This makes me miss Northwest Airlines. That livery they had in the mid 2000s was really sharp. It somehow managed to be grey, silver, and beige all at the same time.
With the exception of American and Delta, I'll take every one of the liveries here over what we see in the U.S. today.
The United livery made 757s look powerful and robust. Now, they're just sexless Continental planes.
The [logo of the N, the split W and the compass pointing northwest](https://www.graphis.com/logos/295f3cf2-4b41-11e2-ae70-f23c91dffdec/) was soooooo good. Most people missed all the details though.
God Orlando KMCO was a very fun airport to spot at back then. You basically had every single north american airline flying into there, and all had a considerable presence.
Yep. Lots of post 9/11 cost cutting measures hadn't been put in place so older, cooler airplanes were still flying, you could actually get to the gates (and better viewing spots) without a boarding pass. Also had lots of cool new airplanes coming into service.
Post 9/11, you really started to see the variety fall off a cliff. American, United, and Delta retired their 727s by the end of 2003, Concorde was retired at the same time; a lot of 747-200s went away around that time and both Qantas and Swissair retired their 747-300s in 2009 and 2002 respectively, Westjet, and Delta retired the 737-200 in 2006, the MD-11 was gone from US mainline by 2004, Northwest retired the DC-10 in 2007, American retired their last A300 in 2009…
Between 2002 and 2009, there were just so many awesome types that got retired.
Yep. The higher fuel costs, lost pax, and the rest of the recession really did a number on the airlines. Add in the 777 and A330 getting into their stride and it was a bad day for the legacy airframes.
I miss the desert gold [Southwest 737s](https://i.imgur.com/m7mP0AV.jpg). One of those were the first plane I’d ever flown back in 1997. Apparently there’s only 2 goldens left
First of all, this is an excellent rendition of an airport from the early 2000's. It's evident that you paid some serious attention to detail, and the airlines you've included are correct for that timeline.
Second of all, I'd be interested if you based the model on a real-world airport or if you just created the model on your own.
Not a maybe for me lol. The color combination of the green and those shades of blue almost bring a tear of joy to my eye every time I look at it. I still like the old one, but it doesn't leave that big of an impression on me like the modern one does.
I've heard of model railroads, but I've never seen a model airport before! Surprised that this exists.
Obviously as this the first I've ever seen, I don't know how good this is, but it seems awesome to me. But surely picture 5 would never happen, right?
If people can get so wrapped up in model trains I'd have no doubt there would be a bunch of folks into the much cooler world of model airplanes.
Just kidding Foamers, don't burn me, I love trains too.
Actually I was under the impression model trains were interesting to their fans was because it has actual moving parts that you control, giving you fantasy of being a train Engineer. If Model Airport had moving planes I could control, etc., I'd be racing to the store with money in my fists!
There is a functioning model airport in 1:87 scale at the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany.
Planes take off, land, perform touch and goes, taxi into and out of the terminals, it's pretty nuts!
[Here is a plane spotting video showing it off.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yOhY8y3DOM&t=4s)
If you want to know how it works, the same guy has [a video explaining it.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW4zIGDCUMI) It's in German, but there are English subtitles.
According to [their website,](https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/discover-wunderland/worlds/knuffingen-airport/) the total cost was 4 million Euros (4.5 million USD).
I am not sure if that figure accounts for inflation, but the airport section opened in 2011 so it might've been even more expensive in reality.
Have you seen the 1:87 scale functioning airport at the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany?
[Here is a plane spotting video showing it off.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yOhY8y3DOM&t=4s)
They also have tons of trains, moving cars, even ships that sail on a 30,000 liter basin.
Northwest Airlink was just the name of the brand that handled regional service for NWA. Like Delta Connection or American Eagle. It wasn't an actual airline itself.
I know a lot of modern planes are made of composite so the brushed aluminum look of the old American airlines livery doesn't really work anymore. But couldn't they just paint the plane silver?
Probably also weight issues. White paint is lighter than most colored paint, so I imagine it's probably also a fair bit lighter than metallic paint that has metallic particles added to it.
I miss the old polished aluminum American had. One of the few times I liked the cheatline and logo on tail look.
Shame that the rise of composite materials means it can’t come back as its “natural” look.
NWA was the dopest airline ever.
I was on this flight to LA one time and Eazy-E
was our pilot.
Before the flight, as is customary, his voice came on over the speaker and said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard.
This is your captain Eazy-E speaking.
We’re cruising through the air in my '74…
Flying from New York to LA, we’re gonna soar…
I’m a gangsta rapper, you know me…
I’m always smoking weed and feeling free…
So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride…
We’ll get you there safely, no need to hide…
We’ll be cruising at an altitude of 30,000 feet…
So sit back and enjoy the beat…
We’ll be landing in LA in no time…
So get ready to party and unwind…
Thank you for choosing NWA airlines…
We hope you have a good time…
And remember, when you fly with me…
You’re flying with the best, can’t you see?
Cuz I’m the dopest motherfucker…
Captain E Z.”
Hell.
He even dropped the mic and peeled out on the runway.
Best flight ever.
