Model of the Year 2024

[abdulmohiuddin]

Given that 2024 is coming to a close, I feel that the time has come to look back at the year and make nominations of our Model of the Year 2024. I would like to break this down into two questions, similar to how it was done by @quanng last year.

- What was the best release of 2024 in your eyes?

- What was the most satisfying model purchased by you this year, regardless of release date?

I know we had high expectations for this year from certain manufacturers, and low expectations from others. I look forward to hearing what everyone thoughts are about this year.

 

[YYZ727]

1. TAME 727 by Aeroclassics
2. An Aeroclassics Ecuatoriana 707 i got from a Waffle Collection Sale last month for $75, which i believe to be a fair deal.

 

[B767Avia]

1. American MD-80s from NG. A popular subject made with an immaculate mould, and I think having three reg offerings really represented the aircraft well. One with the old tailcone, one with the screwdriver that holds a special meaning to @redriveraviation as one of the last standing MD-80s, and of course the last ever MD-80.
2. My personal favorite of the year has to be the Delta A330neo N405DX. Same month as the AA S80s. The reg was my request and it's one of the best models in my collection in terms of quality also.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Best Release
It’s hard for me to pick one single release to be the best of the year due to the incredible variety we got, but two big models come to mind.
- North Central DC-9-50 by Aeroclassics: huge for me because a new North Central model had been absent for four years. It was also the last aircraft NC would ever possess as the next DC-9-50 delivery was to Republic.
- Delta Connection CRJ-900 Deltaflot by Gemini Jets: regional retros are hard to come by these days so getting to see this for the first time was a massive blessing. Plus this was a highly requested item for years. The gear being installed correctly, unlike the previous two current livery offerings, was another positive.


Best Purchase
2024 saw a lot of new models join my collection, both old and new, retro and modern. The best purchase I made was for the Western 737-200 Indianhead livery by SMA. This was picked up from Squatchy’s at Airliners International this past summer. Desperately I needed a Western 737, so despite a couple blemishes on the model (one of them being zinc rot) I was still happy to add this model.

 

[BHD]

1 NG models delta a330-900 - a beautiful aircraft done by NG no regrets at all
2 Aeroclassics Continental DC-9-32 - this model is a masterpiece and looks immaculate & who doesn’t love the meatball livery

 

[Irish]

This is gonna be a hot take but it has to do with sentimental reasons. GJ’s N683DA in 1/200 and 1/400. I’ve seen this aircraft numerous times and one digit away from the one I’ve flown on. Additionally it’s also the first 1/200 752 I have in my collection and I believe it’s the first non winglet 752 that’s been made in 1/200.

A lot of NG’s Deltas also are very good contenders and score #1 in terms of quality. The A339 is seriously something beautiful and the 767s coming close behind.

 

[JJ Skippy]

This is gonna be a hot take but it has to do with sentimental reasons. GJ’s N683DA in 1/200 and 1/400. I’ve seen this aircraft numerous times and one digit away from the one I’ve flown on. Additionally it’s also the first 1/200 752 I have in my collection and I believe it’s the first non winglet 752 that’s been made in 1/200.

I don’t think it’s a hot take. GJ does really good with the JC 757 they have access to. I’ve got the 400 rendition and it sits well with the Widget 757 they did early in the year as well.

Still hope the flaws it does have get fixed though we haven’t seen any updates with some of the other types they planned on updating

 

[Jazajia]

Aeroclassics Viasa 727-200. Long overdue. The TAME 727-200 aa close second for me. Seems like a lot of us agree on the TAME (There is a bigger discussion over a DA.C).

 

[josecolme]

Aeroclassics Viasa 727-200. Long overdue. The TAME 727-200 aa close second for me. Seems like a lot of us agree on the TAME (There is a bigger discussion over a DA.C).

I'd say I agree with those two as the best releases. And I'll add La tienda de aviacion's Lacsa A320. Hopefully these make way for more Latin classics.

And best purchase... Tough . But Honorable mentions besides those already mentioned.
AC Iberia DC 10
AC KLM DC9
AC Viasa DC10
GJ KLM 747-200
Panda Taca 737-300
The list could go on and on...

 

[pnagrows]

Agree on the Tame, Vaasa and Taca. Id also add…Ea/Trump Shuttle 721 hybrid, Frontier Horizon 721.

 

[SJOIB7685]

My model of the year also goes to this LACSA A320 released by La Tienda de Aviación (same as @josecolme).

 

[pons399]

Panda’s SQ 359, only release this year that met my criteria and quality standards. 24 was pretty dire overall.

 

[YesterAirlines]

My model of the year also goes to this LACSA A320 released by La Tienda de Aviación (same as @josecolme).

View attachment 36410

I'd completely forgotten about that LACSA A320. Looking at their store it doesn't seem they do international shipping? Does anyone know how I can get one or can anyone help?

 

[YesterAirlines]

Panda’s SQ 359, only release this year that met my criteria and quality standards. 24 was pretty dire overall.

You bought 1 model in the entire year!!! Man I'd give up if I were you

 

[pons399]

You bought 1 model in the entire year!!! Man I'd give up if I were you

I’m more patient than my ramblings here suggest, I’ll stick around

Jokes aside 1:200’s been pretty spicy, so the wallet ain’t exactly full..

 

[planes_on_a_shelf]

I'd completely forgotten about that LACSA A320. Looking at their store it doesn't seem they do international shipping? Does anyone know how I can get one or can anyone help?

I got in touch with them via WhatsApp through the website link
+506 7237 6656

Trying to figure out shipping to my region with them
But they have done shipping internationally they'd mentioned - just not to my out-of-the-way region

 

[josecolme]

I'd completely forgotten about that LACSA A320. Looking at their store it doesn't seem they do international shipping? Does anyone know how I can get one or can anyone help?

I do believe they do. I'll ask. The owner is a friend.

 

[Unboxing Aviation]

models of the year are: ng dal 339, ng air France 77w, panda model Singapore a350ulr

 

[Mark22]

I only bought 3 new releases this year (that have already arrived), so it's not so hard to pick my favorites

Aeroclassics Pulkovo TU-154
Aeroclassics TAME 727
Phoenix Atlant-Soyuz IL-96-400

 

[Jazajia]

I'd completely forgotten about that LACSA A320. Looking at their store it doesn't seem they do international shipping? Does anyone know how I can get one or can anyone help?

I got mine from El Aviador. Are they sold out already?