1/400 Model and Airport Blog

Aeroclassics & Lockness: May 2019 Releases

18/5/2019

Aeroclassics and Lockness Models have just announced their May models on the same day. I wonder why that could be? Anyway it is more of the major new moulds for both manufacturers - 757 and 767s for the former and L-1011-1 and L-1011-500s for the latter. Together they make a strong selection of European, New Zealand and North American jets.

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A Short Break in Fiji Pt2: Leaving NAN

12/5/2019

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Arriving at Nadi, as described in part 1, I didn't get more than a few minutes at the airport but upon departure we obviously had a few hours to kill and I have to say that Nadi International is a very pleasant airport to waste some time at both before and after security. Of course it also has a decent spread of what will be exotic aircraft for the average European or US enthusiast from DHC-6s to an An-12.

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A Short Break in Fiji Pt1: AKL-NAN

11/5/2019

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I’ve lived in NZ for nearly 13 years now and have travelled a bit in the Pacific, to Vanuatu and Rarotonga, but until last month never to the largest of the tourist destinations from NZ: Fiji. For kiwis Fiji isn’t a particularly exotic destination (I’d liken it to going to the Canary Islands from the UK) and this short break was firmly of the 'sit at the resort' type, but nevertheless even short visits to Pacific airfields offer up some interesting traffic.

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The Hangar Club: 400 Scale Hangar Specials

9/5/2019

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As 1:400 scale enters its 21st year one of the near constants has been the online forum 400 Scale Hangar. The site had been offline for a while but is under new ownership now and back up and running. Throughout its history the site has been a home from home for Aeroclassics and in 2004 they partnered with the forum to produce a series of special models for members of the site’s Hangar Club. By my count there have been 53 models made up to 2016.

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New Tristar Mould from Lockness Models: April Releases

24/4/2019

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From Scotland via Shanghai I present the third active Tristar mould and the second of 2019. Lockness Models are a new manufacturer on the scene, aiming to ‘take the mystery out of collecting’, or perhaps inject some mystery into it :). Anyway, whomever they are Lockness have announced their first 4 Tristar 1s, 3 of which are available immediately. Read on to find out more.

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Aeroclassics: April 2019 Releases

24/4/2019

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Whilst Tristars begin to flood onto the market Aeroclassics continues to produce a strong selection of models on its existing mould catalogue. This month's releases mainly fall into the category of AeroModerns and capture a variety of new liveries ranging from the bland and boring to the cool and exciting. Either way I'd expect them to be good sellers.

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Big Fokkers: An F100 Wishlist

19/4/2019

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Production of the F100 in 1:400 scale has been rather lopsided with only a small variety of models made focusing on the two US giants and a group of later operators. There is certainly plenty of scope for more F100s if only JC Wings and Gemini Jets can be convinced.

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A Tristar Trio Pt2: NG Models New Tristar 500

13/4/2019

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The final part of my look at the new NG Models Tristar moulds focuses on the short Tristar 500, designed for long-range operations. If anything this version has had an even rougher time than the standard length Tristar in 1:400, mainly due to some serious laziness by the various manufacturers that have attempted it. So can NG Models do better - well of course they can.

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A Tristar Trio Pt1: NG Models New Tristar 1 & 200

12/4/2019

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As I have said before 2019 is definitely the year of the Tristar. JC Wings rediscovered the Witty mould in 2018, but put ugly landing gear on it, and Gemini then cut and shut it to create an appalling Tristar 500. Neither of these were the Tristars that we were looking for and that was partly because NG Models had already shown an interest in producing the L-1011. They aren’t alone and within the next few weeks you can expect to see more Tristars, but for now let’s look at what NG Models is offering.

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NG Mainstream: A Sixth A330 in 1:400 Scale

3/4/2019

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It has been pleasing for me that I have been able to build a relationship with NG Models, who have been easy to work with and open to suggestions, as anyone on DAC can attest to. In recent months they have taken to sending me sample models of new moulds for review and for me to publicise. So far this has involved the 737-800s and the Beluga but it was a surprise to receive a package a couple of days ago with two new moulds I didn’t even know were being developed!

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Splashing the Cash: Most Expensive in My Fleet

27/3/2019

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Collecting 1:400 scale models can be an expensive business, especially if like me you want a large representative collection. Then again at the same time it doesn't have to be expensive for individual models necessarily. Nonetheless at times you will probably have to splash out, although I am pleased to say that of nearly 2,000 models only 7 have cost me more than $50. What are those models?

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500 Stubbies: A Short Tristar Wishlist

14/3/2019

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There have been few moulds as requested by 1:400 scale collectors as the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar. Although there have been various moulds made for the standard type most are either obsolete or awful and the best ones have been chronically under-used. The Tristar 500 is even worse off so what should any new mould of the type wear?

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Aeroclassics: March 2019 Releases

12/3/2019

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Aeroclassics has rarely been affected too much by Chinese New Year in terms of their release schedule. So it is no surprise that they are able in March to release a full set of 13 releases primarily featuring the primary moulds of 2019 so far – the 767-200, DC-6 and DC-10.

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A Ride Around Whenuapai Air Force Base

5/3/2019

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In comparison to most developed countries there isn't a lot of aviation activity in New Zealand due mainly to the tyranny of distance. Not only does this make it hard to reach most places but also assists in keeping NZ safe. The result of the latter is that the Royal New Zealand Air Force is a small force with little strike capability. Also being NZ it is friendly and easy to visit.

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Forgotten Fellowships: An F28 Wishlist

1/3/2019

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The Fokker F28 was an adaptable little jet that saw use throughout the world From Norway to Swaziland and Argentina to Papua New Guinea. As such there are lots of colourful and interesting airlines that it saw service with. Often these were some of the smaller national carriers that have not featured well in 1:400. Having said that there are still major European flag carriers in the mix as well. So here I’ll take a look at what can be made on the existing Aeroclassics mould.

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<<Previous

Aeroclassics & Lockness: May 2019 Releases

A Short Break in Fiji Pt2: Leaving NAN

A Short Break in Fiji Pt1: AKL-NAN

The Hangar Club: 400 Scale Hangar Specials

New Tristar Mould from Lockness Models: April Releases

Aeroclassics: April 2019 Releases

Big Fokkers: An F100 Wishlist

A Tristar Trio Pt2: NG Models New Tristar 500

A Tristar Trio Pt1: NG Models New Tristar 1 & 200

NG Mainstream: A Sixth A330 in 1:400 Scale

Splashing the Cash: Most Expensive in My Fleet

500 Stubbies: A Short Tristar Wishlist

Aeroclassics: March 2019 Releases

A Ride Around Whenuapai Air Force Base

Forgotten Fellowships: An F28 Wishlist

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