Honest Thoughts...

SpaceCat · 04-01-2002, 11:34 PM

Hello!

I have been involved with this hobby just a few months. I started collecting 1:400 at first, and recently, I have gotten bored with that scale, and I don't know why. I decided to try 1:500, since there seemes to be so much more variety in this scale. Do you think that Herpa makes great models, new generation and all? How about Starjets?? I seem to see a lot of ant-Herpa sentiment on this site (or so it seems)...I will collect both, but taking the actual size of these models, are any of them rally bad?? I have tried to build 1:144 scale models, and no matter how har I try, even at that large size, I cant get the finish of any of these models. Perhaps that is why I am impressed with any models from this scale. I know the 'old generation' Herpa's have those clunky wheels, but all things considered, so what? I am staring up at My 777 Peter Max NG Model, next to my SAA 747 Ndizani OG model, and really, the difference isn't that huge... IS it just me??? Or is it really a big deal??? I think Herpa does a really good jod, for the scale they work in. I don't own any Starjets yet, but I have some on order, and I am looking forward to them.

Just rambling I guess, but I just wanted to hear other collectors thoughts... is there really a big difference between the NG and OG Herpa's?? I don't think so...

Have fun!

-O

smoothjazz · 04-01-2002, 11:40 PM

That is so true... I sometimes feel that way too...
BUT, I then realize that 1/400 fits the best for me...
Currently I only collect 1/400!

eviana · 04-02-2002, 04:24 AM

OG or NG it doesn't bother me much, NG is defintely nicer, but there're lots of nice liveries already done on OG models, and they look great! anyhow I am still enjoying my OG's and I have some OG's on order right now.

So just go with your pathos, collect whatever YOU like

Cadavre on a stick · 04-02-2002, 05:15 PM

Well I think StarJets is light years ahead of the old generation Herpa, and even better then Herpa's "New Generation" models. I gave up long ago on collecting Herpa's 757, 767, and MD-80 molds simply because they blew so much. Awful execution of the nose on the 767, all 757 models looking like they came from a low rider chop shop in East Los Angeles, and the painfully oversized front landing gear on the MD-80. Then we collectors have hope in the "New Generation" mold. Or so we thought. Sure, the 747-400 and 717 kick arse, but the A319/20 is just as bad as the previously mentioned old generation models. What with that god awful phat nose and high placement of the cockpit windows just makes the "New Generation" Scarebus a BIG disappointment. I guess I'm saying that when it comes to Herpa, it's hit and miss with the molds. I find it disappointing, and confusing, that they can release such a bitchin' mold in the 717, then give us the "New Generation" Scarebus. I find that I don't get the inconsistency with the superior StarJet product that Mr. Asher and Mr. Epstein keep giving us.

SpaceCat · 04-03-2002, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cadavre on a stick
I find it disappointing, and confusing, that they can release such a bitchin' mold in the 717, then give us the "New Generation" Scarebus. I find that I don't get the inconsistency with the superior StarJet product that Mr. Asher and Mr. Epstein keep giving us.

I agree somewhat...The 717 is really nice. I haven't seen any of the 'scarebus' yet. I like the old A330 mould, but I think the 767 needs a bit of work. I also like the MD-11, and the new 777. I am not too familiar with Starjets at all....I know Herpa started intially as a manufacturer of these models for the airlines, then I think they became the collectible, without really trying...Starjets seem a lot nicer, but I still don't have any yet!! I also think that StarJets started as a collectible, therefore detail was more important, where as the Herpas, it was just a small model of the plane you were flying on ( a souvenier) or something for the kids...

sorry rambling again...

I am a fan of Herpa's and I think in time they will improve...but as so many posts state 'collect what you like'; unforunately, I like everything airline!!!! I am looking forward to my StarJets though

-SC

continental sat · 04-03-2002, 01:24 PM

I dont hate herpa i just feel as if they could do better and they know they can but they wont.But sooner or later they will. start jets is forcing them too!

norb garrett · 04-04-2002, 01:43 AM

I started off by collecting AeroMinis as a kid, so I was inclined to go for the larger models.
But I've found collecting 1/500 to be the best for the following reasons:
1) Great airline selection: Between Herpa and StarJets, an awesome array of different carriers
2) Great airplane selection: see above
3) Airport dioramas: With the 1/500 scale I've been able to build the airport I always dreamed of, with special kudos to Herpa for providing all the necessary equipment, buildings, jet bridges, etc. I'm in heaven when I interchange airlines at my airport every weekend when I have a free hour.
I also collect 1/400, but only airlines/models that are near and dear to my heart...

