Paper Intercontinental

Collection Taiwan

2009-09-09T23:15:00.000-07:00

Complete at last!

...Well, almost. The only ones missing are those from the first NG China Airlines set. It has the 744, A343 and 738 (no winglets) without registrations.

Click on the photo to see the whole collection.

Pinoy Aircraft Collectors

2009-09-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

A while back, I started a new group at Flickr:
Pinoy Aircraft Collectors.

Harassment and Extortion

2009-06-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here am I again, with another bad experience from a Hong Kong retailer/ collector. I'm beginning to hate them as a people, you know. They are so money-oriented and lack breeding. Oh well, I think I should not generalize.

After the incident with Alvin, here comes Kenneth. For our first meet-up, he suggested we trade models. I get him a brand-new PAL 747 + A340 set worth USD28, and he gives me his second-hand SQ 77W originally priced at USD26. Given that his models was cheaper and a second-hand item at that, I naturally suggested that he credit me the USD2 to be taken off the total of the other items he helped me buy. Then he started saying I was too "money-minded" and not interested in "friendship." Okay, so I let him "cheat" me that time. [the things I do for these diecasts!]

On another occasion, he volunteered to buy me some exclusive items in Japan. I sent him a list then sent him a scanned photo of the catalog from the shop he was visiting. It clearly indicated which items were in stock and at what price. He insisted that the regular price was JPY5000 up, where in fact it was only JPY4000+ as indicated on the catalog. I even sent an email to CrossWing Japan who then confirmed that the catalog listings were current. So I sent him an email saying, "...it isn't worth getting models in Japan for JPY5000+ because it would end up [being] the same price as in HKG, or elsewhere for that matter..." and that "...I will ask her [a friend] to get for me [the models] like the last time. If not, then I will ask you [Kenneth]..." I never followed-up afterwards, meaning the deal was off.

He then advertised a sale at Wings900. Note that he did not contact me prior to putting them up for sale. I emailed him to inquire about the models, and he replied with the following:

"...I got back from Japan and bought some extra's? [sic]...

"I didn't help you to get the B744D because the printings on them were back. Either the cockpit is not align nor there is some scratches on them. The one I place on W900 for sale are the extra I got, and going through your list of ANA wishes, I guess you are interest with the 744 Yokoso Japan logo and 77W?

"If you want, I can sell it to you. Let me know...

"I place [sic] them onto W900 for sale to test the market............ and not much of a sucess so far..."

I asked for the price, to which he said,
"...I got them all for 5040 Yen as you know, but the bad thing is I got my Yen at a high exchange rate, so roughly when convert back to HKD, it is roughly $420hkd, so I'll just add $30hkd for my effort of carry them around, so $450hkd, which I think it is very reasonable..."

Reasonable? Yeah, right! That price is even more expensive than either WMT or Toymax!!! And how can we be friends if you keep charging me the "handling fee," you parasite?! So I naturally declined,
"...I'll think about your ANA. I think it is selling for much less at both WMT and Toymaxco..."

Given that I still considered him a "friend," and in the kindness of my heart offered, "...I think you should try and sell it...if one or several are still available by the time I come over in a few month's time, then perhaps I will take some. But do not reserve them for me. I cannot guarantee my interest..."

to which the stinking bug replied,
"...so now, I am not trying to force you to get it, but i think u should be responsible to what you request for. I really hate this kind of things happening and I do not want my $$ to be stuck. It happened to me once with a worth of $1000hkd and I was haven't a hard time to sell it and still there are some in my house. I really do not want this to be happen the 2nd time, and if so I will start to collect a down payment to put me on the safe side.

Please provide me a positive reply...

Kenneth"

It seems I am only a friend to him in so far as he gets his money's worth from me. Well, F&CK YOU Kenneth Tsang!!!

Good riddance!

The rascal is still around W900 and DAC. So beware!!! [I threatened to report him to a higher authority...]

She's Alive!!!

2009-05-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

Boeing 787 engine start.

writeup here.

The Good Old Days

2009-05-17T17:13:00.001-07:00

747 tails, originally uploaded by ichigo747.

I've only been to Kai Tak once when I was still six, and my memories of the place are a bit iffy. I only remember being dizzy after the legendary approach. And on our way home, I remember being thrown about inside the bus as the driver frantically drove us to our 747-200 on the tarmac. I was too disoriented to remember the smell of the sewers nearby as we climbed the stairs.

Good thing CX made these model planes. Now, if they will only make some Kai Tak airport accessories...

Royal Tails

2009-05-17T16:36:00.001-07:00

tails, originally uploaded by ichigo747.

I downloaded a night shot of the Grand Palace in BKK and thought I'd use it for the background of a diecast shoot. I think my concept is okay, but my photos ended up a bit unrealistic. For one, I printed the background on plain paper and that made it look dull. Second, I couldn't quite figure out the proper angle of the lighting. Or perhaps I need more than one light source. Oh well...

