[Paladin18]

OK, this might be a long shot.

Can anyone point me to any good diecast shops in Amsterdam? I'm not sure if there are any Dutch members or folks familiar with Amsterdam on this forum who can give me the low down on th diecast scene there.

I'm going to Peru for work middle of next month and transiting in Amsterdam. Will be stuck in Amsterdam for 12 hours enroute from Peru back to Singapore.

Last I was in Benelux with Mrs Paladin for 12 days in summer 2003 I wasn't into diecast collecting yet. Did all the touristy things then - museums, sightseeing, souvenir hunting, day trips to quaint little towns, writing postcards, etc.

Paladin18

[Kubikali]

My main focus is planes and there are not many shops to be found in the Netherlands, but the two I know of are around Amsterdam!

AviationMegastore.com
Not in Amsterdam, but located in a tiny speck (Aalsmeerderbrug) under Schiphol Airport. I have been here and it is HUGE!
Only aviation oriented.

From their site:
You can reach the Luchtvaart Hobby Shop very easily by public transport.

From their site:
"Two buslines run by our shop.
- Busline 140 Utrecht - Haarlem
- Busline 198 Schiphol - Aalsmeer
- Exit at busstop "Aalsmeerderbrug"

Nearest trainstations are Schiphol and Hoofddorp.

Take the bus or taxi from there. Traveltime by taxi is about ten minutes. "

Model Plaza - een paradijs voor verzamelaars en bouwers
Shiphol is roughly SW from Amsterdan, Purmerend, where Modelplaza is located NE.
They have a very varied stock.

Modelplaza has public transport information on it's site too. Only in Dutch I am afraid. If you need a translation let me know!

[MoMo]

Check these sites :


IPMS Stockholm's European Hobby Shop Guide: Amsterdam

IPMS Stockholm's European Hobby Shop Guide: Aalsmeerderbrug (Amsterdam - Schiphol)

IPMS Stockholm's European Hobby Shop Guide: Rotterdam

Cheers,

MoMo

[Kubikali]

There's a direct 47 minute train connection from Schiphol to Rotterdam (Central Station). And with the shop in the city centre...
I might be visiting that shop sometime!

[Paladin18]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Kubikali.

Aviation Megastore sounds like a diecast supermarket! Very promising indeed. Just the kind of store I should visit as I have just started my diecast aircraft collection (I have been an armour collector until all the pics on the forum persuaded me otherwise). Their website does not seem to be working, but since they are located around Schiphol, I reckon I can easily swing by via taxi the moment I arrive. I plan to give the shop a call as well beforehand.

And since I have 12 hours in Amsterdam, no harm paying Model Plaza a visit. Nice collection they have there and shop looks impressive too. Will probably make that my second stop and take cab there after lunch in downtown Amsterdam.

Once again, thanks very much!

[Paladin18]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Check these sites :


IPMS Stockholm's European Hobby Shop Guide: Amsterdam

IPMS Stockholm's European Hobby Shop Guide: Aalsmeerderbrug (Amsterdam - Schiphol)

IPMS Stockholm's European Hobby Shop Guide: Rotterdam

Cheers,

MoMo

Cool! I wasn't aware of that an on-line guide to hobby shops across Europe existed!
Now that's really helpful because I make trips to Europe on business at least a couple of times a year.
Saves me the trouble of having to make exahustive searches before every trip. Many many thanks!

[MoMo]

Glad to be of service. I would just check on the link with each shop before you plan a visit. I have no idea if the site is updated regularly or not !

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by Paladin18

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Kubikali.

Aviation Megastore sounds like a diecast supermarket! Very promising indeed. Just the kind of store I should visit as I have just started my diecast aircraft collection (I have been an armour collector until all the pics on the forum persuaded me otherwise). Their website does not seem to be working, but since they are located around Schiphol, I reckon I can easily swing by via taxi the moment I arrive. I plan to give the shop a call as well beforehand.

And since I have 12 hours in Amsterdam, no harm paying Model Plaza a visit. Nice collection they have there and shop looks impressive too. Will probably make that my second stop and take cab there after lunch in downtown Amsterdam.

Once again, thanks very much!

Take the bus or metro instead. Amsterdam is not built for cars (or car friendly), but the bus and metrorail gets you around easily! My last visit was all by bus, metro and train (except for renting a car to get to Overloon, which also has a diecast shop outside of the museum there, and Belgium).

Good luck Paladin!

[Paladin18]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Glad to be of service. I would just check on the link with each shop before you plan a visit. I have no idea if the site is updated regularly or not !

Yes, that's very good advice. I see from the on-line directory that there are quite a few hobby shops listed in Paris....just as well since I will probably be there for a week this autumn. Many thanks again, MoMo.

[Paladin18]

Originally Posted by trex0770

Take the bus or metro instead. Amsterdam is not built for cars (or car friendly), but the bus and metrorail gets you around easily! My last visit was all by bus, metro and train (except for renting a car to get to Overloon, which also has a diecast shop outside of the museum there, and Belgium).

Good luck Paladin!

Thanks Trex! I reckon I can buy a few more diecasts with the money saved from taxi fares!