Herpa Wings vs. Gemini Jets Models | A Detailed Comparison

Collecting as a hobby is both a way of life and an act of self-expression that convey through an enthusiast like us who collect model aircraft. Two famous companies producing aircraft models are Herpa Wings and GeminiJets. Thus, this article would talk about their differences. But here is the main point of the article.

GeminiJets are better than Herpa wings in producing 1:400 scale diecast models of civilian and military aircraft that are highly detailed. Herpa Wings on the other hand is a well-known and well-respected miniature model company located in North America. In general, Herpa Wings is more readily accessible than GeminiJets.

Of course, the statement above is very summarized and this article would talk more about the topic in detail. Collecting is an act that might begin slowly, and with a deep desire for aviation and modeling, those models can mount up over time because these plane models are beautiful to look at and can make our hearts race.

People continue to acquire available models because it is a cool hobby. Today, Herpa and Gemini manufacture nearly perfect replicas of planes, even if there are always some things to improve. This is post is going to be fun, enjoy it.

Herpa WingsGeminiJets
Traditional and Resin DiecastTraditional Diecast
More AccessibleLess Accessible
Better at 1:500 Scale Better at 1:400 Scale
Made in GermanyMade in China
German CompanyAmerican Company
Table Summary of Difference between Herpa and GeminiJets

I have made a complete analysis of all aircraft model companies in another article. Here is the article if you’re interested: Who Makes The Best Aircraft Models?

Herpa Wings

Herpa produces a line of 1/200 scale Herpa Wings models. The larger Herpa models are made or built with high-quality resin, while the smaller ones are made from traditional diecast.

If you are interested in knowing Resin Models and how good it is compared to traditional diecasting, I have made separate article for that. Here is the link: What is Resin Diecast

The miniatures are extremely accurate and look fantastic when displayed with the included stand.

Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, or Herpa, is a German company that makes die-cast model planes under the Herpa Wings brand and plastic car models under the Herpa Cars & Trucks brand. The 1/500 size is the most popular in the Herpa Wings line, but models are also available in 1/400, 1/200, and 1/1000 scales.

Herpa also produces Cars & Trucks models which are primarily created in the 1/87 scale, but they also come in 1/120 and 1/160 scales.

The name Herpa means “Not powerful” and is Celtic in origin.

Are Herpa models good?

Herpa models are good when it comes to quality. They are usually made from diecast materials which makes them study. Furthermore, they are usually made with attention to detail and you would see their models realistic. Many enthusiasts are happy with Herpa Models

Herpa models currently offer a significant leap in quality, particularly in the landing gear execution with their models.

Plus, their models blend nicely with other diecast plane collections.

Furthermore, even 1:500 scale aircraft are still made with great attention to detail which is quite hard for models made from diecast.

Another is that they make plane models on the planes that achieved some accomplishments.

One of which is the De Havilland Comet 4-series plane which was the world’s first commercial jet airliner.

That’s why a lot of collectors love collecting Herpa Models.

Another question that might pop into your mind is if Herpa Models are diecast and where are their planes made.

Herpa Wings are die-cast model airplanes produced by the German company Herpa.

They are made in Germany. Specifically, they are in Dietenhofen, Germany as their Private Headquarters.

On only the 1:200 scale, the collection contains 250 airlines from 17 different aircraft manufacturers.

The 1/500 size is the most popular in the Herpa Wings line, but models are also available in 1/400, 1/200, and 1/1000 scales.

Herpa Cars & Trucks are primarily created on the 1/87 scale, but they also come in 1/120 and 1/160 scales.

Herpa 1:200 Wings

Diecast models of civilian and military aircraft are available in the Herpa “Wings” collection.

Diecast planes from Herpa “Wings” tend to involve:

  • A body of made of diecast metal with some plastic components.
  • Panel lines, antennae, access panels, and surface details are all realistic.
  • Markings and placards are printed on a pad that won’t fade or peel like decals.
  • Landing gear that is permanently extended and has non-rotating wheels.
  • The underside is meticulously crafted, with hidden screwheads.

Herpa 1:72 Wings

Herpa’s 1:72 scale MiG-29 is almost fully made of diecast metal, with even the tiniest details given painstaking attention.

Many moving features are included in this model, including a hinged canopy, deployable speed brakes, and adjustable rudders with accurately copied actuator mechanisms.

