For years now, in addition to selling collection objects, Le Comptoir de l’Aviation has developed a side activity of model restoration, essentially large-scale models (1:50 and greater). It is quite a time-consuming activity that required setting up specific opening hours for the shop.

Restoration is another aspect of the passion for aviation objects. Being able to resuscitate models from scattered pieces can sometimes be gratifying. In this case it was a major restoration undertaking, almost a reconstruction. Except for the fuselage of this Boeing B-737-500 model in relatively good condition, but that presented a damaged empennage, there was only raw wooded wings with no accessories and no engines (the latter came from another model) to work with. There was hardly any cabin layout and it had to be rebuilt using parts from another model of the same scale, what seemed to be an Air France A310 that had the same colour codes needed for this project.

Reviving this old agency Boeing B 737-500 model on a 1:25 scale (wingspan 140 cm / 55", length 158 cm / 62")was made possible by combining and putting together these various parts and by creating some others. The overall decor was painted as usual, except for the finest details (doors and engine nacelles) that were made out of decals. For the finishing stage, it is customary to never varnish the models so as to prevent a shiny result that was uncommon at the time.

The F-GHOL livery in its 1990 version was chosen for the decoration as it was the first 737-500 to fly with the Air France livery. Unfortunately for the connoisseurs and collectors of this kind of item, the model was sold before it was put on line. However, I wanted to share with you some images of this phoenix.