Any air racer models available?

[Ade H]

I've long had a hankering to build an air racer of some kind, either an ex-air force type or the more modern purpose-built types; I don't really mind. Pretty much anything which captures the power/minimalism/sleekness/etc. of air racing and stands out on display.

 

The only kit which I've ever found is a Special Hobby 1/48 F2G Corsair, which is the right sort of thing and the perfect scale, but I already have two USN Corsairs. So, do you folks know of any similar kits which you would recommend? Or perhaps a fairly straightforward conversion project?

[chrisov]

Accurate Minatures used to have available a P-39 and a P-51 if I remember correctly both 1/48. Here one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Accurate-Miniatures-Model-Kit-P-51C-Mustang-Bendix-Racer-Plane-1-48-C0013-/352047783031?epid=1922847250&hash=item51f7aedc77:g:7nEAAOSwCQZZCvy4

Price seems a bit high to what I remember but if rare now....

Also Highplanes? did a P-51 and Sea Fury in 1/48?

Hope this helps

[Bengalensis]

If you don't mind short run kits High Plane Models have an interesting range of racers available, also in 1/48: https://www.hpmhobbies.com/brands/High-Planes-Racers-(Limited-Run).html

 

They will require some work, but offers very interesting subjects. Here is my build of Miss Ashley II as an example, although 1/72.

[bhouse]

Williams Brothers make some kits of great Golden Age racers. They pop up on eBay fairly regularly.

[Sabrejet]

Civilized Models do a whole range of 1/48 and 1/72 air racers, including the Super Corsair and numerous versions of Red Baron.

[Ade H]

Thanks, chaps. Some nice looking options from HPM.

[Sabrejet]

FYI just a few of Civilized Models' current lineup and upcoming releases:

 

 

 

[Jure Miljevic]

Hello

Not really as impressionable as, let us say, kit of Precious Metal conversion would be, but Supermarine S.6B kit in 1/72 from Airfix is a racer. Also, there were plenty of planes, which could be made into proper models with hardly more than a proper paint scheme or suitable decals. Late Bob Hoover's yellow P-51 comes to mind. On the other hand, racers like DC-7BF Super Snoopy here would require a fair amount of work to turn them into proper models, but would surely stand out on display. Cheers

Jure

[czechnavy]

Revell did a 1/48th boxed pair of a P-51D and a Texan with markings as racers - the P-51D kit is years old but I have seen the decals used on better P-51 kits.

 

Draw Decal do a whole list of decals for air racers in all scales from 1/144th up to 1/32nd - see: http://www.shopdrawdecal.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2140

and remember they have a trade stand at Scale Model World each year allowing you to see the goodies and avoid the cost of postage - mind you their postal sales service is second to none!

 

 

[Ade H]

@Sabrejet  They look nice, but not my favourite scale and very spendy at 50 bucks.

@czechnavy  Those decals look good. Definitely an option.

 

Thanks to all.

Edited September 4, 2017 by Ade H

[Graham Boak]

There were a range of prewar US racers done by Hawk in 1/48, but I don't know where you are likely to find any in the UK nowadays.  GeeBee Rs are fairly readily available in several scales.  You could also look for DH Comet racers but these are more common in 1/72.  I've a feeling Delta may have done a Macchi Schneider racer in 1/48 but I can't swear to it.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

You could always just take a P-51 or other plane and modify it using photo's for idea's and give it your take on a paint scheme ? You can get sponsor decals and company logo's from automotive kits and A/M companies that do 1/24, 1/25, 1/32 & 1/43 scale cars. 

Edited September 5, 2017 by Corsairfoxfouruncle

[k5054nz]

I was about to recommend the excellent Red Pegasus Decals for racer markings (I recently used some 1/48 Mustang ones) and Reno Mustang canopies, only to learn the owner-operator died in June: http://redpegasusdecals.weebly.com/

 

In happier news, Sabrejet: I recently saw the upcoming model of Super Corsair and got excited...now you share all of those, including the fact they're doing Tsunami!! Fantastic!

 

I can add my voice to the High Planes chorus. I built the 1/48 Precious Metal and, aged 21, had no issues in the build. If you've done a few short run kits before you'll be fine.

 

Like Corsairfoxfouruncle said, you could always come up with one of your own design!

[waltmertins]

I like 1/48 scale racers. Only do Mustangs though!

And recently Contrails Models came up with the Strega and the Red Baron.

http://www.contrailsmodels.com/Complete_Kits.html

 

I got 1/48 scale drawings from Mr. Taichiro Yamashita.

http://www.taichiunlimiteddrawings.com/

http://www.pylon1.org/articles/publish/index.shtml

They are excellent and I am using them to scratch build my own Miss Ashley.

A mustang with Learjet wings? AWESOME!!!!!!

