Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back

NZDC10 · 01-16-2008, 03:29 AM

When I first started collecting the 1/400 scale Dragon Wings and Geminijets were the two. Both with statements and discussion on plastic vs metal wings - a topic worth debate?. My first 1/400 model was the Wunala Dreaming Dragon one

Then I saw the come and go of the 737club, neat models The Air Nauru 737 was great.

Now we have Dragon with a web page that has not been updated for months, their last release in October, everyone else fighting over stolen moulds, Aivation400 the new bad boys.

The forums in general are not as busy now.

Where has this hobby gone now?

STEVEJ · 01-16-2008, 08:19 AM

The metal vs plastic is one of the most ridiculous arguments that appears every so often on the forums. I conducted a poll not too long ago of what collectors deemed the very best 1/400 airliner mould produced to date. There were a lot of responses but in the end the AC B707 and the 2nd gen DW MD-11 were the clear winners. As a side note everyone agreed that ,although not an airliner, the DW C-5 was the best. mould.

The only debate over plastic vs metal should be directed at the landing gears, metal breaks easily and is difficult to repair. Plastic is more durable and easy to repair if broken. Plastic is more realistic looking.

I don't really know where the hobby is going, my interest is fading fast. IMO DW still has some nice releases, the AFL DC-10-40 the most recent. Watch out for Herpa, their most recent 1/400 releases have been excellent. I just don't understand why DW and HE , who have some of the best 1/400 moulds, use them so sparsely?

There was a discussion concerning GJ releases on another forum and it was brought out that the type of airframes released depends entiirely on large orders from manufactorers and/or airlines. The collectors only make up 2% of the customer base. That being the case I guess "by collectors for collectors" is no longer valid . AC would be the exception, they release some of the more interesting "classic" airliners that the others will never touch, their most recent Viscount, Comet and BAC111 all excellent releases but like DW and HE the moulds are used sparsely and in small quantities.

In recent months, models that collectors have been waiting a long time for have been released only to be sold out on pre-orders before even being announced. You have to hear the rumor and get your pre-order in or miss it. When one of my retailers finally posted the new AC releases, 1/2 of them weren't even listed, I assume sold out on pre-order before he was able to post them. Ive missed out on 3 of 4 models I recently tried to get and its at the point now where I really don't try nor do I care anymore. And for me, thats were the hobby is going.

Bangkok Lady La · 01-16-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEVEJ

The metal vs plastic is one of the most ridiculous arguments that appears every so often on the forums. I conducted a poll not too long ago of what collectors deemed the very best 1/400 airliner mould produced to date. There were a lot of responses but in the end the AC B707 and the 2nd gen DW MD-11 were the clear winners. As a side note everyone agreed that ,although not an airliner, the DW C-5 was the best. mould.

The only debate over plastic vs metal should be directed at the landing gears, metal breaks easily and is difficult to repair. Plastic is more durable and easy to repair if broken. Plastic is more realistic looking.

I don't really know where the hobby is going, my interest is fading fast. IMO DW still has some nice releases, the AFL DC-10-40 the most recent. Watch out for Herpa, their most recent 1/400 releases have been excellent. I just don't understand why DW and HE , who have some of the best 1/400 moulds, use them so sparsely?

There was a discussion concerning GJ releases on another forum and it was brought out that the type of airframes released depends entiirely on large orders from manufactorers and/or airlines. The collectors only make up 2% of the customer base. That being the case I guess "by collectors for collectors" is no longer valid . AC would be the exception, they release some of the more interesting "classic" airliners that the others will never touch, their most recent Viscount, Comet and BAC111 all excellent releases but like DW and HE the moulds are used sparsely and in small quantities.

In recent months, models that collectors have been waiting a long time for have been released only to be sold out on pre-orders before even being announced. You have to hear the rumor and get your pre-order in or miss it. When one of my retailers finally posted the new AC releases, 1/2 of them weren't even listed, I assume sold out on pre-order before he was able to post them. Ive missed out on 3 of 4 models I recently tried to get and its at the point now where I really don't try nor do I care anymore. And for me, thats were the hobby is going.

