The Aero Mini moulds still exist, but are owned by the 'new' Aero Mini folks in (is it Arizona or New Mexico?). Judging by earlier posts on this board, it's not easy to get models from them, and they are only making models of the Boeing jets- I don't believe they are producing either of the Douglas jets or the VC-10. I had considered reverse engineering the DC-8-61 and the VC-10 myself and adding them to my IHP product line, but the cost of this would be prohibitive, especially since I'm not sure what the market would be. There is a dedicated Aero Mini following out there, but it's hard to tell how big.
If new Aero Minis are to be produced, I say let it start with all-new new tooling of all-new types instead of reverse-engineering old models that everyone now has or can get. I've been thinking about doing a couple of Aero Mini-style models myself sometime in the future, but of types not produced originally by Robert Metchick. The L-1011 is first in my mind, with one or other T-Tail aircraft behind that one. A lot of money to invest for how much return? That is the question.
Mike Bartel
IHP
http://ihphobby.tripod.com