DigitalMix

Guys I've not long been collecting and on the whole, DAC has been of great help to me. I've been a little reluctant to post this question having seen the trashing that other newbies have received at the hands of people who don't seem to recall that THEIR first efforts probably weren't that good either!

But to the majority who are more than willing to help and not snigger....

1. My collection is 1:400, but it seems the only buildings available are 1:500. Do you guys then build your own, or do 1:500 not look too bad with the 1:400 birds?

2. I'm fairly limited on space and took note of the ideas in other threads on concentrating on one section of an airport rather than trying to cram the whole thing into a shoebox! Would EZtoys foils be helpful as GENERIC kinda tarmac? Don't wanna pin myself down just yet to a specific area!

3. I know for accuracy I should be looking at set operators at set terminals, but as a general poll, does it matter? I ask because I want to have a military area on the model as well and display all the models I have. So strictly speaking, not accurate, but good looking??

4. Finally, I posed this question n another thread somewhere so sorry for repeating, but does any company make 1:400 SMALL aircraft? Cessnas, Lears, Pipers. Seems there's a gap in the market for a little "airport dressing"!

Thanks in advance to all the helpful guys, "La la la fingers in ears" to the rest who can't be bothered!

chowee

i guess as for accuracy to scale, its just a matter of preference really... afterall at the end of the day, no point having something that is exactly like the real deal and u just hate the sight of it...

just go with something u think would make u happy... something that appeals to u

Qantas ~ ADL

Here are a few links that sell 1/400 accesories and foils. as far as ?#4 i have been looking myself and have had no luck to date, others that ive talked to have never seen or heard of any production of them only 1/85 1/100 etc. if you find light aircraft in 1/400 or 1/500 scale let me know.

http://www.airlinemuseum.com/catalog...Path=1053_1162
http://www.aviationworld.net/categories.asp?cID=592
http://www.airplaneshop.com/index.html

Cheers

aviatorisu

I prefer to collect 1:400 for the simple fact that there are so many new additions every month and a large choice in manufacturers for planes. It is true that no one currently produces buildings in this scale yet, but I would imagine that it's only a matter of time. Lots of us make our own from styrene plastic.

Space is a big consideration for me as well. One option I could suggest would be if you are going to attempt to make your own buildings, maybe just make the front half that you would see from the airfield side. This would give a little more space. And yes, it does help considerably to concentrate on specific parts of an airfield rather than trying to cram everything in to one small space.

In the end, this is your airfield, and you should set it up however makes you happy. I don't currently specify areas such as gates for specific airlines with decals and such. I keep it general so I can rearrange if wanted. There really is a gap right now as far as 1:400 accessories are concerned. No one really produces the small planes that you are speaking of in 1:400, but Herpa does have a couple of small sets in 1:500 that don't look bad in conjunction with 1:400 airliners. In my honest opinion, Dragon has the best set of GSE for a 1:400 diorama, and are very inexpensive.

~Z~

DigitalMix

All useful information guys and not a sign of a flame in sight! My faith in humanity has just been restored!

I'll let you know how work proceeds!

Once again thanx

andy.andresen

You should have a look at our PiXelport product range, our airport foils are available in two scales (1:400 & 1:500) plus YOU can decide about the size you want to start with. Bookshelf? Works fine! Tablesize? Just add!

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If you like quality, use PiXelport ground foils! The professional look for your airport model!

http://www.modelairports.com

lollomz

Hi DigitalMix,
first of all I can say you can use Herpa buildings also with 1/400 planes, you can customize your buildings (add new floors, paint them, make your design), you can also mix Herpa buildings with some custom made by paper for example. If you want to build your buildings maybe balsa is a good material to begin. Try to build something easy but detailed. I think space is not a problem, I have a second airport and it's all "custom made": I designed my foils, printed them on paper, assembled toghether, made my buildings... the result is a small diorama that reminds to a true small airport.
In my opinion you have to focus an this: try to build an airport that could be a real one! Also a small airport could be amazing!!!
I give you some links that maybe could help you:
www.airigami.net (a little bit of all)
www.airport-soemmerda.de.vu (custom airport buses)
www.modelshop.co.uk (accessories)
Last thing is about small aircraft in 1/400. I collect 1/500 planes but I know that you can find in 1/400 the fallowing planes (I don't know what you mean by small aircraft but these surely can land in a regional airport):
- A 318
- A 319
- B 737-200
- ERJ-145
- DC-9
- Vickers Viscount
- YS-11
I hope you'll build the airport you have in your mind, feel free to contact me for more infos. Good luck!

Lollo

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lollomz

If you want to see some pictures of my RMY airport...

http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/...ad.php?t=41047

Ciao!

Lollo

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