WHO
COLLECTS AIRCRAFT MODELS?
Many thousands of people all over the world, mostly males but, increasingly,
females too, are captivated by the fascinating hobby of collecting aircraft
models. That's 'aircraft models' not the mildly derogatory, 'model aircraft'!
And we are not talking here about toys or plastic construction kits - the Airfix
models that we all managed to glue to our fingers in our youth - but beautiful
die-cast metal representations of all the world's aeroplanes (thats airplanes
to our North American cousins) from throughout aviation history and right up
to date, professionally manufactured, fully-assembled and perfectly painted
into every colour scheme you can imagine.
But with a massive range of models available, up to 6000 different ones at
any one time and new releases daily, where do you start.
WHAT SHOULD I COLLECT?
Well you might decide to focus on the product of a single model manufacturer
such as Skyline Models, Corgi
Classics, Gemini Jets, Herpa
Wings, Dragon Wings,
Inflight 500, Inflight
200, Phoenix, Hobby
Masters, Hogan Wings, Aviation
400 or Century Wings to name but a few.
Most of the established manufacturers specialise in models of a particular
genre such as modern airliners, classic airlines, modern military aircraft
or classic military aircraft and usually stick to one of the popular scales
ranging in size from the smallest popular scale, 1:500, through 1:400, 1:200,
1:72 and 1:48 scale to the largest scale for the collector, 1:32.
After a while though, most experienced collectors find that restricting themselves
to the product of just one manufacturer can be a little frustrating and then
usually broaden the selection of models available to them by looking at similar
product from other manufacturers, though usually steadfastly adhering to the
same scale.
Some people collect models of all the aircraft they have ever flown on, a memento
of past holidays, others, employed in the aviation industry, like to collect
models of everything they have ever flown or worked on. Still another group
of collectors like to purchase only aircraft that they have actually seen.
There are collectors who have vast line-ups of just one aircraft type, perhaps
747s or Spitfires in all their different forms or markings whilst others can
show you a scale model in any airline livery you can imagine.
Whatever the criteria you select, perhaps the most important advice is buy
the best quality that you can afford and look at a scale that is appropriate
for your interests.
And finally,
not too big. This is likely to be a lifetime interest so make
sure that you dont run out of space.
WHERE CAN I BUY AIRCRAFT MODELS?
There are many people keen to sell you aircraft models, from individuals in
their back bedroom advertising on the web, through general model shops who
sell planes alongside their trains and automobiles, to the plane-spotter outlets
who offer a side order of aircraft models with your airband radio. There are
also suppliers who know very little about aviation. Retail direct from a store
is one option, where you can personally check out the wings and wheels. Another
option is to buy online.
But however you prefer to shop, for a comprehensive, selection seek out an
aircraft model specialist and the biggest and longest established of all the
reputable aircraft model specialists is Collectors Aircraft Models, based at
the Sheraton Skyline Hotel, near Heathrow airport, England or their website
www.collectorsaircraft.com
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