EnoFripp

Hi all - my 11 year old has been making airports and buying those $9 planes for 5 years. He has taken over our spare room with his creation using every leggo and VCR tape in the house to construct his buildings. He's amassed over 20 airplanes (1:400?). It's clear this is no passing fancy.

He wants a real model airport now so I need help. I've been visiting hobby shops (not much there) and doing research online.

- Which brand? Herpa? Something else? What's common and has accessories that are easy to find and not too expensive...
- Scale? 1:400 or 1:500? His little plastic planes are 1:400 I think (Realtoy) but i know we'll be phasing them out for some serious stuff.
- What's a good starter kit? Something that has enough stuff to keep him busy until we can afford more stuff...
- Best place to buy?

Thanks for any help - I've spent hours ont his and haven't gotten very far.

Peak Airways

I remember when I was 11, I used to use rulers and protractors to design airports for hours. I even labeled the gates and everything. Now that I've lamented long enough I will try to help as someone who is new to this.

I collect 1:400 because I think there is more available and more people seem to collect them which makes it easier to find on E-bay.

Herpa makes airport pieces in 1:500 and some in 1:400 they are decent and a lot of people on these boards use them for their airports. Gemini Jets makes a pretty large terminal that is very nice and detailed with quite a few parking spots. Dragon Wings just started making terminal sections and they are OK but you have to buy quite a few to have reasonable sized airport.

Regardless they are all gonna cost you, I think the Herpa starter is like $150, you can find the Gemini for $189 and the Dragon Wings are about $30 a section (remember you would need quite a few sections, though they do come with a plane). Another alternative is to build card models from Airport Designs - Precision Engineered Card Models it would be a little cheaper.

You could also do it yourself, like I did for a minimal cost. It's not necessarily the best but it's not bad. Hope that helps!

__________________


My wishlist (1:400):
Continental Airlines MD-82 (c/s)
Delta Airlines MD-88 (all schemes)
United 737-300 (Battleship Gray)
TWA MD-82 (Twin Stripes)
PrivatAir 737-800
Lloyd International Airways 707

EnoFripp

That helps a lot! Thanks. His birthday is 9/5 so I'm scrambling to get something in the house by then.

Any good websites to buy this stuff? I want to explore Gemeni 1:400 based on what I've heard so far...

Stewie58

Im 14 years old so i can see were your son is coming from. In my opinion herpa is the bestway to go for buildings and airport accessories. If your airplanes are in 1:400 scale you can try websites like gemini jets, herpa (1:400), and Sky Marks. If your going to go 1:500 you can try Herpa, In flight 500, thats all i know. Here are some sites that you can try....

Airport Designs - Precision Engineered Card Models

HERPA Miniaturmodelle GmbH - Online

Inflight 500 die-cast models - Genesis Collections product lines

Home

Airplane Superstore; Herpa Wings, Gemini Jets, Dragon Wings, Flight Miniature, Models, Toys and Airline Collectibles

AirplaneShop.Com home page - AirplaneShop.Com

aerojets, model airplanes, toy jets, hobbies, die-cast, 1/400 scale

hope that helps.

happy flying


Fly AA/BA/IB

EnoFripp

Thanks, Stewie! Great list of links. I'll send my son to this forum - it's great.

Benzyk

Hey, this can get very frustrating but it is also a lot of fun.

For Gemini Jets models I would suggest this website:
Air Paradigm
The reason being that we get a 9% discount off of everything if you are part of the Diecast Aircraft Forum network...I believe the discount code is DAC1. They have a great selection of models at a reasonable price.

Should you have any additional questions don't hesitate to ask.
Ben

And welcome to the great hobby of model airplanes.

Peak Airways

Air Paradigm is good, I also use Jetway Models, Gemini Jets, Dragon Wings, AeroClassics, Herpa Wings, Starjets, Jet-X Nick has the GJ terminal pretty cheap (relatively speaking). I think the Gemini is the nicest of the pre-builts.

__________________


My wishlist (1:400):
Continental Airlines MD-82 (c/s)
Delta Airlines MD-88 (all schemes)
United 737-300 (Battleship Gray)
TWA MD-82 (Twin Stripes)
PrivatAir 737-800
Lloyd International Airways 707

Hawaiian dc-9

Even though Gemini's terminal is tops, I would recommend Herpa buildings so he can create his own airport and use his imagination. When I was about 10, I got the Herpa buildings for Christmas and built the airport in the family room on the center table. For an 11 year old, the Herpa buildings are the best.

Good luck!

Peak Airways

I agree, either the Herpas or even the new Dragon Wings which come in sections that you can build. I think he'd be happy with both but there is much more available on the Herpa side especially when it comes to accessories.

BTW many people use the Herpas with 1:400 they seem to work fine.

__________________


My wishlist (1:400):
Continental Airlines MD-82 (c/s)
Delta Airlines MD-88 (all schemes)
United 737-300 (Battleship Gray)
TWA MD-82 (Twin Stripes)
PrivatAir 737-800
Lloyd International Airways 707

Skybus101

I would get the Gemini Jets 1:400 Terminal and Mat. It is very easy to set up and comes with everything you need. Good quality and very nice. Not too expensive.

RJCommuter

Look on the internet for scale model aircraft. This will take you to sites for many retailers. You can see what is out there and then select. I would also get the new Herpa 1:500 terminal. There is a ground foil that can also be purchased. With InFlight 1:500 there is now even more available in 1:500. If you still want 1:400, there is a lot out there. Airline Museum Gift Shop, Adamjets and others are good sources. May both of you have an enjoyable adventure with this hobby as it is great.

uncle beat

For an 11 year old that "has used every lego brick and VCR tape" to create an airport that takes up a whole room, I would vote against the Gemini set. Too easy!! This sounds like a creative individual, and I would 1) establish which scale--sounds like you've got space for 1/400
2) download foils from this website and print on color photo paper
3) glue the foils to a plywood board using 3M spray adhesive
4) acquire wood blocks of assorted small sizes, balsa wood, Evergreen architectural plastic pieces, and some glue, paint and sandpaper, and let his imagination run wild! This will be a fun project, and maybe you have a future architect or engineer on your hands? Best wishes, pete

DeLaCuesta

Gemini Jets 1:400.


I also suggest the Geminijets terminal.

n777co

Though it is a good starter it is up to the dad if he wants to spend that kind of money. also it is up to his son if he wants one that is premade or one that he can play with the design. The GJ ones are good but if you don't want to spend that kind of money the the Herpa one will do just fine.

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UAL DC-10

I started collecting when I was 11 too! My dad bought me 5 1:400 scale Gemini's and I was instanly hooked, they have the best range in 1:400 scale but are missing a few key planes,(UAL, NWA, US A3XX)