Airplane Model
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Very few things have captivated me so much as airplanes have. I was four years old when I attended my first air show in my birthplace, Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Air Force base where the show was being held was colocated with the city's airport, so I was also exposed to plenty of civilian airline activity in addition to the military aircraft displays. From that day on, I became acutely interested in aircraft. 

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After asking myself what was it about aircraft that captivated me so much, I have concluded that it must have been the fact that aircraft are highly stimulant machines. The smooth curved shapes that result from their aerodynamic designs are satisfying to the eyes. They have flashing and blinding lights too. Aircraft engines are delight to listen to. The crescendo of a turbine engine as it starts up is an unequivocal prelude to something exciting, and an aircraft engine at takeoff power commands that anyone within earshot turn their head and look in awe as it fades away on its way to some distant destination. The smell of jet fuel is strangely pleasant also; it is a bit sweet and always added a nice touch to a sunny morning or a breezy evening. I associate that smell with air travel; either we were at the airport to go some place far away, or to receive someone who was coming back home. Either way the smell of jet fuel almost always set the stage for a joyful experience. 

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Oh, and aircraft fly too. Many people take aviation for granted today, but isn't powered flight one of humanity's greatest achievements? I think so. 

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The opportunity to see the world from above, and the ability to reach almost any place on the planet in a day or two are just fascinating.

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All throughout my life I have engaged in hobbies and activities related to aviation. My favorite toys were miniature airplanes. My favorite video game was Microsoft Flight Simulator. The first novel I read was Airport by Arthur Hailey. I learned about photography by going to the airport to do planespotting. And of course, I collect airplane models.

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When it came time to choose a career field, the choice was easy, and has proven to have been a good choice. My passion for aviation has shaped my life, a life that I would not want to trade for anything. So I know firsthand how having a passion can be a gift, and if I can help others find and fulfill their passion I will have made a good contribution to the world.

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Out of all the aviation hobbies that I have participated in, collecting aircraft models is by far the best. There is just something special about holding in your palm a tiny but highly accurate replica of one of those flying machines that us aviation lovers are so passionate about. 

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It is a niche hobby, and the models tend to be costly. But I think that elusiveness and exclusivity surrounding die-cast airplane models adds appeal to the hobby. 

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As the aviation industry evolves, the hobby also evolves. New aircraft and airlines continue to appear, and there are always collectors eager to have them replicated in the form of die-cast models. At the same time, there are always aircraft fading from the rearview mirror into the realm of classic airliners, for which there is also a market among aviation enthusiasts. New collectors enter the hobby all the time too. I believe there is a bright future for the wonderful hobby of aircraft model collecting and I want to be part of it, sharing the passion for aviation through aircraft models and dioramas.  

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Jorge A. Zajia

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