Setting aside some display space for something I have been wanting to do for a long time - scale airliner models. The display space is roughly 10'x10' wall between the bedroom door and the common washroom door.

What I would like:
Air India - entire classic fleet L1049, 707, 742, A310, A300, 743, 744.
Indian Airlines - HS748, 732, AB3, A320
Pan Am - 747, A310
BOAC livery 747
SQ livery 747


First question: What scale? 1:400 obviously would have some physical size advantages. But best way to go?
Second question: What are the brands available? Stick to one brand?

Thanks in advance.

Scale: 1/200. 1/400 has a toyish quality to it that I don’t care for.
Brand: the one that makes the model you want.

I agree, 1:200 is the way to go.

I highly recommend paying for the premium brands such as Inflight200 and JC Wings. These models are cast out of solid metal and look phenomenal. I have had mixed results with GeminiJets in the past. It seems some of their molds are better than others.

Another word of advice is to do a quick search on YouTube for a review of the model you want. Even if there isn't a review of the exact livery you're planning to buy, check to see if there is a review for the same aircraft from the same brand. This should give you a preview as to the quality/accuracy you should expect.

While I don't know how much money you have to spend, I can say, in my experience, after trying both ways, it is a lot more fun to build a collection slowly with premium models than to binge out on cheaper models.

Hey mate,
I have hundreds of models. All are 1/400 scale.
In my opinion, if you are serious about establishing a good collection that will continue expanding, go for 1/400. The difference in size of the models will make a HUGE difference for your ability to display them compared to 1/200.
Also, I believe that there is a greater range of models available in that scale, but I'm happy to be proven wrong!
All of the models you list as ones you want to start with I either have in my collection or I can easily buy online or in store. The only exception are the Indian Airlines ones ... I've not seen too many of those but Aeroclassics just brought out a great Indian Airlines Caravelle model in 1/400 scale....
Good luck with your decision and collecting!
Take care,
Bunumuring.

Hi friend.
I have about 5.000 1:400 models (along with about 17.000 1:500).
1:200 models are almost perfect, even depending from the manufacturer, and all the smallest details are reproduced on the model. A real pleasure for the eyes but very big and very expensive, very difficult to store because of their size. In my opinion 1:200 models are the perfect choice if you want to buy just a small fleet of most wanted models (this, of course, without knowing the space you have for the models and the money you want to spend: if you have, for example. 1.000 suare meters house and thousand of euro/dollars to spend each month, green light for 1:200 scale...).

1:400 scale has the better value for money. There are many manufacturers: Aeroclassics, Geminijets, Phoenix, JCWings, Aero400, NG Model, Witty Wings, Dragon, Herpa: some of them no more exist, other have problems with some moulds and/or liveries (Gemini, for example, is good for B737 mould and less for A320; Phoenix is very good for A320 mould but produces not perfect B737 moulds, especially the nose section; Aeroclassics produces/produced almost perfect A320 and B737 moulds but very often there are flaws in the liveries with wrong shade of colors and missing/wrong writtens and details, etc.)
For me NG Model is the best manufacturer of 1:400 scale and also Herpa, even producing very few models and almost entirely plastic made, produces nice models.
Prices of 1:400 models aren't so high according to their quality, especially with NG Model: think that in the last years Herpa 1:500 models are arriving at the same price of a Gemini 1:400, especially the widebodies, and with less quality and less details.
Here a summary of the models you are searching for in 1:400 scale:
Air India L-1011 V2-LEJ (NG Model) -> amazinf model the Air India L-1011 is one of the most beautiful and elegant model ever.
Air India L-1049 VT-DGM (Aeroclassics)
Air India B707-400 VT-DJI (Aeroclassics)
Air India B747-200 VT-EBE (Aviation400)
Air India A310 VT-EJG (Aeroclassics)
Air India A300B4 VT-EHD (Aeroclassics)
Air India B747-400 VT-EVA (Geminijets)
Air India B747-300 ???
Singapore Airlines B747-200 9V-SLA (JCWings)
Singapore Airlines B747-400 9V-SMV "1000th" (JCWings)
Indian Airlines HS748 VT-DXK (Aeroclassics)
Indian Airlines B737-200 VT-ECP (Aeroclassics)
Indian Airlines A320 VT-EVT (Aeroclassics)
Indian Airlines A320neo VT-EXF (Aeroclassics)
PanAm B747-200 N637PA (Dragon Wings)
PanAm A310-200 N803PA (Aeroclassics)
Boac B747-100 G-AWNB (Geminijets)

Hope i was helpful, happy collecting.

Absolutely 1:200
And yes, the brand matters a lot!