Knights of the Sky (1 Viewer)

[ivanmoe]

Great display Moe....looks like an aviation museum!

Pete

Hi Pete,

That's what my wife always says when I'm whining about a lack of display space!

-Moe

 

[ivanmoe]

Hi Moe.
Where did you get the backdrop from?

Pete

Hi Pete,

I got it from a wallpaper website:

http://www.landscapehdwalls.com/field/

The files come in JPG format and can be edited and/or resized as desired. For those of us who don't have a large format printer, the file can always be printed out at Fedex/Kinkos. Beats the snot out of the competition, $$$$$-wise.^&cool

-Moe

 

[chalklands]

Hi Pete,

I got it from a wallpaper website:

http://www.landscapehdwalls.com/field/

The files come in JPG format and can be edited and/or resized as desired. For those of us who don't have a large format printer, the file can always be printed out at Fedex/Kinkos. Beats the snot out of the competition, $$$$$-wise.^&cool

-Moe

Thanks Moe,
Can you point me in the direction of the one you used? It looks just the ticket.

Pete

 

[ivanmoe]

Thanks Moe,
Can you point me in the direction of the one you used?

Hi Pete,

Sorry, but I've slept several hundred times since that piece of paper was generated. Complicating matters further, it was my wife who copied a blurry section of vegetation and printed it out for me. I have no idea how, exactly, we got there. The only reason that I could point you to the website is because I had it bookmarked.:redface2:

-Moe

 

[jazzeum]

Nice display Moe. I also have the hanger but haven't had time to make a scene. Even though I have a new display case (from IKEA), it really only allows me to show two of the five Jenkins planes I have although I do have personnel distributed among the various WW I figures I have (besides Jenkins, K & C and AeroArt).

 

[ivanmoe]

Nice display Moe. I also have the hanger but haven't had time to make a scene. Even though I have a new display case (from IKEA), it really only allows me to show two of the five Jenkins planes I have although I do have personnel distributed among the various WW I figures I have (besides Jenkins, K & C and AeroArt).

Hi Brad,

Thanks for the compliment. Just out of curiosity, which Ikea case is it that's so limiting, space-wise? I ask because I'm always looking for hints as to how to ease my display dilemma.

To anyone who doesn't collect model airplanes, this constant concern about display space must sound odd. However, aircraft replicas really do have quite a "footprint," especially when compared to figures or even vehicles. I find myself envious of FL collectors, and not just because of the quality of the figures. Rather, they can easily display an entire "regiment" of ACW figures in the space that I use to display one single-engine model. And as the scale increases, the problems multiply. Consider the following:

There are sixty-one models in the modestly-sized display case above, all of them in either 1/72 or 1/48 scale, each shelf being approximately 25x16 inches. Were I to replace these smaller scale pieces with 1/30 models, the number that could be displayed would shrink to somewhere between twelve and eighteen, depending on the dimensions of the replica. I could increase the number per shelf by using stands, but I'd have to remove some of the shelves to do so. ****ed if you do, and ****ed if you don't.

Brad, I know that you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. However, others can't really appreciate these difficulties if they don't collect model planes. In terms of space requirements, I'd suggest that the model is for all intents and purposes a diorama in itself. By that I mean that a 1/30 model takes up as much room as many of the splendid dioramas that I've seen pics of on the forums here. In that same vein, consider the following:

Above we have a KC vehicle set and two figures. Now, look back at the top shelf of the previous pic. There are nine models on that shelf, eight of which are Corgi Swordfish replicas. Each of those relatively small, 1/72 models has a bigger display footprint than the four KC sets, arranged as they are.{eek3}

Someday, I may figure out how to sort all this out in a manner that doesn't seem like a never-ending compromise. Let me state, also, that I don't enjoy having models (or figures) that I can't display. If I can't display the models, I'll probably quit buying them. For now, however, I'm afraid that this high-flying, toy pilot collector is very much stuck in the display-space muck!:redface2:

