..... I thought I would start this little thread about what we prefer when it comes to showing our models off in relation to landing gear ......
......obviously most 'metal' collectors (and models available) have the gear down option (fixed in place)..... well, most of the earlier metals had fixed gear so there was no option really ...... it is good to see that a lot of them now are getting manufactured with removable/magnetic gears so you do have that option .....
.....it's a mixed story with the plastics too as some come with fixed gear (like Herpa and some Skymarks) and some with removable gear (like Hogan and Lysia) ... and some have no gear down option at all .....
.... so we can be restricted by what we have as a model sometimes .....
..... what I'd like to know is what are your preferences and why .......
...... I like both but I like flight mode better because most models we see displayed are always with gear down wether on the ground or in flight mode on the stand with their 'junk down' ...... to me flight mode really shows off the lines of an aircraft (and what it was designed for) and it gives us a view that not many of us see when the real-deals are cruising along at altitude ...
..... don't get me wrong, seeing the real machines on the ground is awesome too with their size and engines whining and steering around taxiways and aprons .... it's all relevant and equal to what we see at the airport and then look down at the coffee table (or diorama) to our model, surrounded by air-bridges and GSE etc .......
.... let me know what your preference is and why ..... I'd be keen to know how many of you are gear up or gear down ... lol .....(landing gear that is)!
I have all my models displayed with gear down, just because it's more to show off. I also like that the plane appears to have just been, or will soon be, on the ground.
BUT, I love this explanation for gear up... Might have to give it a try.
...... I like both but I like flight mode better because most models we see displayed are always with gear down wether on the ground or in flight mode on the stand with their 'junk down' ...... to me flight mode really shows off the lines of an aircraft (and what it was designed for) and it gives us a view that not many of us see when the real-deals are cruising along at altitude ...
The majority of the models I collect (L-1011s, 747s, 727s) have fixed gear in the down position, so that's my only option. I may try displaying models with removable gear in the gear up position for some variety.
All of our Diecast models are displayed not on their stands. Some plastics that are displayed all have the gear attached and some that do not have gear are obviously on their stand
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My planes are diecast, and I prefer gear down. I do have two planes on my desk at work, and those are on stands simply because they don't have gear (and would take up a little too much room!).
i put gears according to the aircraft looks when displayed, for me, a 747-400,a380 and 777-300er look better with gears down whereas a 787 looks better with gears up so you can appreciate its wingflex.
747-8,a330 looks good on each position, i can't decide ^^' but i'm sure it's easier to show the gorgeous wingflex of the 747-8 with gears up.
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I had 2 1/200 models that are gear up on stand - BA A380 and the Qantas RR Wunula Dreaming. The rest of my 1/200 are gear down on the shelves of my display.
Some of my 1/72 scale military stuff is gear up in stands.
The only gear down model I have on a stand is my 1/72 Corgi HMS Gannet SAR Sea King to make it look like its hovering during a rescue op.
I like watching planes take off and land, so all mine are gear down to look that way. You have got me thinking now, so might try the ones on their stands gear up. DAMN!!! you've thrown a spanner in my system lol :-D
....wow .....many people prefer gear down (no surprise there really) .... except for MSR777 and myself ....... I do admit that landing gear down adds to detail and I suppose a familiarity of what we do see at the airport (wether static or taxiing or on take off or landing) equates to what we have in our home ......
.... still, I like gear up but I have collected a few doubles of models (most always not by the same manufacturer) to display the aircraft in both ways at the same time ......
...... heck, even some of the cheap Wooster or Flight Miniature models look great in that in-flight mode (and it helps having a good mould and some small details to bolster the authenticity of an aircraft type) .....
...... c'mon, there has to be a couple more of us 'in-flight mode' groupies out there....
I most certainly opt for a 'gear down' stance for my 1:200 collection. Airliner diecast models do have a limited amount of physical detail, and I find a good part of that (in a finely crafted metal model) is found in the landing gear. And while it is lovely to admire the fine lines of the aircraft (which we all do) I also admire the tension created between clean flowing lines and the 'junk down' of the landing gear. Some smaller aircraft will also be found on stands.
My modest 1:72 RAF WWII collection has a mix of u/c up and down. Totally different game.
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Sometimes you have no choice but have the gears down all the time, all the Gemini 200 & JC wings A340/330 & A320 family models come with that option only... Unfortunately you can't remove the gears of these models...
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Last edited by Surinam Air 747; 09-30-2015 at 06:56 AM.
Always gear down. I have not yet seen a stand that does not interfere with the way a plane looks while in flight. I do have one flaps down model suspended from a ceiling however, as if just about to land.
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Always down, whether they are on a stand or not. The landing gear is part of the detail of the model for me. I also don't buy models that don't have landing gear included with the model.
I have no trust in any kind of 1:200 scale stand so models displayed firmly with gears on the shelf. Not interested in gear up only models without option to attach gears.
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gear up or gear down?
Re: gear up or gear down?
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