Where are the best places to get model aircrafts?

[Manny 1,293]

I just got the urge to get model aircrafts 1/200 size for now.. so I ordered them on ebay. I am paying somewhere in the $20-$45 range for these. I saw a really good 747 Lufthansa model but it was close to $125.

 

The first one arrived. Its a 747 El Al ..its a snap on light plastic version. Its very nice..except since its a table top model, it has no wheels. I see some others have wheels as well.

 

I have ordered some 777 and a 737 and an MD80.

 

I am looking for 747s (Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa, my fav two liveries for the PMDG 747s) and smaller aircrafts (prefer mostly US liveries for now).

 

I am also looking for GA aircrafts that go with the 1/200 sizing. Its difficult to get GA aircrafts that are 1/200 I think.

 

Is ebay the best place? or are there other places I should look for?

 

Manny

 

Edited:

 

As an aside, what size (model) trains would go with 1/200 aircrafts. I am thinking of building a an airport on a large table top to place all this stuff.. Ha Ha.

Edited February 22, 2014 by Manny

[TheFamilyMan 280]

Do you want model kits? This place is among the best:

http://www.squadron.com/airline-models-s/2394.htm

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

Do you want model kits? This place is among the best:

http://www.squadron.com/airline-models-s/2394.htm

 

I agree. I have been a Squadron customer since the mid-1980's and have never been disappointed with them.

 

Edit: as far as the question of train scales, N Gauge is 1:148 to 1:160 depending upon manufacturer and you can get model aircraft within that range. HO is 1:87.1 in the U.S. and 1:87 in Europe. You are most likely to find a commercial aircraft model in the N Gauge range.

[Manny 1,293]

Thanks Rod and Thank you Tom.

 

Let me check that out. 

[dcgator29 37]

I've just ordered some 1:200 models from the Boeing store. I'll let you know how they are when I get them this week. They also have 1:400 and 1:200 diecast. They also have very pricey $400 1:100 models. The 200LR has a 24 inch wingspan.

[fppilot 4,371]

 

 

I've just ordered some 1:200 models from the Boeing store.

 

Oh My!  When I first read that I read it as "I just ordered 1,200 models from the Boeing store".....  Now that would be a lifetime of assembly, gluing, and decal placement.....

[LHookins 3,103]

Pretty cool site. I was browsing and it looks like they have more single engine warbird models than there were aircraft in the actual war!

 

Is Tamiya still in business? I didn't see anything by them. After years of Revell models, they were a breath of fresh air. Maybe Revell has improved in the last few decades since I bought anything from them. Tamiya catalogs were truly incredible.

 

A word of warning: be careful how you browse the site. I set the number of models displayed per page up to 70+ (only two steps up) from the default of 18 or whatever, and started getting errors on the page after a couple of pages. Eventually I couldn't access it at all. Now, I'm locked out of the site. DownForEveryone reports it's just me.

 

Hook

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

 

 

Is Tamiya still in business? I didn't see anything by them. After years of Revell models, they were a breath of fresh air. Maybe Revell has improved in the last few decades since I bought anything from them. Tamiya catalogs were truly incredible.

 

Absolutely: http://www.squadron.com/model-airplanes-and-military-aircraft-s/2378.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=2378&show=18&page=1&brand=TAMIYA

 

When I discovered Tamiya, I thought I had arrived in heaven... I still have four or five kits waiting to be built.

[ViperPilot 81]

Absolutely: http://www.squadron.com/model-airplanes-and-military-aircraft-s/2378.htm?searching=Y&sort=3&cat=2378&show=18&page=1&brand=TAMIYA

 

When I discovered Tamiya, I thought I had arrived in heaven... I still have four or five kits waiting to be built.

 

Tamiya is still around, for sure. Not only are they a Pioneer in Plastic Modeling, but also one of the Legends of R/C car design. I raced many of their models way back when, and I still have a couple of them.

[Manny 1,293]

Some of my models started arriving.  

 

Today I got the 737-800 AA livery and I was mad they sent me the wrong scale..it was just too small (7.5" length) compared to the 747. (13.4"). I then googled for the actual length and they do check out correctly.  :unsure:  :lol:

 

Oh lordi I never realized the 737 were so small compared to the 747. I never felt  like it with the PMDG 737 and its 747 in the sim. I also never thought they were like that looking out the window at the airport. But the 737 is so puny compared to the Queen. Ha HA!

 

I also got the 767 and it too checks out correctly. The only wrong purchase I did was the El Al 747 (It was my mistake..I didn't read properly on ebay..the El Al posting did not have a scale posted..its about 11" in length compared the 1/200th 747 which is 13.4. I'll just hang it in the air and it would look  ok. Its small cause its  far away...   :lol:

But these plastic ones don't have wheels though.. Not sure how I could fix that.

 

Once I get all my stuff..I'll take photographs and post them here.

[Manny 1,293]

Whelp! Since AVSIM was down, I was busy going insane.. And yes.. I purchased every single one of these during the last 3 weeks.   :lol:

 

 

 

 

The best model aircrafts are die cast from Gemini Jets. Gemini200 series are 1:200 and simply fantastic.  They are expensive but they feel like  owning Jewelry.  The AA simply shines in die cast.   Followed by Hogan brands (they are high quality plastics).  

 

My best item is the die cast 747 Singapore Airlines )(exactly like the PMDG 747 Singapore livery) ...I paid almost $180 for that and no regrets..they are inflight series.

 

And some specific ones.

 

 

[Captain Kevin 586]

I'd say go for Gemini Jets.

[tsa737 6]

Here are two websites, I purchased both 1:200 scale for years, (but now focus on 1:100 scale) from them frequently:

 

http://www.diecastairplane.com/

 

or

 

https://www.airplaneshop.com/

 

They sell all scales, and models

 

If you have specific questions, PM me

 

Rob

[Captain Kevin 586]

Rob, Airplane Shop is definitely a good one. Even better that I just happen to live twenty minutes away. Oh, crap. *Hides*  :mellow:

[tsa737 6]

When I lived in Miami, I used to go to Atlantic Models which is part of Airplane Shop. Loved to go and discuss aviation. You are lucky!