Random Stuff!

[Brummiegem]

I remember those fire engines well wolfheze.I also bought one of those models.
My main collecting theme is obviously BHX visitors,1/400 scale aircraft.
I also have a number of other random themes including fire appliances,local buses past and present and 60s,70s and 80s cars.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

I have got a very vague memory of a TV in the lounge with the orange seats but don't remember trying to use it. Did use the coffee machine a lot though. You will need to remind me where baggage reclaim was, after 40 years it's hard to picture exactly how it was.

As you got off a flight and went into the terminal, I remember sitting in a room adjacent to reclaim. When the flight was unloaded, cases were put onto a rack for pax to reclaim - there was no carousel.
I have fond memories of getting of a couple of flights from Spain and the room was full of straw donkeys and sombreros.

 

[wolfheze]

I remember those fire engines well wolfheze.I also bought one of those models.
My main collecting theme is obviously BHX visitors,1/400 scale aircraft.
I also have a number of other random themes including fire appliances,local buses past and present and 60s,70s and 80s cars.

Yes am afraid the model collecting gets a bit addictive. Am only about halfway through collecting the aircraft that I saw back in the day and am already eyeing up stuff from the present day. Went up to Bickenhill for half an hour last night, saw a couple of flybe dash 8s and found myself thinking 'I wouldn't mind one of those in 1/400!

 

[wolfheze]

As you got off a flight and went into the terminal, I remember sitting in a room adjacent to reclaim. When the flight was unloaded, cases were put onto a rack for pax to reclaim - there was no carousel.
I have fond memories of getting of a couple of flights from Spain and the room was full of straw donkeys and sombreros.

Only ever took one flight from the old terminal and was far too young to remember the airport. I do remember watching people coming down the steps of Britannia 737s with those donkeys.

 

[Brummiegem]

Gemini Jets do a 1/400 scale Flybe Q400 in standard livery.There is also one available in the green and blue,'low cost,but not at any cost',livery.
Others available from current operators are lots of EK A380,Qatar B788,EK B773,AAL B752,UAL B752,TOM B788,plus
SAS CRJ900,EZY A319,AFR A319,320 and 321,DLH A320 and A321,and a few others.
Models I have from past aircraft and operators include BAW BAC One Eleven 500,Air Atlantique DC6 in British Eagle livery,BMI Baby B737-500,RAF TriStar 500,RAF VC10 and a few random others.
The best place to get some of the older models is the toy and model fair at the NEC,held every couple of months.

 

[Brummiegem]

Add to the above MON A320 old style winglets,Due out in a short time is a newer version with sharklets,(G-ZBAA).Also due out shortly is an Aer Lingus A320(EI-DEA).All by Gemini Jets.

 

[wolfheze]

Will watch out for the toy fair. Some of the rare 1/400 stuff goes for crazy money. British Airways VC10 came up for sale on eBay recently, was part of the first production run which Gemini pulled from sale because of quality issues. So basically a sub standard model now up for sale for £250!

 

[wolfheze]

Will watch out for the toy fair. Some of the rare 1/400 stuff goes for crazy money. British Airways VC10 came up for sale on eBay recently, was part of the first production run which Gemini pulled from sale because of quality issues. So basically a sub standard model now up for sale for £250!

Anyway hope he didn't sell it because I bought a monarch 720 of him and the git didn't leave me any feedback!

 

[Brummiegem]

Yes you do have to be careful who you buy from.Some of the stall holders who sell at model fairs put a premium on local themes.
For instance,there was a locally based stall holder who used to sell local themed buses at the NEC and Castle Donnington fairs.He would put a sticker on some models and say they are rare or hard to get.Occassionally it would be true,however if you mooch round the fair you could get the same model for £10-£15 less sometimes more than that.It is the same as many things,it pays to shop around.
Having said that,die cast collecting has become a very specialist hobby.This is due to the reduction in toy shops in the high street,as well as production costs in China.
Corgi in particular have suffered in recent years.Raw materials and labour costs have badly affected the release schedule,so much so they have not done a new bus casting for about 2/3 years.
The aviation section has seen a couple of new castings,but personally I am disappointed with that offering as it concentrates mainly on military aircraft.There are a few civil aircraft on offer,including a nice looking Dan Air De Haviland Dove due out this year.
Anyway the worst thing other than cost is space.I have a lot of models stored away,purely because I cannot display them all.
I don't think I have anything of great value,possibly the RAF TriStars one in white,the other in grey livery and an early Gemini Jets USAF Presidency VC 137 possibly the rarest in my collection.
I also have an Air Force 1 B747,but I can't remember the make,which may have some value,but not much.
All the models I have,I have seen the real thing,or at least one of the relevant fleet.

