Delta Collection

Mattgill · 10-24-2012, 04:41 PM

Well, except for one or two final additions when I can find them (read Convair 880) my collection of 1/200 Delta Jets is pretty much complete. I've traveled for business most of my life and except for the DC-3, have been on every one of these aircraft at one point in my 2.2 million delta lifetime miles.

At any rate, I think I enjoyed collecting these models far more than all the butt time I spent flying on the real thing.

As an aside, the pictures below are some I've taken on our various trips to fun places (thank you frequent flyer miles). Last steps is to drill some little holes in the lighted globe for all the destinations visited and stick in fiber optics - should make for a fun way to remember all the fun places. Matt

boeing747crazy · 10-24-2012, 05:26 PM

I love it, and the display is georgious !
I love delta and your collection
Regards
Kris

Prop-Jet Electra · 10-24-2012, 05:59 PM

I agree, absolutely gorgeous! Love the way you have everything laid out. I'm working on a Delta collection myself, the
only difference being it stops at the widget. We desperately need a Convair 880 and DC-8-11!

*AND a "Gold Crown" DC-7B

Wingnut · 10-24-2012, 06:13 PM

Yes, what a beautiful display of your birds. I have a couple more Widgets on approach. When they arrive, I too will share pics of my Delta (Widget) fleet. ...

Mattgill · 10-24-2012, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the nice comments. Prop-jet, totally agree on the missing links.... There is enough flying today that i like that i went ahead and extended into the newer liveries but I'm kind of partial to the wedge myself.

The display area sits in the place I spend most of my time - airplanes, movies and a beer - perfect combination!!

JBU536 · 10-24-2012, 06:40 PM

Gorgeous collection and Nice movie room!!!!!!

firefly · 10-24-2012, 06:50 PM

Wow, it looks like a DELTA altar! Excellent.

T7_4ever · 10-24-2012, 06:54 PM

2 Thumbs way, way up!! Great, sweet and extensive collection of the Delta fleet over the years! Thank you for sharing your Delta fleet with the DAC board. Cheers! T7

Mattgill · 10-24-2012, 06:56 PM

Hmmm.... given some of the "rows" I've had with Delta over the years, I'm going to have to think about changing my decor ;-)

Actually, on the other side of the room is a Star Trek collection (yes, you can still collect Star Trek and be over 50) so it probably doesn't have quite the "All Delta, All the Time" look in real life.

I guess at the end of the day, I love collecting scale models and when I decided to give 1/200 commercial AC a go, Delta was pretty much my home away from home.

Matt

T7_4ever · 10-24-2012, 07:05 PM

I used to build the ERTL star trek plastic kits; even went as far as wiring them inside for extra special effects! Also, JJ has done an excellent job with the new Star Trek crew, looking forward to the next Star Trek movie next year! Gotta like a collector of both sci-fi and airline models! Live Long and may your 1/200 collection Prosper! Cheers! T7

gospodin · 10-24-2012, 07:13 PM

Beautiful theater and collection, the loungers look very comfy. I'd suggest that maybe you're missing the "other" L-1011 in your collection, since it's likely you traveled in both versions.

Kitty Hawk 1903 · 10-24-2012, 07:39 PM

What a great man cave. Love the painting over my favorite bridge,and of course the models. I also like the way you have the remote controls neatly lined up. I do the same thing. Drives my wife nuts.

Mattgill · 10-24-2012, 09:32 PM

Hey Kitty Hawk - sounds like you've almost joined the "obsessive compulsives R-us" club. That's pretty much me to a tee. The girls (wife and daughter) have pretty much commandeered the rest of the house while I am fighting to save my man-cave for me... So far we've battled to a draw but I feel them inching closer ;-)

Lest we leave out the military and go-fast jocks, here is a separate collection of 1/200 fighters and bombers I'm still working on.

