I recently received my pre-order NG Ultimate for Alaska 787, opened the box, and could help but be disappointed by the gradient in the Aurora on the tail. The Air Canada in the photos is a Phoenix A340 from the early 2000s.

I started collecting in the early 2000s, with an over 2 decade break between then and resuming my collection in the past year, but I can’t help but feel that the paint quality should have improved in more than it has over those two decades. I feel like the AC is more true to the real thing than the Alaska.

Am I the only one? Is my suspicion correct that we will likely never have great gradients on models?

Hey everyone! I've been collecting model planes (mostly 1:200 and 1:72) for quite a while now, but I'm pretty new to the online community.

So far I've mostly bought my models in person so I can check their condition, either from model shops or at flea markets and aviation fairs like the AACF in Amsterdam.

I was wondering how you guys usually find models you're looking for? Do you mostly buy them online or prefer going to physical stores and fairs too?

Would love to hear how everyone else goes about collecting and finding new models!