So why WWII Single Engine Fighters..?

[Stuart]

Ok the old Atmosphere has been getting a bit heavy around here recently

So it's time for another one of Portmans Pointless Discussion Threads (TM)

One thing I like about SPAM is that we have quite an interesting mix of types/kits being built here. BUT, as we all know the most popular modelling subject (as far as aircraft go anyway) has got to be WWII Single Engine Fighters (SEF).

I would bet that if most of us if we took a look at our display cases - WWII SEF would feature quite heavily (I know they do in mine)

Why?

What is it about these type of aircraft that get us building them is such huge nunbers? Why do you build them? - and go on - what's your favorite WWII SEF kit/build? (Share some pic's!)

Cheers!

Stuart

[mostrich]

Maybe it's the old human weakness for one-on-one fights. It's what made hundreds of Hollywood movies popular: Good (Allies) against evil (Axis). Soldier against soldier is recognized as more knightly as the bombing campaigns.

Another point may be the sleak lines of a fighter. Just a 'it looks cool so I'll build it' -affection.

-Torben

[lawman56]

Personally, it's more of a supply vs. demand thing. My aircraft builds are 99% of the time in 1/32 scale, so just the smaller fighters, (ie: 109, Hellcat, etc...), still take up a decent chunk of real estate on my shelves. Since SEF's tend to be most popular, that's what I build.

I do have a 1/32 B-17G and B-25H that I'll be building, (eventually ), but I have to build display cases into my model railroad layout supports to do it. Provided they work well, I'll probably add a few more multi-engines.

My favorite WWII fighter is the P-38, and will get one at some point, but that's probably the largest I can put on a shelf economically.

Could thier popularity be due to the "normalcy" aviation plays in society today? Prior to, and up to WWII, pilots were daring adrenaline junkies, aircraft had 2 wings and sputtering, potentially fatal, engines.

Once everything kicked off, the world went from biplanes to jets in roughly 5-8 years. Remarkable.

Now, when the US tests a new aircraft, I'm really not interested. Just another highly expensive jet.

[Thomas_M]

Nice and calming topic, Port!

I guess that SEF are mostly fighters, so they have a kind of s... appeal for modellers. Space also is a point to mention. But I also like my Monogram B-24 and B-17, B-29 (2x) and others. In the end, for me, it is a mood thing.

[LyleW]

Really good question. I don't know. Sort of like solving world hunger. If I knew, I'd be rich and famous. Instead, I'm just brilliant and good looking.

Supply and demand definitely played a role - kits from my youth played a role (good or bad, I bought what the local drug store had on the shelf). In the larger-than-braille scales, probably price plays a role and as Thomas said they are sexy to have sitting around. Something sadly lacking in the new generation of jets.

Fun topic to kick around.

[Manny1943]

Cause they're cool and shit...

[BlackSheep214]

I do have a 1/32 B-17G and B-25H that I'll be building, (eventually ), but I have to build display cases into my model railroad layout supports to do it. Provided they work well, I'll probably add a few more multi-engines.

Wait... just how big are these 1/32 bombers going to be when built? I assuming the wingspan has to be at least 4 feet wingtip to wingtip?

[Paul]

I have loved these fighters since I was a sprout. Even though Dad was a ground pounder in the corps he knew all those planes by heart hence I think they are cool. Bombers and other multi-engine planes are just as cool but building them to me is bordering on boredom because of all the redundancy in the building, I am talking engines here.
I like jets just as well but if I build one then finishing it will be a miraculous.

[lawman56]

Wait... just how big are these 1/32 bombers going to be when built? I assuming the wingspan has to be at least 4 feet wingtip to wingtip?

The B-17G has wingspan of roughly 36 inches. The B-25H around 18. So I need a wee bit of room.

[Stikpusher]

Part of it is their history, part of it is their look, part of it is availability/affordability, part of it is the display space that they take up. But I know that I still have more armor builds than I do of WWII SEFs. Plus 1/48 helos, plus 1/48 jets... and a slowly growing number of ships & subs...