Help & Operations

How to search the catalogue, run your collection and want list, trade with members, and use alerts, print, and import tools.

DiMA Database map: Search, Your lists, Community, Tools, and access steps — Where features live — and how access works.

Getting started

Create a free account on diecastmodelaircraft.com.
Subscribe for Database Access — $9.99/month or $99.99/year (~17% off) via Subscriptions.
Sign in on the forum (Remember me is on by default), then open database.diecastmodelaircraft.com — or use Log in from the database header to return here automatically.
Set currency, privacy, and Model Finder under Preferences.

Searching

Use Quick Search for airline, aircraft, manufacturer, scale, and part #. Advanced Search adds country, registration, release years, and more. Trade Search and Want Search limit results to models others are trading or wanting.

Shortcuts: /airline/Name, /manuf/Name, /scale/1:400, /geminijets, /herpa, …
Part # suggestions appear as you type.
Preferences → Search filters: Autofill or classic dropdowns.

Quick Search filter bar and model result cards — Quick Search — filters, results, Collect and Want actions.

Model details

Open a result or go to /model/{id}. Each page shows photos, specs, size, estimated value, availability, trades, and collectors. From here you add to Collection or Want, upload photos, and check stock / eBay signals.

Model detail page with specs and actions — Model Details — catalogue data plus Collect / Want / availability.

Your Collection

Your Collection lists models you own. The sidebar shows counts, cost, estimated value, and member level. Edit paid amount, postage, date, source, and notes. Toggle Trade or Private per model.

Collection page with sidebar stats and model list — Your Collection — summary sidebar and model rows.

Want list & email alerts

Add models with Want it!. Edit priority, max price, and notes on Your Wants. Enable Automated Model Finder in Preferences to receive weekly availability reports.

Example want list status email with eBay availability — Example Automated Model Finder email (want-list status report).

Trading

On a collection row, turn Trade on for pieces you will offer.
Browse Trade Search for models you need.
Open /trades/{id} to see who is offering a model, then PM them on the forum.
Optional: Preferences → Trade notifications when someone wants what you trade.

Public trading page: /trading/{username}. Also see Customs for one-offs and Model Submit for new catalogue entries.

Preferences

Preferences controls privacy (closed collection / value / want), currency, page size, display columns, sort order, signature graphic, and alert options. Always click Save Preferences.

More tools

Compare

Up to three models: /compare/id-id-id. Differences are highlighted.

Print / PDF

Print Collection, Wanted, Trades, or Custom — Letter/Legal/A4, portrait or landscape.

Members

Member list and public /collection/{user}, /wanted/{user}, /trading/{user}.

FAQ

Forum login works but the database asks me to subscribe

You need an active Database Access subscription (or access group). Manage plans under Settings → Subscriptions.

I am subscribed but the database still looks logged out

Sign in again from the database site (Log in), allow cookies for diecastmodelaircraft.com, and keep Remember me checked so you stay signed in after closing the browser.

Others cannot see my collection

Turn off Closed Collection in Preferences, and check per-model Private flags.

Want-list emails are missing

Enable Automated Model Finder, confirm your forum email, and check spam. Subscription must be active.

More help: Contact us · info@diecastmodelaircraft.com · full guides in /docs/ on the server.

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