Cal1736's 1:400 Scale Dubai Airport. - Page 9

Cal1736 · 01-06-2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DutchCollector

That Finnair A330 is flaring quite early, you sure it's not departing?

A great photo update of the small cargo section of your diorama. The UPS 747 looks majestic, like any 747 does Cal.

That’s always the way with these model stands Thom

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the update! The UPS B747-8/F is a star of my cargo collection, it’s a beautiful model.

- Cal.

Cal1736 · 01-14-2019, 03:57 PM

NEWS

> DHL Aviation have secured another aircraft (an Airbus A330-200/F), for their daily cargo service between Leipzig - Halle and Dubai. The aircraft (D-ALMA), will be operated by European Air Transport on behalf of DHL Aviation and will allow the Boeing 777-200/LR-F currently operating for DHL Aviation to return to it's home base in the USA. Southern Air will continue to operate the aircraft (N774SA), on behalf of DHL Aviation on a new every-other-day service between their hub in Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky and Dubai.

A photo of the new aircraft has been posted in my collection thread.

- Cal.

Cal1736 · 01-19-2019, 12:21 PM

NEWS

> China Eastern Airlines will be introducing their new Airbus A350-900 equipment on the daily Shanghai - Pudong to Dubai service with immediate effect. This state-of-the-art equipment replaces the ageing Airbus A330-300 that has operated this service for several years.

As a result of this equipment change, the China Eastern Airbus A330-300 has now been listed for sale on my eBay page. Click Here to view this model on eBay.

More photo updates to follow soon.

- Cal.

Charter · 01-19-2019, 03:52 PM

Good news for your airport Cal, pics please!

Cal1736 · 02-18-2019, 04:30 PM

NEWS

It is with mixed emotions that I post today to announce the closure of my fictional Dubai Airport diorama.

I have operated this diorama continually for over seven years and during that time it has gone through numerous iterations, expansions and improvements. However, I've reached the limit of what I can realistically achieve with this diorama, and therefore, it is time to move on to something new. Due to a lack of up-to-date Middle Eastern models [especially narrowbodies], I've never been completely happy with the realism of the scene I was able to create. This diorama has always had an imbalance in the ratio of widebodies to narrowbodies and, even the hub airline Emirates now currently only flies two aircraft types - the B777 and A380. As a result, I've decided to embark on a completely new diorama project and I've also begun the process of selling some of my current model collection.

So, what will my new diorama be you ask? Well, I don't want to reveal too much just yet, but my new diorama will be a fictional representation of a North American airport based in the United States. After visiting the U.S. last year, planning another trip to the U.S. this year and looking at the models already available, I have gained a huge enthusiasm for the U.S. airport scene. I'll admit, I've also always been quite fond of the U.S. legacy carriers and the variety of their fleets, so I'm looking forward to representing them on my new diorama.

In light of the above, there will be no more updates from this diorama and I will not be posting my new diorama until it is completed. I'm still finalizing the plans, but I'm hoping to use all the skills I've gained over past seven years to create my most realistic and interesting diorama to date. Several models for the new diorama are also already on their way!

Anyway, thanks to all of you for your support and comments on this thread and on my previous airport thread throughout the lifetime of my Dubai Airport diorama.

- Cal.

LeoMuse747 · 02-18-2019, 07:52 PM

Sad to see the closure of this long-standing airport, Cal! However... cheers to new beginnings! Hope you can have some fun with your new project. And, of course, share with us

Indeed it sucks to see some airlines very well represented, and others totally neglected. In 1:500 I feel the same. Fortunately we can always order custom models, but these will cost much more... it's not as easy as ordering a regular model.

I also have other projects in mind. However, I currently don't have the space (and the money, lol) to do it. Maybe someday...

solicitor82 · 02-18-2019, 10:04 PM

I agree with Leo, sad to see the closure of this awesome airport which was doing so well. We all would admire the traffic at your airport and appréciate the hard work taken to get the airport up and running so successfully. My friend, you have to pick one airport in North America which won’t be an easy decision as the major airports with so many wonderful heavies and narrow ones are many such as JFK, LAX, YYZ (if you include Canada), SFO, IAH, etc...pick one of them and you’ll be able to concentrate on the fleet. Good Luck, Cal. Don’t worry, whichever you choose, it’ll be a wonderful airport. Just a suggestion, why don’t you pick an airport which has airlines common to Dubai, that’ll make it easier for’you as you won’t have to think too much about your next models. That’s just my opinion, my friend.

Cal1736 · 02-19-2019, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeoMuse747

Sad to see the closure of this long-standing airport, Cal! However... cheers to new beginnings! Hope you can have some fun with your new project. And, of course, share with us

Indeed it sucks to see some airlines very well represented, and others totally neglected. In 1:500 I feel the same. Fortunately we can always order custom models, but these will cost much more... it's not as easy as ordering a regular model.