Enjoy and thanks again for all the terrific comments. Cheers. Matt

fazeman · 10-24-2012, 10:26 PM

It's pretty safe to say your home decor is what everyone dreams about. How did you anchor your military aircraft in the display cases? What is the brand name of your cases? This is something I thought about for my commercial airliners but never pursued until now. And it's probably the best way to display mulitple aircraft especially with the dark background. Also like what appears to be a Liberty ship. All in all, beautiful contrasting work between the displays and wall color.

As for your man-cave, unless you're behaving like Howard Hughes in Aviator, I can't see what the wife and kids wouldn't like about the home theatre.

gabe4321 · 10-24-2012, 10:57 PM

Very nice collection! Only airline to collect in my opinion.

DLmd11 · 10-24-2012, 11:26 PM

Beautifully presented collection.

payton89222 · 10-25-2012, 12:05 AM

very nice display! very nice Delta collection as well!!! nice house and collections you got! =P

Mattgill · 10-25-2012, 07:57 PM

I was messing with the pictures in Photobucket and obviously screwed something up so here are the links on a few of the ones that I messed up. Matt

Kitty Hawk 1903 · 10-25-2012, 09:22 PM

Hey Kitty Hawk - sounds like you've almost joined the "obsessive compulsives R-us" club. That's pretty much me to a tee. The girls (wife and daughter) have pretty much commandeered the rest of the house while I am fighting to save my man-cave for me... So far we've battled to a draw but I feel them inching closer ;-)

OCD is alive and well. Nothing wrong with being clean and liking order. Stand your ground with the man-cave. With most girls,if you bring up the shoe and hand bag collection,the ball is back in your court.

T7_4ever · 10-25-2012, 09:49 PM

May I ask where did you obtain that "awesome" Enterprise you have on display? Cheers! T7

Mattgill · 10-25-2012, 11:34 PM

Hey T-7. I had it built for me by one of the Sci-Fi builders when the Polar Lights Refit just came out. We did allot of lighting - had the stand and LCAS customized and she's really pretty lit up at night. Here's a little better shot of her...

And the obligatory beauty shot...

Flydenfeld · 10-25-2012, 11:43 PM

That Starship is MMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNTTTT!!!!!!

T7_4ever · 10-26-2012, 12:30 AM

WOW! WOW! That is one spectacular, superb, awesome, jaw-dropping Enterprise NCC-1701-A !!!! I have this Polar Lights model still in the box, was hoping to someday put it together with my son; that was great you were able to get a professional to assemble yours! That model can pass off as one of the movie props from Paramount! Love the lighting effects on your Enterprise and especially the display base you mounted it on! Special kudos to the phaser, communicator and tricorder! Just a mind blowing Star Trek collection you have there!! I have to show your "1 of a kind" Enterprise pic to the wifey, that way she won't be giving me any grief on the big box I've been storing for the last 6 years in the closet, hee hee! Thank you again, for sharing my favorite SCI-FI model of all time!!! Cheers! T7

MDWTWA · 10-26-2012, 12:38 AM

The Enterprise is jaw-droppingly awesome!

a380b747a340b777 · 10-26-2012, 12:48 AM

Awesome!!!!!

The Enterprise is great. The room too.

Incredible collection.

planemark · 10-26-2012, 11:45 AM

That is magnificent! Your dispays, presentation, decor, everything. There needs to be a show called "Most Magestic Man-caves," (if there isn't already) and yours could be featured. Thanks for sharing.

Did you do the vertical display fighters, or have them professionally done. They look museum quality.

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 12:01 PM

Hi Planemark. Thank you for the compliments!! The display areas are hardly "TV Worthy" unless they happened to have a show for people who collect models - then maybe but not sure what the demographics of the audience would be ;-)

I mounted all of the 1/200 military aircraft myself. Someone asked earlier and I didn't answer (sorry). The frames are shadow boxes from Frame USA (cheap) in two sizes. I put a layer of high density foam over the foam core and covered with a black velvet. From there, just a matter of attaching the models which (shudder) I do by drilling underneath and connecting a rigid metal connector. They have little numbers and, when finished, I'll have a legend that gives the names of all of them. A little time consuming but it makes a nice way to display for my purposes without taking up shelf space.

