The Explanation Page
Including What Scale is It?
Least Expensive? Most detailed? Largest? Smallest?
Scales vs. Actual Size? Diecast Metal? Plastic? Resin?
You can find all the answers here.

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In 2006 Admiral Toys introduced their first two products into the military model market place.

The 1:18th Squadron Aircraft are limited editions with Limited Release with significantly lower production numbers than 21st Century. These models are also not mass marketed and you will not find them at Chain Stores like Walmart. Most models found on the market today are Computer Assisted Designs (CAD) of existing models. Master modelers sculpt these using only photos and three dimensional drawings of the actual aircraft. This just adds to the craftsmanship and collectability.

1:72nd Armor Standard release comes with a black background logo on the box. Some Very Limited releases are available but a different background color on the logo so you will be able to see the rare releases at a glance. More 1:72 scale tanks will be coming out soon. Admiral toys has promised to not flood the market like some other manufacturers but have had a few problems with quality and delivery like most start up companys. The 1:72 scale items are very nice.

FEATURES
1:72 Scale tanks are made of 90% Diecast Metal with Tampo Print and are sold in a display style box. Turrets Rotate and Guns Elevate.
1:18 Scale is Injection Molded Plastic with a huge array of moving and removable parts.
High Detail and Authentic Historical Accuracy

DRAWBACKS
Tracks on tanks do not rotate. Personally we have never seen this as a problem but some people do. In order to produce a rotating track assy. there is always a sacrifice in the way the track looks compared to the real thing. We would much rather see it look right than have it drivable.

Started in 1997 - 21st Century Toys is a family owned Northern California based toy company which had humble beginnings manufacturing 12 inch action figures and uniforms. Now you can enjoy a wide range of ground vehicles and aircraft in both 1:18 and 1:32 scale. The 1:18 "Extreme Detail" Series is manufactured using injection molded plastic and is popular among enthusiasts for it's size and detail. The 1:32 scale X series is also plastic but more recent releases now include the "Cold Steel" 1:32 Scale Series which has the main hull of tanks manufactured with diecast metal. More releases are expected this year. Overall expect very good detail with pricing that won't break your bank.

FEATURES
Very nice detail and quality with figures and acc. included.
Tank tracks rotate and tank turrets, tank guns rotate and elevate. Aircraft landing gear retracts and wheels and props spin.
Large Scale offers larger area for details.

DRAWBACKS
Tank tracks are made of rubber.

This China based company supplies a wide variety of mostly large scale play products designed and marketed towards the younger crowd. The big tanks are a mixture of diecast metal and plastic or resin detail parts and most feature motorized rotating rubber tracks and sounds. The play sets contain many parts and accessories to keep the young or young at heart busy for many hours without breaking the bank. The 1:48 scale W.W.II twin engine propeller style airplanes, although manufactured in plastic with diecast base, are of good fit, finish, and detail and are popular amoung both collectors and children for their relatively low price compared to Corgi, Armour and others.

FEATURES
DieCast Metal and Plastic Composition
Rubber Rotating Tracks,- Sounds
Rotating Turrets and Elevating Guns when Appropriate
Large Scale

DRAWBACKS
Toyish Quality for some items.
Sold to dealers in assortment packs

NewRay markets all their products in assortment packs. These assortments always have some items that sell out almost immediatly due to their popularity but will also contain items or alternate colors of low interest. Stocking and maintaining a complete variety can be difficult for dealers who have limited shelf space as at some time they will have many unpopular items duplicated but be completely out of stock on those that are normally brisk sellers. NewRay has U.S. based distribution and representatives.

The Solido line has been in existence since the 1960's. Manufactured by the millions, they are what we consider the entry level for a fully assembled diecast metal tank. Most tanks are 1:50 scale and a Tiger or Sherman will measure 6 inches long and 3 wide. Panthers and Jadgpanthers are about 1 inch longer due to the fact they were that way in real life. Although they are not completely accurate for 28 mm War Gaming, they are widely used and accepted.

