Air Canada 727-200: C-GYMN (C-YGNM?)  Item number one this month is turning out to be quite a mystery. The registration the model carries is one that has shown little evidence of its existence. This is the result of research based on the product titles given for the model at many online distributers. The most likely scenario is that the online titles, and hopefully not (but more than likely) the registration is as it actually appears on the model, in part is backwards. This will only be confirmed once collectors begin to take up their orders, but in the meantime collectors should be skeptical. I'm hoping for the best, I have this model on order. Without any data to go on, all I can report is that this seems to be a great nod towards the burgeoning jet age. The 1970's saw Air Canada add to the fleet the DC-9, the DC-10, the L-1011, the 747, and the 727. The airline was already using other Douglass aircraft in the DC-8 and the DC-9. Air Canada took delivery of their first 727s in 1974* and they were part of the fleet until 1992. This is essentially a re-release for Aeroclassics. They released a 727 in this same livery in 2010 registered as C-GAAG. There have been including this one, 5 Air Canada 727s released. Four of them are -200s and a there is also a sole -100F which Aeroclassics released a few months back in 2020. I missed out on the 2010 version. I'm really oping the registration on this 2021 version is correct!
British Caledonian 747-200: G-GLYN  The Big Bird 747 mould continues to have a devout following. As is the case for many of Aeroclassics moulds, it is the only show in town. This month's selection of the B-Cal seems to be one of the favorites and it was one of the first models to sell out on Aeroclassicsdirect. G-GLYN began her career with Wardair Canada in 1978 registered as C-GXRA. After being returned from lease, the aircraft would join British Caledonian in 1986 and would stay with the airline through the merger with British Airways. The aircraft was sold to Philippines Airlines 1991 and would finish life with the airline until being broken up in 2006.** There has only ever been one other B-Cal 747 in 1/400 scale and that was made by Gemini Jets back in 2005 as part number GJBCA568 registered appropriately as G-HUGE. Unless you were lucky enough to grab it then, this is a great opportunity to update your B-Cal fleet.
SAS-Scandinavian DC-8-62: SE-DDU & LN-MOW   Scandinavian DC-8s seem to be of high priority at the moment for Aeroclassics. Last month we were presented with Finnair OH-LFZ and this month we have the competition. A handsome pair of SAS DC-8s. A fair few DC-8s in SAS colors have been made by Aeroclassics over the years, but we have only seen a few in these colors and they were DC-8-63s. So these are a nice offering. I won't be grabbing either of these as I don't particularly care for the SAS "80's colors" shown here, but the more I look at them, they are growing on me. Neither of these aircraft lived remarkable lives. SE-DDU was line number 300 and nicknamed Knud Viking. It was delivered to SAS in 1967 and severed the company for nearly 20 years. After a short stint with Scanair in 1986, the frame was converted to a freighter and in 1987 is was taken in by Airborne express and used in that capacity until it was retired in 2002. In similar fashion, LN-MOW, line number 517 was delivered to SAS in 1970. The aircraft was called Roald Viking. SAS got the full use of the aircraft. It stayed with the fleet until 1987. From that point it was reregistered as N772CA often short leased by a variety of suiters. It was taken on by Rich International's Airways in 1990 and was scrapped in 1998.
Iberia 757-200: EC-FYM  I thought for sure I had seen the last of the castings that Aeroclassics had based off the current NG mould. After nearly 20 different releases, it seemed they had completely exhausted their stock pile. For example, the last time we saw a Aeroclassics 757 was in 2019 and it was a United Airlines "blue tulip'' registered N598UA. I will not be adding this model. It makes sense to me to wait for an NG version with will likely include better printing, more nicely matched colors and antennas. This 757 is not a young one. At 26 years of age it has spent its entire career serving out of Europe. From its delivery to Iberia in 1994, it spend six years with the company and then has a history too long to repeat for any worthy reason. It is now currently in storage with Iceland Air and is painted in the National Geographic livery.
Iberia, Swissair, & Cattier, SUD Se-210 Caravelles: It's been years since the Aeroclassics Caravelle have seen regular circulation. It was in 2015 that Aeroclassics released an LTU, and a Sterling Airways model on the mould. And to the joy of many, they are back once again. There are three selections this month. To keep the overview concise, I will skip the specific careers of each aircraft.  Collecting classics is a new venture for me. I don't have a lot of background knowledge on much before the 1980's. I choose the Iberia Caravelle as my first foray into the type. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person. VASP 727-200: PP-SNG & PP-SFC   I've been wanting to kick start a VASP fleet, but there have only been about 15 models ever made for this classic Brazilian, Sao Paulo based carrier. VASP spanned an impressive 72 years. The carrier certainly left is's mark in South America, but after unsustainable losses the company eroded away, just like PP-SFC continues to do today. Gladly both of these 727s capture VASP history in the airlines best known scheme of the 80's. They are now two of there 727-200s ever produced for VASP. The only other being a 1970's liveried 727-200 registered, PP-SNI. The most interesting detail about this pair is that they apparently only available in North and South America. I have both inbound presently.  Conclusion: I'm really counting on Aeroclassics to have a good month of quality control. I've been evaluating my buying habits and while I budget to spend cash on models each month, I am less and less keen on spending money in exchanged for a flawed product. Last month I'd give my complete order about a 8 out of 10 in quality. I'm hoping for the same this month. I really love the selection. The phrase continues to ring true that no one provides more diversity than Aeroclassics, the key is keeping up with the quality. I look forward to reporting my findings.
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Release ReviewThis page will be updated to rank and discuss monthly releases from the 1/400 model aircraft industry as well as other hobby news and info. Archives
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