 

Walter

[k5054nz]

Civilized Models has started coming out with 1/48 kits as you can see in the image sabrejet posted, and recently had limited issues (50ea) of 2017 Voodoo in her Reno and record attempt markings out to coincide with this year's air races. They were selling VERY quickly, though, so be quick...they may even be gone already.

 

As well as the Accurate Miniatures P-51 chrisov mentioned AMG came out with a C (including the aircraft in the AM kit) and a D a year or two back, Hasegawa did Miss America (I bet that's pricey if you find it) and so did Revell.

 

Kiwi Models (formerly Kiwi Resin) also do a 1/48 Red Baron: https://www.kiwimodelsnz.com/_p/prd1/4607706091/product/rb-51-"red-baron"-racing-mustang

(On the subject of that wonderful Griffon Mustang there are rumours out of Chino that Red Baron II may appear in the nearish future...)

 

Also @Ade H, if I were you I'd snap up an F2G in a heartbeat. Only ten were ever built, two of them restored in recent times in racing configuration (one sadly lost in a fatal crash in 2012). I think a bright red or blue F2G in racing trim would stand out from your two USN Corsairs! If you don't want it I do!

 

18 hours ago, waltmertins said:

I got 1/48 scale drawings from Mr. Taichiro Yamashita.

http://www.taichiunlimiteddrawings.com/

http://www.pylon1.org/articles/publish/index.shtml

They are excellent and I am using them to scratch build my own Miss Ashley.

A mustang with Learjet wings? AWESOME!!!!!!

 

Walter

Bravo Walter! Taichiro's drawings have long ben an inspiration to me. And speaking of inspiration, you really should check out Jorgen's MA2 build he linked to above. Amazing work.

Edited September 26, 2017 by k5054nz

[chrisov]

If you havent already seen it this thread may be of interest.

 

[sharkcapridriver]

Food for thought ??

I purchased a Testors 1.48 scale Supermarine  S6B racer on ebay that i intend to build . i have previously seen one by Airfix

 In my humble opinion beauty doesn't come greater than that .

 

[azureglo]

@Ade H

 

I think there are a lot more cost effective ways to let you build up some civilian racers:

On 04/09/2017 at 7:47 PM, Jure Miljevic said:

Hello

Not really as impressionable as, let us say, kit of Precious Metal conversion would be, but Supermarine S.6B kit in 1/72 from Airfix is a racer. Also, there were plenty of planes, which could be made into proper models with hardly more than a proper paint scheme or suitable decals. Late Bob Hoover's yellow P-51 comes to mind. On the other hand, racers like DC-7BF Super Snoopy here would require a fair amount of work to turn them into proper models, but would surely stand out on display. Cheers

Jure

I did this very same thing using decals from Drawdecal, 

 

Not very difficult, as even a cack handed buffoon like me me could manage this with my meagre skills. Drawdecal, as mentioned, do a host of decals for Mustangs, Corsairs and even a Hellcat painted all white!. This would be the easy way to go go, try something like the Mr Choppers pale blue one as a starter , all you have to do is remove the gun ports  and few other bits, doesn't even need a jump seat, or perhaps one of Bob Hoovers other planes, the original Ol' Yeller, again no jump seat just delete the radio as shown, remove the guns, putty over the ejector chutes and Bob is on your shelf if not in your family. The Airfix F-51 is the kit to use as it comes with the right prop and its cheap. Alternately the Hasegawa one is better to work with canopy wise but has a the wrong uncuffed prop. Correct Aeroproducts props are available from Hannants of course. 

 

Alternatively these are ready to go, out of the box and I got each one for £24 delivered, a good deal considering each has two kits inside. Ebay, Amazon and HLJ are good sources:

 

 

 

On 06/09/2017 at 9:48 PM, k5054nz said:

I was about to recommend the excellent Red Pegasus Decals for racer markings (I recently used some 1/48 Mustang ones) and Reno Mustang canopies, only to learn the owner-operator died in June: http://redpegasusdecals.weebly.com/

 

Here my mileage varies, I have a load of these and they’re easily the worst decals I have ever seen, most are damaged as the ALPS printer used was in very poor condition, spots of colour missing, heavy dot matrix patterns etc. The worst problem was they seemed to be done totally on guesswork as the typeface, sizes etc don't really correspond to the  real subject. My favourite one was this one for Udet's Dubendorf racer, apart from the horrible printing, missing wing codes and mirror image swastika, the I/48 & !/172 versions are completely different fonts and shapes!

 

 

In fairness, he did redo them and the replacements were a slight improvement but perhaps I had caught at him on a bad day as he was obviously very unwell. Just something to be aware if you're offered these on on the resell market.

 

Lastly, I have some of the HPM and Civilized kits, they are a handful, perhaps if you like a challenge but my skills are no match for @Bengalensis who did such a fine job, in fact if he's UK based he may be the man for my Karmann Ghia  convertible 1/1 project respray!

