Vintage Manufacture Diecast Aircrafts and Spacecrafts
Vintage manufacture diecast aircraft and spacecraft are an exciting find for many people who are passionate about model planes. Some collectors choose to target an era such as WWII military planes while others tend to lean toward a manufacturer such as Matchbox or Ford aviation vehicles. Different criteria are important to keep in mind when looking for specific makes and models.
What's the difference between a replica or a vintage model?Manufacturing processes differ significantly from the early part of the 20th century onward. Early models were frequently cast as a single piece, whereas updated aircraft toys will have a seam where the separately cast pieces were joined together. The composition of the materials, as well as the paints and dyes used, will differ from reproductions to vintage diecast toys.
How do you tell what year a model was manufactured?Businesses such as Boeing and Ford used to sell replicas of their own fleet as an advertising strategy. Check the models for identifying marks such as country of origin. Sometimes, the manufacturer included the year or the company's logo on the item in question. If none of these marks are present, compare the aircraft with similar items and look for seams or additional parts and pieces that were widespread at the time of the original sale of these toys. Any of these components makes a good identifier for locating the age or year of manufacturing.
How does a scale relate to the actual model size?The term "scale" means the item is a smaller version representing a close imitation of the original aircraft or spacecraft. The item may be listed as a 1:32 scale. This means the object is a 32nd of the size of the original representation. The parts, pieces, and accessories belonging to the model are also of a corresponding size to create an accurate replica of the toys.
When did diecast Matchbox toys start using plastic parts?Matchbox toys went from diecast to plastic and cardboard blister packs in the 1980s. The industry as a whole changed the manufacturing of toys and kits to meet a tough market and be more efficient. Many diecast toys had no windows or detailing because they were made entirely of metal. The molds changed again to include plastic windows, tires, and other accessories around the late 1960s while the vehicle was still a diecast representation.