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Showing posts from 2012

LEGO Ferrari

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I added two more LEGO Ferrari cars from Shell to my collection: Ferrari FXX and Ferrari F40. These are sold in Shell gas stations in the Philippines for PhP 140 for every gas purchase of PhP1,500. The promo will supposedly end on November 30 but will be extended until December 30, so I will have time to complete the six. I am only missing the yellow Ferrari 458 Italia. 

Shell Ferrari LEGO Vehicles

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This are not exactly die-cast toys but collectors may still be interested to get these. Shell Philippines, Ferrari and LEGO teamed up for the Micro Engines Mighty Power promo in the Philippines. For every PhP 1,500 worth of gas purchase (Nitro+ Racing, Nitro+ gasoline and Nitro+ diesel), one can get a LEGO Ferrari car for PhP 140 (or PhP 180 each if the gas bought is FuelSave.  There are 6 models to choose from: Scuderia Ferrari truck, Ferrari F40, Ferrari F150 Italia, Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari FXX or a Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta.  The promo runs until November 30.

Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-700

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The Boeing 737 is a narrow-body twin-engined workhorse. Starting service in 1967, the 737 became the world's best-selling jetliner. From a single version, it eventually expanded to nine variants. It competes directly with the Airbus A320  family.   The model I got is a -700 variant of Aloha Airlines, which was based in Hawaii. The airline, which started service in 1946, went bankrupt in 2008. The -700 variant is the first of the New Generation series, and it competes with the A319. It can seat up to 146 passengers.  The model was given as a pasalubong from a nephew who flew in from Japan.  Model: Boeing 737-700 Livery: Aloha Airlines Registration: N746AL Manufacturer: Gemini Jets Scale: 1:400 Length: 3.31" Wingspan:  3.38" Provenance: duty-free shop in Sapporo Price: N/A

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo & WhiteKnightTwo

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I consider this the crown jewel of my fledging collection: the Virgin Galactic WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo.It was an arduous task to get this;  a few months I got an email from airlinemuseum.com that the model is available on pre-order, but it did not become available for shipping when I tried to buy one. I waited for another office mate, last month, to go to the United States so I can buy it and ship it to him.And the wait is well worth it. The model is very detailed and intricate; even the underbelly does not lack details.  WhiteKnightTwo is the "mothership" cargo aircraft manufactured by Scaled Composites to carry the SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane which will be released mid-flight to fly into space .  Virgin Galactic plans to start the suborbital flights in 2013. It will fly 6 passengers and 2 crew members to an altitude of 68 miles, which is 10 miles higher than the boundary considered as  space, for each flight [ 1 ]. Model: Scaled Composite

AirAsia A340 & A320

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The two AirAsia planes, an AirAsia Philippines Airbus A320-200 and an AirAsia X Airbus A340-300, side by side. 

AirAsia Philippines A320-200

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AirAsia, a low-cost carrier based in Malaysia, recently established a Philippine subsidiary. The new airline, which flies from Clark International Airport to several local and international destinations, uses Airbus A320-200 planes for its routes. The Airbus A320-200 is a narrowbody jet with a range of 3,300 nm. It can carry up to 150 passengers [ 1 ]. This model was bought in Toy Studio in MBK mall in Bangkok.  This is the  second AirAsia jet  in my collection. Model: Airbus A320 Livery: AirAsia Philippines  Registration: RP-C8191 Manufacturer:  Phoenix Scale: 1:400 Length: 3.70" Wingspan: 3.35"   Provenance: Toy Studio - MBK Mall , Bangkok, Thailand  Price: 1,200 baht

Featured Store: Toy Studio - MBK Mall, Bangkok

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Last weekend I visited a hobby shop while in a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. The shop is named Toy Studio, and it is located at the second floor of the MBK Mall in downtown Bangkok, right along Sukhumvit road. The store is not very large, about 20 ft x 20 ft, but it is brimming with die-cast toys in all sizes and shapes. The glass front has shelves that contain a vast number of planes and cars, including 1:100 sizes. They also carry most of the notable brands: Herpa, Gemini, Hogan, Dragon Wings and Phoenix. Most major airlines are represented, as well as the more obscure ones. I also saw some die-cast military aircraft in 1:200 and 1:44 scale.  I found the prices to be wanting though. I was hoping that the prices would be a bit cheaper than the shops in Metro Manila but found out that they are almost the same. I bought an AirAsia Philippines A320 for 1,200 baht, which is about PhP1,600, which is the same price in Manila. I still bought just so I'd have something that w