24r · 04-04-2002, 08:34 AM

HI Space Cat, I have both Herpa and Satrjets in my collection. My preferance is Starjets, I find them to be more accurate and prefer their landing gear over Herpa. Herpa offers a better variety than Starjets but Starjets is slowly catching up. Herpa has better after sales support than Starjets and keeps customers up todate on web much better than Starjets. Enought said should really look at the quality of models they produce and onthe Starjets wins in my opinion.

Mark

Juan J. Phillips · 04-04-2002, 09:27 PM

Hello Space Cat,

My son, and I have been collection since 94', and still we both
enjoy the OG rolling wheels because of their playability with the
dioramas. The NG generation Herpa's, are much more detailed
not forgetting to mention StarJets. We still buy all whenever we
like a livery, or an airplane model. We're definitely trying to stay
away from the "limited" editions due to their inflated prices.
Our main problem now is starting to be space for display. Here's
where I'm happy I got into the 1:500 scale; however, the 1:400's have even more stunning detail, and seem to be producing more
aggressively without the lisencing problems that HW/SJ have.

Regards,

Juan J.

USAirways85 · 04-04-2002, 10:07 PM

i like both scales and have started to buy both regardless of the size differences. although herpa has the new generation and some small regional aircraft, and starjets as been producing very high quality models. i still think there is more variety with 1/400. to me they always seem to be on top of most of the new planes. i do know there have been some great planes they havent made yet, but they have made the 380, 340-600, 737-900 pracitcally the entire delta, united, and american fleets. they have made many more low-fare carriers at least in the US, sun country, ata, frontier, alaska. i am not favoring one scale over the other but just think that 1/400 offers more of a variety.

SpaceCat · 04-04-2002, 10:40 PM

Excellent answers!!

I enjoy both scales as well...I try to keep my 400 scale fleet downn to smaller A/C, like 27's, 37's, Airbuses, and a few wide bodies (although I truly love the MD-11's and DC10's).

With the 500 scale, I will collect more of the larger planes (747, A340' and 380's). But I think I will start building a small airport with the accessories Herpa has to offer.

Mark (24r) you will be hearing more from me real soon!

-SC

Juan J. Phillips · 04-04-2002, 11:35 PM

You made a good point USAirways85.
Enjoy the hobby SpaceCat!

Regards,

Juan J.

04-01-2002, 11:34 PM	#1
SpaceCat Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Outerspace Age: 38 Posts: 340	Honest Thoughts... Hello! I have been involved with this hobby just a few months. I started collecting 1:400 at first, and recently, I have gotten bored with that scale, and I don't know why. I decided to try 1:500, since there seemes to be so much more variety in this scale. Do you think that Herpa makes great models, new generation and all? How about Starjets?? I seem to see a lot of ant-Herpa sentiment on this site (or so it seems)...I will collect both, but taking the actual size of these models, are any of them rally bad?? I have tried to build 1:144 scale models, and no matter how har I try, even at that large size, I cant get the finish of any of these models. Perhaps that is why I am impressed with any models from this scale. I know the 'old generation' Herpa's have those clunky wheels, but all things considered, so what? I am staring up at My 777 Peter Max NG Model, next to my SAA 747 Ndizani OG model, and really, the difference isn't that huge... IS it just me??? Or is it really a big deal??? I think Herpa does a really good jod, for the scale they work in. I don't own any Starjets yet, but I have some on order, and I am looking forward to them. Just rambling I guess, but I just wanted to hear other collectors thoughts... is there really a big difference between the NG and OG Herpa's?? I don't think so... Have fun! -O

04-01-2002, 11:40 PM	#2
smoothjazz More Korean Air in 1/200! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SEOUL KOREA Posts: 6,459	That is so true... I sometimes feel that way too... BUT, I then realize that 1/400 fits the best for me... Currently I only collect 1/400! __________________ BENJAMIN MY COLLECTION http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/...tion-1179.html

04-02-2002, 04:24 AM	#3
eviana Collector Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 27 Posts: 67	OG or NG it doesn't bother me much, NG is defintely nicer, but there're lots of nice liveries already done on OG models, and they look great! anyhow I am still enjoying my OG's and I have some OG's on order right now. So just go with your pathos, collect whatever YOU like __________________ http://members.shaw.ca/ctcpc/

