Die-Cast Collector

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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