For our June 2020 “Ground Stop” issue, one of our interviews was with Donald Gardner, a 757/767 Pilot for United who has also started his own model aircraft shop based in downtown St. Paul, MN, DGPilot.com.
REFLECTIONS: How did you get into aviation, and what led you to becoming a pilot?
Don: I’ve had an interest in aviation since I was a kid. One of my earliest memories was a flight to Disney World and I had a chance to visit the flight deck. I was immediately mesmerized by all of the buttons and switches and from that day I was hooked. One of the things that has always and continues to amaze me in regards to flying is how quickly an airplane can take you somewhere so quickly. We traveled to California frequently when I was growing up and I was fascinated how I could wakeup at home in the morning, go to the airport and fly for three hours and a half and be on the beach in Santa Monica by early afternoon. I started taking flying lessons at 15 and started to pursue my career in aviation.
REF: And how did you come to opening a shop for diecast models?
Don: I like to say with a grin, that opening a model store is my Dad’s fault. I honestly never dreamed that I would own a model store. I had not collected any model airplanes since I was a teenager. In 2015, I returned home to Kansas City where I grew up and while visiting my Dad’s house he mentioned he had started a hobby of collecting model airplanes. I must have spent hours going through his collection of diecast model aircraft and was amazed at the attention to detail involved in each and every model. Over the next few weeks, my Dad sent me pictures of model airplanes almost daily, and sent me a Boeing 757 model. We had a couple of phone conversations and in 2015 decided to test our luck in selling models on eBay. In 2016, we launched web store, but both of us took a leisurely approach to running the business over the next couple of years. In June 2018, I decided to give it a shot after I visited a friend’s model shop in Europe. I felt that the Twin Cities was lacking a hobby shop for aviation enthusiasts to visit and the idea of our retail showroom was born. We held our grand opening in July 2018.
REF: How much do you stock yourself vs. how much do you leverage distributors?
Don: We try to stock a variety of different models, and try to stock the popular domestic airlines as well as international carriers. I also like to stock models of air carriers that fly into Minneapolis. We also like to rotate the carriers we stock from month to month so we can showcase the variety of available models on the market to our customers. If we don’t have a particular item in stock we can always try to order if for you.
REF: As you’ve been selling, what themes or features do you see your customers particularly interested in?
Don: When there is a model release featuring a retro, or special airline livery they usually sell pretty well. There’s been a fascination with Icelandair and its special liveries including the Hekla Aurora and Vatnajökull, The models are also becoming more interactive in terms of features as well. In 2018, GeminiJets released a Boeing 747 Freighter to replicate the Boeing Dreamlifter. That was a very popular model as the tail of the model actually has the ability to open.
REF: There have been a generous number of Northwest-family models coming out recently. (because it seems like it’s always Lufthansa this and Qantas that…) What are some of your favorites?
Don: Lately, I’ve become a fan of classic airliners. I really like the 1:200 scale Inflight200 Northwest Cargo Boeing 747-200 models as well as the recently released 1:200 scale Northwest Convair 580! You also can’t forget the Inflight200 DC-10 in the Bowling Shoe livery.
REF: How have you been seeing collectors display their pieces & what kinds of interaction are you hearing about in the community?
Don: I think collectors are becoming more creative when it comes to developing display pieces. I recently had a fellow friend of mine Cyrus Cambata build 1:400 scale replica of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport circa 1990. (editor’s note: this giant model is the subject of another story in this month’s REFLECTIONS) The detail is immaculate, from the hangars, to the parking garages and gates. The runways are lighted as well. I’ve also seen several airport dioramas built that reflect airports across the world in including London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol.
REF: Is there much professional/social interaction among the resellers?
Don: In the last couple of years we’ve started selling at several model shows, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet a few other retailers. I really enjoy the shows and think they are place for enthusiasts and those who have a real love of aviation to come together to celebrate this passion. I keep in touch with several of them as its nice to talk every once in awhile to discuss the trends of the model industry.
REF: How would you like to see the diecast model business evolve? (such as involving more custom 3-D printing, more selection of accessories, etc, as well as the social aspects)
Don: I think the next evolution for the diecast model business will be towards accessories. I’d like to see more airport terminals, and buildings one would see at or near an airport, such as hotels, rental car facilities and transportation centers. 3-D printing certainly has the potential to take this accessory side of the business to a whole new level.
Don is extending a 10% discount for REFLECTIONS readers: use code NW10 at checkout.
