Questions About Inflight

Mike777 · 09-12-2003, 11:42 PM

With the talk in the forum about Inflight, I have been inspired to find out more about them. I have some questions and would appreciate some answers

1. What is the difference between regular Inflight and Inflight 200?

2. Is JetstreamsUSA the only retailer you can buy them from?

3. How are the models painted? By hand or what?

4. All the releases are limited in quantity, right? What are they usually limited to?

5. Do you like Herpa Premiums or Inflight/Inflight 200 better?

I would appreciate any one who can help me out with these questions. I'd also like to hear some comments about the quality and detail of these models, and hear what your favorite Inflight model is, favorite mold is, etc. Pics would be great if at all possible.

Thanx in advance.

samu990 · 09-13-2003, 04:06 PM

Well Mike, where to begin? First you should do a search for "inflight" in the 1:200 forum- over the years there has been plenty of discussion of these models, from the first excitement, shipping difficulties, further releases, etc. You should be able to find lots of photos.

InFlight was a joint project between Aviation Retail Direct in GB and Jetstreams in US (Andrew Klein was involved early on, but bailed out in favor of other ventures- namely Aeroclassics 1:400). The idea was hand-made high quality, accurate metal castings with lots of detail (e.g. photo-etched fences and antennas), painted and decaled to a very high level of finish. Moulds were DC-10-10/30, DC-9-15/30/50 (resin fuselage), 727-200, 737-200, and VC-10. Standard releases were limited to editions of 50, but "Signature Series" were limited to 5-25. Caravelle and Viscount 800 were re-worked Western moulds released in only one livery each. In the event, all the releases were fairly limited, because they were all done by hand by one (or only a few?) artist(s) in GB. They certainly set a new standard for 1:200 metal die-cast models.

Meanwhile, the original sponsors have introduced a new line, InFlight 200, which is a totally different concept, inspired by 1:400 production: made in China, milled from metal rather than die-cast (if I correctly understand Don's description), tampo-printed, with antennas and detailed u/c, with larger, but still limited production runs, all at a reasonable price ($100 v. $160-250 for original InFlight). This line was just recently introduced, with the 707-320 airframe in AF1, followed by BA, and next all the Braniff colors. We can look forward to regular releases of new liveries, and new airframes, which so far seem focused on jet airliners of the 60's and 70's. These are available from other retailers as well.

In my collection, I certainly prefer metal to plastic. In fact I don't have any Herpa premiums. Hope this helps. Anybody please feel free to correct any information. I am certainly not the most knowledgeable about InFlights.
-Danny

buzzbee · 09-14-2003, 02:51 AM

Hi Danny.
I dont know where the rumour has come from that I have semi retired as this is quite untrue (although nice idea!!) - at present I am increasing the production rate of Inflight models as much as possible - also I am extemely busy producing my own steadily growing range of Small World models I do now have help with the basic assembly of InFlight and that allows me to do the finishing.The Inflights (original series)will always be in low volume but high quality, which should make them worth waiting for and truly collectable.
Buzzbee

flieger · 09-14-2003, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by samu990
made in China, milled from metal rather than die-cast

.....,

does somebody out there have some information on the manufacturing process of the new InFlight200 Series? Are they made of pewter/white metal (like original Inflight, as I guess..), or is it solid zinc die cast, like 1/400 models?
Would be interesting for me to know.

Thanks in advance!

samu990 · 09-14-2003, 11:27 AM

Martin-

Sincere apologies for mis-characterizing your continuing relationship vis-a-vis InFlight, and especially for casting all that in the past tense. I have taken the liberty of removing the offending sentence. Anyway, thanks for setting the record straight, and I certainly look forward to continuing releases of some of the finest die-casts around, both as InFlight and Small World.

Any chance for a DC-10 Continental n/c? Or if not that, then o/c again?

Note: check out Martin's website at http://www.beesmodels.co.uk./

-Danny

Turbine · 09-14-2003, 11:43 PM

I remember sometime back that Inflight was supposed to bring out the Air New Zealand DC10-30,was this ever released at all or did I miss the boat ??