FEATURES
Low Price
Rotating Wheels and Metal Tracks (Tracks are somewhat fragile and prone to breakage)
Metal Turret and Body (some plastic parts generally in the wheels and suspension)
Rotating Turrets and Elevating Guns

DRAWBACKS
Most, if not all detail features are simply molded direct to the body during manufacturing
Most are single color with little or no standout detail.
Shinny Metal Tracks lacking realism
Copula's do not open

For many years Solido has been content to manufacture the same product with very little changes decade after decade. Most of those changes were simply color and/or decal variations. Some new models in '04 and '05 will be a slight departure from their norm. Solido used to have US based distribution but this has also recently changed and most product will now be brought in direct from the factory in France through third party representation.

Verem is actually the same company as Solido using the same molds, same tracks, and for the most part, the same product line. Verem does use a different colored packaging and offers better - more realistic paint schemes. The shine or "chrome look" has been removed from the tracks by acid washing.

FEATURES
Low Price
Rotating Wheels and Metal Tracks (Tracks are somewhat fragile and prone to breakage)
Metal Turret and Body (some plastic parts generally in the wheels and suspension)
Rotating Turrets and Elevating Guns
More realistic paint and tracks than comparable Solido product.

DRAWBACKS
Most, if not all detail features are simply molded direct to the body during manufacturing
Copula's do not open

Around for 40 years or so, Corgi has actively entered the military market only in the last 10 years. Generally they use diecast metal with a spattering of plastic parts. They were the first to introduce Korean and Vietnam era models and in 03 announced a range of W.W.II products and with cooperation of the History Channel has some new exciting products for '04

Corgi Showcase Collection - Fighting Machines
Non-Descript Scale figures into the 1:76 range and will measure about 3 inches in length. Comes with a plinth to display each model with a collector card in every product. Random and very limited placement is the "Silver Squad" item found in assortment packs. Coming in May '04 is Iraqi Freedom series.

Corgi Tactical Strike Series
1:64 Scale authentic models - 100 percent representative of modern military equipment. Each Tactical Strike model is a reproduction of today's American military power and has a battle-hardened look - weathered and war weary with mud, armaments and equipment hanging off every vehicle. These models are based on actual units and their exact vehicles right down to the specific names and unit markings. Each collectible comes with a detailed poster and specs. manual from Osprey Publishing. Now collectors can build a complete diorama right out of today's headlines at a very reasonable price.

Corgi History Channel Series D-Day 60th Anniversary
On June 6, 1944 Allied divisions with almost three million men and their heavy armor began landing on the Normandy beaches in France as the invasion of Europe took full effect. This series in 1:50 scale is an accurate representation of those ground vehicles that took America and it's Allies right right into the throat of the heavily entrenched German war machine. The History Channel Collection is sold in a see through retail box style. This collection contains less added accessory pieces than the Premier Collection detailed in the next paragraph.

Corgi D-Day 60th Anniversary - The Premier Collection - Limited Editions
It was the largest, most ambitious amphibious invasion every executed in the history of the world. Those sacrifices are commemorated with this new collection of military models from Corgi. Each 1:50 Scale diecast replica is painstakingly researched down to the last detail. Weathering effects, mud and dust are added for realism along with Various pieces of field equipment. These museum quality models look like they have just rolled of the beach. The Premier Collection is sold in closed style lid-over packaging similar to a shoe box which is made to look like an W.W.II ammo box.
 

FEATURES
Rotating Turrets (Some Models)
Rotating Tracks
High Detail
Good Packaging
Wide Range

DRAWBACKS
Fixed Gun Positions (Some Models)
Rubber Tracks
Limited US Availability (Some models)
Mix and Match Scales

Customer opinion of Corgi military varies somewhat and is mostly due to rubber tracks, or fixed gun positions (some models). We feel their biggest drawback is lack of consistency when one product line will be of great quality and detail while the next is an odd size with "fuzzy" details. Over-all if you choose the limited editions you will be very happy with your Corgi purchase. Produced in limited quantities, are in great demand and normally sell out at the factory level within 6 months of release.  All Corgi products are not released to the U.S. market but they do have U.S. based distribution and representatives.

