Franklin Mint Mirage IIIs

Nothing happening in Diecast Land?! Doh! This being South Africa, Mirage IIIs and Mirage F1s are in high demand. 

The problem though is that not many diecast manufacturers make them. Apparently this is due to licensing issues with Dassault. Franklin Mint / Armour did produce some Mirage IIIs in 1/100 and more recently in 1/48. No-one to my knowledge does the Mirage F1.

When the 1/48 Mirage III was released some years ago it was completely wrong, the single seater having the side profile of the two seater. We engaged FM via various forums slating their new models and campaigning for change, surprisingly a change that we did get!

I recently took possession of a Mirage IIIB in French colours and have to say it is an absolutely stunning model. It comes with the gear fixed down though. So impressed with this model was I that I immediately sourced a single seat fighter version too.

Pictures of these models are also hard to find so I enlisted the help of a European collector and friend whose speciality is 1/48 Franklin Mint Diecast Jets. He's sent me two pictures of his Mirage IIIs. You will see the incorrect profile on the model on the left and at the back in the top picture.

Focus on Advertising.

Not much happening in Diecast Land at present so we've been focussing on advertising. Dora 9 Diecast will be listed in a directory published by St. Joseph's Marist College and Halo Digital Designs is completing the website, designing a logo and preparing advertising to go on our vehicles. If you're in Cape Town you may well see us buzzing around!!!

D9D was also recently invited to Planet Polo, to attend the launch of the new VW Polo. VWSA put on an impressive event show casing the their new car and some rivals. Guests could explore all the vehicles and food and drink was laid on.

The new Polo is an attractive little car with a quality feel. The marketing focussed on some key aspects of the car: Quality & Technology, Design & Safety, Sportiness & Performance and Precision Build & Options.

In testing the new car it was found to understeer significantly. In fairness, the cars on hand were the 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel models, so not performance models.

The net result however was one less 1.6 TDI Polo for testing. Not so happy with Sportiness & Performance then, but really very pleased with Design & Safety!!! The car has a 5 Star NCAP rating.

VW was very good about their wrecked vehicle showing genuine concern for our well being. Thank you VWSA and sincerest apologies for the loss of your new Polo. According to VW staff the first one involved in a crash in SA, no thanks to D9D.

New Models

New models on the site include the Gemini Aces Plagis Spitfire Mk. IX, one of the best 1/72 diecast Spitfires available. I discovered two unsold models in stock yesterday and these have been relisted. Then we have another stunner in the form of Corgi Me 262 Nightfighter, gorgeous!!! For the fast jet lovers, we have the new Corgi EE Lightning F.6.

Valentines' Specials!!!!

For Valentines' Day we have specials running on all items listed on Monday 7th February, ending on Monday 15th February. Models include WWII aircraft as well as post war propeller driven types. The are significant discounts on all these models so don't miss out!!! All clients have been notified via e-mail. To your advantage is the fact that the discounts also apply to new models just listed on the Bid or Buy site.

Models include HM Harvards, Bf 110, Dragon Warbirds P-51 Mustangs and new models like the DW Fw 190.

Special Orders

We're very pleased to advise clients with special requests to locate and acquire some sold out and difficult to locate models that we have the 1st release Hobby Master F-4 Phantom flown by Steve Ritchie sporting 6 MiG victories in stock. There's also the 1st release Pan Am 1/200 DC-4 which was the first release in the Hobby Master Airliner Series. In addition, we have Boeing 747, Air Force One, by Dragon Wings as requested by one of our clients.

The Shannon Airliner Collection

FINALLY!!!! After an absolute age we've finally received permission to use photographs of these airliners!!! What it means is that the first three items from the collection are now available on Bid or Buy. The models are hard to find and not freely commercially available anymore. In fact one of the models, B747, G-VFAB was available on in-flight sales only. As a consequence of putting this collection up for sale prices of the new 1/400 models have been adjusted down to encourage more activity on the site. In fact as the rest of the collection is revealed on Bid or Buy you will be treated to very competitive pricing indeed!