One of my main pastimes while going to war-game conventions is to stroll the vendor room and spend way too much money. Then again, you can’t take it with you! Well, while walking through during the last Fall in convention, I came across a vendor that was selling old 21st Century pre-painted airplanes. He had the planes played out on a table. None came with their boxes and were all assembled. Well, the price was right and I thought I would pick up a few to add to my existing collection of shelf decorations.
I already had some of the planes and others were of no interest to me. However, there were four that I liked. He had a cardboard box to put them I, so I could carry them, so I was set. Money changed hands and I took my airplanes away.
21st Century used to make 32nd and 18th scale airplane kits. Each plane came in multiple paint schemes, so you could find something of interest in your favorite airplane. These kits were very inexpensive when they were sold a decade ago. Unfortunately, something happened with the factory in China and they are no longer sold. However, you can find them here and there. They are often overpriced on eBay, but sometimes not. I usually see them at conventions for good prices.
If your looking for such planes, just be patient and you will come across them. Otherwise, you can find them on eBay. They are usually much cheaper if sold without the box, so that is the path I would take, since I would display them.
This time around, I was able to pick up an ME-109s (in desert scheme and an Fw-190a in air superiority gray. In addition, I got a Macchi 205 and Mitsubishi Zero. All for planes are now on my book shelves to add some variation amoungst all the books!
- Mantuffel