My very first 1:400 model

[Sithan400]

The scale is great when you consider space, and now with new manufacturers really pushing the limits on the realism and accuracy.... A renaissance to a hobby I thought I would never get back to.

 

[Purpleplane]

My first 1/400th model was the Gemini Jets L-1011 N740DA purchased in 1999. I still have it:

 

[Purpleplane]

The scale is great when you consider space, and now with new manufacturers really pushing the limits on the realism and accuracy.... A renaissance to a hobby I thought I would never get back to.

When I was in my teens (in the 70's before diecast models were even thought of) I collected and built 1/144th scale model airliner kits. Those took up a ton of space, and I eventually quit because I just didn't have enough space for them. I'm very happy with my 1/400th collection...413 models so far and still collecting.

 

[Purpleplane]

My first 1/400th model was the Gemini Jets L-1011 N740DA purchased in 1999. I still have it:

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Some more models that started it all for me in 1999.... all are Gemini Jets.
Eastern L-1011 N301EA:


Eastern 757-225 N504EA:


American 757-223 N679AN:

I also had TWA L-1011 N31033, which was sold when I purchased the NG version N31022

 

[LeoMuse747]

These two were my very first 1:400 models.
I bought them in July 2020 from Prairie Diecast (via Ebay).
I have switched from 1:500 to 1:400 scale in 2020. Been collecting 1:500 models since 2007, when I was 13 years old. I had a nice collection of 1:500 and a fantasy Caribbean airport diorama, which was really nice but sadly the pandemic and the current 1:500 scale scenerio made me change some plans. Decided to collect 1:400 because I always wanted to have a fleet of Brazilian models from the 1980s and 1990s era, and that would be very difficult in 1:500 scale.



Now I plan to create a 1:400 diorama of the 80s/90s and these two models fit my criteria, so they were the very first of me.
Both of these beauties operated charter flights from Brazilian cities to Florida back in the mid 90s, taking many kids to Disneyworld.
I think they both look great despite their age!!!

 

[redriveraviation]

Wow, these are epic y'all! I love the classics in here, old GeminiJets molds are something else. I love the effort here.

 

[Jazajia]

Well it depends on what you call 'your first model'? My collecting started as a child with a Dinky Toys Viscount and Britannia in the late 1950s. Then I recall my Dad bought me a Teckno SAS DC-7C (approx 1/200 scale?) during a visit to Heathrow in the early 1960s, which I really liked with folding undercarriage and a spare interchageable engine. It was not until the 1980s that I discovered Schabak 1:600 model airliners, which were the only game in town, but they were very crude with poor decals. I did admire the very first Aeroclassics models that Andrew Klein brought to a Heathrow Enthusiasts Fair in the early '90s, but they too were decalled and expensive. Net Models started producing some 1:500 tampo printed diecast models in the mid'90s and the first 'serious' model was a Cathay Pacific Boeing 707. However, once Gemini Jets, Aeroclassics and others got going in the late 1990s, I switched to 1/400 scale

It is always nice to read these stories that offer some insight into how things were before one's time. The title of the thread said the first 1:400 model, but if Ii go back to the beginnings that my memory allow, I think my first model would be a DC-9-looking Fisher Price toy, followed by several Matchbox Skybusters of the late 80s/early 90s, and other similar series, which I still have the pieces of a few of them.

 

[redriveraviation]

It is always nice to read these stories that offer some insight into how things were before one's time. The title of the thread said the first 1:400 model, but if Ii go back to the beginnings that my memory allow, I think my first model would be a DC-9-looking Fisher Price toy, followed by several Matchbox Skybusters of the late 80s/early 90s, and other similar series, which I still have the pieces of a few of them.

I knew Matchbox made models, but not Fisher Price, very nice!

 

[aroeske]

Here is my first dicast model, GJ Crj200. My favorite real plane

 

[Jazajia]

I knew Matchbox made models, but not Fisher Price, very nice!

Well, the Fisher Price one was a toy. Not my photo, reference only.

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collections.musee-mccord-stewart.ca

 

[Jolly Roger]

One of my first models Aeroclassics AC001 released in the late 1990’s. Still a treasured possession.

 

[OscarBravo992]

One of my first models Aeroclassics AC001 released in the late 1990’s. Still a treasured possession.View attachment 2316

Wow! That is very impressive! Even now, it's still a nice model.

 

[BA117]

Had never come across airliner diecast models in 1:400 scale before, so by chance bought the Gemini Jets Virgin Atlantic A346 G-VOGE off eBay back in 2004, the rest they say is history!

 

[Florian]

My very 1st 1/400 model:

 

[JJ Skippy]

My first was a FedEx 757 by Gemini Jets when I was like 5. You can probably guess what happened to it by now

The oldest model that still remains with me is the Delta 767 Ron Allen by Gemini Jets. Third one I got overall from 2012, still in really good condition. My collection now consists of 200+ models from a vide variety of airlines and aircraft types.

 

[British Airways fan]

My First 1/400 was the Dragon Wings American MD in the white american livery, remember going to the Hobby shop with my Grandma had about 30mins till it closed, still have it, was purchased around 2006ish id like to say

 

[CPHL1011]

This one entered my scale 1:400. Came from 1:600 and had 1300 models of these but got my eyes on the 1:400. All but one of my scale 1:600 has been sold now

 

[redriveraviation]

Neat model! Love the simple vibe.

 

[Barison82]

My 1st was a Herpa LTU L-1011-500. At the time (2007) I thought it was pretty decent as it had a clean single cast fuselage with slotted wings. The foam packing block it came in was also neat. I'd have a picture but need to dig it out first. One thing I like about MAF is the ability to edit a post and attach files at any time - handy.

 

[redriveraviation]

My 1st was a Herpa LTU L-1011-500. At the time (2007) I thought it was pretty decent as it had a clean single cast fuselage with slotted wings. The foam packing block it came in was also neat. I'd have a picture but need to dig it out first. One thing I like about MAF is the ability to edit a post and attach files at any time - handy.

It sure is. That is a really neat model!