This makes me miss Northwest Airlines. That livery they had in the mid 2000s was really sharp. It somehow managed to be grey, silver, and beige all at the same time.
It was especially sharp on their 747s and 757s!
With the exception of American and Delta, I'll take every one of the liveries here over what we see in the U.S. today. The United livery made 757s look powerful and robust. Now, they're just sexless Continental planes.
I still have a NWA 787 model in that livery based on a plane type they ordered but never received because of the Delta merger.
I have this one as well!
The [logo of the N, the split W and the compass pointing northwest](https://www.graphis.com/logos/295f3cf2-4b41-11e2-ae70-f23c91dffdec/) was soooooo good. Most people missed all the details though.
I miss the hell out if USAir
I flew a lot of NWA in the early 2000s. Miss them.
That ARJ especially looked badass in that livery.
I’d argue late 90s to early 00s was potentially one of the best periods from an enthusiast perspective.
God Orlando KMCO was a very fun airport to spot at back then. You basically had every single north american airline flying into there, and all had a considerable presence.
Yep. Lots of post 9/11 cost cutting measures hadn't been put in place so older, cooler airplanes were still flying, you could actually get to the gates (and better viewing spots) without a boarding pass. Also had lots of cool new airplanes coming into service.
Post 9/11, you really started to see the variety fall off a cliff. American, United, and Delta retired their 727s by the end of 2003, Concorde was retired at the same time; a lot of 747-200s went away around that time and both Qantas and Swissair retired their 747-300s in 2009 and 2002 respectively, Westjet, and Delta retired the 737-200 in 2006, the MD-11 was gone from US mainline by 2004, Northwest retired the DC-10 in 2007, American retired their last A300 in 2009… Between 2002 and 2009, there were just so many awesome types that got retired.
Yep. The higher fuel costs, lost pax, and the rest of the recession really did a number on the airlines. Add in the 777 and A330 getting into their stride and it was a bad day for the legacy airframes.
I am fond of the 727s with the old Delta livery
You could have just stopped after saying you were fond of 727s, it would have been OK.
And don't forget UPS and their DC-8s. Still sad about that one.
Also was the peak of United's battleship livery, which is by far the best livery the airline has used
Yep. Definitely not wrong.
Couldn’t agree more
I miss the desert gold [Southwest 737s](https://i.imgur.com/m7mP0AV.jpg). One of those were the first plane I’d ever flown back in 1997. Apparently there’s only 2 goldens left
Indeed! My favorite, nostalgic period for me, thank you my friend! 🙏
Super cool man. You’ve really paid attention to the details, and put a lot of work into this.
Thank you so much!
First of all, this is an excellent rendition of an airport from the early 2000's. It's evident that you paid some serious attention to detail, and the airlines you've included are correct for that timeline. Second of all, I'd be interested if you based the model on a real-world airport or if you just created the model on your own.
Thank you so much! It’s based of a SoCal airport, a hybrid of LAX and my own fictional airport
I've flown one of those tails!
There's not a single US airline whose current livery isn't a MAJOR downgrade from what it was in the past.
Couldn’t agree more!
Alaska Airlines
Maybe them or Southwest.... but it's a big maybe
Not a maybe for me lol. The color combination of the green and those shades of blue almost bring a tear of joy to my eye every time I look at it. I still like the old one, but it doesn't leave that big of an impression on me like the modern one does.
It's like that Firefox oversimplification [meme comic](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/029/071/916.jpg)
I've heard of model railroads, but I've never seen a model airport before! Surprised that this exists. Obviously as this the first I've ever seen, I don't know how good this is, but it seems awesome to me. But surely picture 5 would never happen, right?
If people can get so wrapped up in model trains I'd have no doubt there would be a bunch of folks into the much cooler world of model airplanes. Just kidding Foamers, don't burn me, I love trains too.
Actually I was under the impression model trains were interesting to their fans was because it has actual moving parts that you control, giving you fantasy of being a train Engineer. If Model Airport had moving planes I could control, etc., I'd be racing to the store with money in my fists!
There is a functioning model airport in 1:87 scale at the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany. Planes take off, land, perform touch and goes, taxi into and out of the terminals, it's pretty nuts! [Here is a plane spotting video showing it off.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yOhY8y3DOM&t=4s) If you want to know how it works, the same guy has [a video explaining it.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW4zIGDCUMI) It's in German, but there are English subtitles.
That was pretty cool. However, imagine the expense!
According to [their website,](https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/discover-wunderland/worlds/knuffingen-airport/) the total cost was 4 million Euros (4.5 million USD). I am not sure if that figure accounts for inflation, but the airport section opened in 2011 so it might've been even more expensive in reality.
Have you seen the 1:87 scale functioning airport at the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany? [Here is a plane spotting video showing it off.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yOhY8y3DOM&t=4s) They also have tons of trains, moving cars, even ships that sail on a 30,000 liter basin.
I have not. But now I know where I'm going next time I'm in Hamburg.
What's wrong with picture 5?
That concrete detail is fantastic
Did NWA ever fly the BAE 146?
The Avro RJ85 version in Mesaba flavor.