Oh no...

2009-05-17T16:23:00.000-07:00

Apparently, PAL hasn't ordered any 77W inflight model after all!!! This was confirmed to my by both PAL and the WingsWorld staff! However, the people at PAL confirmed that they do plan on selling it after the real planes have arrived. The thing is, a manufacturer has not been selected and there is that possibility that the contract could sway the way of Schabak. And that would be total cr@p! Further, PAL said that the current Herpa model is indeed a fantasy model as minor livery details may still change.

Meanwhile it is confirmed that the two 777-36NERs arriving will have the registrations RP-C7773 and RP-C7777. With Herpa having taken the first registration for its regular release, I do wonder if PAL will have the second registration on its inflight models, supposing it isn't Schabak.

Hmm, why don't they just go straight to Hogan for more detailed planes? Nah...I think they want it cheap.

I'm still in limbo as to whether I'll get the regular edition 77W...

PAL 77W

2009-04-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

In 2006 Philippine Airlines ordered two 777-300ERs plus two leases, and two options that have since been firmed. First delivery is expected in late 2009.

PAL has since commissioned Herpa to make models for inflight sale, which will also be part of Herpa's regular sales. The model was announced for the March/ April regular sales release, but the official word from the airline is that the models will not be loaded on flights unless the real aircraft are already flying for PAL. It is unsure how this will affect the release date of the regular sales edition.

However, Aviation Center Berlin already has some units for sale:
Note the small "Philippine Airlines" titles and logo underneath the window line just after door 1L. This feature has not been seen on previous PAL aircraft.

At any rate, this model is a fantasy model at best since the official statement from PAL. Further, given that it will be made with the new Herpa mould, it may have some quality problems. Note the droopy engines and the widely-spaced wheels (that will supposedly be rubber).

Another curious bit is that Herpa announced that their model is a 777-36NER, with the registration RP-C7773. While it may be true that the first two deliveries will be the two leased (GECAS) 777-36NERs, the said registration will belong to the first owned 777-3F6ER, which will at least be the third delivered. The GECAS planes will be registered RP-C7770 and ~2, respectively instead. RP-C7771 will be skipped because of PAL's superstitious beliefs that numbers that add up to 13 or 22 (2+2=4) bring bad luck.

Beware of Lousy Trader

2009-03-31T05:40:00.001-07:00

I don't know why I'm posting this only now. I should have done this way back.

In my defense, I have posted my bad experience at the Wings900 message board:
http://www.wings900.com/vb/general-squawk-talk/39125-lousy-w900-dealer.html
although I did not name the nasty little vermin. Well, I did but on home territory:
http://www.philskies.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11793

As I said in the previous post, people at W900 tend to be pricks. And this guy, Alvin has a lot of them as his loyal customers. Heck, he even has a 90%+ trader rating. Well, at least not 100% so we know not all of them were quite satisfied.

During my latest trip to Hong Kong, I found out that I was at one point in his "VIP" list. And that he preferred foreigners in this list as he could easily "jack up" his prices. Well, I won't bite that anymore, Alvin. I already know you sell second-hand models as brand-new, and that you have access to the backdoor of factories.

FYI, I reported this guy to the HK Consumer Council, Tourism Board and the HK Police. All wrote back with a file reference and urged me to file claims at the HK Claims Tribunal. I notified this guy to give him one final chance to rectify himself and what do you know, he all of a sudden decided to send me a refund in full!

If he weren't guilty of any wrongdoing as he claims, then why was he so fearful the moment I mentioned the Police and the Small Claims Tribunal? Guilty? I knew it way before - from the time he kept giving all these excuses why he can't replace the model and why he can only refund so much.

Stinking little rascal! He is at it again:
http://www.wings900.com/vb/model-trade-4-sale/39852-400-500-scale-model-sales.html

I pity his victims...

Down with the Nazis

2009-03-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

I merely pointed out that a certain new release could have been better with the correct registration, and I get flamed:
http://www.wings900.com/vb/1-500-scale-discussion/40990-new-release-1-500-herpa-qantas-airways-b-747-438-a.html

WTF? When talking amongst themselves, they seem to be quite friendly with their own criticisms of models, yet shoot down others opinions quite readily. Whatever happened to the forum?

This hobby is not quite worth it anymore. There is absolutely no quality in the releases of late, and these morons keep defending the company that makes lousy products. Wadda crap!

After Wings900, I don't know if there is any other forum out there worth visiting for info about this hobby. And with the quality of posts at W900 going down the drain, too, it simply isn't worth it anymore!

