Bachman miniplanes

[angelreader]

Thank you to Tone,Michael and GR plus anyone that I have missed out for posting such useful information here on these Miniplanes,the Westland Lysander and YC-14 are outstanding considering their size and ones that I had not seen previously.
Despite being plastic these are pieces of history in themselves and the end of an era,although I think the Revell small offerings ( Hindenburgh etc ) and the excellent Fruta ( lovely Swordfish and many copies of same ) keep the small plastic moulding type model alive.
Those pictures really bring these gems to life,and what a range as well ! I will continue to search them out to add to my own modest selection of subjects.
Barry.

[fatalxsunrider43]

I went into a hobby shop many years ago, they had a big box full of every Bachmann Mini plane model that was made, I bought the entire box for $100.00, got them home and discovered that many of them were warped from heat or something, so I decided to sell them all, do not remember where, or to whom, but they went quick.

Hans Nesbitt

[angelreader]

Bachmans were assembled around kitchen tables by home workers,this is common practise in China,sadly the quality control went out of the window a bit,this is most unusual as normally assemblies are done on the piece work system,ie they only get paid for items that are properly assembled,if I were paying workers then I would certainly expect to have properly fitted parts with burrs removed and decals that were in the proper position ! sadly it is all done for cheap labour.
The warpage was probably caused by improper storage in a hot warehouse or in a window,plastic will droop under such circumstances.
Barry.

[fatalxsunrider43]

Hi Barry ! I did marvel at all the different types, but was so sad that they were all deformed, oh well.

Hans Nesbitt

[grwebster]

anyone remember that article in issue #22, THE PLANE NEWS, august 1994.
A UK TPN member living in Glasgow Scotland, Tom Fisher, bought a large carton of factory samples of 70+ unfinished Bachmanns plus many molds. at the time he was considering making a run of 1,000 pieces but i never heard from him after that.
If anyone is serious about doing something email me and I'll send you his address {might be changed by now but worth a try}

[fatalxsunrider43]

I'd like to see many of the older items re-run, be it toy planes, pre 1907 Matchbox cars, I believe there is a market.

Just beware of Johnny Lightnings, they are a loser. did you know that Johnny Lightning DID a series of WW2 fighter planes, I was shocked to find these, I sold them or else I'd share with pictures.

Hans Nesbitt

[MichaelB]

As I had mentioned before, the Japanese plastic kit manufacturer Hasegawa released a number of the Miniplanes as plastic "kits". Due to their expensive nature I didn't pick up more than just a few. My notes show a release date in the mid '90s. I don't know about your buddy in the UK, but we do know that these molds were still in the far east. Overall, not an exciting list and doesn't include any of the rare birds. I sometimes see them on the aftermarket tables at meets.
Here's that list:

Wright Flyer
Fw-190
Ju-88
P-51
P-38
C-47 (!!) (DDay marks; the original MP had AA - no license needed!)
Lysander
Morane-Saulnier
F3F Wildcat (This was welcome at the time, as it is very close to 1/144 and there wasn't a Wildcat kit on the market.)
Hurricane
Sopwith Camel

[MichaelB]

Johnny Lightning also released a pair of pewter planes!: the Space Shuttle and a F-117. I agree, a surprise find and they weren't show-stoppers either. The makers of toy cars and trucks always seem to feel a need to include some planes - probably at the behest of their retailers who want a "complete" line.
I've got a pic somewhere as I have the two birds...

[fatalxsunrider43]

I used to have a friend who unfortunetly mysteriously passed last year at the young age of 46, RIP Johnny B, any ways, he used to keep up on Hasegawa 1/48 & 1/72 kits, and those kits used to be EXPENSIVE.

If you look at them now, they are barely fetching $20.00 to $35.00....my goodness, what a turn around, sad for sellers, great for buyers.

Speaking of Johnny, he had a few 100 old, and I mean OLD Tootsie Planes, his mom just let some guy take them before I could get there, the guy never paid her either. She was so distraught she didnt even

keep track. There was probably $5K worth, just taken aweay, she had no idea. One day that guy who took them will have to answer to his maker.

Hans Nesbitt

[Tone]

I'd like to see many of the older items re-run, be it toy planes, pre 1907 Matchbox cars, I believe there is a market.

Just beware of Johnny Lightnings, they are a loser. did you know that Johnny Lightning DID a series of WW2 fighter planes, I was shocked to find these, I sold them or else I'd share with pictures.

Hans Nesbitt

I still have mine Hans.