With molds purchased from the original CDC line, Matchbox released 6 diecast ground vehicle models in 2000. Although nicely detailed, and highly popular, the line is no longer produced and are difficult to find at a decent price. 1:72 scale will measure out at about 3 inches long on most items. Matchbox re-introduced this line with new packaging for '03 and '04

FEATURES
Nice Detail and Paint
Good Packaging

DRAWBACKS
Limited Range
Fixed Tracks, Turrets and Guns

Most likely new releases are nothing more than the old product with paint and decal variations assigned to new packaging. US based distribution and representatives seem too busy and/or unwilling to work with smaller companies.

Replex was a difficult company to deal with. Representatives spoke limited English. They offered a large range of product but never seemed to have them available for delivery. We suspect the company kept a limited stock on hand and only manufactured to fulfill orders. This made delivery slow and a considerable amount of product always arrived to us damaged.

FEATURES
Heavy Diecast Metal
Rotating Tracks
Cardboard over Plexiglas Cover and Plastic Base Packaging. (Most Products)
Some Products not found elsewhere

DRAWBACKS
Slow or Non Delivery
No U.S. Based Reps
Unrealistic Rubber Tracks
Little or Non-Existent Detail in Tank Models

As far as we know Replex never offered U.S. based representation.

RIO manufacturers high quality, high detail diecast cars in very nice quality packaging. We personally do not deal with RIO directly but have been completely happy with the product, the price and the delivery. RIO ships their product to us in what we believe is the best packaging techniques available for preventing damage.

FEATURES
Diecast Metal
Rotating Wheels
Cardboard over Plexiglas Cover and Plastic Base Packaging.
Some Products not found elsewhere
Some Products available with figure
One Scale - 1:43

DRAWBACKS
No Tank Models
No U.S. Based Reps

RIO 1:43 scale cars will measure approximately 5 inches long. RIO offers no U.S. based representation.

OSD Models are modified conversions using Solido and Verem factory production models. Modifications may include division or warfront specific decals,  resin and/or metal stowage items and more realistic accessories like machine guns, turret rings and muzzle brakes. Other additional items can include packs, ammo boxes, fuel cans, and other misc. items scaled to fit. All acc. parts and kits are now manufactured in the U.S. OSD has recently "upped the anty" to include many more models using bases not manufactured by Solido/Verem. These inclusions have enhanced features and models never before available in a 1:48 scale fully assembled product.

FEATURES
Heavy Diecast Metal
Rotating Tracks (most)
Conversion of existing products and hand detailing make them very limited editions.
Detail Packs sold separately to make your own.
Special Orders and Customer Demanded Modifications Accepted

DRAWBACKS
Limited Stock
Occasionally Slow Delivery due to detailing and hand modifications.

OSD Conversions look good on a display shelf and are also widely used by War Gamers to differentiate and "show up" the competition. OSD Conversions are exclusively modified and marketed as OSD "On-Site DieCast". On-Site Enterprises is based in the United States.

This French based company using Solido/Verem bases once performed all their own manufacturing, painting and assembly of the final product. A few years ago some problems forced the company to down size which almost eliminated production completely. They have made a come back and now continue to offer some very good products. These French Resin kits when combined with French Solido Metal bases and additional resin and metal detail pieces make for a high quality - high detail model you may not easily find elsewhere in a completed, painted, ready for use product.

FEATURES
Heavy Diecast Metal bases with mixture of Resin Parts
Rotating Metal Tracks (most)
Product is Pre-Mounted to Wood Base for Display and Boxed w/ Distinctive Color Label.
Some Products not found elsewhere

DRAWBACKS
Limited Stock

High demand and low production is the norm for Gaso.line products.

This German based company began manufacturing a 1:35 scale line of Military tanks in 01 and then expanded their releases to include some Flak and Half-tracks. They are usually in high demand and well liked by collectors of this larger scale. The bulk of their main bodies and turrets are diecast metal with a mixture of plastic or resin detail parts. A main feature is their rotating metal tracks.

FEATURES
Mostly DieCast Metal Composition
Metal Rotating Tracks
Rotating Turrets and Elevating Guns when Appropriate
Visually Attractive Outer Packaging with Molded Foam Core

DRAWBACKS
Occasional Errors in Details and/or Product Listings.
Unrealistic release dates.

Very few people have anything bad to say about Minichamps Military.. If you choose to limit your collection to this 1:35 scale then you will run out of things to put on your display shelf pretty quick. We are not aware of any others (except a few WM. Britain releases) manufacturing this scale in fully assembled form. Most tanks will measure approximately 9 to 10 inches long which left them plenty of room to add nice visual details. Minichamps has U.S. based distribution and representatives.

