So, without further ado:
- HA2203 - Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, USS Bunker Hill. HM's Helldiver is the greatest propeller-driven diecast aircraft of all time, perfect in nearly every respect. Some people will nitpick about the open dive flaps, but while I am a huge fan of the USN tricolor liveries, this overall dark blue suits the helldiver perfectly. You do have at least one Helldiver in your collection, right?
- HA0113 - Ju87 Stuka, Pervomaisk Ukraine. This much overlooked model nevertheless sports perhaps the best 'weathered' look of any HM aircraft. Beautifully feathered paint on a flawless model. Photos of this model on the web typically show the top side only - the attention to detail to the underside will be a pleasant surprise.
- HA2405 - MiG15 NKAF 'Wang Hai.' Another overlooked gem. Many consider HM's MiG-15 to be their best jet mould, despite its diminutive size. I consider this particular livery The MiG 15's best one.
- HA3001 - F-111 General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" 474 TFW, 429 TFS, Thailand 1972. This model has perfect presence and a lovely livery. While future HM F111s will have 'wing root plugs' to improve the appearance with the wings spread, there is little doubt that this is the livery to have.
- HA2501 - Republic F-105D Thunderchief, Lt. David B. Waldrop, 34th TFS, 388th TFW, Korat, RTAB, Thailand, August 1967. The most understated of the Vietnam Camouflaged F-105s that still wears the attractive white full-sized tail codes. Understated and yet a real war hero. Oh yes, and a perfect mould.
- HA2105 F-100C "SuperSabre" - Col. George Laven, USAF, 479th TFW, Commander. Because of the problem that inside the large air intake it is too easy to see the silver backing plate used in the model when seen from the front, despite being an absolutely gorgeous mould, none of the HM F-100s are perfect. Furthermore, this particular model has a slight livery flaw in that ths underside speed brake does not have the candystripe livery applied as it should. Despite these issues, however, it's just an amazing looking model that's very well constructed. I have two of these.
- HA1603 - Dassault Mirage, 2000C. NATO "Tiger Meet", 2003, Cambrai, France. I fully expect those who have never seen the model and/or who profess to 'not like gaudy schemes' to disagree with my selection here. Truth be told, I have little patience for most such schemes - Witty and Dragon 'Tiger Meet' F-16s, for example, are hideous. However, beautiful Mirage 2000C is definitely an exception. The very complex livery has been applied perfectly. The other HM Tiger Meet mirage (the grey one) is also excellent, but this is just a joy that adds interest to any collection.
- HA1902 - F- 4J VF-96 Showtime 100 Randy Cunningham and Willie Driscoll, Vietnam 1972. The HM Phantom II mould is outstanding, and my choice of Showtime 100 livery as the 'best' is somewhat arbitrary in that regard (indeed, later releases featured metal, not plastic gear supports, which is an improvement). However, ShowTime 100 more than any others has that combination of superb livery, historic importance, 'rarity', and just looking great. Some might argue for the VF-31 F-4 - I am a huge VF-31 fan, but for some reason, the HM VF-31 Phantom doesn't click for me as much as this one does.
- HA2901 Douglas A-1H Skyraider, VA-176, USS Intrepid (CVS-11), Oct 1986 "Mig Killer." If you don't yet have this superlative Skyraider, RUN, DON'T WALK as they're getting scarcer by the minute. Usually, for a livery this great you need an airshow bird.
- HA1104 Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat, Alexander Vraciu - The final place on my list was a tough call. However, ultimately it went to this lovely little bit of kit that is HM's best Helldiver. Includes a little standing Vraciu pilot figure holding up six fingers. Beauty.
