Hi! I am both new to the forums and new to collecting die cast planes (fighter planes in particular and 4.5 to 6 inch models only). To jumpstart my collection, I already did some online purchasing and a bit of local purchasing as well. Upon my "travels", I came across this brand called Yat Ming. Their planes comprise the Super Airforce series of the Road Tough line.

Anyway, since all of you guys here possess technical and field experience in abundance, I was hoping you could help me with these questions:

1. Is Yatming a reputable brand?


2. (For paranoid reasons, since there are children in my household) Does this product contain lead, in any form?


3. I came across a brand called "InAir" and I noticed that their products are quite similar. Is one either a knock-off or a distributor of the other? Also, I was just wondering why they don't list the model of the product in the card. I had to rely on visual identification.


4. How does this brand compare to other Die-cast brands such as Maisto in terms of durability, alloy used, and longevity?


5. I already got three A-10 Thunderbolts (2 will be customized and have their paint details enhanced ... the last one will remain sealed/MOC).

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3518/00ars3.jpg

Anyway, I just want to know if this model/brand would last a long time, without degradation, if I keep it sealed and away from the sun? Around how long could it last and would the paint chip and flake even though it is sealed? Finally, what other things could I do to care for sealed/carded die casts?


6. Here are initial pictures of the Warthogs I've opened. They are of the Yatming brand. Please rate them according to the paint, paint job, quality, durability, assembly, etc.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9020/00bts2.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8404/00cev1.jpg

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/263/00dek9.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3400/00etl9.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4639/00ftz7.jpg

Thanks again!

Yat Ming has been a producer of diecast models and toys since about 1970. Their products
have also been sold by other distributors that used other brand names over the entire time span. Their larger scale models are recognized as being very realistic. Naturall, some detail has to be omited as we consider much smaller size products.

Coincidentally, I recived a very impressive catalog in the mail today entitled "Historic Aviation" put out by www.HistoricAviation.com tel (800-225-5575). They are apparently located at 121 5th Ave NW Ste 300, New Brighton MN 55112 . I do not collect aircraft models, so have never had the pleasure of dealing with them but their selection of products offered should fit your wish list (?)

Thanks for the tip. I would also welcome your personal opinions on the product I posted as well as answers to my other questions. It would greatly aid me in deciding whether to buy more of these.

I'm not too crazy about that YatMing Warthog. I feel the paint job is not to par and there isnot enough detailing, although you expect that with the smaller scale. What I don't like the most are those little stationary wheels on the bottom of it. I hate it when they do that to airplanes; makes them look like little kid's toys.

Although I am very much into aviation (I'm an aircraft mechanic!), I don't collect diecast airplanes. But I have always been keen to the Maisto diecast planes that I usually see at Walmart. I think they have good detailing. There is also a line whose name escapes me right now that has good detailing that are sold at Toys R Us. But if you want some really nice ones (and spend some $$), try the Corgi brand. I've never seen them, but I've seen them in their catalog and they look very detailed and beautiful. Try http://www.3000toys.com/ and you'll find a big choice of diecast airplanes.

Welcome to the forum and have fun collecting!! :wave:

I'm not too crazy about that YatMing Warthog. I feel the paint job is not to par and there isnot enough detailing, although you expect that with the smaller scale. What I don't like the most are those little stationary wheels on the bottom of it. I hate it when they do that to airplanes; makes them look like little kid's toys.

Although I am very much into aviation (I'm an aircraft mechanic!), I don't collect diecast airplanes. But I have always been keen to the Maisto diecast planes that I usually see at Walmart. I think they have good detailing. There is also a line whose name escapes me right now that has good detailing that are sold at Toys R Us. But if you want some really nice ones (and spend some $$), try the Corgi brand. I've never seen them, but I've seen them in their catalog and they look very detailed and beautiful. Try http://www.3000toys.com/ and you'll find a big choice of diecast airplanes.

Welcome to the forum and have fun collecting!! :wave:

Thanks and glad to be here!

Yeah, I think the paint job is also pretty basic, hence I plan to enhance the details of my opened ones. As for the wheels, well, I also don't understand why they couldn't make a simple metal axle so that it could free wheel. That is why I just removed the wheels entirely (will just think of an alternative soon).

As for the alloy/life expectancy/resilience, what could you make of it? Inferior or pretty much the same as its branded counterparts?

I've seen Maistos here (Tailwinds), except they aren't as prevalent as the generics. I would honestly have better luck in collecting cars, as they are easier to spot and greater in number.

I would honestly have better luck in collecting cars, as they are easier to spot and greater in number.

Hold that thought because not always! Depending on what you collect, it's been hard to find new releases. Usually depends on where you live, but it's been hard finding new releases of Jadas lately in Syracuse, NY.

The plane you have is probably as good as you'll get for that price. Check for MDP Postage Stamp planes - they run in the $10-$15 range, they have over a hundred planes & I'm very impressed with the quality and level of detail. We sell them in my store & for the extra $5 I always refer people over to them versus the In Air or Hot Wings brands.

Historic Aviation has some fantastic stuff, but it is more collectible quality (low end around $25 up to $150+). Great company to deal with, I order from them once a week or so.

In regards to Historic Aviation, aren't some of their products under the "Hobby Master" brand name? That's how 3000toys has it.