PLEASE NOTE: Admittedly this company is in-house owned but we will try to be as un-biased as possible with product descriptions.

Sold and marketed under the WarTanks.com logo this company was established in 2000 and offers exclusive production of 1:48 Scale Tanks. Composition makeup is mostly resin, white metal and aluminum but with a weight more than a diecast metal unit.  It took 2 years to bring the first release to market which was the King Tiger Henschel Turret. This release is without it's intended figure and accessories but has sold well with good reviews in various magazines including "Toy Car Collector". Subsequent releases get better. Exclusive packaging consists of heavy weight color box with strong, full "lid over" style cover and molded foam core.

FEATURES
Heavy Weight
Opening Copula
One Scale - 1:48
Fixed position detailed resin tracks
Rotating Turrets and Elevating Guns
Accompanied Fighting Figure and Acc.
Fully assembled and painted - ready for display or play.
High detail resin, white metal, brass and aluminum composition.
Bullit Proof Packaging with either Molded StyroFoam or Soft foam rubber Core.

DRAWBACKS
Non rotating tracks.

WarTanks promises to delivery a high detail, high quality product. Wartanks also offers Exclusive Limited Production of less than 1,000 pieces manufactured and marketed world wide. Most releases are not found elsewhere in this popular 1:48 scale as a fully assembled and painted product. Most 1:48 scale tanks will measure approximately 6 to 8 inches long for W.W.II and 7 to 10 for modern releases. This is due to the fact that modern tanks like M1A2 Abrams and Israel Merkava are much bigger in real life than were W.W.II tanks. WarTanks has U.S. based distribution and representatives. Contact On-Site Enterprises with any questions or comments.

Unimax manufacturers high quality, high detail diecast W.W.II and modern military items in very nice quality retail display type packaging. Most pieces will be 85-90 percent diecast and 10-15 percent plastic. Releases began in '94 and are considered new entrances into the military collectible market. They are fully painted and assembled. All are highly detailed with opening hatches where appropriate and included accessories with many movable parts. These items are manufactured in the same scale as NewRay but a great step above in detail. Please be aware that cheaper - low detail versions of these items are offered in corporate owned stores like Toys-R-Us. These low budget versions are aimed at children 5 to 8 years of age and will not satisfy collectors. For high detail versions you will need to purchase from On-Site DieCast or other companies offering the top of the line series for adult collectors. New items are released yearly and with the introduction of the 1:16 Scale Extreme Metal Series there are a bevy of items to facinate all ages.

FEATURES
Diecast Metal
Rotating Tracks (Rubber)
Color Retail Display Packaging.
High Detail with Movable Parts and Acc.
Fully Assembled and Ready for Play or Display.
One Scale - 1:32

DRAWBACKS
Hardly any drawbacks - detail compares to Minichamps.

Forces of valor items will measure between 6 and 12 inches in length. Unimax offers U.S. based representation.

Dragon Can.do line of 1:144 collectible miniatures is the hottest military collectible in years with millions having been sold in Asia and Japan. Now these items come to the U.S. and are destined to make the same impact here. A rare limited edition X item is inserted randomly into full case packs to keep many collectors searching for that illusive model. Detail quality for this size of miniature is unsurpassed. Thoroughly researched for historical authenticity, the entire Dragon line is sure to please even the discriminating consumer. The 1:72 scale line of Dragon Armor is sold via a removable base and clear acrylic display case which is included in the price. We have trouble keeping these items in stock and they usually sell out very quickly. We have been very pleased with the U.S. distribution agent and their support.

FEATURES
Diecast Metal
1:72 Scale Sold in Cardboard over Plexiglas Cover and Plastic Base Packaging.
1:144 sold in carded packs with diorama and display case.
High Detail and Authentic Historical Accuracy
Multiple scales and ranges priced right.

DRAWBACKS
None

Dragon offers U.S. based representation.

We are often questioned about the scale of items. Here we have tried to answer as many questions as possible regarding these scales and their relationships to, mm conversions, fractions, train gauge and scale foot.

 

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