In this segment of our Airport Spotlight Series we venture to Poly 500 Intl. Airport, a fictional 1:500 scale airport that has been well designed with plenty of neat features.
Name:
Alessio Sottile
Location:
Forlì, Italy.
Airport Scale:
1:500
DF=The Diecast Flier
AS=Alessio Sottile
DF: How did you decide on a name for your airport?
AS: Poly is the name of my little parrot and I dedicated my airport to him. Poly 500 Intl. was born.
DF: Closest Airport to your hometown?
AS: Forlì Ridolfi Airport (LIPK). The airport is now closed to commercial aviation.
DF: What led to your interest in aviation?
AS: I developed an interest in aviation in 2003 after my first plane ride aboard a Jet-x McDonnell Douglas MD-80 to Paris.
DF: What do you find most fascinating about aviation?
AS: The ability that aviation has when it comes to inspiring people across the world!
DF: What is your favorite airport?
AS: Zurich (ZRH), due to its diverse traffic, weather and viewing areas.
DF: What inspired you to design your airport?
AS: I read an article about a model of Scalise International Airport in “Volare” an aviation magazine. The model is one of the larger model airport dioramas in existence.
DF: What is the largest aircraft serving your airport? Smallest aircraft?
AS: The largest aircraft serving Poly 500 Intl. is the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, while the smallest is a Cessna 172.
DF: Favorite aircraft that is part of your diorama collection?
AS: A classic, Alitalia Boeing 747 (Registration I-DEMF) featuring the “Baci Perugina” livery.
DF: How many aircraft are based at your airport?
AS: I have approximately 300 planes. However, my airport layout can only handle 39 aircraft at once and has accommodations for the following types of aircraft: 4 long-range, 13 medium-short range, 11 regional, 5 cargo, and 6 in the hangar area.
DF: What type different types of products did you use in the development and creation of your airport?
AS: I used cardboard to design and build new stairs, barriers and tunnels. For the fences I utilized a tulle of wedding favors.
DF: What ground foil product do you use for your airport?
AS: Herpa Ground Foils for the apron, terminal, taxiways and runway.
DF: Are there any future expansion plans for your airport diorama layout?
AS: A new terminal with seven stands will be added soon. In future I’d also like to build a replica of my hometown airport. I plan to do this using cardboard material because it’s cheap, light and easy to shape.
DF: Do you have a website where other collectors can see your airport?
AS: You can find me on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/poly_500_intl.airport/
Want to be part of our Airport Spotlight Series? Send us a photo of your airport diorama along with a brief description of layout to [email protected]!
