Photos: Irishman donates world’s largest model aircraft collection

After more than half a century building what he believes is the world's largest private collection of model aircraft, Irishman Michael Kelly has donated his 2,300 piece strong collection of diecast model airplanes, including some of specimens of some of the rarest aircrafts in aviation history to Shannon Airport, where his lifelong passion for aviation began. What started off as a childhood passion of gazing at planes taking off and landing at his nearest airport, now comes full circle with Kelly’s donation to the same airport.

Updated on: Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM IST

News

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

The world’s largest collection of diecast model aircraft is unveiled at Shannon airport in Shannon, Ireland. When Irishman Michael Kelly was a boy, he loved nothing more than gazing at planes taking off and landing at his nearest airport. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

2/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

Now 67, after more than half a century building what he believes is the world’s largest private collection of model aircraft, Kelly has donated the lot to Shannon Airport, where his lifelong passion for aviation began. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

3/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

“I always used to love the noise of the aircraft going over my house in Limerick city and I was very curious,” Kelly said after cutting the ribbon on the airport’s new aviation gallery which now houses his collection in rows of display cases. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

4/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

A man looks at part of the world's largest collection of diecast model aircraft. “When I made my first holy communion I asked my mum and dad to take me to Shannon airport. So I got to see the beautiful aircraft and from that day on I was hooked.” (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

5/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

A Shannon airport guestbook is displayed alongside the world's largest collection of diecast model aircraft. While he would have loved the opportunity to have become a pilot, sourcing rare model aircraft still took the Limerick man around the world. None of his 2,300 planes were produced in Ireland. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

6/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

The collector’s favourite? A US Air Force Boeing KC Tanker made by Skyline and seen here, one of only 10 made around the world. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

7/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

Model pilots are seen in a model plane. A friend said Kelly has spent 10,000 euros ($12,000) a year amassing the record haul. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

8/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

A model of a NASA space shuttle hangs among the world's largest collection of diecast model aircraft. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

9/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

Living alone in his renovated farmhouse, Kelly said there were exhibitors on the other side of the world “that would do anything” to have the collection. Instead, he donated it closer to home. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

10/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

A model of a British Airways plane (R-bottom) hangs among the world's largest collection of diecast model aircraft owned by Michael Kelly, at Shannon airport in Shannon, Ireland. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)

11/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Sep 27, 2018 9:32 AM

Michael Kelly holds a Lockheed Martin Tristar 500, an Aer Lingus model aircraft that is part of his collection. “I think it’s testament to the work he’s done over the last 60 years and we are delighted that he has entrusted us to look after it for the next 100-years plus,” said Niall Maloney, operations director at Shannon Airport. (Clodagh Kilcoyne / REUTERS)