Good points.
DW released some fine 747's and Dc10's not to mention that superb Md80/717 mould but their passion for releasing great airlines on great airframes has for sure been side-lined. How good were their SIA 747-400 Tropical and Thai Royal Barge's etc. We have not seen a release like these for a long time.
I've made my points already about limited release's and their sold out status - theres a few threads on that alone still active.

I too am begginning to tire of the hobby - still invest in a few pieces here and there but the general excitement has faded over recent times.

KenLan · 01-16-2008, 01:52 PM

i think the loss of "activity" is due to lately releases.

personally i hate when gemini keps releasing the same damn model only changing its reg !!??

Midway Spotter · 01-16-2008, 02:02 PM

Does anyone remember the really old days around 1998 when Dragon used to have one new release a week always posted on Saturday mornings? The announcement of new moulds was like Christmas!

gospodin · 01-16-2008, 06:56 PM

I still enjoy this hobby, but there arrives the point when enough is enough. I have over 600 models now, and really no room for many more. I'm trying to be more active trading, but wrestling the boxes from my attic is a major ordeal, so I haven't really tried much. The new releases are great, but the cost keeps creeping up, and the number released by my favorite, AC, is ridiculous...the mobs grab them before they even get to the retailers. I can't compete with that, so I content myself with what dribs and drabs I'm able to get. But yeah, my passion has cooled for this hobby somewhat...but I'm not even close to losing interest.

fazeman · 01-16-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gospodin

I still enjoy this hobby, but there arrives the point when enough is enough. I have over 600 models now, and really no room for many more. I'm trying to be more active trading, but wrestling the boxes from my attic is a major ordeal, so I haven't really tried much. The new releases are great, but the cost keeps creeping up, and the number released by my favorite, AC, is ridiculous...the mobs grab them before they even get to the retailers. I can't compete with that, so I content myself with what dribs and drabs I'm able to get. But yeah, my passion has cooled for this hobby somewhat...but I'm not even close to losing interest.

Steve, I agree with you 100%.

From the beginning, I knew what I wanted in this hobby and stuck with it.

Like you, I slowed down in purchasing new models. But, I have a good reason; just bought a new condo. And I'll use one room specifically for the hobby.

jaffa-200 · 01-20-2008, 12:26 AM

and a we gettin anywhere collectin these
We iv'e slowed right down to 1 model a month and no more!!
the manufacturers a gettin tired of it now it won't last much longer at least no past 2030

STEVEJ · 01-20-2008, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gospodin

I still enjoy this hobby, but there arrives the point when enough is enough. I have over 600 models now, and really no room for many more. I'm trying to be more active trading, but wrestling the boxes from my attic is a major ordeal, so I haven't really tried much. The new releases are great, but the cost keeps creeping up, and the number released by my favorite, AC, is ridiculous...the mobs grab them before they even get to the retailers. I can't compete with that, so I content myself with what dribs and drabs I'm able to get. But yeah, my passion has cooled for this hobby somewhat...but I'm not even close to losing interest.

I have just about the same amount of models and just about out of room. I am in the process now of packing away quite a few. I just took down all the boxes (holy sh*t it filled my whole work area and then some) and so far have boxed approx 40 models. It takes up a lot of time. I used the print out of my collection from DAC and marked those that are boxed. I have identified what I want to keep out on display and the remainder I will sell. I am undecided as to sell on E-Bay or get a table at the EWR show in Sept. I was hoping there would be a IAD show this summer but I haven't heard anything. I have dabbled with 1/200 and will wait for what fits my new collecting criteria in 1/400 and that might keep my interest . The other day I received six new models, each one ranks up there with some of the best models in my collection.