 

[wolfheze]

I know what your saying about space. It's a shame to have stuff and never see it. I am determined to keep my collection under control. Good thing is that at least 1/400 are very small. When I was building 1/72 plastic kits as a lad they sat on two shelves which went around two walls of my bedroom, gave up trying to clean them eventually so they disappeared under a layer of dust. .

 

[Brummiegem]

Yep,keeping them clean or at least dust free is a nightmare.
Most of my models sit on either shelves or on my bookcase.It can take a good few hours to do a decent job.I get fed up after a couple of hours,but I usually finish the job as a half done job is worse than not doing it at all.

 

[Brum X]

103 Colmore Row Tower

For anybody who is not familiar with this project, this will be the replacement for the old brown 60s looking Natwest tower on colmore row in the central business district of Birmingham city centre. It is going to be replaced with a 106 metre glass tower. Its the building in between the Rotunda (Brum icon) and the BT Tower (Another Brum icon)

There will be no report needed from BHX for this building as the top will be lit up at night to warn any potential low aircraft. The top will also be a rootop bar/restaurant with great views of the city and beyond.

 

[wolfheze]

Am normally a bit cautious when it comes to building and redevelopment etc but definitely gets a from me

 

[wolfheze]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BuWGwoHIgAAVO1q.jpg
Am I right in thinking this would be looking right as you came through the main entrance?

 

[jfy1999]

View attachment 3148 View attachment 3147
I think the new tower looks a bit like the original design for the Beorma Quarter tower (above) which is being built, but with a revised design (top). I'm still trying to decide which I like most.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Does anybody have any ideas where I may be able to get hold of a Birmingham postcard?

I had a walk up to the airport this afternoon but had no luck. The shops there had lots of 'I Love London' and Union Flag themed stuff but absolutely nothing of Birmingham. Even the toy planes they had on sale were British Airways and Virgin 747's.

I'll probably go into Birmingham over the weekend but I seem to remember that the tourist information place closed down? I wondered if the shop inside the ICC may do something?

 

[Brum X]

Does anybody have any ideas where I may be able to get hold of a Birmingham postcard?

I had a walk up to the airport this afternoon but had no luck. The shops there had lots of 'I Love London' and Union Flag themed stuff but absolutely nothing of Birmingham. Even the toy planes they had on sale were British Airways and Virgin 747's.

I'll probably go into Birmingham over the weekend but I seem to remember that the tourist information place closed down? I wondered if the shop inside the ICC may do something?

Hi mate, WH SMITH on the high street (entrance opposite M@S) have Birmingham postcards. Also there is a random stallholder underneath that advertisement screen that was showing the Vuelling advert (opposite Rotunda) that sells Birmingham tourist stuff. He has I love Birmingham stuff if your that sad, he he he (only kidding)

 

[Ray Finkle]

Cheers mate.

I thought about WHSmith but all of their outlets at the airport only had London stuff. I shall pop in over the weekend

Thanks again.

 

[Brum X]

Cheers mate.

I thought about WHSmith but all of their outlets at the airport only had London stuff. I shall pop in over the weekend

Thanks again.

That really gets on my nerves when our local area is selling London stuff, especially at BHX. Its even worse when it is only London stuff. I feel like an email coming on to remind WHSMITH that the world doesn't stop at the Watford gap or indeed on this visit Birmingham International Airport. 100 miles from friggin London

 

[Brum X]

Qatar Airways Crew get a tour of Birmingham.

And its all about Brum Brum Brum