I'm Richard Stretton, an Englishman living in Aotearoa (New Zealand) since 2005. I grew up near Gatwick Airport and my Dad used to take me to watch the aircraft take-off when I was a youngster, which led to a burgeoning interest in civil aviation and many weekends spent up at the old viewing terrace. I started collecting 1:600 scale Schabaks in the mid-80s and after a collecting pause, whilst at College and University, amassed a huge collection of over 1700 of the little airliners. With Schabak's bankruptcy, a restricted range and poor quality I decided in 2009 to upscale to 1:400s. They have opened my eyes to classic airliners and enabled me to explore the history of the aviation industry.
Through my 1:400 collection (now at over 1100 models) I have investigated the iconic and the obscure airlines that have ferried passengers around since the end of World War Two, as well as the personalities of the men who led them. My focus was initially on the airlines of the United States of America but has now expanded worldwide and this site is a monument to the stories of the airlines - many of which are now almost forgotten.
The site contains 6 main focus areas:
I hope you enjoy your visit.
As well as this site I write regularly on the Diecast Aircraft Forum and Diecast Model Aircraft as rstretton. I have also written about aviation in Mexico, Indonesia and China in Airliner World magazine.
Through my 1:400 collection (now at over 1100 models) I have investigated the iconic and the obscure airlines that have ferried passengers around since the end of World War Two, as well as the personalities of the men who led them. My focus was initially on the airlines of the United States of America but has now expanded worldwide and this site is a monument to the stories of the airlines - many of which are now almost forgotten.
The site contains 6 main focus areas:
- Investigation of the history of airlines and aircraft in my 1:400 scale model collection
- Analysis of the development of the industry especially following deregulation
- The display of my 1/400 scale collection
- Work on my classic model airport dioramas
- 1:400 Scale Model Mould Reviews
- Expertly made mini-dioramas by my friend Raimond Schulz
I hope you enjoy your visit.
As well as this site I write regularly on the Diecast Aircraft Forum and Diecast Model Aircraft as rstretton. I have also written about aviation in Mexico, Indonesia and China in Airliner World magazine.