With rivets within the gear doors, independently applied translucent landing lights, structural detail inside the wheel wells, and a detailed splash fender, the landing gear is highly detailed.

The louvers on the auxiliary air inlet mix in well with the top fuselage. This model is offered as a single-seat A variant or a two-seat B variant, both of which are fully armed with a 30mm cannon and three distinct missile types.

In 1:72 size, the Herpa “1:72 Wings” collection offers detailed, ready-to-assemble diecast models of military aircraft.

Diecast planes from Herpa’s “1:72 Wings” series encompass:

  • The body is made of diecast metal with some plastic components.
  • Panel lines, antennae, access panels, and surface details are all realistic.
  • Markings and placards are printed on a pad that won’t fade or peel like decals.
  • Landing gear having revolving wheels that can be extended or retracted.
  • Loads of authentic removable ordnance with placards.
  • Canopies, control surfaces, and swing wings are examples of moving parts.
  • Pilot and crew member figures are detailed and hand-painted.

Herpa 1:400 Wings

The Herpa “1:400 Wings” in 1:400 scale collection offers detailed, ready-to-assemble diecast models of commercial and military aircraft.

Diecast planes from Herpa’s “1:400 Wings” series include:

  • Panel lines, antennae, access panels, and surface details are all realistic.
  • Markings and placards are printed on a pad that won’t fade or peel like decals.
  • The body is made of diecast metal with some plastic components.

GeminiJets Models

In December of 1998, Elliott Epstein founded GeminiJets, a diecast model airplane manufacturer based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

GeminiJets is a manufacturer of scale diecast metal airliner models that depict both past and present airlines around the world.

All of their models are limited editions and highly desirable. It is their policy not to reintroduce models that have previously sold out, as it is with any limited edition collectibles.

GeminiJets has gone to great pains to produce a diecast metal airliner that accurately replicates your favorite aircraft. They ensure precise duplication by using blueprints from aircraft manufacturers and Pantone color charts.

Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 747-400 is Gemini’s first model.

The product line is called GeminiJets, but the originating firm is ADI (Airliners Distributing Inc.), which holds production rights from airlines and aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell Douglas, and Embraer.

ADI owns the GeminiJets trademark and manufactures and sells aircraft on a variety of scales.

Are GeminiJets models good?

Gemini is a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a decent, quality model that closely matches the genuine aircraft. They are really good at producing highly detailed 1:400 scale diecast aircraft models of both civilian and military aircraft.

Many questions if GeminiJets are of good quality. Actually, GeminiJets is a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a decent, quality model that closely matches the genuine aircraft.

GeminiJet models are usually made by a traditional zinc diecasting technique focusing on attention to detail which lets you have a good model for a cheaper price than usual.

The reason being they are made of diecast which makes them sturdy, plus it has great attention to detail even on smaller models on the 1:400 scale.

One cool thing is that their diecast metal structures include wings and tail surfaces. This means that even small parts are made with diecast.

This feature is one of the most prominent features of GeminiJet’s “Gemini Jets” diecast airplanes.

Where are Gemini Jets Made and manufactured by who?

GeminiJets Models are manufactured by Airliners Distributing Inc., which is based in Las Vegas. However, most of their products are made in China. They make a fresh batch of GeminiJets precision, die-cast airplane models are released every five weeks on average around the world.

Airliners Distributing Inc. is a company that distributes airline tickets.

Despite the fact that GeminiJets and its parent business, Airliners Distributing Inc., are based in Las Vegas, their products are made in China.

The GeminiJets “Gemini Jets” collection has 1:400 scale diecast models of civilian and military aircraft that are highly detailed. Gemini is the gold standard by which all other 1:400 scale airplanes are measured.

Diecast airplanes from GeminiJets offer the following features:

  • The wings and tail surfaces are all made of diecast metal.
  • Panel lines, antennae, access panels, and surface details are all realistically rendered.
  • Markings and signs that are pad printed rather than decals and will not fade or peel.
  • Landing gear that is permanently extended.
  • The airplane can be displayed “in-flight” on an optional presentation stand (sold separately).

How many different models does Gemini Jets produce?

GeminiJets has produced close to 3,000 distinct model airplanes throughout the course of its existence, with production quantities ranging from 400 to 2,000 pieces per release. Emirates, Delta, Southwest, United, American, and Alaska Airlines are among the brand’s most popular commercial airplane miniatures.

