TAMIZI Tamby longed to have his own collection of model aeroplanes ever since he was in primary school but could not afford it with his schoolboy pocket money back then.
MY PASSION: Tamizi holds two model planes in his palm in front of his showcase.
It was not until 2006 that the 25-year-old was able to buy his first model — at that time, he was working with Malaysian Airlines (MAS) and on his first industrial training.
Tamizi, now a tourism management undergraduate in an open university, said his love of airlines and aircraft was kindled when he was still very young.
“I remember one of my classmates showing me a model of a Singapore Airline jetliner and I fell in love with it immediately. I was determined to have my own collection one day, so I started saving,” he recalled.
During his practical attachment with MAS, he was fascinated by the various model airliners on display at the town office.
One day, the manager asked him to fix a model plane and the staff were amazed at how good he was.
“That was the first time I had put a model airliner together and I guess I did a good job,” he beamed.
According to him, assembling a model aeroplane is no child’s play because great care is needed to ensure all the parts, especially those of the engines, are properly fixed.
It’s an exercise in dexterity. Steady hands are needed. All the parts, especially the tiny delicate ones, must be handled with care. Then there is the painting and the attachment of decals to round up the job.
“It’s an adult past-time – a bit too delicate for young kids,”he said, adding that there are female collectors as well but not many.
Noting the great interest he takes in his hobby, some of the MAS staff invited him to be a member of Malaysian Wings, an online aviation enthusiasts community.
He accepted and soon became one of the active members. Today, he is a platinum member of the community.
Tamizi said the community comprised people from different backgrounds and professions who were united by a common passion.
“The members gave me a warm welcome and complimented me on my new-found hobby but warned it’s very addictive.”
After six years, he now has about 20 models in his display cupboard but said he tries not to overspend on his hobby.
He bases his choice of models on rarity, origin and the story behind the aircraft. And before buying, he looks for quality, price and production volume.
He also checks his display cupboard everyday to make sure all the models inside are clean and correctly positioned.
“I dust them without fail,” he said.
He also researches constantly to update himself on the aviation industry.
“One of the interesting stories I read was about an AirFrance jetliner crashing into the Atlantic Ocean in late 2009. It was found two years later using a submarine,” he said.
At first, his parents objected to his hobby but relented after a while on condition that he is prudent in his spending on model aircraft.
On why he loves aeroplanes, he said they were mankind’s greatest achievements.
Tamizi has always wanted a career in the airline industry.
“I’m now waiting to further my industrial training as part of my degree programme. I hope I could do it at the airport so that I would get the chance to see more aircraft,” he said.