Die-Cast Collector

The Douglas DC-8 was developed in 1955 as a competitor to the Boeing 707. The 4-engined jet entered service with the Philippine Air Lines in the 1960s, servicing routes to the United States and Europe. Model: Douglas DC-8-53 Livery: Philippine Airlines Manufacturer: Gemini Jets Scale: 1:400 Length: 4.52" Wingspan: 4.28"  Provenance: airlinemuseum.com Price: $ 24.75 Notes: Registration No. RP-C801

The planform view of the British Airways Concorde , showing the very low aspect ratio of the double delta-shaped wings. 

My fascination with old airliners continues with the acquisition of this die-cast model - a Trans World Airline Lockheed L-049 Constellation. The aircraft entered service as  military transport during World War II, and as a civilian airliner after the war. It was developed under the behest of Howard Hughes, who owned TWA.  The aircraft has a distinctive triple-tail design, and one of the first airliners to feature pressurized cabins and electric de-icing technology.  Model: Lockheed L-049 Constellation Livery: Trans World Airline Manufacturer: Dragon Wings Scale: 1:400 Length: 2.75" Wingspan: 3.75"  Provenance: Lil's Futaba Price: PhP 860 Notes: Includes a display box and a scale model ladder

I have seen one of these in real life at Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City during the height of the war on terror.  This scale model of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the first military aircraft in my collection. I bought this from boeingstore.com, and it came with a free Boeing magazine.  Model: Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Livery: US Air Force Manufacturer: GeminiMACS Scale: 1:400 Length: 5.4" Wingspan: 5"  Provenance: boeingstore.com Price: $32

 I love the Space Shuttle, and when I saw this model of a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft with the space shuttle Discovery piggybacking on it I knew that I wanted it to be part of my collection.   This particular model is the second one to be commissioned by NASA, designated as SCA N911NA. It  is a modified Boeing 747-100SR, and it entered service in 1991.  Space Shuttle Discovery first made its maiden flight in 1984, and its last in 2011.  Model: Boeing 747 SCA + Space Shuttle Discovery Livery: NASA Manufacturer: Dragon Wings Scale: 1:400 Length: 7" (747) Wingspan: 6" (747) Provenance: Futaba Price: PhP 1198 Notes: the Shuttle Discovery is made of plastic

I think my collection is shaping up, and is leaning towards unusually-shaped aircraft. Case of point is the Boeing 747 Dreamlifter, which in real life, is a modified 747 wide-body cargo aircraft [1]. The aircraft, which has a large hump on the fuselage, is used to transport parts for the production of the 787 planes.   This die-cast model was on sale at boeingstore.com when I got it.  Model: Boeing 747 Dreamlifter Livery: Boeing Manufacturer: Hogan Wings Scale: 1:400 Length: 7.5" Wingspan: 6.5" Provenance: boeingstore.com Price: $22.46 + shipping

As somebody who grew up during the Cold War, it's is not uncommon for a curious kid like me to end up reading a lot about the arms race between the United States and the USSR - the spies, the weapons and of course, the planes! Harking back to that era is this Aeroflot Ilyushin Il-86, which is USSR's first wide-body aircraft, designed to compete against similar Western aircraft, such as the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.   The Il-86 was manufactured from 1976 to 1991, and 106 were built [ 1 ].   Model: Ilyushin Il-86 Livery: Aeroflot Red Flag Livery Manufacturer: Gemini Jets Scale: 1:400 Length: 5.93" Wingspan: 4.73" Provenance: airlinemuseum.com Price: $30

I asked a friend to purchase this model for me during his flight from Los Angeles to Manila via Philippine Airlines.  This model is the Convair CV-340, which Philippine Airlines flew in the 1950s. This is sold together with a 1:500 Airbus A340, as part of the airline's 70th anniversary promotion. Model: Convair CV-340 Livery: Philippine Airlines (1950s livery) Manufacturer: PPC Scale: 1:400 Provenance: onboard PAL flight Price: $39

The 1:400 British Airways Condorde is the first Herpa-made die cast model in my collection. In real life, the supersonic airliner is about 62.1 meters in length, 11.4 meters high, and has a 25.56-meter wingspan. It is one of the most iconic and recognizable aircraft in the world. Model: Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde Livery: British Airways Old Colors Manufacturer: Herpa Scale: 1:400 Length: 6.09" Wingspan: 2.49" Provenance: Lil's Futaba Price: PhP 1485

I have a thing for classic old planes that hark back to the early days of aviation, so this PAL DC-3 - sold inflight aboard Philippine Airlines flights - caught my eye and started my die-cast aircraft collection. This 1:400 scale model is sold together with a 1:500 scale Airbus A330-300, as part of PAL's 70th anniversary promotion. It costs $39.  Model: Douglas DC-3 Livery: Philippine Airlines Manufacturer: PPC Scale: 1:400 Provenance: inflight, Philippine Airlines Price: $39