UPS Boeing 767-300F

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The wide-body, two-engined Boeing 767-300F was ordered by UPS (United Parcel Service) Airlines in 1993 and entered service in 1995. It is the freighter version of the -300 variant, which first flew in 1986. The original 767-200 entered service in 1982. Model: Boeing 767-300F Livery: United Parcel Service (UPS) Worldwide Services Registration: N315UP Manufacturer:  Gemini Jets Scale: 1:400 Length: 5.41" Wingspan: 3.68"   Provenance: at Hobbiestock booth in ToyCon 2012, Megamall  Price: PhP 1050

Bombardier CRJ-900 Next Gen

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I took a Bombardier CRJ-900 from Detroit to St. Louis way back in 2010 in a Delta Connections flight. The CRJ-900 Next Gen is a stretched version of the CRJ-700 regional airliner. Longer by about 7 meters (length of the -900 is 39.13 meters), it can seat up to 90 passengers. This particular Scandinavian Airlines aircraft can seat 86, and has a range of 2,104 miles. [ 1 ]   Model: Bombardier CRJ-900 Livery: Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Registration: OY-KFA Manufacturer:  Gemini Jets Scale: 1:400 Length: 3.55" Wingspan: 2.41"   Provenance: Hobbiestock Greenhills Price: PhP 1200

Head to Head: Airbus A350 vs Boeing 787

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Here are the side-by-side pics of Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-800, in 1:400 scale. How they compare in real life: 787-8 Length: 186 ft Wingspan:197 ft  Fuselage width: 18 ft 11 inches Heigth:  55 ft 6"  Maximum Takeoff Weight: 502,500 lbs Passengers (typical configuration 2-class): 264 Range: 7650-8200 nm A350-800 Length: 198 ft Wingspan: 213 ft. Fuselage width: 19.6 ft Heigth: 55.9 ft Maximum Takeoff Weight: 571,000 lbs Passengers (typical configuration 2-class): 276-312  Range: 8,480 nm [sources:  1 ,  2 ] 

North American XB-70A Valkyrie

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This is a departure from the scale that I collect. The North American XB-70 Valkyrie is the first 1:200 in my collection. Along with the Concorde and the SR-71, this is one of my favorite aircraft, mostly because of its unique delta wings with drooping tips that were lowered during  supersonic flight.  The Valkyrie is an experimental bomber developed in 1964. Only two were built, and this particular model is the first prototype, designated as AV-1. The second prototype, AV-2, was destroyed in a mid-air collision.   The XB-70 can fly over Mach 3 and reach altitudes more than 74,000 feet.  Model: North American XB-70A Valkyrie Livery: United States Air Force Manufacturer:  Dragon Wings Scale: 1:200 Length: 11.75" Wingspan: 6.25"   Provenance: Lil's Hobby Shop Megamall Price: PhP 1198 Notes: molded plastic construction; comes with 2 wingtips , one for drooped position

AirAsia X A340-300

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On a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia I passed through the Low Cost Carrier Terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The LCCT is the hub of the budget carrier AirAsia (which is also the airline I took for Langkawi, my onward destination), and the airline has a kiosk in the terminal that sells die-cast planes. I've purchased this 1:400 Airbus A340-300 in AirAsia X livery.  AirAsia X is the long haul twin of the airline, and it serves destinations to Asia and Australia.  The Airbus A340-300, which started service in 1993, is a four-engined long-haul widebody airliner that can typically accomodate 295 passengers. The 3-abreast  economy-class and mid-section business class  configuration of AirAsia X can carry 327 passengers. Model: Airbus A340-300 Livery: AirAsia X CAPA Best New Airline Manufacturer:  Dragon Wings? Scale: 1:400 Length: 6.21" Wingspan: 5.88"   Provenance: AirAsia  Price: RM 119 Notes: also available from the onlin

Airbus A350 XWB

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The A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body) is a long-range wide-body aircraft being developed by Airbus to compete against the Boeing 787 and 777 jetliners. It is slated to enter service in 2014. Made mainly of carbon composites, the jetliner has three variants, and can carry between 270 and 350 passengers. [ source ] Model: Airbus A350 XWB Livery: Airbus Manufacturer:  Dragon Wings  Scale: 1:400 Length: ? Wingspan: ?  Provenance: Lil's Hobby Shop, Megamall Price: PhP 1198 Notes: no landing gear, flight mode only