Only the things I love”

thediecastmodel.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on the site, I earn an affiliate commission.

So, here are the things I love when taking care of my Diecast Models.

Cleaning the Models

The first we are going to talk about is cleaning the models.

Removing Dust

  1. Air Brush – For me, this is the best since it not just removes dust but you can use it in painting/clear coating.
  2. Air Duster – This is a good alternative to Airbrush
  3. Normal Brush – If you are short on budget, you can use a normal brush. However, make sure that the brush has soft bristles because there are some hard brushes than can cause scratches. That’s why I recommended a good brush that can do the job properly.

Cleaning and Shining Hacks

Well, here are some of my cleaning hacks for removing scratches, oxidation, and so much more.

  1. Removing Decal Adhesive – Use Goo Gone on those hard-to-remove decal adhesives. It works fast and works like charm!
  2. Waxing and Polishing – Here is something a lot of people don’t know. Waxing protects the clear coat and paint while polishing shines the model. Instead of buying it separately, use a 2 in 1 to save money. Get this instead.
  3. Beginner Wax – The wax I recommended earlier is good and provides the best results based on my experience. But a beginner might have a problem especially if they’re not good at applying wax. Solid wax reaching hard to reach surface can be hard to remove. You have two choices here. One is to use a qtips to reach those surfaces, another is to use a liquid wax I recommended.
  4. Cleaning Wheels, Rubber, Plastic – Do not forget that rubber and plastic surface are quite different, especially in the cleaning process. Just wiping it down won’t do the job. That’s why I use Meguiar’s Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner and Conditioner. Works like charm!
  5. Make the Wheels Shine! – Making our models look good won’t be complete without tiny details such as shiny wheels! Do not forget this because however small this is, the difference can be as big as night and day.
  6. Remove Scratches Easily – Tiny scratches are not the end for your model. Here is a simple trick I’ve been using to make my models look scratch-free even without repainting. Use T-Cut.

Painting the Models

Painting Tools

Make sure when you paint models, have these ready.

  1. Tape – A tape is important if you are painting a straight line. Furthermore, it will prevent your paint to scatter on other parts. I recommend Tamiya Tape since it is really made for models. Furthermore, they stick really well preventing paint splatters.
  2. Brush (Beginner) – Find a good set of brushes to paint your models. Of course, you can opt for an airbrush but it’s quite expensive.
  3. Airbrush (Intermediate/Expert) – This will yield a significantly better result than an ordinary brush because you can easily spray the paint evenly. I recommend this if you know what you’re doing.
  4. Stand(Optional) – Stands are good because it can be hard to manually hold the models while painting. It is optional but in my opinion, the price is well worth it for the comfort it gives.
  5. Drop Cloths – Drop Cloths will protect your surroundings from the paint.
  6. Primer – The most common beginner mistake I see is painting models without any Primer. A primer will prevent imperfections such as bubbles or paint not sticking to your models. It is a small price to pay for quality results.
  7. Clear Coat – A clear coat will protect the paint of your models. This will make the paint last longer. Also, it is the one responsible for making your models shine.

Paints

Of course, you can’t do painting properly without paint. So here are the ones I recommend.

  1. Acrylic PaintGood for beginners because it dries quickly. However, it doesn’t produce results as good as enamel paint.
  2. Enamel PaintProvides a good quality finish and longer-lasting paint. However, it takes longer to dry and requires expertise to use.

Model Maintenance

Model Storage

  1. Simple Wood Cabinet – While it doesn’t let you display your models, wooden cabinets are good storage for these models. For one, they are not heat conductors which means that the temperature inside will remain constant and remain cool. Furthermore, they prevent light from reaching the models which can cause oxidation.
  2. Clear Cabinet with Lock – If you want to display your models, then I recommend this. It closes so dust won’t easily get to your models. I also recommend you don’t put more than 1 model in each compartment since metals are good conductors of heat.

Model Photography

So you want to show off your models to others? Well, I got you covered.

Here is my beginner-friendly model photography tutorial that teaches everything from taking pictures to the editing process.

You will also see me doing hands-on photography in that tutorial.

Here is the link: How to Take Pictures of a Diecast Model or Model Kit | Helpful Illustrated and Video Guide

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