 

 

Thats my 9.99 eurocents worth

 

A

[k5054nz]

Perhaps mine were a fluke, azureglo! I sincerely hope his family is able to find someone to take over as there are some pieces I'd love to get. (That original 109 sheet is terrible though!!!)

 

As I said, as a 20yr-old who had only built Airfix and RoG kits out of the box during the 1990s I managed to build a 1/48 High Planes Models Precious Metal kit without any trouble. Please don't be put off that they're short-run kits with large, heavy sprue gates - the detail is gorgeous and it just needs a bit of work which, I feel, is worth it in the end.

 

Don't write off a big short-run kit just because it's hard work: one was my first!

Edited September 27, 2017 by k5054nz

[fatbaldbloke]

1:48 racers are my thing (not that I've built anything for about 5 years). Filling in a few gaps, the first I bought was a Smer kit of the Macchi MC72, which wasn't the best reintroduction to modelling after 20 years away. I might even finish it one day. 
Testors did a Gee Bee and 1925 Curtis Schneider. Hasegawa's limited edition range has included the Kings Cup Hurricane and a dual option King Cobra, both of which just about have sufficient decals to make a second model if you have another donor. Renaissance in France have done decals for Voodoo (1:48 & 1:72) and have been threatening to release 'September Pops' Sea Fury for a good decade. I've got basic artwork for the Don McVicar Mosquito which I need to size correctly and Draw Decal said he would print it properly once I'd finalised it. That was the last thing I was doing and I really ought to get my backside in gear! 

 

Expensive, but Marsh Models Aerotech is a series of 1:32 resin & white metal kits. Latest there is a multi-option DH88 Comet and Supermarine S5 is due next.   

[azureglo]

14 hours ago, fatbaldbloke said:

 I've got basic artwork for the Don McVicar Mosquito which I need to size correctly and Draw Decal said he would print it properly once I'd finalised it. That was the last thing I was doing and I really ought to get my backside in gear! 

 

At the risk of ruining many happy hours spent with your favourite drawing programe, you know about these right?

 

 

 

A

 

[fatbaldbloke]

No, I didn't, thanks.

Wrong scale but may be useful. This is what I have on file. 

[72modeler]

FWIW, Revell did a limited release of their P-39 kit, which I think was 1/48, in yellow plastic and with decals for Tex Johnston's racing machine, but it's long OOP and would be expensive and hard to find. Evidently Hasegawa also did a limited release of the same airplane in 1/48, which was a  much better kit. (See attached link to build article.) Very easy to take the P-39 kit of choice to make this airplane, as well as pretty easy, I would think, to make your own decals, as they are all black with no outlining.

Mike

 

http://www.hyperscale.com/2013/features/p39cobraii48pd_1.htm

 

Then there's my personal favorites- the P-63's flown by Charles Tucker that were sponsored by Mobil Oil- especially the one with the clipped wings! Need a decent 1/48 kit, though...maybe the new-tool ones announced by AMG? Biggest problem will be the markings, especially the MobilOil flying Pegasus, but the white, clipped wing example is the bee's knees! There is an old book by Walter Musciano on building and flying control line models that featured this airplane and had several excellent photos of the real thing.

 

http://decals.kitreview.com/decals/rpdtuckerp63rkreviewrk_1.htm

 

Edited October 8, 2017 by 72modeler
corrected spelling, added additional text

[Ham]

I don't know if you have seen this link    http://www.airrace.com/index.html    It has great photos of vintage North American races and racers.   

 

My personal favorite is "Beguine" a highly modified P-51C flown in the 1949 Cleveland Air Races and named after a popular tune of the day.    The glycol coolant radiator was removed from the belly and put out on each wingtip.  This was supposed to reduce drag.   It crashed in the Thompson Trophy race killing the pilot, Bill Odom and a mother and child in a house.  That pretty ended air races in the USA until Reno years later.

 

But, I digress...there are lots of very nice air racers to do.   I have some of the High Planes Models kits in 1/72 as well as Strega.   Have not built any of them yet. 

Edited October 18, 2017 by Ham

[k5054nz]

On ‎9‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 2:03 AM, 72modeler said:

Then there's my personal favorites- the P-63's flown by Charles Tucker that were sponsored by Mobil Oil- especially the one with the clipped wings! Need a decent 1/48 kit, though...maybe the new-tool ones announced by AMG? Biggest problem will be the markings, especially the MobilOil flying Pegasus, but the white, clipped wing example is the bee's knees! There is an old book by Walter Musciano on building and flying control line models that featured this airplane and had several excellent photos of the real thing.

 

http://decals.kitreview.com/decals/rpdtuckerp63rkreviewrk_1.htm

 

One of the AMG 1/48 kits is in fact this machine, complete with super-short wings. Here's the thread in Rumourmonger:

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235015631-148-172-bell-p-63ac-e-kingcobra-by-arsenal-model-group-amg-3d-rendersdecalssprues-148-release-in-2017/&do=findComment&comment=2611259