New Model Shops in the Limmat Valley

A model super-discount store has been in operation at Tivoli Spreitenbach since the fall of 1976, and it immediately met with a remarkable response from the public. However, this success comes as no surprise when one considers that this new store is run by Franz Martinelli and Co., Aero-Modellbautechnik Dietikon. After all, the owner is highly regarded among model airplane enthusiasts even beyond the country’s borders.

Various considerations led Franz Martinelli to enter the model aircraft discount business. First and foremost, it’s worth noting that beginners, in particular, repeatedly expressed difficulty finding the right “entry point” into model aviation. These initial difficulties are very often a matter of price. With a wide selection of affordable models, Martinelli is now trying to appeal to a broader audience. However, low prices alone do not guarantee that the right models will end up in the right hands. An important part of Modell-Superdiscount is therefore expert advice. The store owner can draw on his decades of experience in this regard. He also benefits from his vast technical knowledge.

Price reductions at discount stores are, of course, always tempting at first glance. But simply making a sale isn’t enough to satisfy the customer. There are additional services involved, which are particularly significant when it comes to more expensive models. Fortunately, Franz Martinelli places great emphasis on ensuring that customers are also satisfied through a warranty service that works flawlessly.

A look inside the two discount stores in Dietikon and Tivoli reveals, above all, the surprising variety of products on offer. It’s impossible to overlook the fact that the owner—as the name “Aero-Modellbautechnik” suggests—comes from the world of aviation. Model airplanes are the main focus of the attractive product lineup. Electric model airplanes, vintage-style aircraft, quick-build kits for gliders, radio-controlled models, and more are available in all price ranges. But the Model Discount isn’t just for beginners and amateurs. No, advanced hobbyists and “pros” also stock up here; after all, a significant portion of the models on offer are identical to those used in flying championships and other sporting competitions. The department carrying replacement parts and accessories is also of great importance. In addition to model airplanes, visitors will of course find model trains, cars, and boats—and here, too, the breadth of the selection is astonishing.