Klaatu · 09-28-2003, 09:45 PM

From the looks of AF1 and the British 707s, Inflight is returning to the unmarked rudder. I like them so much better without that black line running down the tail logo!

The original sideways widget Delta DC-9-15 doesn't have "rudder line", but it appears the DL DC-9-30 does. Can anyone verify this?

Thanks!

davidlloyd · 09-28-2003, 10:37 PM

I just took a look at my two Delta DC-9s, the -15 and -30, and both appear to have the rudder line.
Dave

Klaatu · 09-28-2003, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by davidlloyd
I just took a look at my two Delta DC-9s, the -15 and -30, and both appear to have the rudder line.
Dave

The sideways widget -15? Mine has the indentation for the rudder, but not the black decaled line. You have this DL -15?

This one has the line - it's really ugly:

I bought an Inflight Texas International -30 a few months ago - took it out of the box and put it right back in. The rudder line ruined the illusion. I noticed not all of the Inflights have it - the Alitalia Caravelle and BMA DC-9 seem to be rudder line free. I think the decal designer is getting the hint. None of the 1:400s have it and they all look great.

Klaatu · 09-29-2003, 09:39 AM

... by the way, my Inflight DL DC-9-15 is absolutely magnificent!

axis · 10-18-2004, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samu990

Well Mike, where to begin? First you should do a search for "inflight" in the 1:200 forum- over the years there has been plenty of discussion of these models, from the first excitement, shipping difficulties, further releases, etc. You should be able to find lots of photos.

InFlight was a joint project between Aviation Retail Direct in GB and Jetstreams in US (Andrew Klein was involved early on, but bailed out in favor of other ventures- namely Aeroclassics 1:400). The idea was hand-made high quality, accurate metal castings with lots of detail (e.g. photo-etched fences and antennas), painted and decaled to a very high level of finish. Moulds were DC-10-10/30, DC-9-15/30/50 (resin fuselage), 727-200, 737-200, and VC-10. Standard releases were limited to editions of 50, but "Signature Series" were limited to 5-25. Caravelle and Viscount 800 were re-worked Western moulds released in only one livery each. In the event, all the releases were fairly limited, because they were all done by hand by one (or only a few?) artist(s) in GB. They certainly set a new standard for 1:200 metal die-cast models.

Meanwhile, the original sponsors have introduced a new line, InFlight 200, which is a totally different concept, inspired by 1:400 production: made in China, milled from metal rather than die-cast (if I correctly understand Don's description), tampo-printed, with antennas and detailed u/c, with larger, but still limited production runs, all at a reasonable price ($100 v. $160-250 for original InFlight). This line was just recently introduced, with the 707-320 airframe in AF1, followed by BA, and next all the Braniff colors. We can look forward to regular releases of new liveries, and new airframes, which so far seem focused on jet airliners of the 60's and 70's. These are available from other retailers as well.

In my collection, I certainly prefer metal to plastic. In fact I don't have any Herpa premiums. Hope this helps. Anybody please feel free to correct any information. I am certainly not the most knowledgeable about InFlights.
-Danny

samu990, thanks for this info, but what about InflightLE, how does that differ from Inflight and Inflight200 aside from price and the fact that it is limited?

09-12-2003, 11:42 PM	#1
Mike777 Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,150	Questions About Inflight With the talk in the forum about Inflight, I have been inspired to find out more about them. I have some questions and would appreciate some answers 1. What is the difference between regular Inflight and Inflight 200? 2. Is JetstreamsUSA the only retailer you can buy them from? 3. How are the models painted? By hand or what? 4. All the releases are limited in quantity, right? What are they usually limited to? 5. Do you like Herpa Premiums or Inflight/Inflight 200 better? I would appreciate any one who can help me out with these questions. I'd also like to hear some comments about the quality and detail of these models, and hear what your favorite Inflight model is, favorite mold is, etc. Pics would be great if at all possible. Thanx in advance.

