| Miniature Model Airports have become a way for | | | | Herpa Wings. The quality and the details are |
| collectors to show off their collection of miniature | | | | exceptional. For example, on most of these models |
| airplanes. Amongst all the different types of miniature | | | | you have rolling rubber tires and, on some models, |
| airplanes on the market today, die cast airplanes are | | | | rotating engine rotors. |
| the best. The quality and detail on the die cast | | | | When designing a model airport, you want to decide |
| airplanes is superior compared to the same scale | | | | how much work you want to put into it. You can |
| plastic planes. The three most popular scales are 1:200, | | | | purchase ready-made airport mat sets (or foils), |
| 1:400 and 1:500. | | | | buildings and accessories, or you can build all from |
| The 1:500 scale is the smallest of the three. It is | | | | scratch. If you are building the airport from scratch, you |
| dominated by Herpa Wings. Herpa is a big provider of | | | | may want to check the FAA website, under planning |
| not only die cast scale airplanes, but also die cast scale | | | | and capacity to get all the necessary specifications for |
| cars. Throughout the years Herpa has increased the | | | | runway length, width, clearances, etc. To convert these |
| level of detail in their models, making them some of the | | | | measurements to the proper scale, use the following |
| best for the 1:500 market. In addition to the airplanes, | | | | formula:measurement in inches = measurement in feet |
| Herpa also offers a variety of Airport buildings, airport | | | | x Conversion-Factorwhere Conversion-Factor is 0.024 |
| mat sets and accessories to build model airports. They | | | | for 1:500 scale, 0.03 for 1:400 scale, and 0.06 for 1:200 |
| are very nice and very detailed. | | | | scale. For example, the width of a typical runway is |
| The 1:400 scale is a "medium size" scale. The two big | | | | 150 feet, to change this to 1:500 scale: |
| players on this market are Gemini Jets and Dragon | | | | 150 x 0.024 = 3.6 inches wide |
| Wings. Herpa Wings also has some offerings, but not | | | | If you want to design your own terminals, you can use |
| many. Gemini Jets and Dragon Wings offer some of | | | | a variety of materials. For the beginner, you can use |
| the highest quality in both construction and detail. | | | | Balsa wood, or cardboard. For the most advanced, |
| Gemini recently unveiled a line of Airport buildings and | | | | you can go to your local hobby shop, and check out |
| accessories for the 1:400 market. | | | | the model railroad area. Much of these materials can |
| The 1:200 scale is the biggest scale of the three. Lately | | | | be used in the construction of buildings for your airport. |
| there have been more offerings from Gemini Jets and | | | | Whatever the level, use your imagination and have fun! |