Aero Mini

[grwebster]

We will have another next year, for sure and may be more guys from the die cast and ID model specialities can attend.

[Columbia409]

Sweet, I will keep an eye on the forum.

[grwebster]

Regarding the first photo of the Aero Mini 'Spirit of 76", a rather rare Aero Mini, I was quite surprised to see that USA is cast in under the fuselage instead of Japan, and I wonder how many were so modified after the molds and tooling were returned to the USA, and before they entered bankruptcy.









I had two 'Spirits' and traded one for this Japanese made 747 in JAL markings. This was produced by the subcontractors in Japan and sold by them locally, unknown to the Aero Mini owner. I believe there was also a 737 in JAL marking also made in this unauthorized manner. This, when known, resulted in the Aero Mini firm cutting off all connections to the Japanese subcontractor and continuing for a short time to produce in the USA.

[grwebster]

As is well known, the Aero Mini trademark, complete tooling and inventory were sold during the bankruptcy proceedings to the Peckhams who continued to produce in a very limited way some of the original castings with different liveries.
This project did not last very long and these Aero Mini variants are hard to find today.
Their quality is exceptional and even better than the originals IMO.
As for the country of origin these Peckham/Aero Mini Braniff 707s have had 'Japan' partially eliminated but it is still faintly visible.

[grwebster]

This variant is also a rather hard to find one. I note that it too had USA cast in and not Japan.
I think it is known as Air Force One.
Stands were supplied with some Aero Minis, I believe, but it sold mainly as a separate accessory.

[dasimperator]

This variant is also a rather hard to find one. I note that it too had USA cast in and not Japan.
I think it is known as Air Force One.
Stands were supplied with some Aero Minis, I believe, but it sold mainly as a separate accessory.

That's more likely the E4 'Doomsday' plane. The president was using 707s till the Bush (senior) administration. It would technically be 'Air Force One' once the president was on board.

The box my AeroMini BOAC VC-10 had an indentation for the stand though - being an eBay purchase - the stand was nowhere to be found. Ended up taking one from an AeroMini Northwest 707 - they use the same clip.

[fliegerii]

The Boeing 747 "Ship One" from Aero Mini is also Made in USA.

This Doomsday E-4 looks like a re-paint. Especially the silver engines look unusual. But the decals have that classic yellow fading, so it is probably really a late Peckham.

[grwebster]

Chris, What is Ship One? a photo please
the white 747 USA {AF One or E-4} does not have any overspray. The engine inlets are molded in one piece as part of the wing, the engine/tail pipes are inserts and are silver.
I don't think the Peckhams ever reissued any 747s, at least I never heard of any.

[fliegerii]

Here it comes..

[grwebster]

Oh yeah, I remember that one. We call that factory colors or rollout livery.
Not many of those around either