Getting Started with 1:200

Michael Knudsen · 09-01-2013, 04:25 AM

Hi,

After finally having completed my 1:500 collection of all planes I have flown on (the ones that exist in model, of course), I am considering starting with 1:200 models.

However, I have noticed that many of them (e.g. Herpa) appear to be made of plastic. My collection is 100% Herpa, and I am not at all familiar with other brands. Where would you recommend that I start looking for diecast (metal) models in 1:200?

Thanks,
Michael Knudsen

Jumbo747 · 09-01-2013, 05:28 AM

You have Gemini 200 , InFlight 200 , JC Wings , Aviation 200 and some Blue Box are all die cast. You have Skymarks and Hogan in plastic in 1:200

combat_scout · 09-01-2013, 09:14 AM

I was in the same boat as you a few years back. After collecting over 100 Herpa 1:500 models I was intrigued by the 1:200 line. I started off with my favorite airline / aircraft / livery (Gemini 1:200 Delta 757-200 Widget) and was blown away by the detail of the model. Now I find myself buying more of them than Herpa models anymore. I'd highly recommend you give them a close look and consideration.

ediandpen · 09-02-2013, 02:26 AM

Gemini200 are a great start especially for B737-7,8 or 9's as the other diecast brands offerings in my opinion look wierd with their stubby landing gears. Inflight200 are more expensive than the other brands if you are looking for larger aircraft, so if you are looking for large aircraft, then try a Blue Box or JC Wings 200 offering first. I have approximately 120 200scale in my collection and am still collecting. Happy collecting.

Michael Knudsen · 09-02-2013, 02:51 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I will start by having a look at Gemini200.

upkeep · 09-05-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Knudsen

Thanks for all the advice. I will start by having a look at Gemini200.

Good choice. Also keep JC Wings in mind as well, as there is a fair bit of mould-sharing between the two. JC usually is more Asian livery-based (but not always) and often (but not always) omits jewelled nose gear lights and red jewel anti-collision beacons as cost saving measures. Outside of that, they can be very accomplished models.

Michael Knudsen · 09-05-2013, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upkeep

Good choice. Also keep JC Wings in mind as well, as there is a fair bit of mould-sharing between the two. JC usually is more Asian livery-based (but not always) and often (but not always) omits jewelled nose gear lights and red jewel anti-collision beacons as cost saving measures. Outside of that, they can be very accomplished models.

Cool. Will check them out too. My first Gemini 1:200 is already on its way in the mail. KLM Cityhopper Embraer E190.

upkeep · 09-08-2013, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Knudsen

Cool. Will check them out too. My first Gemini 1:200 is already on its way in the mail. KLM Cityhopper Embraer E190.

Ohhhh . . . I think you will like that one a lot. I saw it just the other day and am seriously considering it (I collect primarily Air France) as well.

BTW: Don't forget Herpa. Their smaller jets and regionals are absolutely fantastic AND are diecast. My F.50 CityJet is a complete gem (even with the small error in livery).

Michael Knudsen · 09-09-2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upkeep

BTW: Don't forget Herpa. Their smaller jets and regionals are absolutely fantastic AND are diecast. My F.50 CityJet is a complete gem (even with the small error in livery).

Does Herpa make 1:200 models in diecast? Do you know if there is a list of the available models somewhere? I can't find a material-specific list on the Herpa homepage.

Blue Angel No.5 · 10-08-2013, 03:00 PM

Herpa makes a nice Viscount 800 which i have in my collection. I believe their propliners, like Viscount, the Douglas DC-6, and the Convair CV-440 are made of diecast metal. To be more specific, the Viscount 800 you see in the back has plastic vertical and horizontal stabilizers, while the Convair has all metal components. I also wish for a list of material specific parts. It gets tricky!
[IMG]http://api.ning.com/files/cvkfPcnbiYr2DmRlpAILf4Ls9ds-H9rrqjUIcQjXPa8B0Dh3QMT0fO*Dm97y93HmiQc3SjidHTHSRI NJSnMIljCs4kapn4aX/image.jpeg?width=737&height=550[/IMG]

atephen320 · 10-15-2013, 10:30 PM

Herpa's 1:200 commuters and old propliners are die-cast, Dornier Do-328, The Fokker F-50, ATR-42/72, SAAB-340, DHC-8Q400, Convair 440 and DC-3 are very nice and detailed models. The bigger jets from Boeing 737 or A320 upwards to B748 and A380 are made of plastic. Herpa have a very decent collection of 1:200 models which I would recommend.

bskc8th · 02-18-2014, 10:43 AM

Sorry to bring up an 'old' thread, but just out of curiosity are the Skymarks 1/200 models any good? I know they lack certain details compared with Gemini200 and Hogan diecasts but do they offer a reasonable, cheaper substitute?

Southwest&Blue · 02-18-2014, 10:56 AM

Skymarks is more of an "office display" I call them. They don't have that great of detail (Ex. No antennas) but they are nice. I had the American 757-200 I got at Dulles airport a few years back and it looked good on my shelf. It just all depends on how you view them. Pick up a cheap one and see if you like it.

G-VFIT · 05-25-2014, 10:45 AM

Sorry to bring an old thread up again...
I've always been a 1:500 collector, yet I'm planning to decorate my new home with 2 1:200 diecast models. One of them will be an Air New Zealand & the other one will be an ANA.
I've been thinking of an NZ B777-200ER, but I just found 4 plastic ones ever released in the Database. Would anyone be able to advise if there's really no diecast NZ 772ER ever released in 1:200 scale?
For the ANA, I'm thinking of a B767-300WL as I've just flown on them during my recent trip to Tokyo. I can see that JC Wings released one back in 2011. Is it hard to get hold of this now? And is it nice in quality?
An alternative will be getting a B747-400 for each of Air New Zealand & ANA as it's always the best looking airliner in my mind. Would anyone please advise the models from which manufacturer I should get? I'm targeting at standard livery of both airlines.

Thanks a lot!