Great thread callume. It made me remember when I started collecting 1:200 scale models.
Back in the early 1980's I flew a Piper Cheyenne for a local company. We landed at Columbus Ohio one day and pulled into Lane Aviation. I noticed some models in a 2nd floor office window. I had some time to kill so I went up to see if I could find the office. I met a nice gentleman that showed me his collection of 1:200 scale AirJet models. They were somewhat crude by today's standards, but nice nonetheless. He gave me an AirJet catalog and I started my own collection, beginning with a Pan Am 707. Eventually I bought about 20 AirJet models. They are still in the family. My grandson now has them in a display case in his bedroom.
I guess I will revive this thread, it is definitely an interesting topic!! Its neat to read others stories.
Getting into 1:200 collecting took a while for me. I just graduated from an Aviation university and while I was there I saw all these professors who had models in their offices and wanted to get a model for myself. I really like the Boeing 757 and the US Airways livery so that was the model I wanted to get. I was looking around online and came across the US Airways Company Store. As I was looking around the website I noticed that GeminiJets were the main models being sold by them and I was impressed with the detail and quality. I didn't want a tiny model so I went with the larger scale and bought the Boeing 757 Star Alliance livery, mostly because it was on sale, even though I wanted the regular livery I still like the Star Alliance one as well. After my first model arrived in the mail from US Airways I became somewhat obsessed with collecting. I was so impressed with the level of detail and the quality of the models. After my first model I then sought out the FedEx Boeing 757, which is another one of my favorite liveries. From there I just continued on with collecting and now I have amassed a descent collection.
Going back to the choice between 1/400 and 1/200, I went with 1/200 because the when I saw the dimensions of the 1/400 scale models they seemed to be really small. The only thing I could think of was comparing it to the small model die-cast aircraft that came with my toy aircraft carrier that I had when I was 8 years old. The first time I saw a 1/400 scale model I was at Delta Air Lines headquarters in Atlanta and in one of their display cases they had the Boeing 717 in Delta colors. I could not believe how small the model looked! I almost agree with MASonatic and think that compared to the 1/200 scale the 1/400 scale models look like ants!! I haven't seen the 1/400 Saab 340 model in person yet but it must be tiny!!
...I haven't seen the 1/400 Saab 340 model in person yet but it must be tiny!!
It is! I felt I had to be extra careful handling the box it came in much less thinking of actually handling the plane itself. I never took mine out & sold it to another collector who, believe or not, never knew forums existed for the hobby. When I told him about forums, he still had no interest in joining
I started with Dinky Toy a/c (some WW2 examples from my Father) many many years ago. The interest revived with the DLH Herpa Modelle Edition in the 1990's. It's all developed from then.
I have always loved aviation, but in 2010 at the Farnborough airshow was where i purchased my first 1:200 models by Inflight 200 from Aviation Retail Direct which were the BA red nose livery 747-400 and the Emirates Sky Cargo 747-400F
The Airplane Shop had a kiosk setup at the Roosevelt Field mall several years ago during the holidays. That is where I found these amazingly accurate Gemini Jets 1/400 scale airliners compared to the toys I had when I was a kid. About 100 models in, I discovered the 1/200 scale and made the switch.
I typically have them displayed around me near my computer. Its fun to stare at them when I'm taking a break from my work, and when I'm doing sim flying!
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I typically have them displayed around me near my computer. Its fun to stare at them when I'm taking a break from my work, and when I'm doing sim flying!
I do the same thing, I have about 40 aircraft models now, so I will rotate them around my room, but I do really enjoy being distracted by them on my desk!
I've always loved airplanes ever since i was a little kid. I've collected diecast airplanes since 2003. Here is why and how I got into collecting in 1/200 scale...
The Latest and Greatest - 1/200
When Gemini Jets released its first 1/200 scale model, the quality of diecast airliners took another step forward with spinning fan blades, and antennas. The edges were more crisp, thinner trailing edges. This made the 1/400 scale look like toys. I lost interest in my 1/400 737's with their thick winglets. For over a year, I fantasized about collecting 1/200 diecast models. Every time I visited retailers websites, I would browse the Gemini Jets 1/200 section and up debating whether I should get that Continental 1/200 757-200... Such a beautiful model with such an ugly price! I was used to spending no more than $50 on a model airliner, especially a smaller narrowbody... Somehow, the pictures werent convincing enough that I would decide to try this scale. Those you-tube videos of collectors featuring their openings of various 1/200 Gemini Jets, really caught my attention. The models being twice the size of 1/400 was appealing, and the details! The details were something else. It looked like the real thing only shrunken down to 1/200. I was fascinated once again, and in the winter of 2010, I had a second chance for the Southwest 737-700, which was the first 1/200 model released by Gemini Jets. It was being re-released with another registration number. Despite the challenge with a much higher cost factor, I went for the plunge, and spent the $60 or so dollars. Having a 1/200 model brings collecting to a whole new level. While 1/400 scale still have exciting offerings, I have not bought a single one since my transition in 2010.
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My interest started in aviation when my grandpa would take me to work at AWE/Us Airways hanger then one day he bought me the GJ200 US AIRWAYS Arizona cardinals A319, I think I was 9-10 years old at that time. It took of from there, I have slowed down to 1-2 models year now I have about 60 1:200 scale models. I mostly stop because I ran out of room and spending money out with hanging friends.
Got into it because I saw some JC200's for $15 online and thought to myself that even if I don't like them I can sell them for more. They were great models and I still have them today.
Correct me if I don't recall correctly, but I think the Inflight LE's were some of the very earliest 200 scale metal models, before Inflight 200's and Gemini Jets? I got into collecting 200 scale models when Don Kaylor (Jetstreams USA) turned me on to the very limited Inflight LE models. At that time, there was just no comparison when I had a 200 scale 747 in my hands versus the hundreds of smaller 400 scale models I had amassed. Sold all of my 400 scale models, with the exception of a very few. It's been 200 scale since then for the most part, along with some larger cutaways for me.
Re: Why and how did you get into 1:200 collecting
Re: Why and how did you get into 1:200 collecting
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