Legion Models

Legion Straps into the Bubble, Almost

Legion’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – Robert Williams, “Duchess Arlene,” 100th Fighter Squadron, 332th Fighter Group “Tuskegee Airmen,” Ramitelli, Italy, 1944

Looking to build out their WWII aerial armada, Legion recently indicated plans to roll out six different takes on the war-winning “bubble top” P-51D Mustang. We’ve elected to bring in three of the six aircraft models they plan to produce, leaving a handful on the table for others to stock. While they all look terrific, our experience has been that certain models, among them Chinese and RAF-based versions, haven’t sold all that well for us, so there’s no reason we should expect anything different with these offerings. The three US-based P-51Ds shown here are slated to hit the tarmac early this summer.

Legion’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – James Tapp, “Margaret IV,” 78th Fighter Squadron “Bushmasters”, 15th Fighter Group, Iwo Jima, April 1945

Pricing hasn’t changed, meaning you can still pick up each for the nominal sum of $49.99.

Legion’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – Glenn Eagleston, “Feeble Eagle,” 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 1945

Update: We’ve heard from a number of collectors that the upcoming P-51D Mustang comes with a misshapen bubble canopy. While not apparent in the original set of photographs we received in the marketing material, it becomes rather obvious in the photo below. Frankly, even the tail seems a bit stubby as compared with the real aircraft and the wings seem to exhibit less curvature when displayed against the real deal. We brought these observations to the attention of our distributor and they informed us that the mold is essentially done and little can be done about it.

I’m not certain how they came up with this configuration when the bubble top canopy has been photographed by experts around the world for decades on end. So, we’ve cancelled our opening order but decided to leave the products up on our web site in the oft chance that Legion decides to pull back and re-work these models so they better reflect the “D” version of the Mustang.

Side view of an actual P-51D Mustang. After comparing the two images, it looks as if Legion molded the bottom of the canopy onto the fuselage instead of attaching it to the base of the bubble canopy. Supposedly, the Legion replica is based upon a previously-built mold, which obviously wasn’t inspected very closely for accuracy.

Takeaway: Save your money. If this is Legion’s attempt to portray the North American P-51D Mustang, then they need a better set of prescription glasses because it misses the mark by a long shot. A proper eye chart and better reference material might be in order.

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Legion Claims, “Everyone Loves the Sherman, Right?”

Well, not exactly but try telling that to Legion Models. Earlier today, the manufacturer indicated that they were getting into the Sherman game with the Firefly medium tank, due out by year’s end if you can put stock into their marketing material. Legion, a budget-minded producer of military diecast models and an offshoot of Panzerkampf, seems to like the British Firefly tank — so much so that five models will be offered when they roll out for front line duty this holiday season. Why they have a penchant for releasing so many versions of any given subject all at the same time is anyone’s guess apart from economies of scale, no doubt an effort to keep the retail price as low as possible. Be that as it may, we’re in the process of listing the quintet to our web site, and should have the diminutive platoon ready for pre-sale by the close of business today.

And, if you’re wondering about the difference between the standard US-built Sherman medium tank and the British conversion, check out the accompanying video that was produced by the British Tank Museum:

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Legion Continues its Advance

Legion Models 1:72 scale Soviet Ilyushin IL-2M Shturmovik Ground Attack Aircraft – Nelson Stepanyan, 57 ShAP, 1944

Several new models are rolling in later this month from Legion Models, the budget-branded arm of Panzerkampf. Expected are several 1:72 scale Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik ground attack aircraft as are a column of KamAZ 4310 cargo trucks. While their packaging is a bit spartan relative to other makes, the products themselves are being well-received, priced with affordability in mind given the continual rise in cost of similar lines.

Legion Models 1:72 scale Captured Russian KamAZ 4310 Cargo Truck

Also due are several key re-stocks, among them both 1:1000 scale aircraft carriers and a handful of the F4U Corsairs that have rapidly been snapped up by collectors world over.

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