Lockheed Martin SR-71A Blackbird

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The first time I saw this aircraft was in a movie when I was a boy. The movie was D.A.R.Y.L., which is about a cyborg boy who used the SR-71 Blackbird to escape from an airbase. I think all of my boyhood fascination with aircraft, which continues until now, started from that movie. The SR-71 Blackbird is a product of the famed Lockheed Skunkworks , which designs exotic (and secret) aircraft. The spy plane, made mostly of titanium, can reach speeds in excess of Mach 3; it holds the record for fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. Its speed is sufficient to outrun surface-to-air missiles.  The Blackbird was in service for the US Air Force from 1964 to 1998.  [ source ] Model: Lockheed Martin SR-71 Blackbird Livery: US Air Force Manufacturer:  Dragon Wings (Warbirds series) Scale: 1:400 Length: 3.75" Wingspan: 1.75"  Provenance: Specials Toys Shop, V-Mall Greenhills Price: PhP 1200

Sentosa Express Monorail

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This is the first (and only) die-cast rail car in my collection: the Sentosa Express monorail.  The (probably) H0 1:87 scale train was bought in a giftshop in Sentosa Island in Singapore during my trip there 2 years ago.  In real life the 25-meter long, 2-car, straddle-type Sentosa Express monorail, which can accomodate 184 passengers per train, services the Harbour Front-Sentosa route.  Model: Hitachi straddle-type monorail Livery: Sentosa Express Manufacturer:  unknown Scale: H0 1:87 ? Provenance: Sentosa Island giftshop Price: $20 Notes: Comes in a plastic display case

Braniff Boeing 727-200

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This Braniff International Airways Boeing 727-200 is the first tri-jet in my collection. The -200 variant is the stretched version of the original. The aircraft, a successor to the 707 jet, has a T-tail configuration. Braniff Airways was established in 1928, but became bankrupt in 1982. It is only American airline to operate the Concorde , thru a lease from British Airways and/or Air France.  The color scheme depicted in this model is known as the "Flying Colors," developed by artist  Alexander Calder  in 1973.  Model: Boeing 727-200 Livery: Braniff International Airways Flying Colors livery Manufacturer:  Dragon Wings Scale: 1:400 Length: 3.96" Wingspan: 3.21"  Provenance: Lil's Hobby Shop Megamall Price: PhP 598

Lockheed LC-130R Hercules Antarctic Explorer

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I have flown in a Philippine Air Force C-130 Hercules about twice when I was in college, when I am going back to Manila during the holiday break. It wasn't a pleasant ride (no seats, no seatbelts, and I sat on a wooden box that I was told later, was a coffin of a soldier). Experiences notwithstanding, I liked this plane and I did not hesitate to get this particular model when I saw it.  This variant is the USAF Antarctic Explorer, which has skis installed instead of wheels. This is used for missions to the Arctic and Antarctic bases. Model: Lockheed LC-130R Hercules Antarctic Explorer Livery: USAF Manufacturer: Dragon Wings Warbirds Series Scale: 1:400 Length: 2.93" Wingspan: 3.98"  Provenance: Lil's Hobby Shop Megamall Price: PhP 798 Note: the (painted) front windows are missing

Head-to-Head: Boeing Dreamlifter vs Airbus Beluga

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Here's the side by side pictures of the two cargo aircraft that I have in my growing collection, the Boeing  747 Dreamlifter and the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga. How they compare in real life: Boeing Dreamlifter Length: 235 ft Wingspan: 211 ft Fuselage Width 27ft  Height: 70 ft Maximum Take-Off Weight: 364 tons Range: 4,200 miles Airbus Beluga Length: 184 ft Wingspan: 147 ft Fuselage Width: 23ft  Height: 56 ft Maximum Take-Off Weight:  155 tons Range: 2778 miles (40-ton cargo)

Airbus A300-600ST Beluga

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This aircraft's ungainly ugliness makes it more interesting the more you look at it. The  A300-600ST (ST for Super Transport) was nicknamed Beluga for its resemblance to the whale, and the name stuck until it became its official designation.  Derived from the Airbus A300 wide-body aircraft, the Beluga is designed to transport oversized cargo and parts for the A380 aircraft. It can carry up to 47 tons of cargo. Only five were manufactured, and this die-cast model is aircraft number 5.  Model: Airbus A300-600ST Beluga Livery: Toulouse 2013 livery Manufacturer: Dragon Wings Scale: 1:400 Length: 5.48" Wingspan: 4.37"  Provenance: Lil's Hobby Shop Megamall Price: PhP 895

Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

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The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a brand-new twin-engine, widebody airliner from Boeing Co. It is one of the first airliners to use composite materials for its construction. Model: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Livery: Boeing Test Flight livery Manufacturer: Dragon Wings Scale: 1:400 Length: 5.61" Wingspan: 5.13"  Provenance: Lil's Hobby Shop Megamall Price: PhP 1098