Database Structure

This guide is currently a work-in-progress and may change without notice before the site is out of beta.
If you have any suggestions on how the database should be structured, use the feedback button in the bottom left.

Eligibility

To be included in the database, a model must meet the following requirements:
  • It is an aircraft. This includes airplanes, rotocraft, and airships.
  • It has been (or will be) produced in a some quantity of identical units.
  • It is made from metal (die-cast) or plastic.
  • It is a static model, not for RC flying.

General

The database is designed to be:
  1. consistent and organized
  2. comprehensive
  3. easy to understand
  4. flexible and exapandable
The following fields are used to describe a model. Not all fields apply to each model.
  • Scale
  • Brand
  • Item Number
  • Exclusive For
  • Airline
  • Operator
  • Livery
  • Special Livery
  • Name
  • Aircraft
  • Registration
  • Material
  • Units
  • Release Date
  • Tags
  • Remarks

Scales

Popular scales are color-coded for easy recognition.
1:72
1:100
1:200
1:400
1:500

Brands

We define "brand" to refer to an identity that is used to market or promote models. Usually this is straight forward - it is what is on the box. Until it isn't...

Commissions

When two brands are on the box, it is typically because the model was produced exclusively for the other brand. In this case, the manfacturing brand is listed as the model's brand. The other brand is listed as the model's "Exclusive For". Often times the exclusive brand is a retailer. In the commissioning brand is the only one listed on the box, then that is the brand used.
Brand
IF
Exclusive For
EA

Unbranded

Some models are sold without a brand image on the box or model. This is often done to avoid licensing issues. While the actual manufacturer may be known, we still classify them based on the prefix in the Item Number.
Brand
WH
Item NumberWB-747-4-060

Item Numbers

Item Numbers may also be known as the SKU, Product Number, or Part Number. They are usually printed on the box. Most models have a unique Item Number to identify them. Except when when don't...

Sets

Sets are models that were produced and sold together, typically in the same box. Each model that is part of a set has a separate entry. A number in a circle will appear next to the Item Number, indicating how many are in the set. Click the number to view all models in the set.
ITEM123A/2

Series

Series are models that have the same Item Number, but were produced at different times and have some distinguishing change from previous versions. Each model that is part of a series has a separate entry. A number in a square will appear next to the Item Number, indicating which version it is. Click the number to view all models in the series. Note: If the brand used a different Item Number for the re-release (such as adding a letter suffix), then it is not listed as a series.
ITEM123Av3

UPC

Some brands use the last 5 digits of the UPC, which can create overlaps. For the purpose of keeping item numbers as unique as possible in the database, prefixes are added to the commonly used item number for some brands.
NG ModelsNG12345Dragon WingsDW12345

Unnumbered

Some models do not have any identifying number on the box. We will attempt to ensure that all models without Item Numbers are unique.

Exclusive For

Example uses of this field:
  • Models commissioned by one brand from another, and both brands are on the box
  • Models sold only by a specific retailer
  • Models sold only at an airline's shop or only to an airline's employees
  • Models sold only at a specific event

Airlines / Operators

"Airline" and "operator" are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not always the same.All models should be identified by the airline that the model represents. This is usually based on the livery and brand identification. In most cases, the airline is a company, aka the operator. But in some cases, the airline is just a name.If, and only if, the operator is different than the airline, then the operator is specified. If specified, the operator can always be found on the model page. In cases where the airline has more than one operator, such as regional airline brands, then the operator will be listed with the airline in all places.Each airline is also identified by its home country.

Regionals

There are several cases of regional airline brands. The model's airline is identified by the brand that is is represented in the livery. The operator is specified below the brand name. Examples include:
Delta Connection
 
American Eagle
 
Lufthansa Regional
 

Cargo / Other Divisions

Some airlines operate(d) separate cargo divisions or other brands. While they are still technically operated by the parent airline, the brand/division is listed as the model's airline. Examples include:
Korean Air Cargo
 
Song
 
US Airways Shuttle
 

Livery

Each livery is identified by its airline and years of use. It may also be identified by a common name, although it is rarely an official name. Each livery should have a unique logo that identifies the airline and livery.All models should have a base livery, although there are exceptions. If a model has a special livery on top of the base livery, there is a separate field for that. Even if the base livery is not clearly identifiable on the model, the matching airline logo of the time should be used as the base livery.

Name

Aircraft Names are notated only when it is unique to the aircraft and appears in text on the model. Most aircraft with names also have a Special Livery, but not always. However, most Special Liverys do not constituent a Name.

Aircraft

Organizing by aircraft presents two notable challenges. First, in the specificity of aircraft type names. And second, when development programs change ownership and/or name.

Specificity

Aircraft type names are organized in a tree hierachy. At the top are the aircraft manufacturers, and then each level groups related aircraft types together. Some levels are meant to be for grouping only, while others may be suitable to describe the actual aircraft type.Since we collect models mostly to show and tell, we have decided to draw the line at aircraft specificity that denotes things you can typically visually see on the models. We also took into consideration commonly known names. This means some specificty, such as ER/LR variants, customer codes, and engine codes, are not included in this database. Examples of aircraft listed and not listed:
Airbus A320-100
Airbus A320-200
Airbus A320 w/ Sharklets
Airbus A320neo
Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800 w/ Winglets
Boeing 737 MAX 8
Airbus A320-214
Boeing 737-800ER
Boeing 737-832

Different Names

Aircraft development programs can change ownership and/or name. This database typically lists the aircraft type by the name most commonly used. Examples of aircraft listed and not listed:
Airbus A220
Douglas DC-10
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
BAe 146-300 / Avro RJ100
Bombardier CS-100
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Boeing MD-11

Tags

Tags are used to denote certain features of a model. A few examples:
Interactive
Model has exchangeable parts, such as passenger/cargo doors (does not include gears or wingtips)
Flaps Down
Model with flaps and/or slats down
Rotating Engine
Model with engine fan blades or propellers that rotate freely
Foldable Wingtips
Model with wingtips that fold
Removable Gear
Model with detachable gear (usually magnetic, and replacable with a closed configuration)
Fixed Gear
Model with permanent gear
Stand
Model with stand included

Remarks

Remarks are reserved for any information that doesn't fit into the other fields. It should not repeat any data that is already listed.