I also have other projects in mind. However, I currently don't have the space (and the money, lol) to do it. Maybe someday...

Well Leo, cheers indeed to the new beginnings! I'm very much looking forward to getting started on the new project, and I think it will also be a more sustainable long-term diorama. This diorama has, in a way, got too large and is quite difficult to manage and update regularly!

There are many missing models in all scales and I felt it was always a struggle to create something realistic with so few available models. Aside from Emirates, not many models of Middle Eastern aircraft are produced. I've never gone down the route of customs... As you say, they can be expensive and are difficult to order.

I decided to 'bite the bullet' and change my collection now before I went too far down a different path. I'm using the funds generated from selling my existing models to re-invest into new one's. This diorama will be dismantled over time and so I'll actually save space in the end as the new diorama is planned to be more compact. I'd be interested to hear your other ideas! However, your Caribbean diorama is already wonderful!

Quote:

Originally Posted by solicitor82

I agree with Leo, sad to see the closure of this awesome airport which was doing so well. We all would admire the traffic at your airport and appréciate the hard work taken to get the airport up and running so successfully. My friend, you have to pick one airport in North America which won’t be an easy decision as the major airports with so many wonderful heavies and narrow ones are many such as JFK, LAX, YYZ (if you include Canada), SFO, IAH, etc...pick one of them and you’ll be able to concentrate on the fleet. Good Luck, Cal. Don’t worry, whichever you choose, it’ll be a wonderful airport. Just a suggestion, why don’t you pick an airport which has airlines common to Dubai, that’ll make it easier for you as you won’t have to think too much about your next models. That’s just my opinion, my friend.

Thanks for your kind words my friend! This has been a great diorama, but it's definitely time now to move to something more manageable and realistic. I think you will like the new diorama I have planned..! I've already determined the city and have begun acquiring some wonderful models. You're correct though, a lot of my existing European, African, Asian and Middle Eastern widebodies can transfer straight over to the new diorama. Looking at my collection, I think I will retain about 50% and sell the remaining 50% to fund new models.

- Cal.

Charter · 02-19-2019, 03:53 PM

"When a door closes a gate opens"...this is a way to say here in Italy.
I am sad too but i am happy Cal is planning and projecting a new, beautiful hub!

Cal1736 · 02-19-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charter

"When a door closes a gate opens"...this is a way to say here in Italy.
I am sad too but i am happy Cal is planning and projecting a new, beautiful hub!

Thanks Ale!

Indeed a sad day for my Dubai diorama, but an exciting new project is only just beginning...

- Cal.

DutchCollector · 02-19-2019, 05:51 PM

Quite the change here Cal, but it is always nice to do something refreshing and find some inspiration and excitement in that new project; to construct a new diorama with all your previous knowledge will surely be exciting. I will be eager to see it develop!

United 752 · 02-20-2019, 12:43 AM

^Seconded! I'm looking forward to seeing your new U.S. diorama, with all of the exciting traffic and airport possibilities out there! Something that would be intresting would be to look at some of the Charlies, like San Jose or smaller Bravos like Phoenix

Cal1736 · 02-20-2019, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DutchCollector

Quite the change here Cal, but it is always nice to do something refreshing and find some inspiration and excitement in that new project; to construct a new diorama with all your previous knowledge will surely be exciting. I will be eager to see it develop!

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopingforUAL7521:500

^Seconded! I'm looking forward to seeing your new U.S. diorama, with all of the exciting traffic and airport possibilities out there! Something that would be intresting would be to look at some of the Charlies, like San Jose or smaller Bravos like Phoenix

Thanks guys!

Indeed it will be a big change, but a good one and I think my new airport will be even better than my current one. I’m looking forward to making a start!

- Cal.

solicitor82 · 02-21-2019, 12:38 PM

Cal, my friend, I have decided to base my fleet in Toronto by purchasing 7 YYZ based aircrafts, 6 Air Canada and one Air Transat...the one in 1/500 scale is the Air Canada B787 by Herpa while, 3 are GJ and 3 are Phoenix ones but they’ll be shipped to my cousins place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, due to the ongoing customs issue which will take a while to solve.

Cal1736 · 02-21-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solicitor82

Cal, my friend, I have decided to base my fleet in Toronto by purchasing 7 YYZ based aircrafts, 6 Air Canada and one Air Transat...the one in 1/500 scale is the Air Canada B787 by Herpa while, 3 are GJ and 3 are Phoenix ones but they’ll be shipped to my cousins place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, due to the ongoing customs issue which will take a while to solve.

A nice development for your fleet my friend - are these new models a mix of narrowbodies and widebodies, or just widebodies this time? The new Air Canada livery has really grown on me - it's very sleek and smart. Of course you mustn't forget about WestJet too - when their new B787-9 is released I'm sure you will add one of those to your fleet!

- Cal.