[slammin]

1. How were you introduced to diecast models?
I had seen a few example in the local hobby shop, mostly dragon. I wasn't all that impressed for the prices they wanted. Then I saw a FOV F-14. The F-14 is a favorite of mine. It was the first plastic model that I ever built. The hobby shop had the FOV F-14 marked at $27 dollars. I could see that this was model was a better value than the dragons from all the extras included. I walked home with my first diecast that day.

2. Did the collecting bug take right away?
Pretty much. After my first purchase and some online research, I had a few more models on the way.

3. What elements of this hobby, or hobbies in general, make you want to be collector versus being the owner of say two examples.I know this is a tough question, but that's why I pose it.
I've always liked the historical significance of the models. I also like being able to compare aircraft to one another to speculate about design differences. I don't buy models to collect them for any long term investment or because they may be numbered. I buy them becasue the subject matter interests me.

4. Submit up to three model suggestions. Explain your choices.
The two big issues for me were 1) a favorite example, and 2) a good value. Before I got into diecast collecting, I couldn't understand how these little airplanes could cost so much. Seeing one of my favorite airplanes that was also a good value pushed me over the edge. I like f-14s and SBDs. It wasn't until I saw the FOV F-14 and later the HM SBD that I really got into this hobby. I had seen dragon F-14s, but they didn't have the value IMHO. I own several now, but if I had seen a CW F-14 back then, I would have thought $60 was crazy expensive for a model. They key was the right value at the time.
With that being said, I would suggest finding out what airplanes the person likes, then suggest a middle of the road example for them. Right now some of the corgi prices are pretty hard to swallow from a value standpoint, but the Hobby Masters are good candidates, if they make a subject that will capture the person's interest.