The Thai Airways Royal Barge Planes

2008-11-27T02:21:00.000-08:00

Note: This is another one of the entries I posted at Wings900 and on my Flickr pages, and I seem to have overlooked doing the same thing on this blog. Better late than never.

The Royal Barge Procession is held in Thailand during very special occasions, usually during celebrations that have something to do with the king. It has a religious significance as well.

In 1999, in celebration of the king's 6th cycle (12 years = 1 birth cycle), Thai Airways painted three of its planes with the image of the two royal barges that are most significant to the current king. The two 747-4D7s, HS-TGJ and HS-TGO were painted with the image of the Royal Barge Suphannahong ('golden swan'). Its bow is adorned with the hongse (head of the swan, with jewels).

HS-TEK, an airbus A330-300, was then painted with the image of the only barge constructed under the current king, the Narai Song Suban. its bow is decorated with the statue of the god Narayana being carried by the Garuda.

In 2002, Thai Airways commissioned Herpa to produce two of the three specially painted planes.

Now we start with the Narai Song Subhan...
Herpa's version has a clear imprint of the Garuda, with the god Narayana behind it:

The pavilion has very intricate details. My camera failed to capture it, but I think it is much clearer in the previous picture.

Note the intricate design of the rear part of the boat design.

In contrast, the StarJets version, which they named simply as "Dragon Boat" has a brownish color.

Further, the pavilion is only a criss-cross pattern without the intricate design.

Now we come to Herpa's version of Suphannahong...

Herpa's version is very well-detailed.

Check out the royal pavilion; note its design.

The rear of the royal barge is very well detailed, too.

Starjets referred to their version simply as the "Royal Barge."

Compared to herpa's, the SJ version has a larger Hongse, and the color is too yellow. Note also, that SJ printed "HARIPHUNCHAL" as the name of the aircraft, when in fact it is "Hariphunchai."

Herpa on the left, and SJ on the right:

And here comes that generic criss-cross again:

Last is the BigBird version...

It is simply too 'red.' Compare it with the SJ on the right.

Again, the generic criss-cross:

Both 747-400s have been repainted into the new mica colors of Thai. Undoubtedly, the Narai Song Subhan's days painted on the A330 are numbered.

Philippine Airlines Inflight Sets

2008-11-27T01:20:00.000-08:00

Note: This is one of the entries I posted at Wings900 and on my Flickr pages, and I seem to have overlooked doing the same thing on this blog. Better late than never.

Since 2002, PAL has been selling a set of 1/500 Herpa miniatures through its inflight sale consisting of a 747-400 (N751PR) and a A340-300 (F-OHPJ). It has the Herpa item number 510134. The contents of the set are identical to the regular sales items from Herpa (that were sold separately).

Recently however, the set has been re-editioned and the contents have received a slight upgrade in quality. I'll be making some comparisons between the contents of the two sets.

In this photo, you can note that there are no physical differences in the boxes, except that the new set comes with stands which you can see through the acetate window. Also, the new set is priced USD28 instead of USD26.

From the old set:

1) 747-4F6, registered N751PR.

Note that the windowline towards the nose slopes upwards and ends up being too high! The correct 747 window line should approximate through the vertex of the nosecone.

The tail fins (rudder and elevators) are all made of plastic.

The landing gears are dark gray, and it has the old "herpa Wings" logo on the belly.

2) A340-313X, registered F-OHPJ.

Note the rounded edges of the doors which make it look 'cartoonish.'

The tail fins are likewise made of plastic. The cargo door printing seems a lighter shade (or maybe the line was just thinner) than the printing of the passenger doors.

The belly logo, like in the 747-400, is old-style with "herpa Wings" stamped on. Landing gear struts are dark gray.

From the new set:

1) 747-4F6, registered N751PR [same registration as before].

It comes with a display stand.

The first thing I noticed was the METAL tail! Both the rudder and elevators are made of metal! Also note that the registration is printed much heavier than on the old version.

The belly logo has been updated, with just "herpa" stamped on.

2) A340-313X, registered F-OHPJ [same as before].

The doors look less 'cartoonish' as they have become less rounded on the edges. This model has the correct squarish airbus door profile as can be seen on actual Airbus planes.

The tail section is still made of plastic. To date, herpa has made metal tails only for the airbus A310.

The belly logo has likewise been updated.

Comparisons:

a) Nose section of the 744s:

old = high windowline, dark gray gears;
new = lower windowline, light gray gears.

b) 744 winglets:

old = larger sun/ shorter rays;
new = smaller sun/ shorter rays.

I would like to think the newer one has the correct profile of the rising sun, but it's really too small to notice.

c) 744 tails:

old = plastic, reg printing lighter;
new = all METAL, reg printing heavier.

I have no idea why the metal unit stands higher .

d) 343 nose:

old = rounded doors, heavier printing of windows and door lines;
new = squarish doors, lighter printing of windows (smaller) and door lines.

e) 343 tails:

old = slightly lighter blue
new = blue is a tad darker.

