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| The only evidence of sloppy assembly is in the gun mounts on the nose, which look a bit crude. Those exhaust stacks sure look nice though! |
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| Score: 4 (out of 5) Collectibility: Med Price: $70 Production Run: Limited Catalog Number: 6101 |
Carousel 1 is a new kid on the block when it comes to diecast 1:48 aircraft, but the company's been around for a while in the diecast car
market where it enjoys a solid rep. And it's easy to see why with its first airplane model, the Curtis P-40 Warhawk, which it released in two
liveries: Boyington's P-40C AVG ride, and George Welch's P-40B Pearl Harbour mount. A Boyington fan, I of course elected to go with
Pappy's Warhawk.
Right out of the box it's easy to tell that Carousel's quality is a bit higher than Franklin Mint's and somewhat below Eagles International,
and so is its price tag. This model has a much better fit/finish than I've seen with any of my FM aircraft, and the level of detail is superior,
too. In addition, the plane also looks to be spot-on in the historical accuracy department, as far as the markings for Boyington's plane go.
The detailing in the exhaust pipes is superb, the external gunsight is off-center, as it should be, and the bead sight is included, too.
You do not get any moving control surfaces, which is a bummer -- nor do you get an opening canopy. This is a real shame as this bird has
one of the nicest-looking instrument panels I've seen in a diecast model. Curiously, both up/down landing gear options are included.
However, you do not get a stand to display the model in-flight, and Carousel does not yet sell one separately (nor has it announced that it
will). You do get a small diorama display base with some painted grass that looks a bit tacky to me, and while the base is notched for a
plastic "dust cover" one is not included (though I do believe you can buy one separately for $20). I do have to give Carousel props for
included molded plastic plugs to cover up the ugly screw holes in the bottom of the model, which are used to secure the plane in its
packaging. (Carousel 1 does suggest displaying the aircraft in its box, which has a clear window similar to FM's boxes. However, this is
really not a realistic option. The window is small, and truthfully, the box is a bit garish for my tastes. )
In the Opps Department, my model did not come with a pilot figure, which it is supposed to include. Instead I received an extra tailwheel...
oh boy! Thankfully the vendor rectified this gaff for me! Despite this boo-boo and the strange gear and display issues, Carousel 1 looks to
be a welcome addition to the 1:48 market.
Recommended!
market where it enjoys a solid rep. And it's easy to see why with its first airplane model, the Curtis P-40 Warhawk, which it released in two
liveries: Boyington's P-40C AVG ride, and George Welch's P-40B Pearl Harbour mount. A Boyington fan, I of course elected to go with
Pappy's Warhawk.
Right out of the box it's easy to tell that Carousel's quality is a bit higher than Franklin Mint's and somewhat below Eagles International,
and so is its price tag. This model has a much better fit/finish than I've seen with any of my FM aircraft, and the level of detail is superior,
too. In addition, the plane also looks to be spot-on in the historical accuracy department, as far as the markings for Boyington's plane go.
The detailing in the exhaust pipes is superb, the external gunsight is off-center, as it should be, and the bead sight is included, too.
You do not get any moving control surfaces, which is a bummer -- nor do you get an opening canopy. This is a real shame as this bird has
one of the nicest-looking instrument panels I've seen in a diecast model. Curiously, both up/down landing gear options are included.
However, you do not get a stand to display the model in-flight, and Carousel does not yet sell one separately (nor has it announced that it
will). You do get a small diorama display base with some painted grass that looks a bit tacky to me, and while the base is notched for a
plastic "dust cover" one is not included (though I do believe you can buy one separately for $20). I do have to give Carousel props for
included molded plastic plugs to cover up the ugly screw holes in the bottom of the model, which are used to secure the plane in its
packaging. (Carousel 1 does suggest displaying the aircraft in its box, which has a clear window similar to FM's boxes. However, this is
really not a realistic option. The window is small, and truthfully, the box is a bit garish for my tastes. )
In the Opps Department, my model did not come with a pilot figure, which it is supposed to include. Instead I received an extra tailwheel...
oh boy! Thankfully the vendor rectified this gaff for me! Despite this boo-boo and the strange gear and display issues, Carousel 1 looks to
be a welcome addition to the 1:48 market.
Recommended!
Carousel 1, 1:48
| P-40C, Greg "Pappy" Boyington, 1st Pursuit Sq. (Adam & Eves) Vice Sqn. Leader, AVG, Burma 1941. #6101, released Winter 2005 |
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