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Wonderful cabinet full of many favorites, Moe. I see you have a couple of 1/72 Devastators in yellow-wing configuration as well as one in early-war colors. I would love to see someone do this beast in 1/48. The Swordfish shelf is quite impressive, as well as the Skyraider shelf. Fine collection. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Wonderful cabinet full of many favorites, Moe. I see you have a couple of 1/72 Devastators in yellow-wing configuration as well as one in early-war colors. I would love to see someone do this beast in 1/48. The Swordfish shelf is quite impressive, as well as the Skyraider shelf. Fine collection. -- Al

Thanks Al, but we've got to get back on KotS before the grand-poopahs gig me for being off topic.:wink2:

Found an old-growth pic of my early KotS collection:

What we see above is a space similar to the cavities shown in my preceding post, excepting this one is twice as high. This allows me to use stands for display, but it cuts the number of shelves in half. Apart from being such nice models, the JJD tripe has another very useful characteristic. It's small enough that it can be displayed in crooks and crannies as was done with the LvR and Jacob's tripes above. The larger models, the S.E.5a, Albatros, D.VII, and even the Camel need the stand option if they are going to be displayed more than three or four per shelf. Ah, the slings and arrows!:wink2:

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Moe, nothing like good light to make one realize just how grand looking JJD aircraft are and how beautiful the various color schemes are. The Kempf tripe and the Lowenhardt Albatros are just fantastic looking, as is the solid khaki SE-5. Very nice display. -- Al

 

[Jack]

Hi Brad,

Thanks for the compliment. Just out of curiosity, which Ikea case is it that's so limiting, space-wise? I ask because I'm always looking for hints as to how to ease my display dilemma.

To anyone who doesn't collect model airplanes, this constant concern about display space must sound odd. However, aircraft replicas really do have quite a "footprint," especially when compared to figures or even vehicles. I find myself envious of FL collectors, and not just because of the quality of the figures. Rather, they can easily display an entire "regiment" of ACW figures in the space that I use to display one single-engine model. And as the scale increases, the problems multiply. Consider the following:

There are sixty-one models in the modestly-sized display case above, all of them in either 1/72 or 1/48 scale, each shelf being approximately 25x16 inches. Were I to replace these smaller scale pieces with 1/30 models, the number that could be displayed would shrink to somewhere between twelve and eighteen, depending on the dimensions of the replica. I could increase the number per shelf by using stands, but I'd have to remove some of the shelves to do so. ****ed if you do, and ****ed if you don't.

Brad, I know that you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. However, others can't really appreciate these difficulties if they don't collect model planes. In terms of space requirements, I'd suggest that the model is for all intents and purposes a diorama in itself. By that I mean that a 1/30 model takes up as much room as many of the splendid dioramas that I've seen pics of on the forums here. In that same vein, consider the following:

Above we have a KC vehicle set and two figures. Now, look back at the top shelf of the previous pic. There are nine models on that shelf, eight of which are Corgi Swordfish replicas. Each of those relatively small, 1/72 models has a bigger display footprint than the four KC sets, arranged as they are.{eek3}

Someday, I may figure out how to sort all this out in a manner that doesn't seem like a never-ending compromise. Let me state, also, that I don't enjoy having models (or figures) that I can't display. If I can't display the models, I'll probably quit buying them. For now, however, I'm afraid that this high-flying, toy pilot collector is very much stuck in the display-space muck!:redface2:

-Moe

Moe

Disclaimer: My advice is usually worthless in these matters.

I had the same problem in a museum and a library I worked in. The advice I received was that I should just walk around the rooms and identify dead space. It was surprising how much space in both areas was either underutilised or not utilised at all. That said, they took my rather large office off me a few months later so I suppose that they recognised areas that were underutilised as well!

