What is the first 1:400 scale model aircraft you got?

[Lokian777]

my first model is the GeminiJets SAS Airbus A321neo SE-DMO GJSAS1944 which i got in 2023.

 

[GoLithuania]

This American Eagle E170 N760MQ from GeminiJets

 

[MacSergey]

My first model was A350 Finnair by JC which arrived in such state. I successfully glued it and sold after I got the same model by NG

 

[GoLithuania]

My first model was A350 Finnair by JC which arrived in such state. I successfully glued it and sold after I got the same model by NG

View attachment 76006

Cripes...

 

[Mikeymag]

I have been collecting 27 years. My first 1/400 was a GJ purchase for $26.99 in 1999.

 

[GoLithuania]

I have been collecting 26 years. My first 1/400 was a GJ purchase for $26.99 in 1999.

$27 in 1999 is worth $52.26 now so my how the times haven't changed lol

 

[jetliner10101]

It was the Dragon Wings Dragonair A330 that came with the acrylic Kai Tak display in 1998 or 99. The model arrived with a broken engine pylon. If I remember correctly it was before Gemini's first few releases like the Air China and Virgin 747 were out in store. I waited for those Gemini first releases to come out and bought them right away.

 

[Phantom]

As I'm just digging through some old storage boxes...
here's my three "milestone" models united in one picture.
The one in center was my first 1/400 - I think that was 2001 or so. GJ release.
The one to the right (NG) brought me back into 400 scale after a long break and the one to the left was my first diecast aircraft model that started it all. Probably mid to late 1980's. 1/600 Schabak. I see I even modified the engines at some point.

Excuse the bluish grey interims backdrop...

 

[LeoMuse747]

My first models in 1:400 scale were these two below. I bought them together from the Prairie Diecast store on Ebay back in 2020.
Back when Gemini Jets used to release interesting stuff, I guess

 

[Boeing_3019]

My first ever model was NG Models Sichuan Airlines B-32AG. Now it's... uh... a little damaged. Haven't dared to touch it in case the main landing gear breaks again...

 

[bakejobb_23]

This was my first model! It was a gift from a family member I believe. I hated it at the time since I didn’t care about the oldies (I thought 727s were hideous and 737s looked a million times better) but it’s grown on me a lot. It’s gotten me to just near 200 models now after all this time!

 

[abdulmohiuddin]

My first model aircraft was a Gemini Jets Qantas A330-300 in the new livery, although that one was a gift from my family back in 2017.


The first model I purchased with my own money was an Air Canada 777-300ER from JC Wings with 2018 Olympic titles. I still have it, but it has been relegated to its box due to a broken landing gear.

 

[Jazajia]

Viasa CV-880 YV-C-VIB by Aeroclassics.

Got it on January 25, 2009, from Air Paradigm (today known as Waffle Collectibles).

This is one of 5 Viasa models that Aeroclassics released in 2007, and the only one that was still available at retailers in 2009 because it's got a big error: a split KLM livery, which is incorrect for this reg.



So much has changed since that invoice. Look at those prices



Viasa 400 photo footer. I used to have a tiny photo website called Viasa400, which eventually got renamed as YankeeVictor400.

Like @Phantom, I consider the definite beginning of this journey a model from a different scale. For me, it was a Federal Express DC-10 by Herpa Wings in 1:500 scale. My parents bought it for me at a physical store at The Galleria in Houston (many years before living full-time in the area) sometime in the mid-to-late nineties (1997?). I recall the price was a point of contention, as my parents claimed it was the most expensive toy airplane they had ever seen ($12 or $16 IIRC). At the time, Matchbox Skybusters could be found for cents on the dollar at any supermarket.

The model below is not the original one, which I am pretty sure is still somewhere in my family's house back in Venezuela, but an eBay repurchase for old time's sake. It really feels like the one I had, with the reglued tail and all...

 

[Timmy186GTR]

My first model aircraft was a Gemini Jets Qantas A330-300 in the new livery, although that one was a gift from my family back in 2017.
View attachment 76110

The first model I purchased with my own money was an Air Canada 777-300ER from JC Wings with 2018 Olympic titles. I still have it, but it has been relegated to its box due to a broken landing gear.

Hey, the JC/Gemini A330 looks pretty good once you take away the gears!

 

[josecolme]

My first 1/400 was a CAC 707.

 

[Jazajia]

My first 1/400 was a CAC 707.

I have it too. MA400GA!

 

[josecolme]

I have it too. MA400GA!

Had to be a good reason to jump into 1/400 as I mostly collected 1/200 snap fits before. And a few 1/600 schabak models.

I remember seeing that CAC 707 in SJO in the 90s. In fact I think it's the only 707 I might have some sort of affinity towards.

 

[Jazajia]

Had to be a good reason to jump into 1/400 as I mostly collected 1/200 snap fits before. And a few 1/600 schabak models.

I remember seeing that CAC 707 in SJO in the 90s. In fact I think it's the only 707 I might have some sort of affinity towards.

Certainly not that many operational true 707s that people our age got to see. The only one I recall seeing in person was the FAV tanker, plus a handful stashed away at MIA’s corrosion corner. Unlike DC-8s which I saw extensively.

I have seen videos of CAC at CCS in the early 1990s, that’s why I got it.

 

[JET-10/11/47]

I broke my ‘die cast virginity’ when Dragon just came onto the market. And my very first 1/400 model was the FedEx MD-11

 

[BubblesAviation]

NG dad bought me this used Delta 717 on EBay (just no box) when I was 4? I think maybe 2017. I still have it to this day, same condition and absolutely no plans on selling it.