Aviation Gifts Blog

Sporty’s and Gemini Jets are excited to announce the launch of our Piper Cherokee Die-Cast
Model Contest! This is your chance to see your beloved Piper Cherokee transformed into a
stunning, intricately detailed die-cast model at a 1:72 scale. Whether you own a Piper Cherokee
140, 150, 160, or 180, we invite you to participate in this thrilling competition.

Welcome to our blogpost on the basics of Die-Cast creation, highlighting the major steps and design
processes that occur before a model arrives at your doorstep.

Ahead of the upcoming “Masters of the Air" miniseries, we wanted to
cover a few of the aircraft featured in the trailer. The focus of the show is on the 8th Air Force
and 100th Bomb Group of the late 1940s, with their stallions of choice being the P-51 Mustang
and the B-17 Flying Fortress respectively.

Off the shelf for our blog today is a J3 Cub Die-Cast model, modeled after Joe
Costanza’s JF-65 from 1941. Normally stationed at New Jersey’s Flying W
Airport, the aircraft has an upgraded Continental A-65-8 engine and a wooden
propeller instead of the Franklin engine it first came with. Lightweight, nimble,
and popular, this aircraft is of 20,000 built in just the 10 year span of 1938 and
1947. 

The F-22 Raptor is more than just an aircraft. It's a testament to human achievement,
engineering prowess, and the never-ending pursuit of aerial dominance. And when it comes to
showcasing the unparalleled capabilities of this fifth-generation fighter, few do it better than
the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team.

August 19th marks a day that every aviation enthusiast, history buff, and dreamer has circled on their calendars: National Aviation Day. A day to honor the
pioneers of aviation, the advancements in the field, and the sheer magic of flight, it's a celebration that speaks to the heart of human achievement. 

Join us while we sit down with former F-16, commercial, and current Sporty’s Citation Pilot Don Wykoff! Don has flown a long list of aircraft including the F-16, Boeing B-757, L1011 and MD-88 to name a few. Don has over 4,000 military hours and 17,000 civilian hours in the cockpit. Don will be answering questions about his aviation career, about his favorite aircraft that he has flown along with some interesting while in the left seat.

As expected, the FAA has grounded all flights by any airworthy Boeing B-17 due to an issue with the
iconic airplane’s wing spars. While the chances of you seeing any B-17s gracing the skies during a
summer airshow is slim to none let us take a moment to honor this legendary bird!

May is a significant month for aviation, with several groundbreaking events occurring throughout
history. From pioneering flights to technological advancements, May has witnessed many important
moments in aviation history. Let's take a closer look at some of the most notable dates in May's aviation
history.