| Top Tips |
| Herpa New Generation Landing Gear |
| New Generation model landing gear should always be checked if you are able to when purchasing, as I have found that a few have had broken front gear, even though the box packaging has been perfect. The worst example so far was the Cathay Pacific 'Frankfurt' Boeing 747-400 special edition. Although this was shrink wrapped, inside the front gear was broken, and the left wing bent, and chipped. Strangely a second one had the same problem, and it was the third time lucky before I got a good one! There was no way that the shop or I could of known about this, so may be a production problem? In addition to this, I have found quite a few of the small black wheels fall off of the hubs! So check to see if any are loose on a new model, and if so, very carefully glue them. It seems that the larger model types, 747, A340 suffer the most. |
| Herpa Classic Wings Landing Gear |
| Even these old favourites can have the odd problem. A few months back I purchased a Royal Brunei Boeing 767-300, to find that the wrong gear had been fitted! The rear gear from a 757 had been used, making the aircraft sit too low at the back, and at a strange angle, I replaced them with the correct ones. Also, the wheels/gear are often twisted or bent, just pick up a 747 and look the wheels are sometimes all over the place, you can try to fix them, but don't push your luck incase you snap them! |
| Price Differences |
| If you have a good local shop, you are going to find in most cases that this is the best choice for your models. New releases generally have the same price, no matter what currency you are using. If however you buy rare or deleted models from outside of your country on the internet, the prices can vary a great deal on the same model. Try to compare the price from at least three different shops. An example I found being a Herpa Air Europe Boeing 767-300 deleted since 1997, a European supplier �73=�42, a UK supplier �85, a USA supplier $38=�25. So there is a difference! With other models I have found it may well be that a European, or UK supplier was the cheapest, it just depends on the model, and proves that it is well worth comparing prices! Big Bird , prices seem to increase the further from Hong Kong that you live! Star Jets prices seem to be the same in all countries , how ever as with Herpa shop around, I found an Eva Air MD11 for �30 in the UK and the same model in Germany for �30 = �20 ! |
| Wings World Magazine |
| At the back of the yearly Herpa catalogue, or new release brochure, there is a form to request a free sample copy of this collectors magazine, or alternatively request one by e-mail from Herpa's web site. |
| Herpa Wings Club Models |
| Some shops occasionaly offer the exclusive club models, but the price can often be at a premium. Anyone joining, or belonging to the club, can often find that past models are offered at much lower prices than the shops do. An example being a shop price I spotted for the Excalibur Airbus A320-200 @ �49, and the club price @�11.50. |
| Herpa Adverts & Auctions |
| Go to Herpa's web site and click on 'Community' from the menu on the left, there you will find listings of world wide adverts on models for sale, and wanted. You can even choose just adverts from you own country if you wish! But always be careful before sending any money. |
| My Last Tip! |
| If you display your models in a cabinet or on a model airport,dont forget to look after all those boxes! The resale value of your model can be cut by a third with no box,as I have seen a few on sale with no box reduced by that amount. So be warned! |
| New Generation Engine Fittings |
| I have noticed on most New Generation 747 models that have either the Pratt & Whitney, or the General Electric powerplants, often have problems with how the number 2 and 3 engines are fitted, they seem to point up or usually down on their mounts. If you look at a few examples of the same model (in a shop if possible) the results normaly differ. |
| eBay Auction Site |
| eBay.com is an auction site where you can often find a large selection of models for sale from around the world. There is always a description and often a photo. Bidding is very easy, once you have joined eBay. (Which is free.) It is also at no charge if you are buying, the only charge is if you wish to use the site to put an item up for auction. Just enter in the search word , once you are on the site. Paypal /cheque/cash are all used for payment, USD $ & GBP � are most commonly used . Always check the' feed back' on a potential seller,to see if others have been happy with their purchases before,once a sale is completed you can leave' feed back 'also. |
| Returning A Broken Model to Herpa |
| If you are unfortunate enough to get a model that is broken or damaged in any way, what do you do? If purchased from a shop, they may well just exchange it for you. If this is not possible for any reason, Herpa will replace FREE of charge. Just send the model by post, with a covering letter as to where you purchased and the problem. TO: Herpa Kundendienst Leonrodstr 46-47 D-90599 Dietenhofen GERMANY |
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| Model Airports |
| If you have a model Airport, such as Herpa produces, use 'BlueTak' a sticky putty to place items on the Airport ground foil, as you can then easily move them later with no damage to the foil if you need to. Using a printed paper back ground scene adds greater depth . |