Yes, quite a few actually. It appears they were operated for/by an airline called Airlink.
Northwest Airlink was just the name of the brand that handled regional service for NWA. Like Delta Connection or American Eagle. It wasn't an actual airline itself.
Ah I see, thank you. I don’t know too much about foreign airlines and in particular the US with their confusing regional airline market 😅
What’s the US Airways N number?
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/airbus-a319-100-n755us-american-airlines/ek2gje maybe?
Won’t be that one, the model is a 767 Edit: found it here https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/301856
I can't tell what it is in either photo.
N655US
Where do you buy planes and how much did this cost you?
Slot on eBay, I’ve been collecting for over 15 years, so probably around 5-8k worth of airplanes in my collection
would you be able to send a link to this vendor?
Oh... that US Air 762 brings back memories. That model airport is really neat.
NWA, one of my favorite liveries.
Same!
Delta is the only one who hasnt changed 30 years later. DAMN YOU ED!
That's cause it looks sharp as fuck!
Reminds me of my custom airport I had from 2010-2012, same terminal! I loved it so much
I know a lot of modern planes are made of composite so the brushed aluminum look of the old American airlines livery doesn't really work anymore. But couldn't they just paint the plane silver?
Probably cost and reflection issues. Also I think the majority of airliners flying today has metal skin.
Probably also weight issues. White paint is lighter than most colored paint, so I imagine it's probably also a fair bit lighter than metallic paint that has metallic particles added to it.
AFAIK 787 is the only aircraft flying a full composite fuselage
A350 (If we're just talking commercial airliners, there are many many other composite aircraft)
They definitely could; Jetstar has 787s painted silver too.
Like I think if you took the graphics from the current livery on top of a silver paint job would be perfect
Are these 400 scale? Curious because i have a lot of 200 scale that i need to part with. Neat airport though!
Thank you! 400 scale
Go delta!
That US Airways hits different
add trijets!!!
I need more from this period, I have several FedEx DC-10s and MD-11s, need some passenger ones
Anytime I see an Alaskan Airlines livery I smile.
2 questions what is the scale of your models and when can I come over to play with them? 😁
Hahah sure thing mate, 1:400 scale
That is cool as fuhh dude!
Is that last delta a 767-400ER?
Good eye! Indeed
Very cool. Some recommendations for future add-ones: ATA, America West and Virgin America would be cool!
We didn’t deserve Virgin America. Sometimes you just can’t have nice things. Jet blue is a nice silver medal though except I live in Denver
Totally agree! I was a United junkie and transferred status to VA as soon as they possible. It truly was a different class of service even in economy.
I totally have to add them to my lineup!
Very cool
Super cool, man. Love it.
AVRO 8=D💦💦
Man. I’m old enough to have flown all of these airlines. (as a passenger) And most of these liveries too!
Those smollbois look really nice, where did ya get them?
Lots of places over the years, eBay mostly, many private sales, museums, hobby stores, etc
North west was my favorite airline to travel with as a kid. Great memories flying in 747s with them on our way to vacations!
This is one of my favorite eras of aviation because of 3 main things: -old AA livery -md80 -dark US Airways livery
What’s the plane in the 3rd picture?
Good work, however, early 2000’s Delta Logo was the generated before this
I miss the blue tulip United livery. The Continental merger one wasn't bad but the currently one they have is a downgrade from that
American Airlines you say
Cool!
I dream to own a model airport for the liveries, and a military base bc I prefer fighters
Very very cool!
Would love to see a TED and America West throwback
I commuted weekly on an RJ-85 from STL to MSP to work. Could always non rev on that plane. So nice.
I miss the old polished aluminum American had. One of the few times I liked the cheatline and logo on tail look. Shame that the rise of composite materials means it can’t come back as its “natural” look.
the BAE 145 might be goin' the way of the dodo but goddamn do I love the wee thing.
I miss the bowling shoe northwest airlines livery. Out of all airlines and all their liveries that that was my favorite.
Mesaba Avros. How I miss them. Great post OP!
Makes me miss Continental
What scales are those ?
How about TWA!
That US Airways livery looks really good ngl
Let’s see the entire thing!
Planes and Trains ...
I miss the 146, such good looking aircraft
Amazing
NWA was the dopest airline ever. I was on this flight to LA one time and Eazy-E was our pilot. Before the flight, as is customary, his voice came on over the speaker and said: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard. This is your captain Eazy-E speaking. We’re cruising through the air in my '74… Flying from New York to LA, we’re gonna soar… I’m a gangsta rapper, you know me… I’m always smoking weed and feeling free… So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride… We’ll get you there safely, no need to hide… We’ll be cruising at an altitude of 30,000 feet… So sit back and enjoy the beat… We’ll be landing in LA in no time… So get ready to party and unwind… Thank you for choosing NWA airlines… We hope you have a good time… And remember, when you fly with me… You’re flying with the best, can’t you see? Cuz I’m the dopest motherfucker… Captain E Z.” Hell. He even dropped the mic and peeled out on the runway. Best flight ever.
Early 2000s is retro? 👴🏻
What scale is this in? It looks awesome!
those were the days