A VISIT TO WING CLUB DESKTOP MODEL SHOP – Minato-Ku, Tokyo, JAPAN

Henry Tenby — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 00:36:48 +0000

ウィングクラブデスクトップモデルショップ東京

All serious collectors of professional aircraft display models that are visiting Tokyo, Japan, owe it themselves to invest their time and effort in a visit to the WING CLUB Desktop Model shop in Minato-Ku, Tokyo when next in Japan.

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Wing Club Desktop Model Shop owner Mr. Masayuki Yano with Henry Tenby.

The shop was opened back in 1990, when fellow collector Mr. Masayuki Kano launched his business of offering professionally designed and assembled aircraft display models to the Japanese collectors market. Mr. Kano is a highly skilled and well respected graphic designer by profession, and has been an avid model collector for most of his life. The demands of his job were such that he did not have enough spare time to build models himself, so he turned to professionally made display models to build out his collection.

The models in his shop were beautifully made, most featuring clear perspex cockpits and windows with custom wood and plastic parts that are unique custom builds exclusive to the shop. They are not assembled hobby kits, but are true collector’s items which are only available by visiting the shop, as it is not believed that the business is set up for international mail order. The vast majority of their customers are from the Japanese home market.

WING CLUB offers both civil commercial airline models and general aviation aircraft as well as military aircraft, both modern and older types from World War Two. Mr. Yano’s favourite aircraft is the P-51 Mustang which he has incorporated in the company’s logo. Visitors to the shop will also find a rotating selection of second hand older models being offered for sale, most of which are from Mr. Yano’s personal collection. During my visit there was a collection of Nemoto World War Two Japense fighters in what appeared to be 1/48 scale, as well as an amazing Air France Potez 62 made (measuring 20 X 20 inches) which Mr. Yano purchased directly from Nemoto’s workshop decades ago, for 300,000 Yen! The used models section included a few Bob Dros models which were priced at 175,000 Yen.

Labour is very costly in Japan, as is shop rent in central Tokyo, and of course these costs have to be reflected in the cost of the models. So these models really are special productions that will be the highlight of any collector’s collection, and are they are very special given their construction by hand in very limited numbers. For example, the Japan Airlines classic aircraft series featured only 20 examples being made of each model.

This is a lovely store, easily reached using the Tokyo Metro system, and it comes with a very strong endorsement from Henry Tenby. By sure to visit the shop’s website at:
http://wing-club.co.jp

Boulton Paul P.111 in 1/32 sale a custom model offered for sale at the Wing Club Shop in Tokyo, Japan.

A wonderful cross section of custom models offered for sale at the Wing Club Desktop Model shop in Tokyo.

Happy visitors to the Wing Club aircraft display model store in Tokyo, Japan.

Kawasaki C1 model made by Nemoto circa 1960s at the Wing Club Shop in Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese World War II zero type fighter in 1/48 scale made by Nemoto circa 1960s at the Wing Club store in Tokyo.

This amazing work of art is an Air France Potez 62 made by Nemoto which measures 20 X 20 inches and was purchased directly from Nemoto’s workshop decades ago by Mr. Yano, for 300,000 Yen. The model is currently offered for sale in the used model section, at the Wing Club Desktop Model shop in Tokyo for half that figure.

A Bob Dros made KLM DC-2 made of solid perspex is currently offered for sale in the used model section, at the Wing Club Desktop Model shop in Tokyo for 175,000 Yen.

A vintage British European Airways DH89 De Havilland Rapide in 1/32 scale offered for sale at the Wing Club Desktop Model shop in Tokyo, Japan.

A vintage Imperial Airways DH89 Rapide in 1/32 scale offered for sale at the Wing Club Desktop Model shop in Tokyo, Japan.

aircraft display model – Henry Tenby – Aviation Fan – Worldwide Operations

A VISIT TO WING CLUB DESKTOP MODEL SHOP – Minato-Ku, Tokyo, JAPAN