Some Expo Pics.

Here are some pics of the modeling exhibits at the Expo.

Blue Skies - Brigadier-General Dick Lord.

Renowned aviator and author of "Fire, Flood and Ice", "From Tailhooker to Mudmover", "Vlamgat" and "From Fledgling to Eagle"Dick Lord, has passed away. 

At the Expo today I purchased a signed copy of "Vlamgat" from a book dealer after threatening for ages to do so. Imagine the dismay learning that the author of the book passed away last night after a battle with cancer.


"Vlamgat" is the story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force.

Blue Skies Dick Lord. 

Display Pics.

After an age trying to get some pics off my phone, here they are. I'll take better shots with a camera tomorrow. Please excuse the quality of the pictures.

Expo Setup.

I've just been setting up for the Expo starting tomorrow. After much contemplation I went with two themes. I wasn't sure how much space I'd have and regular exhibitors organised themselves most of the display cabinets. 

I have a Luftwaffe Eastern Front winter theme and it consists of a Bf 109, two Fw 190s, all JG 54 Grunherz, a Ju 87 Stuka, Do 17 and Ju 52 in 1/72 and a Bf 109 in 1/32.

The other theme is SAAF. On display in 1/72 is a Harvard and Buccaneer, in 1/48 we have a  Hawker Fury and P-51 Mustang and in 1/200, we have ZS-RSA, the Presidential Boeing 737 and the Boeing 707.

I will have a selection of diecast models available for sale at the Expo.

There are other interesting exhibits in the smaller hall that include a plastic display of SAAF aircraft, a good few railway and boats/ships displays, along with a little armour. There's also amazing wooden vehicles. 

In the larger hall there's all sorts of wonderment!!! LOL In the entrance hall there's a painting exhibition and there will also be refreshments on sale.

10th Collector's & Hobbies Expo.

Dora 9 Diecast has accepted an invitation to attend the 10th Collector's and Hobbies Expo running from Thurday through to Saturday next week.

The intention is to expose the public to what is available and so we will having a small display and a some items for sale.

The Expo is free so please come along to meet us, have a chat and see just how good diecast looks in the flesh.

Pictures of the new B-24D Liberator mold.

There has been intense interest in the new B-24D announced by Hobby Master. From the pictures it is evident that the wing is die-cast but the almost everything else is not.

I suspect this has been done so that the model isn't a tail sitter. Another interesting feature is the bomb bay that can be either open or closed.

Hobby Master Releases for December 2011.

As has been the case of late there seems to be more in the way of fast jets from Hobby Master than WWII aircraft. 

For December we see two F/A-18s, one USN  VFA-86 "Sidewinders" and the other Swiss Air Force, both tail art. There's and F-106A Delta Dart and F-102A Delta Dagger, a ROCAF TF-104G and US Marines "Death Rattlers" Vietnam era F-4B Phantom II.  

Also in 1/72, this time WWII era aircraft, we have a Japanese Kate attack bomber off the carrier Zuiho and a post WWII Turkish Beaufighter.

In 1/48 we have a very nice P-51D, "Death's Angel", RAF Hawker Fury and an F2A-3 Buffalo. In 1/144 we have the previous announced B-24D Liberator.

On the Collectors Front... Swiss Line Models.

Two very interesting models have arrived that are rarely seen. They are the Swiss Line Vampire and two seat Hunter. These two models are not Corgi molds and they really do look very good.

The Hunter really impresses and looks the part. The Vampire is available with the standard nose as well as the Venom nose. Nice details on both models include fine stencils on the wings and fuel tanks.

Unhappily the models don't come with a stand although these can be had seperately.

New 1/144 B-24 Liberator from Hobby Master!!!

Some interesting news from Hobby Master in the form of a new 1/144 mold. They are introducing the B-24D in a stunning desert scheme as the first release. 

The Liberator hasn't been done in 1/144 so this model should compliment some existing models like the Lancaster and B-17 Flying Fortress from Corgi.