Die-Cast Collector

Boeing and Airbus have been competing in the passenger jet market since the 70s, and until 2007, Boeing ruled the wide-body arena with its 747 airliner. Airbus finally  came up with an answer, the A380 , which became the largest passenger airliner in the world when it was introduced. Not to be outdone, Boeing also updated the 747 by introducing the 747-8 Intercontinental . I finally got both models this year. Here's how the two airliners compare in real life:  Boeing 747-8 Length: 250 ft  Wingspan: 224 ft  Cabin Width: 20.1 ft  Height: 63 ft  Maximum Take-Off Weight: 448,000 kg Max Passengers:  605 Range: 9210 miles Price:  $357.5 million Airbus A380 Length: 238.6 ft  Wingspan: 261.6 ft  Fuselage Width: 23.4 ft  Height: 80.2 ft  Maximum Take-Off Weight: 575,000 kg Max Passengers: 853 (one class) Range: 9755 miles Price: $403.9 million [sources: 1 , 2 ] 

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 avai...