04-04-2002, 08:34 AM	#8
24r Master Collector Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mississauga, Ontario,Canada Age: 48 Posts: 795	Choice HI Space Cat, I have both Herpa and Satrjets in my collection. My preferance is Starjets, I find them to be more accurate and prefer their landing gear over Herpa. Herpa offers a better variety than Starjets but Starjets is slowly catching up. Herpa has better after sales support than Starjets and keeps customers up todate on web much better than Starjets. Enought said should really look at the quality of models they produce and onthe Starjets wins in my opinion. Mark

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04-02-2002, 05:15 PM	#4
Cadavre on a stick Master Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sin Jose, Ca. USA Posts: 632	Well I think StarJets is light years ahead of the old generation Herpa, and even better then Herpa's "New Generation" models. I gave up long ago on collecting Herpa's 757, 767, and MD-80 molds simply because they blew so much. Awful execution of the nose on the 767, all 757 models looking like they came from a low rider chop shop in East Los Angeles, and the painfully oversized front landing gear on the MD-80. Then we collectors have hope in the "New Generation" mold. Or so we thought. Sure, the 747-400 and 717 kick arse, but the A319/20 is just as bad as the previously mentioned old generation models. What with that god awful phat nose and high placement of the cockpit windows just makes the "New Generation" Scarebus a BIG disappointment. I guess I'm saying that when it comes to Herpa, it's hit and miss with the molds. I find it disappointing, and confusing, that they can release such a bitchin' mold in the 717, then give us the "New Generation" Scarebus. I find that I don't get the inconsistency with the superior StarJet product that Mr. Asher and Mr. Epstein keep giving us.

04-03-2002, 01:24 PM	#6
continental sat USAF Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Everywhere Age: 23 Posts: 605	I dont hate herpa i just feel as if they could do better and they know they can but they wont.But sooner or later they will. start jets is forcing them too!

04-04-2002, 01:43 AM	#7
norb garrett Senior Collector Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: san clemente, ca, usa Posts: 416	I started off by collecting AeroMinis as a kid, so I was inclined to go for the larger models. But I've found collecting 1/500 to be the best for the following reasons: 1) Great airline selection: Between Herpa and StarJets, an awesome array of different carriers 2) Great airplane selection: see above 3) Airport dioramas: With the 1/500 scale I've been able to build the airport I always dreamed of, with special kudos to Herpa for providing all the necessary equipment, buildings, jet bridges, etc. I'm in heaven when I interchange airlines at my airport every weekend when I have a free hour. I also collect 1/400, but only airlines/models that are near and dear to my heart...

04-04-2002, 09:27 PM	#9
Juan J. Phillips Junior Collector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 48 Posts: 13	Hello Space Cat, My son, and I have been collection since 94', and still we both enjoy the OG rolling wheels because of their playability with the dioramas. The NG generation Herpa's, are much more detailed not forgetting to mention StarJets. We still buy all whenever we like a livery, or an airplane model. We're definitely trying to stay away from the "limited" editions due to their inflated prices. Our main problem now is starting to be space for display. Here's where I'm happy I got into the 1:500 scale; however, the 1:400's have even more stunning detail, and seem to be producing more aggressively without the lisencing problems that HW/SJ have. Regards, Juan J.

04-04-2002, 10:07 PM	#10
USAirways85 Master Collector Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 643	i like both scales and have started to buy both regardless of the size differences. although herpa has the new generation and some small regional aircraft, and starjets as been producing very high quality models. i still think there is more variety with 1/400. to me they always seem to be on top of most of the new planes. i do know there have been some great planes they havent made yet, but they have made the 380, 340-600, 737-900 pracitcally the entire delta, united, and american fleets. they have made many more low-fare carriers at least in the US, sun country, ata, frontier, alaska. i am not favoring one scale over the other but just think that 1/400 offers more of a variety.

04-04-2002, 10:40 PM	#11
SpaceCat Senior Collector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Outerspace Age: 38 Posts: 340	Excellent answers!! I enjoy both scales as well...I try to keep my 400 scale fleet downn to smaller A/C, like 27's, 37's, Airbuses, and a few wide bodies (although I truly love the MD-11's and DC10's). With the 500 scale, I will collect more of the larger planes (747, A340' and 380's). But I think I will start building a small airport with the accessories Herpa has to offer. Mark (24r) you will be hearing more from me real soon! -SC

04-04-2002, 11:35 PM	#12
Juan J. Phillips Junior Collector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Age: 48 Posts: 13	You made a good point USAirways85. Enjoy the hobby SpaceCat! Regards, Juan J.