Gemini Jets February 2022 Announcement

Gemini Jets rolls on in 2022 continuing to do Gemini Jets things. If a yawn could yawn, that would be Gemini Jets in February 2022. 

Because Gemini combined the December and January releases a little over a month ago,  the February 2022 wave is the first overall for the year. Let's take a look at what's to come.

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Aeromexico 737 MAX 9: XA-MAZ

Aeromexico continues to take delivery of their MAX 8s and 9s. This is the 5th MAX 9 of eight total for AM. Six have been delivered. This one arrived in June 2021. 

Gemini has a decent MAX 9 mould that they have only used three times prior to this release. This however is 4/4 featuring North American based or visiting airlines. Aeroclassics has already released this model and reg. but I guarantee you the GJ offering will be superior.

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Air Canada 777-200: C-FNND (Flaps up and down config)
Gemini Jets are thick with 777s this month. This first two of a total four different 777 models in February are both registered as Air Canada 777s, C-FNND. This particular aircraft was delivered to Air Canada in 2008. It has been with the fleet ever since and has been replicated in 1/400 scale once before by Phoenix. One would presume that because this is another of Gemini's split flaps up/down releases, that both models will be on JC Wings stellar 777-200 moulds. But we will have to wait and see because there are reasons to think that the standard version of this aircraft will be on the old GJ mould. More on that later. It might feel as though this is a well trodden path, but it's been since 2011 that we've had a AC 777-200 from Gemini. That model was in the mint 2004 livery. So I must say, this is actually a nice choice, but it won't matter if they go with the old mould. At least the flaps down version should be pristine. 

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Alaska (Horizon) Dash 8Q-400: N435QX
For all intents and purposes, this is a rerelease. We already have the Huskies livery on a Horizon  Dash 8, but the 1/1 has recently gotten a refresh. While I'm not at all jazzed by this particular release, the good news is that Gemini continue to see this mould as something with potential. There are many attractive liveries yet to be made, and this is also a nice second chance for those who missed the original distribution back in 2009. 

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Asiana Airlines 777-200: HL7755
Gemini does not frequently dabble in the Korean airline market. They have only published two other Asiana Airlines models in the past, an A380 registered HL7634, and an A350 registered HL8078. So, this will be the first Boeing representative of Asiana Airlines from Gemini Jets. This makes this model at first glance the most interesting to me so far. The better news is that it has been about six years since anyone has released a plain liveried Asiana 777-200 (2016, Phoenix Modes), so this isn't a very common aircraft/livery combo. But that's where the good news ends because recently leaked photos on DAC show that Gemini Jets have resorted back to their old cradle mounted 777-200 mould. That makes this model look ancient and priced at $50, makes this a massive disappointment. I think that it also doesn't bode well for the other 777s this month minus the flaps down Air Canada.

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Delta Connection CRJ-200LR: N685BR
Gemini Jets have really found their stride with the regional jets. For now, they have the lions share of the market cornered with with various ERJs, Dash-8s, and CRJs. We've been getting steady flow of these models in the recent months and it's nice to see the trend continue. N685BR is a decent choice, but the 1/1 must be starting to show its age. At 19 years old, this aircraft must not have too many work days left in front if it. The only thing to create pause here is the continuing quality concerns that have plagued Gemini on these regional jets. Hopefully there won't be any issues. This will be Gemini Jet's 20th release on their mould and the 3rd Delta Connection scheme they've done.

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Emirates 777-300ER: A6-EGE "UAE 50th Anniversary"

The Gemini Jets quiet to make all 146 of Emirates 777s continues. This will be the 29th 777-300ER made for Emirates and is adorned with a special 50th Anniversary livery for the UAE. This particular airframe was delivered to Emirates in 2011 and is the 951st off the line. Is there anything else that needs to be said here?

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Emirates A380-800: A6-EVG "UAE 50th Anniversary"

If the number of Emirates 777-300s Gemini has made doesn't amuse you, the number of Emirates A380s they have made might. This will be jumbo jet number 42 from Gemini. A6-EVG is line number 256 for airbus and is one of the last A380s being delivered in 2019. I must say it is shocking how many of these things they have been able to sell. (Yes, I'm referring to both GJ and Airbus)...

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Emirates A380-800 A6-EEU "Dubai Expo 2022"

The last model this month is the bubbly looking Emirates Dubai Expo A380, A6-EEU. This aircraft was recently used in a breathtaking stunt over the Burj Khalifa. This will be Emirates A380 number 43 from Gemini and incase you were curious, it will be the 93rd over all. While I'm not any kind of A380 or Emirates addict, I may have to add this to collection depending on how the finished product looks.

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Conclusion:
Well there you have it. Gemini Jets welcomes 2022 in what seems to be their usual form. While I do hear a lot of disinterest from my peers who collect these models, there are a few here that may be worth the money. Gemini continues to sit on the cusp of being all they can be in the hobby. But because of certain continuing issues, they struggle to be true commanders. I'm hoping this next batch of models does well for the company, but they must move on from old moulds!