year. One of Corgi's best is the 1:72 scale Catalina, and the best of all the liveries of this bird is the hard to get (especially at a reasonable price) "Black Cat". Motormint still has it at $69.98.



Put on your water-wings and paddle here:

http://www.motormint.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=1485

Our 1970's aircraft buffs will like the 1:72 Corgi F-4D PHANTOM, 1/72 SCALE, USAF, RAF WOODBRIDGE CORGI AVIATION ARCHIVE SERIES Model: AA33218 from Skidmarks for $31.96.



The air version of That 70's Show is here:

http://www.skidmarksdiecast.com/cata...products_id=40


Our next selection is a hard to get and excellent 1:48 scale Eagles International P-51B, DON GENTILE'S "SHANGRI-LA" for $59.95 at Perry's.



Aim your four .50 cals here:

http://www.perryaircraft.com/cgi-bin...rds=1&ID=11221


Moving out to sea and returning to the Viet Nam era, our fourth selection is a 1:72 scale Century Wings A-7E Corsair II U.S. Navy VA-86 Sidewinders AJ400 1978, brought to you by Joe Pilot for $45.33. Shipping is currently free to the lower 48.



She's waiting for you on the deck of a Nam era carrier here:

http://www.joepilot.com/itemdesc.asp...D589308&eq=&Tp


Pick five is an outstanding deal on a 1:32 scale Corgi working range P-51D. You can pick it up for a very low $49.95 at either Historic Aviation or Military Issue. Not only does this limited edition, 1/32 scale die cast model of 13½-victory ace Donald Strait's P-51D Mustang "Jersey Jerk" include top-of-the-line features such as a removable engine cowl, a detailed cockpit with a sliding canopy, and movable flight control surfaces, it also includes powered features such as illuminated navigation lights, a fully operational undercarriage, and a spinning propeller with real engine sounds! You control the action through the specially designed base, so strap on your flight helmet and get ready for takeoff! 14¼" wingspan; arrives ready to display.



Your choice of vendor--either Military Issue:

http://www.militaryissue.com/product...AAF%20Fighters

or Historic Aviation:

http://www.historicaviation.com/prod...AAF%20Fighters

Our final air pick of the year is a selection from just a few days ago. Squadron has a very good deal on a classic Corgi 1:72 scale heavy bomber. This one is a Consolidated B-24J Liberator- "Michigan". Series Aviation: Nose Art. Fully assembled and painted die-cast metal model. Includes removable landing gear, rubber tires, and display stand. The art refers to The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is the U.S. product development managers alma mater, M Go Blue! This BB (before Beau) classic can bomb Columbus for you if you have the $47.52.




Here's your ticket to Ann Arbor:

http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=CG34011


Our Ground Pounders will have to go to post #2 on this thread due to limitations on the number of pictures that I can include in a single post.