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The world's largest collection of miniature planes has been on permanent display in the most appropriate home – the very airport where the obsession began for a collector to buy more than 1,500 models more specialized.
Farranshone, Michael Limerick Kelly (67) has exhibited his incredible collection of planes to Shannon for more than six decades after starting to be interested in planes when he was little.
The collection, which the retired plumber / plumber began to bademble -teens and spent € 25,000 each year at its peak, has surpbaded his former farmhouse just 400m from the Shannon River, but found a new one at Shannon Airport. It will be officially inaugurated in the fall, but it is already exposed and attracts the attention of pbadengers who marvel at the immensity and uniqueness of the exhibition permed.
The collection, which sits in exhibition spaces in a dedicated gallery off the departures lounge, all popular planes flew as well as much lesser known, up to modern versions.
All aircraft are at 1: 200 and some of the best known are a range of Concordes that have the perfect takeoff capability at Shannon; the Sunderland aircraft owned by Al Capone since the 1930s; the world's largest aircraft to fly commercially, the Antonov, which also pbaded through Shannon; the largest airplane ever to fly, the Spruce Goose of the Hughes Aircraft Company owned by the Aviator, Howard Hughes; the first Ryanair Boeing 737 aircraft; the complete Aer Lingus collection since its beginnings and many, many more.
For aviation enthusiasts, there is also Michael's favorite, the VC 10, an airplane that captivated the imagination when it came out in the 1960s; Russian Ilyushin 62, who concentrated in Shannon, and Yaks; the Hercules, Lockheed Electra and TriStar; In explaining the long journey that led to the collection, Michael recalled, "It started when I was a little boy. My dad, God rests it, the habit of getting me to Shannon Airport. When I saw a plane, I fell in love with them. Anything between the planes and me, it was magical.
"I would always talk about planes, I never stopped babbling at home about them, I would be at home playing with my ball and I might have the chance to hear a Viscount in the sky and, of course, it would crack my mind, and I do everything, I would almost try to remove the clouds to see them. "
L & V The boy's early infatuation with aviation has never diminished and, having no model airplane shop available in Ireland, he made his first trip to the United Kingdom. United. when he was 16 years old.
"Daddy gave me the money to go to this charming man in Wales.It was the beginning of my real trip.He (model aircraft dealer) had so many beautiful planes and I was amazed.He told me: 'You are a very brave little boy who will come here, I will send the planes to Ireland and your father will pay me when he has "It was the beginning."
However, that's when Michael was put in touch with a worldwide dealer of exclusive models based in a hotel at the airport from Heathrow that his pursuit really took off. "I'm told, if you come in with this guy, he'll get you anything." So, I headed for this man, Nigel Milton Tompkins, with 10,000 Irish pounds at the time in my pocket in 1984. It was huge money that I had saved, crazy money.But I worked hard and I was making money. [19659002"Itook17planesthatdayThat'showIbrokethemoldIwastakenunderthewingcompletelyinafewvisitsIwasthenabletohitHeathrowatleastonceeverysixweekseachtimeIhadthisairport(Shannon)iswornoutDuringtheperiodwhenIlookatmyaccountsIwouldhavespentabout25000€ayearover20yearsIspentaluxuryhomeonitIliveinanoldrestoredfarmhouseinLimerickCityandwebuiltaroomthenfromthehouse65ftlongtoputallmymodelsonadisplay"
More and more people heard about what he had badembled In the end, the reality realized that it was a collection too important not to be A quick meeting with Niall Maloney, director of operations at Shannon Airport, and an agreement were reached to relocate him to an area of the designated gallery, just off the Departures Lounge.
Said Niall: a house in Limerick and, of course, about Michael and was advised to go see him.When you entered through the front door, there were still planes, there was planes on my right, there were planes in front of me.They were everywhere.It was the paradise of an aviation enthusiast.
"During a number of From engagements with Michael, we discussed what could be done.It is a wonderful collection and deserves to be seen by all. We were only happy that we could bring her here to Shannon with her goodwill. "
Shannon's director of operations said that Michael's pbadion for his plane is contagious." Once you meet Michael's enthusiasm, his knowledge of all these planes is instantly apparent. He knows all types of planes, has all the history behind these planes, where they flew, which they flew. This is the largest collection of die casting models in the world. We are delighted, with the kindness of Michael, that it is here in Shannon. "
The gallery is," he explains, the latest manifestation of Shannon's extra effort to make the customer more welcoming. "Shannon is more than an airport and one thing we are Pretty strong in Shannon is what you do with your time when you are here with us. We work all the time to become as stress free as possible. We are the first European airport to have a sensory room in place, we have a collection of unique historical photos of the famous people who have crossed this airport. We want Shannon to be a place where people can spend time effortlessly. "
Looking back on his trip, Michael said," I do not regret it a bit. It was a very hard trip that I absolutely loved. No regrets. I'm glad they're in Shannon now. It's a job well done for me now. I now feel personally that it's a great achievement. "
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