01-16-2008, 03:29 AM	#1
NZDC10 Junior Collector Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 39	Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back When I first started collecting the 1/400 scale Dragon Wings and Geminijets were the two. Both with statements and discussion on plastic vs metal wings - a topic worth debate?. My first 1/400 model was the Wunala Dreaming Dragon one Then I saw the come and go of the 737club, neat models The Air Nauru 737 was great. Now we have Dragon with a web page that has not been updated for months, their last release in October, everyone else fighting over stolen moulds, Aivation400 the new bad boys. The forums in general are not as busy now. Where has this hobby gone now?

01-16-2008, 08:19 AM	#2
STEVEJ Insane Collector Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Stony Brook, N.Y. Age: 99 Posts: 1,523	Re: Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back The metal vs plastic is one of the most ridiculous arguments that appears every so often on the forums. I conducted a poll not too long ago of what collectors deemed the very best 1/400 airliner mould produced to date. There were a lot of responses but in the end the AC B707 and the 2nd gen DW MD-11 were the clear winners. As a side note everyone agreed that ,although not an airliner, the DW C-5 was the best. mould. The only debate over plastic vs metal should be directed at the landing gears, metal breaks easily and is difficult to repair. Plastic is more durable and easy to repair if broken. Plastic is more realistic looking. I don't really know where the hobby is going, my interest is fading fast. IMO DW still has some nice releases, the AFL DC-10-40 the most recent. Watch out for Herpa, their most recent 1/400 releases have been excellent. I just don't understand why DW and HE , who have some of the best 1/400 moulds, use them so sparsely? There was a discussion concerning GJ releases on another forum and it was brought out that the type of airframes released depends entiirely on large orders from manufactorers and/or airlines. The collectors only make up 2% of the customer base. That being the case I guess "by collectors for collectors" is no longer valid . AC would be the exception, they release some of the more interesting "classic" airliners that the others will never touch, their most recent Viscount, Comet and BAC111 all excellent releases but like DW and HE the moulds are used sparsely and in small quantities. In recent months, models that collectors have been waiting a long time for have been released only to be sold out on pre-orders before even being announced. You have to hear the rumor and get your pre-order in or miss it. When one of my retailers finally posted the new AC releases, 1/2 of them weren't even listed, I assume sold out on pre-order before he was able to post them. Ive missed out on 3 of 4 models I recently tried to get and its at the point now where I really don't try nor do I care anymore. And for me, thats were the hobby is going. __________________ Bush....like a rock, only dumber! Last edited by STEVEJ; 01-16-2008 at 08:44 AM.

01-16-2008, 01:52 PM	#4
KenLan Master Collector Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 499	Re: Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back i think the loss of "activity" is due to lately releases. personally i hate when gemini keps releasing the same damn model only changing its reg !!??

01-16-2008, 02:02 PM	#5
Midway Spotter Senior Collector Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 195	Re: Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back Does anyone remember the really old days around 1998 when Dragon used to have one new release a week always posted on Saturday mornings? The announcement of new moulds was like Christmas!

01-16-2008, 06:56 PM	#6
gospodin Diecast Blasphemer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nosegoblin, LA Age: 52 Posts: 2,737	Re: Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back I still enjoy this hobby, but there arrives the point when enough is enough. I have over 600 models now, and really no room for many more. I'm trying to be more active trading, but wrestling the boxes from my attic is a major ordeal, so I haven't really tried much. The new releases are great, but the cost keeps creeping up, and the number released by my favorite, AC, is ridiculous...the mobs grab them before they even get to the retailers. I can't compete with that, so I content myself with what dribs and drabs I'm able to get. But yeah, my passion has cooled for this hobby somewhat...but I'm not even close to losing interest. __________________ Steve "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

01-20-2008, 12:26 AM	#8
jaffa-200 Hukerunui-Maromaku A one Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The Best Country in the world New Zealand!!!! Posts: 123	Re: Dragom Wings When I started collecting a few years back and a we gettin anywhere collectin these We iv'e slowed right down to 1 model a month and no more!! the manufacturers a gettin tired of it now it won't last much longer at least no past 2030 __________________ lovely pippa!! IM JET LAGGED!! AIRNZ- STARALLIANCE at its best *New Zealand is the best country* You Have to vist this place!!!!!

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