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Here you can browse and buy online Schabak scale model aircraft. These detailed diecast models are in most airport shops, and in many stores specialising in models for collect ors. Where did they come from? Is there a connection with old Schuco aircraft in the same tiny 1:600 scale? We interviewed Wolfgang Stolpe of Schabak to get the full story. Schuco was one of the leading German toy companies, making tin and diecast toys and models of all kinds. Four friends worked at Schuco in the 1960s (Wolfgang Stolpe in the advertising department from 1961 to 1967), and Schuco had some demand for models from the full-size motor trade but the company did not want to involve itself in this activity, preferring to concentrate on supplying traditional toy shop outlets. The four friends therefore set up Schabak, to supply car dealers with model cars on a wholesale basis. Two of the four left soon afterwards, but Herr Stolpe and Horst Widman carried on the business. Schabak continued tc supply non toy trade outlets with Schuco products, until Schuco went bankrupt in the late 1970s. The Schuco range had included various 1:600 scale and 1:1250 scale aircraft models, which were supplied in quantity to airlines for promotional and giftware purposes. with the demise of Schuco, many of these clients wished to continue to buy models, so Schabak set up production of the aircraft. Schabak's moulds for the 1:600 scale Boeing 747, Douglas DC-10 and Airbus A-300 are all ex-Schuco, as is the 'tin-top' 1:250 scale Boeing 747-200 From these beginnings, Schabak's range grew to its present extent and scope. But why the odd scale of 1:600, which is almost unique to Schuco-Schabak? Wolfgang Stolpe says, 'There is no known logical reason. Schuco made jet aircraft models in various sizes, not to any constant scale, and a Boeing 747 in approximately 1:720 scale. When the decision was made to produce a 1:600 range of the big jet airlines, which were a 'handy' size in this scale." (i.e. they fit a child's hand nicely). There are two other scales in the Schabak line. 1:250 is close to the 'standard' 1:200 scale adopted by many early toy firms, such as Dinky, and the present-day 1:250 Schabak DC-3 and Ju52 will ring many bells with collectors of old diecasts, as will the 1:250 Concorde. It all started with the old Schuco 747, however. This was a 1:250 tin and plastic model, full of character, but not really a scale model by modern standards, so it has been replaced with a newer 1:250 747 by Schabak Herr Stolpe regards this larger scale as more relevant to the giftware market rather than collectors, in spite of its heritage, but he notes, "we bear in mind that the collector interest may grow in this scale, when there is more variety available". The third scale offered by Schabak is 1:500. "More logical than 1:600," says Herr Stolpe ''It offers more scope for detail.'' It is, of course, metric and fits in with architectural airport models in a standard scale. Although also adopted by other model firms, we have heard reports from dealers than 1:500 has not been eagerly adopted by collectors who are committed to 1:600. Schabak's range now encompasses over 50 different aircraft, and totals around 600 versions, all made at Velburg in Bavaria, between Nuremberg and Regensburg. Around two million pieces per year are made, all diecast by Schabak, assembled and finished by 120 mature ladies in the region, working at home. There they apply decals, fix wheels, etc, and this way produce up to 10,000 models per day. Over 150 different airline liveries are represented, and you get some idea of the volumes when you hear that 350,000 Boeing 747s are sold each year, 250,000 each of the A-300, DC-10 and 727. Broadly the breakdown of Schabak sales is as follows: Airlines for promotional purposes: 10%. Airlines on-board passenger sales 40% Airport 'duty free' shops: 25%. Collectors market: shops: dealers: 25%. Additional small markets include the aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing, who order models in their own livery for promotional purposes. It can be seen that the majority of sales are to the travelling public through airlines or airport shops, though many of these buyers may also be collectors. It seems likely that ultimately 30% to 40% of Schabak models are purchased by collectors; as many as 800,000 per year, and the proportion must increase, as more 'historic' subjects are introduced. Presumably Viscounts, DC-3s, Constellations and Convair 440s are mostly bought by enthusiasts rather than by air travellers.
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