To be honest, most of my "man-cave" is actually dedicated to my primary hobby which is collecting large scale model ships. The AC (and StarTrek) were just kind of interesting sidelines. Here is where the "real" time and effort goes...

I've collected and commissioned large scale (1/96-1/200) ship models for probably 15 years. Anyone who has trouble with wives/girlfriends/significant others putting up with their model collections - feel free to use this as an example of how lucky they really are because you aren't nearly as bad as this yahoo ;-) Matt

firefly · 10-26-2012, 12:42 PM

Impressive collection. I love that Aircraft Carrier......thanks for sharing Matt.

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 12:51 PM

Hey Firefly. The carrier is USS Intrepid (1944) and one of my favorites. It is definitely one of the best ways to showcase 1/200 model aircraft. We tried to recreate the famous photo in terms of all AC.

Close-up for you...

Kitty Hawk 1903 · 10-26-2012, 12:53 PM

Not to get into your private life,but you must have a very good occupation. We are looking at a significant financial investment. Not that you needed to be reminded of that.

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 01:01 PM

Hey Kitty Hawk. I've probably been lucky in my early career and later, in owning my own company and given the tough times allot of people are going through, I feel very fortunate. That said, the reality is that what you see (collection) is really the result of doing something you love over long periods of time. That probably makes the end result look a bit more "grand" than it really is or feels.

Besides, allot of the fun is to share it with people who enjoy or appreciate it. Some of my neighbors who see it at parties kind of give me that "isn't he an odd one" look ;-)

Take care. Matt

boeing747crazy · 10-26-2012, 01:03 PM

Hello again, I just love collection

boeing747crazy · 10-26-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattgill

I was messing with the pictures in Photobucket and obviously screwed something up so here are the links on a few of the ones that I messed up. Matt

Nice tele remote control collection!

firefly · 10-26-2012, 01:04 PM

O dear Lord, what a superb collection. I wish live near you and I will volunteer to keep it clean. Thanks again Matt!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattgill

Hey Firefly. The carrier is USS Intrepid (1944) and one of my favorites. It is definitely one of the best ways to showcase 1/200 model aircraft. We tried to recreate the famous photo in terms of all AC.

Close-up for you...

wu6fiend · 10-26-2012, 02:03 PM

What a gorgeous room!

Your model ship collection is better than (and much more nicely displayed too) than most of the museums I have been in. You could charge admission!

With regard to the model ships, where do you get them? Are they purchased from a specific company, or do you build them from scratch, or from kits, or???

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 05:39 PM

Hi Wu6fiend and thank you for the compliments!! I only wish I had the skill, patience or time to make such models but I'm only a collector and caretaker.

I started my early museum scale ship collecting by purchasing for a US company called Fine Art Models (check out their website - it's terrific). From there, I started commissioning models I was interested in from a few builders in the US that are pretty well known. Once or twice I found an interesting subject on E-bay but that's pretty rare - it's mostly mass-produced subjects of pretty marginal quality. Recently, most of the subjects are being built for me in Latvia by model builders who used to work for the former Soviet Navy of all things.

From commissioning to delivery, they take roughly a year to build and something on the order of 1-3,000 man hours. They really are amazing works of art when you see them up close; everything you see is soldered brass, custom resin and museum materials with a 2-300 year shelf life (read no decals, only specific kinds of paint, etc.).

One of the reasons I began collecting these is that the craftsmanship and skill is truly a dying art (at least in the commercial sense - still allot of guys building for themselves) and something I think it increasingly rare in the mass produced world today. Some of the guys that worked on my early models are no longer building (just have gotten too old or passed away). When they are gone, allot of the skill goes with them. It's fun to collect and care for things like that if they mean something to the collector.

Sorry, longer answer than you ever wanted but - hey - it's my hobby!!

Cheers Matt

lanceb · 10-26-2012, 05:52 PM

My mind is blown. Your collection is outstanding and something to be very proud of.

USS Intrepid is a jaw dropper.

