Airbus Freighters: XA-LRL & N650FE The best A300 mould in 1/400 scale is once again being put to work. The mould have been dormant since last December when Aeroclassics used it to create UPS and Fedex freighters (N173UP and N629FE). They also squeezed a VASP pax out of the mould then as well, and it's nice to see one of the few remaining quality cradle mounts in 1/400 scale reasserting itself. These are nice picks for AC, the Aero Union will make collectors of the Mexican cargo operator glad as this will sit nicely next to the 767-200 from last November (XA-LRC). Looks like AC is getting a grip on their cheat line issues.   Gulf Air Boeing 707s: G-BFLE & N861BF Between 1956 and 1978, eight hundred and sixty five 707s were built. Only just fore a brief moment were two of them a part of the Gulf Air fleet. This month, the 707 mould returns for the first time since December 2021 when AC in similar fashion released another pair of 707s in a freighter/pax pair for PIA. The slush-bucket Gulf Airs both feature the 1970's livery which was recently applied to the Aeroclassics A321 mould last month representing the retro jet A9C-NB. Some of the details around the nose of the aircraft look lackluster, but this pair is intriguing.   Indo-Pacific Boeing 737 Max8s: 9V-MBA & HL8348 Death, taxes, and AC continuing to push a sub-par mould are the three truths of life. Kidding aside, two more Max8s make their way to distributers this month. The only thing saving these is that both airlines represented are legacy carriers. In trying my best to see these through rose colored lenses, the major details look pretty good. Both models seem to have good cheat lines, and the Korean Air sky blue looks particularly nice. With superior moulds out there, and the recent announcement of the NG 737 Max8, there's really no need to spend nearly $100 on two models that are surly to be better executed by either JC, Gemini, or NG in the near future. One other thing of note is that the Singapore Max is a royalty dodging Blue Box release not pictured on this month's flyer...   Wien Air Alaska 727-200: N276WC Named after founder Noel Wien, Wien Air Alaska holds the title for first airline in Alaska. First starting operations in 1927 and rolling well into the 80's Wien Air Alaska's last decade in existence is illustrated by this 727-200. This was one of the final aircraft that Wien Air Alaska operated. Documentation is a bit rough going back on this particular airframe but that likely means it was one of three old Ansett Australia 727s leased by Wien in 1984. The airline folded in 1985. It's nice to see the 727-200 out again, and this model looks to have turned out really nicely. This model seems to have been a very limited addition and is already commanding triple digit prices on eBay.  Alaskan DC-6s: N6119C & N6118C Two of four supers released this month are displaying Alaskan Airlines liveries. Many may not realize that N6118C suffered a tragic crash in July of 1961. Six people perished when a military charter flying to Shemya Air Force Base in the Aleutian Islands wasn't made aware of problems with the runway lights. The airplane (flight 779) crashed in foggy conditions essentially at the threshold of the runway slightly lower than what was actually safe. This particular recreation looks really good and would be the one I'd have of the two Alaskans. Reason being that N6119C is suffering from some sort of workmanship folly. Just taking a closer look at the nose, it if far, far too pointy. So much so that the front gear leg and support structure don't fit closely to the fuselage. This is a new and growing issue with Aeroclassics as you will soon see.   Southern Hemisphere DC-6s: PP-YSL & 9Q-CLB Two more lovely looking DC-6s complete the quartet. The last time a REAL Brazil model was made in 1/400 scale was back in 2005 when a really nice looking Connie registered PP-YSC was sold by Aeroclassics. So now the sole REAL Brazil in 1/400 scale has a mate. This is my top pick of all the Aeroclassics models released this month. In a close second is the equally as niche, Air Congo. In the same breath, Aeroclassics is the only manufacturer responsible for making this airline a reality in 1/400 and has done it twice before. A nice pair of a DC-8 and a DC-6 have already been made but in the later 70's colors. This paint scheme featuring the final colors adorned this DC-6. But by the 1970's Air Congo will become Air Zaire at the had of its creator, the Belgian company, Sabena.   European Viscounts 700/800: TF-ISU & G-AZNA Many classic collectors were quick to express their elation at the return of the Viscounts, but were even more glad to see the long awaited British Midland 800. Sadly it seems that the factory issues with over polishing finished castings has carried over to this particular quad engined turboprop. Aeroclassics frequently dabble in the Icelandair pool and in doing so, bring a fellow Viscount operator into the mix. Icelandair brought two of these 700's into operation in 1957 becoming the first airline based in Iceland to use quad engined turboprop airliners. That makes this release quite historical. It also goes to who that there is a significant amount of uncovered territory in this arena.  
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11/13/2022 12:00:13 am
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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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