Gemini Jets January 2021 Releases

As January comes to a close model retailers are taking delivery of Gemini Jets' January 2021 offerings. This month Gemini puts an emphasis on wide bodies with 6 of 7 commercial releases being of this variety. A loan DHL 737-800F is the only medium body aircraft. 1/400 scale also gets a strong military emphasis this month as three military models, all from the United States are available to MACs collectors. The most interesting is the new B-1 mould.

Unfortunately, this is a very limited set of releases. If you're a collector from Europe or the U.S. there are some good offerings, but minus the Garuda A330, there isn't much here that excites me personally. For my full take...

---

While Gemini has entries from both pax and cargo specific airlines this month, there isn't a lot here that hasn't already be done, or hasn't been done better. The most tiresome issue is that Gemini continues to set a toe dragging pace with its outdated moulds. In this case, they continue to use the cradle 777-300 mould and the 787-9 mould, both serve as the basis of aircraft that already have 1/400 renditions.

---

Cradle Mould Wide-bodies:
There are three wide body Boeing aircraft this month that have already been done by Gemini, or already been done by someone else. The most alluring in my opinion is the KLM 777 "Orange Pride." This aircraft however has already be done be others and on superior moulds such as the AV400. The  Virgin Atlantic 787 is a tired choice 

Gemini still remains the only choice however when it come to the 747-400. It seems that JC Wings will once again withhold another new age mould from Gemini as this is clearly their typical, and acceptable, but again old mould and not the new slot-in version from JC Wings that's been popping up.  747 G-CIVN has been with British Airways for the entirety of it's 24 year career and was recently one of many quad engine jets parked and or rushed into early retirement as a result of COV-19.

The saving grace this month for some (not me) is the Eastern 767-300. This model represents the most recent iteration of Eastern Airlines. I actually quite enjoy the scheme and may at some point look to add this particular model. Even though it too is a cradle mount it is probably the most acceptable mould of the four still in use in my personal opinion. I'm only shy of it however as I've have multiple 'zinc rot' issues across several moulds. 

---

New Age Freighters:
With the new 747-8 'interactive mould' Gemini continues to offer a new freighter almost monthly. This month we get the Cargolux LX-VCF. This aircraft is surprisingly already 8 years old. It is line number 1461. This particular aircraft also sports the jumbo 'covid' mask which can also interestingly be found on the Garuda Neo. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the Cargolux and should make many of the freighter fans happy. Keeping with the theme of newer cargo jets, Gemini also has slipped out its first DHL freighter in over a year, the last being a 777 N705GT) flying on behalf of Southern Air. It is only the second 737-800 freighter model produced by Gemini. As the 737-800 ages there are sure to be many more freighter options to come, but none the less, it is strange to see the 737-800 (with winglets no less) as a cargo jet. This iteration looks pretty decent for you DHL fans.

Finally, the best looking model of the bunch from my point of view is the Garuda A330Neo. PK-GHG was delivered to Garuda Indonesia in December of 2019. It also very quickly was given the opportunity to wear some fresh paint as part of Garuda's campaign to spread mask awareness. It wears the phrase 'Ayo Sakai masker' or 'Lets wear masks.' There's a nice little article from the Jakarta Post explaining more here. Jakart Post.
​
It appears from other pictures I've seen that this mould as with other A330neos struggles with the wing angle. This 

---

M.A.C. Central:
With Dragon wings all but gone from 1/400, it's good for mac collectors that Gemini still shows a genuine interest in this space. The new B-1B Lancer mould is a statement of this, or is it? Upon early inspection, it really looks toy like. The aircraft is no doubt complicated. It looks like Gemini made some interesting compromises to allow for the wings to change position as the 1/1 does and the cockpit seems to be equipped with clear windows. I don't know much more beyond that, but the mould does appear to have some chunky weak points. 

Finally two quad engine aircraft, a C-5 and a spiffy C-130 working on behalf of the Blue Angles. I will likely pick up the C-130 as I've actually seen that aircraft in action at a variety of airshows. 

Conclusion: 
As I have already said, there isn't much for me here this month. If anything I'd chase the Garuda but I'd almost be more inclined to see if someone else tries to roll out a sounder mould for the type. I'm sure many will be pleased with these offerings but for me, a lackluster group that could be fantastic if not for some stronger and up to date moulds. On to February for Gemini Jets.