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Stands are useful additions to any 1:400 model collection especially when you have limited space to display the models. In recent times this has begin to afflict me (even though I've got a hobby room) and so I've been taking a bit more interest in stands. I have four different types of stand in my collection so can only comment on those. They are:
- Gemini Jets Wood/Metal stand
- Dragon Wings / Jet-X Plastic stand
- Aviation 400 / Apollo Plastic stand
- Schabak 1:600 scale plastic stand
4 Aircraft Stands in 1:400 by rstretton, on Flickr
Typically all Dragon/old Jet-X and Aviation 400/Apollo models came with stands by default. Phoenix and Gemini sell stands separately whilst unfortunately Aeroclassics never come with stands. Gemini actually make two types of stand available as separate items and I recently saw Phoenix has started making a second smaller stand for narrowbodies.
Anyway onto my stands:
Dragon Wings 1:400 Plastic Stand by rstretton, on Flickr
Dragon Wings
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The DW stand is sturdy and quite attractive. Unfortunately it is also enormous with the stand base being annoyingly large which makes it hard to use it as a space-saver with other models underneath. If you're using it with smaller types displayed the stand also looks hugely out of scale. Also Dragon models have an non-standard oval shaped stand hole which means that you can only use the stand with these models and can't attach Dragon models to other stands.
Dragon Wings 1:400 Plastic Stand by rstretton, on Flickr
Gemini Jets Wooden Stand by rstretton, on Flickr
Gemini Jets Wood/Metal stand (above)
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I like this stand but it also has problems. It comes in two pieces and the metal stalk is attached to the base with a screw. Unfortunately the screw isn't really long enough and if you're mounting heavy models you'll begin to notice that the stand mount doesn't sit properly at the correct angle. This can eb fixed by using a larger screw however given the meathod attachment this tends to pierce the base which is annoying. I've also noticed that the base can get mouldy - which is a problem when you live in a damp environment (as I do). Still in general this stand looks nicer than their metal variant which also appears to have some questionable attachment going on.
One thing to note is that many of the very earliest Gemini's don't have stand holes on them! This has proven a bit annoying in both my Delta and United displays where I can't put the 747s on stands to save space.
Aviation 400 / Apollo
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This is my favourite stand by far. It is free (as it comes with the models) and also it isn't large and clunky. The two pieces attach solidly, it looks nice and because the base is small it is easy to place models underneath it without the area looking crowded. It does what it needs to do.
Witty Wings / Apollo Plastic Stand by rstretton, on Flickr
Witty Wings / Apollo Plastic Stand by rstretton, on Flickr
Schabak
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My last stand is a 1:600 scale stand but works well with smaller 1:400s in the 727 and smaller range. Many of the later Schabaks and the subsequent Schuco-Schabaks came with these stands. They are attractive and solid. The only problem with them is that the stand hole on 1:400s is too large, but a bit of blue-tac can solve that issue.
Schabak 1:600 Scale Stand in use with 1:400s by rstretton, on Flickr
Schabak 1:600 Scale Stand in use with 1:400s by rstretton, on Flickr
Personally I think it'd be nice to see Aeroclassics think about stands and display settings / dioramas in general but I understand why they might not want to.
- Gemini Jets Wood/Metal stand
- Dragon Wings / Jet-X Plastic stand
- Aviation 400 / Apollo Plastic stand
- Schabak 1:600 scale plastic stand
4 Aircraft Stands in 1:400 by rstretton, on FlickrTypically all Dragon/old Jet-X and Aviation 400/Apollo models came with stands by default. Phoenix and Gemini sell stands separately whilst unfortunately Aeroclassics never come with stands. Gemini actually make two types of stand available as separate items and I recently saw Phoenix has started making a second smaller stand for narrowbodies.
Anyway onto my stands:
Dragon Wings 1:400 Plastic Stand by rstretton, on FlickrDragon Wings
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The DW stand is sturdy and quite attractive. Unfortunately it is also enormous with the stand base being annoyingly large which makes it hard to use it as a space-saver with other models underneath. If you're using it with smaller types displayed the stand also looks hugely out of scale. Also Dragon models have an non-standard oval shaped stand hole which means that you can only use the stand with these models and can't attach Dragon models to other stands.
Dragon Wings 1:400 Plastic Stand by rstretton, on FlickrGemini Jets Wooden Stand by rstretton, on FlickrGemini Jets Wood/Metal stand (above)
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I like this stand but it also has problems. It comes in two pieces and the metal stalk is attached to the base with a screw. Unfortunately the screw isn't really long enough and if you're mounting heavy models you'll begin to notice that the stand mount doesn't sit properly at the correct angle. This can eb fixed by using a larger screw however given the meathod attachment this tends to pierce the base which is annoying. I've also noticed that the base can get mouldy - which is a problem when you live in a damp environment (as I do). Still in general this stand looks nicer than their metal variant which also appears to have some questionable attachment going on.
One thing to note is that many of the very earliest Gemini's don't have stand holes on them! This has proven a bit annoying in both my Delta and United displays where I can't put the 747s on stands to save space.
Aviation 400 / Apollo
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This is my favourite stand by far. It is free (as it comes with the models) and also it isn't large and clunky. The two pieces attach solidly, it looks nice and because the base is small it is easy to place models underneath it without the area looking crowded. It does what it needs to do.
Witty Wings / Apollo Plastic Stand by rstretton, on FlickrWitty Wings / Apollo Plastic Stand by rstretton, on FlickrSchabak
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My last stand is a 1:600 scale stand but works well with smaller 1:400s in the 727 and smaller range. Many of the later Schabaks and the subsequent Schuco-Schabaks came with these stands. They are attractive and solid. The only problem with them is that the stand hole on 1:400s is too large, but a bit of blue-tac can solve that issue.
Schabak 1:600 Scale Stand in use with 1:400s by rstretton, on FlickrSchabak 1:600 Scale Stand in use with 1:400s by rstretton, on FlickrPersonally I think it'd be nice to see Aeroclassics think about stands and display settings / dioramas in general but I understand why they might not want to.
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