I think all of the above models still have a very pale yellow compare to the originals which have a yellow-orange rising sun.

A followup set would be nice, espeically if it could contain, a) models that have not been made before, such as the A330, A320, A319; b) historic planes like the A300, 747-200 and DC-10; or PAL affiliates like the Air Philippines 737 and PAL Express Q300 and Q400.

Austrian Airlines inflight set

2008-06-07T03:57:00.000-07:00

Some months ago, I inquired about the special inflight set directly from Austrian Airlines. They were gracious enough to allow me to order this set. I actually had it delivered to a friend residing in Europe, who then brought it to me during a recent holiday.

The 777 in the set was reportedly identical to the regular release. At any rate, it is one of the most detailed OS plane released by herpa, though not yet as detailed as the ANA Precision Models.

The set also came with an A320-200 exclusive only to this set.

Compared to previous OS releases, this inflight set had better printing - the arrow had a brighter red with a shadow. The previously released A330 on the left had only a monotone red on a non-painted plastic tail.

I'm looking forward to the yet to be released EM 2008 A320!

CX at the Flower Terminal

2008-05-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

I originally intended a circular terminal with roofing similar to that at Chek Lap Kok. As you can see here, it became a little too curved and someone commented that it looks like a flower!

This satellite terminal can have six jetways and a skytrain.

I parked most of the CX birds here as I have run out of space and had to delete my other CX photos at my flickr account.

I am delighted that this shot of the terminal made it to the "photo of the week" for one of my flickr groups, "Die Cast and Plastic models." Too bad the original aircraft had been painted into normal colors. The Asia's World City livery was then transferred to CX's newest flagship, the 777-300ER.

My Pan Am collection

2008-04-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have a very modest Pan Am collection with only three planes. Both the Lockheed L-1011 and the 747-100 in the background are from the Herpa Wings Club. The A300 came with the first Advent Calendar.

Details, details, details...

2008-04-02T22:56:00.000-07:00

To date, the most detailed die-cast models come from the All Nippon Airways collection (ANA Precision models) that are sold only in Japan. They are quite expensive, yet worth every penny for all the minute details found on other brands.

Singapore Airlines Jubilee planes

2008-03-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

SQ painted three of its planes in the Jubilee colors. The 777 and A340 are by DreamJets, while the 747 is by BigBird.

The early 80s

2008-03-10T05:16:00.001-07:00

These years saw more widebodies - from foreground to the back: HWC PanAm L-1011, SQ Heritage series A300B4 and BB PAL 747-2F6B mabuhay! Chicago.

The mabuhay! Chicago PR 742 with herpa Continental / Alitalia DC-10 and Heritage set British Airways Concorde.

Malayan Airways and MSA

2008-03-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

The Singapore Airlines Heritage sets include the various props and early jets from SIA's history. Examples include the DC-3, DC-4 and the Vickers Viscount

Just prior to the split of MSA into SIA and MAS, their fleet consisted of 707s, 737s and Fokkers.

The late 70s

2008-03-08T23:00:00.000-08:00

The North American carriers came during the late 70s.

Featured are: HWC Delta 747-100, SJ 727-200, HWC PanAm L1011 and another HWC TWA 747SP.

Radio Tower

2008-03-08T22:12:00.000-08:00

I thought the old terminal building was a bit "bare" on top with nothing going on. Rather than making an aiport tower, I thought of just making one in the fashion of Kai Tak's control tower.

This I then positioned on the top of the old terminal building. It may not be as elaborate, but at least it does its job of making this building look like it's an airport piece.

Again, I used cardboard, plastic sheets and a combination of painted toothpicks and plastic model leftovers for the antennae.

The 70s

2008-03-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

The old terminal building in action... It saw the arrival of many old Asian carriers, and long-hauls from Europe as well. Seen above is an SAS DC-8 taxiing past the terminal on its return flight home.

Air India used its 707s to fly to Paper Interncontinental via Bangkok, continuing forward to Tokyo.

Early morning shot on the left, showing the SK DC-8 that arrived from Europe via the Middle East and Bangkok. Meanwhile, a SWAL 737 gets catered as it awaits its own journey back to Tokyo via Hong Kong and Taipei.

Main Terminal Building

2008-03-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

This has likewise been made out of cardboard that has been painted over with acrylic paint. I used an old plastic folder for the glass parts of the building. The holes on the jetways will be for airportdesings-style boarding bridges.

In the Beginning...

2008-03-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

I made this terminal some years ago, before I entered med school. It is completely made of cardboard (illustration board) painted over with acrylic paint. The lines are marked using a silver gel pen.

The mat came with my wings club subscription, and the construction equipment are of course herpa's.