My top models

[Charter]

Interesting to see someone coming from 1:500 mentioning this one as one of their favorite 1:400 models. Maybe because it was a staple in 1:500 scale?

I remember the shop I used to visit here in Houston in the 1990s that carried Herpa and Shabak. Herpa focused heavily on special liveries and there was no shortage of the WP 737-300 in the "The Simpsons" livery in stock. The same was true for the Crossair McDonald's MD-80 and a bunch of Southwest specials (which I thought were the coolest thing ever, the same airplanes that were seen in the Houston skies).

I hear a lot of complaints about Herpa omitting a lot of regular liveries in 1:500 in favor of special ones. Maybe it is a culture that was born during the 1st gen days. When the lack of details (no regs, etc...) was compensated for by focusing on special liveries? Just a thought.

Because i bought almost all Herpa 1:400 models but especially because The Simpsons have been among the most beautiful and intelligent TV programs ever, at least until the 25th season. So that model is iconic for me.
About Herpa and special liveries there Is a deeper reason: license agreements!
Herpa Is strong in 1:500 market but not so strong as we could Imagine, because so many airlines were/are missing. Herpa was and still Is, despite Aether Model, the only 1:500 manufacturer and its monopoly position and the lack of competition gave the impression of strenght. Many airlines give the permission to produce their airplanes just in special liveries because the license Is restricted to that model and that livery and when the airplane is repainted the license expires. This Is more convenient respect rediscussing the license for years, as happended with LOT and other airlines. DAT MD-80 Fifa World Cup - Coca Cola and Austrian Airlines A320neo "Yes to Europe" are just two of the many examples. In fact Western Pacific had at least ten B737-300 painted in special/advertising liveries and Herpa produced almost all in 1:500 scale.
The other reason is explained with an answer Herpa told me everytime i asked (according to my wishes) "why so many Emirates A380 special liveries and no Ryanair, easyJet, Southwest and leisure/charter/low cost airlines like for example ETF Airways and so on?" "Because a kid, if he has to choose, decides to buy and Emirates A380!"

 

[GoLithuania]

Turkish Airlines A321-200 TC-JCG "Turkey - Discover the potential" special livery, for me the most beautiful Turkish Airlines special livery and among the most beautiful special liveries of the sky ever.
Promoting Turkey and its economic and cultural potentiality and especially Turkey as business and holiday destinations, this airplane weared this special livery until 2015.
"Finike" was the name of the A321.

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Just for future reference, its 'wore' not 'weared' still great model!

 

[Charter]

Just for future reference, its 'wore' not 'weared' still great model!

Oh apologize, thanks.

 

[Charter]

China Southern B787-8, beautiful livery and It was a common view at FCO.
The airline sold all its B787-8 fleet focusing on the B787-9 and the A350-900.
Of course i ordered NGModel B787-9 with the same, beautiful livery worn by the B787-8.

 

[Critical Aviator]

China Southern B787-8, beautiful livery and It was a common view at FCO.
The airline sold all its B787-8 fleet focusing on the B787-9 and the A350-900.
Of course i ordered NGModel B787-9 with the same, beautiful livery worn by the B787-8.

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Beautiful livery ! That reminds me that I should probably try to get a CZ A359 or B789 myself as I don’t have any current day CZ in my collection .

 

[Charter]

RAM - Royal Air Maroc B787-8 "Oneworld"
Masterpiece especially for the striking livery. I am searching for the B787-9 regular livery hoping someone will produce It.

 

[Critical Aviator]

RAM - Royal Air Maroc B787-8 "Oneworld"
Masterpiece especially for the striking livery. I am searching for the B787-9 regular livery hoping someone will produce It.

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I agree, this is a stunning livery ! The 787-9 has been made by JC and Phoenix but I agree that a rerelease would not be unwelcome. Maybe NG or Av400 could throw their hat into the ring and be the next to make a RAM B789 in 400 scale ?

 

[Charter]

I agree, this is a stunning livery ! The 787-9 has been made by JC and Phoenix but I agree that a rerelease would not be unwelcome. Maybe NG or Av400 could throw their hat into the ring and be the next to make a RAM B789 in 400 scale ?

I hope even because JCWings model is sold at absurd prices for what i have seen.

 

[Charter]

Volotea B717.
Two reasons: Volotea Is an important European low cost, the B717 was a beautiful airplane developed too late for having success. Even the livery Is very nice.

 

[Charter]

Frontier A320neo N302FR "Flamingo".
I love Frontier airline and its many beautiful liveries, but "Flamingo" is my favourite.

 

[Charter]

Alaska Airlines B737-800W and B737-900W latest livery before the change.
Amazing livery, fresh, colorful and the Eskimo logo on the tail is impressive.
Waiting for the B787-9 and MAX9.

 

[Charter]

Aegean A321neo and Sky Express A320neo.
I have a special love for Greek airlines and a special - special love for Aegean A321neo and Sky Express A320neo, two airlines/airplanes i flew a lot to/from Santorini (among the ten top place in the planet Earth!) and Athen.
Aegean A321neo SX-NAG is the airplane i took in my last Santorini - Athen flight, few years ago.

 

[Charter]

ITA Airways A350-900.
Don't think i have to explain why i love this model...

 

[Charter]

Finnair A350-900: snow-white livery with a (big) touch of blue. Beautiful!

 

[Charter]

Jet2holidays, my favourite leisure airline. Two airplanes among my top models, B737-800WL and B757-200WL

but my top model of Jet2holidays is the Immortal, beautiful, extremely elegant B757-200WL, among the best airplanes ever built.
When the B757-200 was phased out my collector's heart was broken.

Why i love this airline? Because Jet2holidays, part of Jet2.com group, IS the leisure/charter airline in Europe. What Monarch, Thomas Cook and Air Berlin were before the bankrupt.
Looking at FR24 i searched for Jet2holidays and in almost a single route for holiday destination i have found a lot of airplanes carrying hundreds of holidaymakers. Simply wonderful!

 

[Charter]

Sun Country Airlines, the ultra low cost based at Minneapolis - Saint Paul and Its stunning latest livery on the B737-800WL.

 

[Charter]

American Airlines B777-200: impressive and in my opinion, looking the beast landing and taking off at FCO, more impressive than the B777-300ER. Because the 40 B777-200s are the real workhorse of American Airlines.

 

[Charter]

Air Canada B777-300ER latest livery: how beautiful this airplane is?! For me one of the most beautiful liveries (better: one of the most beautiful non-liveries) landing at FCO.

 

[LeoMuse747]

Air Canada B777-300ER latest livery: how beautiful this airplane is?! For me one of the most beautiful liveries (better: one of the most beautiful non-liveries) landing at FCO.

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I love this livery! I think it's very classy.

 

[Critical Aviator]

Air Canada B777-300ER latest livery: how beautiful this airplane is?! For me one of the most beautiful liveries (better: one of the most beautiful non-liveries) landing at FCO.

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I can definitely agree with the one of the best liveries part !