"Best 1:285-1:300 Scale Aircraft?" Topic

Am looking to jump into CY6 and would appreciate input on the best 1:285-1:300 scale aircraft miniatures. I have a few GHQ ground-attack aircraft minis and like their quality. How do the CinC and Heroics and Ros aircraft compare? Are there other good manufacturers in this scale? Thanks.

Bez,

The new CinC are some of the best models available in 1:285 and are as good or better than GHQ. Their older stuff is great also, but they are mini-models with many parts to glue together. I really don't like H&R. Also see this topic.

TMP link

Mark

It depends on the particular aircraft in many cases. GHQ does an excellent job with all those they make. CinC are also excellent but a bit more difficult to assemble due to the intricacy of many of the parts.

Raiden, Collectair, Skyraider and H&R all have many excellent castings. Each of these manufacturers also have some models that aren't quite as accurate but I've found Raiden the better of this group.

This link will take you to some pictures of various painted models and the Yahoo Groups Air Pirates Site link is an excellent source for information.

Hope this helps… Will

A couple of previous discussions which may help, especially the top one:

TMP link
TMP link
TMP link

CnC and GHQ are great but pricey and don't have an extensive range. Raiden is the best value for money.

Thanks guys! Very helpful.

For what it's worth, I rank them:

1. GHQ: Pricey, small range.
2. CnC: As noted by Onomarchos, their newer releases are the equal of GHQ, but their propellers in particular can be a problem. Also pricey, also a small range.
3 Raiden: Very nice models, somewhat limited range, multi-engine planes tend to look a little corn-fed.
4. Scotia: Extensive range, a few are excellent, a few are horrible, most are pretty darn good.
5. H&R: Most are pretty bad (IMO) but they've got a huge range and make some types that nobody else does. Want a D4Y Judy? Only H&R make it.

I see that you're in the U.S., so here's the link to the U.S. distributor for Raiden and Scotia:

i-94enterprises.com

CinC and GHQ are a bit fragile for gaming, in my mind.

I'd go with Raiden for most items now, with Scotia, and then H&R behind them.

Agreed – Scotia and H&R tend to be rougher sculpts than the others mentioned, but for wargaming purposes they are fine. And I've found that between Raiden, Scotia and H&R they each carry models the others don't. Pricewise, they're generally within $.50 USD or $1 USD or so of each other so unless you're building multiple squadrons of each type, it's not a big deal.

Now that Navwar has sold off their 1/300 line,I/m hoping for some new stuff.Not knocking Navwar,they did great work in expanding this range.Most of my armor/aircraft is H/R and I can't see anyone else getting close to doing such an extensive range.I am buying Scotia,Raiden,Skyraider,MSD,and
Fox2 stuff when I can.Even have some old Trafalgar,Irregular,Air Force,Inservice/Crosant,DP9,Helmet,
Goblintooth,Leading Edge/Museum.Don't have any Falcon.
If anyone has any info on the Air Force moderns,I could use it.They were last sold by John at SVF.

Knossos: I never heard of Fox2… Do you have their website?

I'm always on the hunt for new stuff :)

Fox Two are currently on hiatus – it's the old SDD range now owned by Stronghold miniatures. They've been closed for a while due to health and other "real life" issues, but I believe Mike there's looking to get back up and running some time soon.

Very true.I also was able to get some old B+M 1/300 types from Mike.This is the older range from Mark,the Raiden man himself.The B+M stuff was so much better than than Fox2,but I would like some more of both.Plus there was an excellent range of minor warships by B+M(1/3000),many that were not
made by anyone else.
Sadly,Skytrex are not adding to there micro ranges.They were my first minis in this scale and I bought a ton of their stuff from Modelers Mart here in Florida.

Here I am, fully two years after the conversation died, offering a few thoughts. I like Scotia models. They look like the airplanes they're supposed to be and (for me at least) have just the right amount of recessed surface detail. Shapeways also offers s good variety of airplanes not available in metal. Scales include 1/300, 1/288, and 1/285.

Scotia's probably got the best selection of decently priced models, with very good quality.

I haven't been impressed with the Shapeways commentary, since they still apparently have issues, and their shipping fees are very expensive if you live outside of the EU.