As some of you know, a few years back,
I created and released a kit of WW2 era Airfield accessories.
Things like Ground Vehicles and other Accessories you could use in a Model Diorama.
That led to two more Accessory kits...one for Post WW2 stuff,
and a Modern Era package that also included Carrier items.
More info here:
Airfield Accessories Diorama Parts 1/50 scale Kit + CONTEST!
Airfield Diorama Accessories Kit II by airdave
Airfield Diorama Accessories III Modern by airdave
Anyway, I have been asked (in the past, and just recently) to do a collection of Airliner and Civil Aviation stuff...
and I think its time to do another Accessory Kit.
I think with Civil Airport stuff, the focus is probably mostly on the various vehicles,
like Tugs and Tractors, Baggage trucks and Carts, various Service vehicles, etc
Not being an expert on this type of stuff, I am only just beginning research into what vehicles and accessories I might consider.
So, I have some questions...aimed at those of you who build Airliners and the like...
Please suggest the types of vehicles that you would expect to see, or want to see, in a Civil Aviation or Civil Airport Diorama Accessories Kit.
And not just vehicles, are there other types of accessories you want?
I don't plan on creating a package to suit one specific era.
I was hoping to cover 1950s-70s, as well as more modern stuff (1980s to 2000).
I thought I would stick to the basics and most commonly requested items,
and try to cover more than one era in the same kit.
For example, Mobile Passenger Stairs are still in use today, but not too common.
However, an airport in the 1950s or 1960s would have used plenty of those Stair trucks.
So this is a must-do item.
But why not include a vintage one, and a more modern one?
One of my biggest concerns is the scale of items in the kit.
Even though I put out a lot of 1/33(1/32) models myself, I created my Airfield Kits at 1/50(1/48) scale
to suit a larger contingent of aircraft modellers.
The Diorama models are easily upscaled, or downscaled to suit your needs.
However, its important to consider scale when designing a model, especially if downscaling is the more common option.
Too much detail, or an overly complicated construction, is a problem with a small scale model that is reduced even further.
Since most Airliner kits appear to be in 1/100-1/144 scale, does it make sense to produce accessories in 1/50 scale?
Some airliner kits are even smaller, down to 1/200 scale.
Other Civil Aircraft models are produced at larger scales...like 1/33...since these are much smaller aircraft in real life.
I have found a few larger Airliner kits...at 1/72 scale...but not much bigger than that.
Murph's models may be the only one putting out larger (inconsistently) scaled civil aviation models.
His are 1/39 - 1/61 scale!?
I am leaning towards 1/72 as the primary design scale.
If I go too small, and simplify the designs, they will not scale up well to 1/50
...even worse to 1/33.
But even at 1/72 scale, I will have to be careful not to produce a model that is too difficult to
shrink and build to a smaller scale.
Not everyone is a micro-builder.
So, do I start out at a much smaller scale? 1/100?
Or go for the bigger, more detailed scale at 1/50?
or split the difference at 1/72?
Once again, to those of you building Airliners and Civil Aviation models, what scale would you prefer to have your "accessories"?
If you have suggestions for vehicles or accessories, please give me more than just a single photo from the web.
Link...dont post...other photos that show me more of the item.
And give me some clues to type, model, manufacturer, proper name, date of production and use, etcAnything that heps researching the item a little easier. Thanks