The 1/500 LTU Sud Aviation Caravelle model is a diecast metal replica of the classic French jetliner, featuring the livery of the German charter airline LTU (Lufttransport-Unternehmen).
Here's a detailed description:
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Manufacturer: The model is produced by Herpa Wings, a renowned German manufacturer specializing in highly detailed diecast aircraft models in 1/500 scale.
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Scale: 1/500 means the model is one five-hundredth the size of the actual aircraft, making it a relatively compact and collectible size suitable for display.
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Aircraft Type: It represents the Sud Aviation Caravelle, a pioneering short-to-medium-range jet airliner of French origin, famous for being one of the first jet aircraft with rear-mounted engines and a distinctive T-tail. The Caravelle first flew in 1955.
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Airline Livery: The model displays the specific livery of LTU (Lufttransport-Unternehmen), a German leisure airline that operated Caravelles starting in the mid-1960s. This includes LTU's specific colors, logos, and the aircraft's registration number (e.g., D-ABAF "Northrine-Westphalia").
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Material: Typically made from diecast metal (primarily zinc alloy) for the fuselage, providing a solid, weighty feel, with smaller components like wings, engines, and landing gear made from high-quality plastic.
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Detailing: Herpa models are known for their precision. The LTU Caravelle model would feature:
- Accurate fuselage and wing shape.
- Detailed rear-mounted engine nacelles.
- Clear and precise printing of the LTU livery, including titles, tail logo, and aircraft registration.
- Fixed landing gear.
- Subtle window and door printing consistent with the original aircraft.
- Historical Significance: This model often commemorates the Caravelle's 70th anniversary (as the aircraft's maiden flight was in 1955) and LTU's role in the early jet age for German vacation travel. LTU acquired its first Caravelles in 1965.
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Collectibility: These models are highly sought after by aviation enthusiasts and collectors due to their historical accuracy, attention to detail, and the collectibility of the 1/500 scale.