|
Shoppers
Help Guide
We understand
that it's sometimes difficult for the consumer to
find exactly what they are looking for when there
is a huge selection before them. We maintain a
large database of aviation related products and
airplane models in various sizes and materials, by
a number of quality aircraft model manufacturers.
Accordingly, we will strive here to help provide
you with some guidance in locating a product that
is suitable to your interest.
The
Search Engine
The eaiest
way to find something would be through our search
engine. And, you have various options at your
disposal in it's use. For example, if you're
interested in aircraft models or products for Delta
Airlines you need only enter the keyword "Delta" in
the search box. Your results will then be limited
to the Delta Airlines products. If you're looking
for a certain aircraft, let's say an Airbus A320 or
the Boeing B737. Just enter A320 or B737
respectively into the search box for all the
products resulting from you query. Now, there are a
lot of Boeing 737s that have been made ranging from
the 200 to 900 series. So, if you want to get
perticular and you are specifically looking for a
Boeing 737-700 for example, smply type enter
B737-700 as your search word. That will bypass all
the other 737s and bring back only what you are
looking for. Naturally, you can also such the names
of model manufacturers such as Herpa, Gemini Jets,
Flyteline, Atlantic etc or a specific product
number if you know exactly what you want. Other
options for search include keywords such as Shamu,
which is a special color scheme used by Southwest
Airlines on their commercial jets. Other keywords
such as uniforms, apparel, kiddie wings, pilot
wings, cards etc. may be of assistance as well.
Product
Advisor
As we
mentioned the models come in all kinds of sizes and
types. Generally speakings there are diecast
models, plastic or resin snap-fit models, one piece
plastic and resin models, professional travel
agency style models, and handcrafted custom made
models. They can range in size from 1:500 scale
miniature collectibles that will fit in the plam of
your hand, to larger 1:100 scale aircraft display
models you'd typically see in a travel agency
window, airline offices or museum displays. And,
they can get even bigger..... so far up to 6 feet
in length and wingspan! Our Scale Chart linked
above is not all inclusive but will help you in
determination of physical size with regard to
various scales. The guide below, although not all
inclusive because there are always exceptions, may
help you better navigate the various manufacturers
and their products.
Professional
Style & Custom Made Models
These are your travel agency style models.
Atlantic Models produces in our opinion, one of
the finest lines of solid resin models in
various scales. The typcial scale however is
1:100 for most airliners or 1:144. The Desktop
Executive Series and FLYTELine Models offer the
same size models manufactured from philippine
mahogany wood, and cover both the commercial
airline sector as well as general aviation and
military aircraft. Now, if you can't find
exactly what you'd like or perhaps you want to
have a model made of your own aircraft, then
FLYTELine Models is the way to go. They can
produce handcrafted mahogany replicas of exactly
what you are looking for. And, the size is up to
you.
Snap-Fit Models
These are very popular models produced by
Long Prosper, Flight Miniatures, Skymarks,
Hogan, Premier and FLYTELine The typical scale
is 1:200 but varies. In any event these are
models that will easily fit upon any desk or
shelf. Assembly is easy and only takes a few
minutes. There is no messy glue or inferior
decals that you have to play with. The livery is
already accurately printed upon the models. They
are produced in either plastic or resin
depending upon the manufacturer and come with
display stands. Some may contain landing
gear.... again, depending upon the manufacturer
and individual product. The most popular of
these we have found to be offered by Long
Prosper / Flight Miniatures.
One Piece Models
Generally, your one piece models are of the
professional style noted above. However,
FLYTELine Models does offer limited edition
solid resin models from time to time in the
1:200 scale range of the plastic snap-fit style
models. Herpa and Starjets also produces one
piece models usually in plastic or a mixture of
plastic and diecast in the 1:200 scale range.
InFlight also offers one piece models. These are
usually limited edition diecast metal in 1:200
scale range.
Diecast Miniature Aircraft Models
These are especially popular among
collectors and airport model builders in 1:400
and 1:500 scales. Gemini Jets offers limited
edition models mainly in the 1:400 range which
has become increasingly popular over the smaller
1:500 and 1:600 scales. Herpa Wings also
produces their diecast miniatures in the 1:400
scale as well. However, Herpa is mainly known
for its 1:500 scale models with a vast
inventory. Aeroclassics is another 1:400 scale
producer. These style models are not childrens
toys. They are indeed very delicate adult
collectibles with fine detail. These are not the
cheap diecast models you'd find at your local
Super Discount or Toy store. Actually, you'd be
very hard pressed to find these anywhere outside
of a major airport, airline store, or hobby shop
which specializes in these lines. Even then the
selection may be limited.
Return
to Home Page
|