09-13-2003, 04:06 PM	#2
samu990 Senior Collector Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston TX USA Posts: 312	Well Mike, where to begin? First you should do a search for "inflight" in the 1:200 forum- over the years there has been plenty of discussion of these models, from the first excitement, shipping difficulties, further releases, etc. You should be able to find lots of photos. InFlight was a joint project between Aviation Retail Direct in GB and Jetstreams in US (Andrew Klein was involved early on, but bailed out in favor of other ventures- namely Aeroclassics 1:400). The idea was hand-made high quality, accurate metal castings with lots of detail (e.g. photo-etched fences and antennas), painted and decaled to a very high level of finish. Moulds were DC-10-10/30, DC-9-15/30/50 (resin fuselage), 727-200, 737-200, and VC-10. Standard releases were limited to editions of 50, but "Signature Series" were limited to 5-25. Caravelle and Viscount 800 were re-worked Western moulds released in only one livery each. In the event, all the releases were fairly limited, because they were all done by hand by one (or only a few?) artist(s) in GB. They certainly set a new standard for 1:200 metal die-cast models. Meanwhile, the original sponsors have introduced a new line, InFlight 200, which is a totally different concept, inspired by 1:400 production: made in China, milled from metal rather than die-cast (if I correctly understand Don's description), tampo-printed, with antennas and detailed u/c, with larger, but still limited production runs, all at a reasonable price ($100 v. $160-250 for original InFlight). This line was just recently introduced, with the 707-320 airframe in AF1, followed by BA, and next all the Braniff colors. We can look forward to regular releases of new liveries, and new airframes, which so far seem focused on jet airliners of the 60's and 70's. These are available from other retailers as well. In my collection, I certainly prefer metal to plastic. In fact I don't have any Herpa premiums. Hope this helps. Anybody please feel free to correct any information. I am certainly not the most knowledgeable about InFlights. -Danny Last edited by samu990; 09-14-2003 at 04:27 PM.

09-14-2003, 02:51 AM	#3
buzzbee Collector Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: england Posts: 54	Semi Retirment?? Hi Danny. I dont know where the rumour has come from that I have semi retired as this is quite untrue (although nice idea!!) - at present I am increasing the production rate of Inflight models as much as possible - also I am extemely busy producing my own steadily growing range of Small World models I do now have help with the basic assembly of InFlight and that allows me to do the finishing.The Inflights (original series)will always be in low volume but high quality, which should make them worth waiting for and truly collectable. Buzzbee

09-14-2003, 11:27 AM	#5
samu990 Senior Collector Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston TX USA Posts: 312	Martin- Sincere apologies for mis-characterizing your continuing relationship vis-a-vis InFlight, and especially for casting all that in the past tense. I have taken the liberty of removing the offending sentence. Anyway, thanks for setting the record straight, and I certainly look forward to continuing releases of some of the finest die-casts around, both as InFlight and Small World. Any chance for a DC-10 Continental n/c? Or if not that, then o/c again? Note: check out Martin's website at http://www.beesmodels.co.uk./ -Danny Last edited by samu990; 09-14-2003 at 04:30 PM.

09-28-2003, 09:45 PM	#7
Klaatu Master Collector Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: At my PC, ordering the last one Posts: 526	From the looks of AF1 and the British 707s, Inflight is returning to the unmarked rudder. I like them so much better without that black line running down the tail logo! The original sideways widget Delta DC-9-15 doesn't have "rudder line", but it appears the DL DC-9-30 does. Can anyone verify this? Thanks! __________________ Scott

09-14-2003, 11:43 PM	#6
Turbine Senior Collector Join Date: May 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 165	I remember sometime back that Inflight was supposed to bring out the Air New Zealand DC10-30,was this ever released at all or did I miss the boat ??

09-28-2003, 10:37 PM	#8
davidlloyd Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 305	I just took a look at my two Delta DC-9s, the -15 and -30, and both appear to have the rudder line. Dave

09-29-2003, 09:39 AM	#10
Klaatu Master Collector Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: At my PC, ordering the last one Posts: 526	... by the way, my Inflight DL DC-9-15 is absolutely magnificent! __________________ Scott

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