Flydenfeld · 10-26-2012, 05:55 PM

Wow Matt, thanks for sharing your collection. Back when I was a kid building my own models, it was always warships and airplanes. I only dreamed of having the skills or the patience to come up with something this amazing. This just takes it to the level that is the ultimate!

So uhh, Matt... What time should we come over to watch a movie? I'll be sure to wear a bib so I don't drool over everything!

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 07:41 PM

Hi Flydenfeld. Like you, allot of these hobbies are just carry-overs from my own childhood loves - just carried to an adult extreme. If anyone from the board is ever through Atlanta, let me know. Always love to have people by to share stuff and talk about models. I have to warn you that the hobby room is connected to another passion of mine - wine so if you come, plan to enjoy a movie and a beer or glass of wine ....

firefly · 10-26-2012, 07:48 PM

Best perfect man-cave ever, Matt!!

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 07:51 PM

Actually down here now - wine and Letters from Iwo on the Big Screen. Take care and enjoy...

AlphaBravo · 10-26-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattgill

Some of my neighbors who see it at parties kind of give me that "isn't he an odd one" look

I get that a lot. But I don't care. I love my plane, ship, sub, and space models!

Fantastic collection, by the way!

Prop-Jet Electra · 10-26-2012, 09:32 PM

Okay Matt... when are we all invited? We should watch something aviation-related like "Fate is the Huter" or
"The Crowded Skies" or "The High and the Mighty" or that classic that everyone loves "Airport". Wife and
daughter can attend if they won't be bored senseless (I love explaining my hobby even to people who aren't
interested)

Matt have you ever been to an airline collectable show? If so do you have a favorite, or which is closer to
your home? Mine is DFW each spring, April or May.

Mattgill · 10-26-2012, 09:37 PM

Open invite Prop-jet - family definately invited...

Never made it to any airline collectable show but sounds like it would be fun. Have to check them out. Cheers.

Prop-Jet Electra · 10-26-2012, 10:44 PM

Here's what's left for 2012 and then at some point they'll publish the schedule for 2013. Next year Airliners International
(the biggie) is in Cleveland.

World Airline Historical Society Show Schedule 2012

Cheers!

bobspansuarpetak · 10-27-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattgill

Hi Flydenfeld. Like you, allot of these hobbies are just carry-overs from my own childhood loves - just carried to an adult extreme. If anyone from the board is ever through Atlanta, let me know. Always love to have people by to share stuff and talk about models. I have to warn you that the hobby room is connected to another passion of mine - wine so if you come, plan to enjoy a movie and a beer or glass of wine ....

hi matgill. your picture always lead to another hobby/ model. looks like a 1/18 scale aircraft down the board. are they JSI? care to share? thank you.

AlphaBravo · 10-27-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattgill

Some of my neighbors who see it at parties kind of give me that "isn't he an odd one" look ;-)

I get that a lot. But I don't care. I love my plane, ship, sub, and space models!

Fantastic collection! Thanks for the great pics.

Kitty Hawk 1903 · 10-27-2012, 11:00 AM

I know of a guy who collects vacuum cleaners. He has 22 in all so far. Some from the fifties. I won't question it,if that's his thing.

wu6fiend · 10-27-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitty Hawk 1903

I know of a guy who collects vacuum cleaners. He has 22 in all so far. Some from the fifties. I won't question it,if that's his thing.

Yep, whatever floats your boat is alright with me. I know of a fellow that collects vintage glass coffee pots!

Matt, thanks for the detailed reply about the origin of the models. I think that if I had a room like yours, you would rarely ever see me outside of it.

And you should definitely attend an airline collectibles show. I went to my first one recently, bought some nice models for really fair prices, and had a good time speaking with fellow collectors.

Prop-Jet Electra · 10-27-2012, 02:17 PM

There's somebody out there who collects just about anything. Air sick bags always seemed a bit quirky to me, but
to each his own.

Along the same lines as vaccum cleaners I have a friend who collects old household appliances of any kind and I
must admit I find them sort of cool as well. Throughout the '40s and '50s they shaped cases/housings to appear
streamlined and modern - great stuff!