Die-Cast Collector

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

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

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)

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

 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