"1930s, Golden Age of Air Racing" Topic

Hi everyone;
I've suddenly got a yearning for running games of air races with planes from the 1930s, early 40s.
Planes like the Gee Bee, etc.
I downloaded rules from "Air Pirates" but am now stuck finding planes to use.
I usually game, WWII with 1/300, but haven't found anything from that period (between wars) yet.
I don't even see many scale model kits.
I looked at Fiddlers Green paper/card stock planes, but they look labor intensive to me.
Any ideas? Thanks Joe

Anything on Shapeways?

Have you looked on Shapeways? A number of designers do interwar planes of various kinds in various scales.

Maisto, and/or other diecast metal air racers can be found.

eBay's probably the best source, unless you can find some 1/300th ones you like.

If you can't find the pre-WWII planes for racing, you can always use WWII ones instead. Lots of those in use, even today.

Look on Shapeways under Arctic Skunk. The author of the rules either sculpted or commissioned a full line of air racers.

As others have said – Shapeways. There's been a substantial price reduction on many models in their Frosted Detail Plastics recently, too.

Otherwise, you could try hunting down the Testors' range of 1/48 scale pylon racers kits. Exactly the right period, and visually spectacular at that size… but not the cheapest, alas!

And yes, you're right – the Fiddler's Green models are very labour intensive. :(

Also, here's a link to a very fine blog (no, not mine) detailing some air racing fun, and Shapeways aircraft to boot:

link

Let us know how you get on with your new pursuit.

Cheers!

Did similar in 1:72 scale converting WW2 fighters into floatplanes. Given the size of interwar planes, 1:72 scale kits might be the way to go. Hannants in the UK are a good source, of possibilities if not to buy. In the US I guess someone like Squadron might be a source.

I collected several 1/48th scale planes for air races. Testors has a nice range and you can supplement them with other models if you want to inject some extra fun into the game.

"Look on Shapeways under Arctic Skunk. The author of the rules either sculpted or commissioned a full line of air racers."

Not so, the author is one of my best friends and we developed the rules together. But Arctic Skunk, clearly plays the game.

We played with the 1/48th kits for years. But they are unsteady on the table, so we were relieved when the Shapeways planes became available. Still have my big plastic planes, but only game now with the smaller ones. Really nice selection of planes too.

Must. Resist. Shapeways. Order!

(damn you Kevin and Dave's lovely rules!!)

It's Daveshoe, David. If it makes you feel any better I'm up to my neck in Action Stations and Airwar C. 21. We're flying missions over Cuba at Enfilade this weekend.

Watch out for SAMs…………..

Not so, the author is one of my best friends and we developed the rules together. But Arctic Skunk, clearly plays the game.

My bad. I played in a game he ran with the rules at Little Wars, and just assumed. Love the rules!

Thanks everyone for the outstanding ideas!
I'm going over the check out Shapeways and Arctic Skunk.
I'll still look at the Testors range too.
I am thinking about using as a fall back, some WWII A?C painted in racing colors.
For anyone interested, there are several good videos on You Tube, about the classic Air Races in the US during the 1930s.
Somebody said that people who plan for a trip are actually more happy than when they are actually on the trip.
Could this be said for our gaming hobby…I love the collecting, planning and dreaming of playing a certain rule set or period. Thanks again.

PS….MacrossMartin;
Excellent blog and photos….thanks for pointing it out.
Well done.
Joe

Hallmark (yes the card store) produces Christmas ornaments which include some 1920s-1930s racing planes. These run around 1/100 scale and are quite nice. They should be available on EBay.

Hi Dave;
Good to know…
I did order from Artic Skunk, but….
I actually have a Hallmark Store down the road from me.
I'm also thinking about making pylons some other terrain.
Thanks
Joe