Welcome to the Boards.
I started Collecting the Ertl Brand of Military Aircraft . The Scale was large but then I moved to the Smaller Scale (1:400) by Postage Stamp.
Looks real and they hold up for a long time.
As to your question on Yat Ming. i don't know. Corgi and Maisto look ok to me. My question to you is what are you looking for?
I have not done enough research to offer more insight as this is a minor part of my collection.
Sport/muscle is primary, Star Wars/Star Trek/Battle Star Galactica is Secondary.
Construction and Military is 3rd.
Then knives, swords, micro machines are also in there somewhere.
I hope this helps.
Richard

I was hoping you could help me with these questions:

1. Is Yatming a reputable brand?

It certainly is, and its line includes some sturdy small-size planes that nobody else made.

2. (For paranoid reasons, since there are children in my household) Does this product contain lead, in any form?

I doubt it! One can never be absolutely certain. However, in the 1930s kids played with toys made out of lead and they went on to live long, productive lives.

3. I came across a brand called "InAir" and I noticed that their products are quite similar. Is one either a knock-off or a distributor of the other? Also, I was just wondering why they don't list the model of the product in the card. I had to rely on visual identification.

In Air of Vergennes, VT sells planes from a variety of sources- some are Yat Ming, some are Dyna-Flites (now produced by Red Box/Motor Max), some are the larger Motor Max planes (i.e. Avro Lancaster) and others are the little biplanes with plastic upper wings. "Hot Wings" is another name selling a similar mixture of brands. These usually come with synthetic runways underneath them and are overpriced.

4. How does this brand compare to other Die-cast brands such as Maisto in terms of durability, alloy used, and longevity?

All toys such as these are made of a zinc alloy called zamac or mazak. In the past, impurities in the metal have caused bubbles and outright disintegration with brands such as Dinky Toys. The Yat Ming planes appear to be very sturdy. They should hold up very well even if kids play with them.

5. I already got three A-10 Thunderbolts (2 will be customized and have their paint details enhanced ... the last one will remain sealed/MOC).

Anyway, I just want to know if this model/brand would last a long time, without degradation, if I keep it sealed and away from the sun? Around how long could it last and would the paint chip and flake even though it is sealed? Finally, what other things could I do to care for sealed/carded die casts?

Just try to take care of them and in the long run, time will tell. There are some Tootsietoys and lead toys from the 1930s that look as though they had been manufactured yesterday. Given Yat Ming's apparent good quality, these should hold up similarly, inside or outside of the blister cards.

6. Here are initial pictures of the Warthogs I've opened. They are of the Yatming brand. Please rate them according to the paint, paint job, quality, durability, assembly, etc.

On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the poorest and 5 being the very best, I am comparing them to die cast planes I have by AeroMini, Lintoy, Tootsietoy, Maisto, Mandarin and other brands. The very worst die cast planes are ones with much cheap plastic, ill-fitting parts, and cheap thin paint jobs. Avoid the Mega Movers brand! Dyna-Flites are just about average overall. The best of the diecast toy planes are realistically-shaped with retractable landing gear and much detail in the molds, and are finished very well. Some of the 1970s Dinky "Big planes" and the Aero Mini airliners from the same era qualify.

Paint and paint job, 3.5 of 5 (slightly above average - more detail would rate a 5)
Quality, 4 of 5 (above average - better landing gear and canopies would rate a 5)
Durability, 4 of 5 (above average)

Here is a Yat Ming AWACS plane on another type of card. I bought it at a grocery store. It was overpriced, but the subject matter is great and it does not show up elsewhere. The tail fin is misshapen though one cannot tell from this photo.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyPlanes_DieCastMetal/80s%20through%20Present/yatmingawacs.jpg

Here is a set of six planes sold in Woolworths in 1994 before this store closed shop.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyPlanes_DieCastMetal/80s%20through%20Present/YatMingSet4.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyPlanes_DieCastMetal/80s%20through%20Present/YatMingSet3.jpg

Note another color variant, beige sand camouflage, on the Wart Hog in this photo.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b228/PropMonster/ToyPlanes_DieCastMetal/80s%20through%20Present/YatMingSet1.jpg

This set includes a Fieseler "Storch," an uncommonly-found model in die cast.

All toys such as these are made of a zinc alloy called zamac or mazak. In the past, impurities in the metal have caused bubbles and outright disintegration with brands such as Dinky Toys. The Yat Ming planes appear to be very sturdy. They should hold up very well even if kids play with them.

Just try to take care of them and in the long run, time will tell. There are some Tootsietoys and lead toys from the 1930s that look as though they had been manufactured yesterday. Given Yat Ming's apparent good quality, these should hold up similarly, inside or outside of the blister cards.


Thanks Tone! The additional pictures were also a big help.

Anyway, I have a follow-up question. My local retailer mentioned something about white powder rot. I am unfamiliar with the jargon, but he said that since the plane isn't wholly encapsulated with plastic, the part that touches the cardboard will be prone to that since cardboard is biodegradable and encourages osmosis from the outside elements.

I would not worry about so-called "rot" or "fatigue" (it is neither!) Impure alloy causes this condition. The alloy's elements "fight" each other, causing the toy to disintegrate over time. The problem plagues old Dinky Toy planes primarily - some of which are quite valuable.