Jack

 

[jazzeum]

Moe,

I have the Detolf. Actually two of them. On the one I just got, I have two planes with the tall stands on top. I could probably order a short stand and display another. I could have probably put more planes in one of the levels but wanted to use them for figures. Top level is FL Civil War, second level are K & C glossy and Trophy glossy of a Western theme and bottom two shelves are WW I. In the room I have many of my things, I have a Detolf on the left, a rectangular Bombay display case, then about a six foot tall display case with mostly K & C of all kind, then a wooden armoire that started out for music, with the top full of North Africa troops and airplanes, then the new Detolf.

One of the reason I like stands is that it adds extra room at the bottom to put figures around.

I also don't want display areas turning into warehouses, but that seems inevitable.

Brad

 

[Jack]

As an aside, how great are float planes? They really have something.

 

[mestell]

As an aside, how great are float planes? They really have something.

I love float planes. My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Alaska last year and we quickly relaized how important float planes were to people there. They were just fascinating to watch taking off and landing on the open water. Alaska has more licensed pilots per capita than any other state . . . . . .
:smile2: Mike

 

[lancer]

As an aside, how great are float planes? They really have something.

How cool would it be if JJD or TGM decided to do some WW1 floatplanes? The Hansa-Brandenburgs or Macchi's would be great choices. -- Al

 

[mestell]

How cool would it be if JJD or TGM decided to do some WW1 floatplanes? The Hansa-Brandenburgs or Macchi's would be great choices. -- Al

I for one would certainly purchase a JJD WWI Float Plane regardless of Country. So many to choose from . . . . besides the two you mentioned Al, I also like the Spad S-XIV, the Sopwith Baby, the Junkers CLS.1, and the Albatros W.4 . . . . . Definately a great addition to the KoS range ^&cool
:smile2: Mike

 

[lancer]

Almost a full year since the last JJD aircraft release. Good thing I have been kept busy with all the excellent French WW1 releases or I might feel neglected.:rolleyes2:^&grin But I am missing my airplane fix. The Eindecker has been shown but no delivery date as of yet. Still missing a Spad, Fokker triplane, and a possible Naval Camel. Lots of stuff coming. Maybe in the December releases... -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Almost a full year since the last JJD aircraft release. Good thing I have been kept busy with all the excellent French WW1 releases or I might feel neglected.:rolleyes2:^&grin But I am missing my airplane fix. The Eindecker has been shown but no delivery date as of yet. Still missing a Spad, Fokker triplane, and a possible Naval Camel. Lots of stuff coming. Maybe in the December releases... -- Al

Hi Al,

The hiatus has been a blessing for me in that it allowed me to catch up on the BGC and GCC sets. Last year, I was buying at least one Jenkins' model and pilot a month, leaving room in the budget for little else. If John re-initiates an aggressive release schedule for planes, I'll be in a pickle in attempting to stay current.:redface2: Hey, but I've always relished a challenge!:wink2:

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Hi Al,

The hiatus has been a blessing for me in that it allowed me to catch up on the BGC and GCC sets. Last year, I was buying at least one Jenkins' model and pilot a month, leaving room in the budget for little else. If John re-initiates an aggressive release schedule for planes, I'll be in a pickle in attempting to stay current.:redface2: Hey, but I've always relished a challenge!:wink2:

-Moe

Roger that. Had JJD kept up such a blistering release schedule for his aircraft, as pre-2014, I would have had to leave many of my French Army purchases by the wayside. Still, I would like to see an aircraft every 4-6 months as they are my favorites. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I have a few sets of the Poilus, a couple of sets made by Jenkins, some from First Legion and one by K & C and the JJD ones are my favorites. Look forward to getting more JJD.

 

[Combat]

I posted this recommendation in the book section a while back, but I know not everyone checks that. An excellent read for anyone with an interest in WWI American pilots. A lot of first hand material describing what it was like to become a pilot and fly in the war:

"The Unsubstantial Air" by Samuel Hynes:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unsubstantial-air-samuel-hynes/1118173950?ean=9780374278007