airBaltic Fokker 50, by JC WingsJC Wings Part Number: YL-BAT
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Manufacturer: JC Wings
Released: 2009 Registration: YL-BAT Added: 5/14/15 |
First Impressions:
When it comes to the F-50 and airBaltic, in 1/400 scale, the consumer has almost no variety from which to choose if they want something from this Latvia based carrier. The only Fokker 50 mould to my knowledge is the soul property of JC Wings and has never been shared. According to most databases, there have only been 16 or so different liveries produced. As far as airBaltic is concerned, there is only this model and a Bombardier CS300 by Herpa in the new livery. This sort of obscurity mixed with rarity and a livery with some great character makes this a must have for me.
This frame in real life first flew for SAS in September of 1989 and is now resting quietly somewhere in Panama after 14 years of service with airBaltic from 1999-2013. It was sent there once airBaltic decided to move on from its F-50's in 2013 and took up Q400s. These too will be replaced in time by the new C-Series.
When it comes to the F-50 and airBaltic, in 1/400 scale, the consumer has almost no variety from which to choose if they want something from this Latvia based carrier. The only Fokker 50 mould to my knowledge is the soul property of JC Wings and has never been shared. According to most databases, there have only been 16 or so different liveries produced. As far as airBaltic is concerned, there is only this model and a Bombardier CS300 by Herpa in the new livery. This sort of obscurity mixed with rarity and a livery with some great character makes this a must have for me.
This frame in real life first flew for SAS in September of 1989 and is now resting quietly somewhere in Panama after 14 years of service with airBaltic from 1999-2013. It was sent there once airBaltic decided to move on from its F-50's in 2013 and took up Q400s. These too will be replaced in time by the new C-Series.
Photograph credit: Jussi Kettunen
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The Box:
Back in 2009 JC was slowly rolling onto the scene with many neat little releases like this one. The model comes in a nice little window box that doesn't try to hide the little turbo-prop inside. It even incorporates the "49 Euro one way" campaign the plane was put in charge of advertising back in the early 2000s. The most unusual part of the design of this livery has to be the bright orange billed toucan plastered on the side of the plane. He too is present on the box. On a side note, I caught this funny little spelling error on the box... It's not funny though that the error made it all the way onto the model. |
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Right
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Wrong
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Construction:
Making these little prop-liners has to be a tricky business. Their delicate and tiny parts must take careful machining and delicate hands. To me, critiquing the build of these little models is a league of its own compared to their bigger jet liner counterparts. Even though I allow more wiggle room because of its size, the F-50 doesn't really need any excuse just because it's small. Out of the box, this airBaltic F-50 is well built. No loose propellers, wheels, gears or wings. None of the parts have disappointing bends or structural errors. The model has a little secret of its own in construction however, most of the model is one piece. The vertical stab is molded right onto the body of the aircraft. The plane may even have me fooled, when it comes to the horizontal stabs, unless I'm mistaken they are not separate pieces either. Interesting what you can get away with in this scale and what you can't. A well built model airplane.
Making these little prop-liners has to be a tricky business. Their delicate and tiny parts must take careful machining and delicate hands. To me, critiquing the build of these little models is a league of its own compared to their bigger jet liner counterparts. Even though I allow more wiggle room because of its size, the F-50 doesn't really need any excuse just because it's small. Out of the box, this airBaltic F-50 is well built. No loose propellers, wheels, gears or wings. None of the parts have disappointing bends or structural errors. The model has a little secret of its own in construction however, most of the model is one piece. The vertical stab is molded right onto the body of the aircraft. The plane may even have me fooled, when it comes to the horizontal stabs, unless I'm mistaken they are not separate pieces either. Interesting what you can get away with in this scale and what you can't. A well built model airplane.
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Accuracy:
There really isn't a lot to complain about. The nose of the aircraft is very good, properly pointy in the front and the grade of the cockpit windows is good as well. The mid section of the aircraft has some strong points as well. The wings are nicely proportioned and fitted well onto the body of the aircraft, they also have the proper upward grade at the tips. The engines are very well shaped and the propellers and all the detail around them is awesome. The biggest problem so far is the landing gear. It's obvious to see how much higher the model sits off the ground compared to the real things. both the front gear and the main gear are just too long and the main gear doors are way too big. But to me, that's one of those forgivable things considering the scale and how well the painting and printing is done. 
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Paint and Printing:
The real triumph of this model is the printing and paint. First things first, you'll notice there isn't a toucan on this side of the plane. That is actually correct. This also makes this little airplane even more interesting to me in the way airBaltic decided to do it's advertising. Note: there is no "airBaltic" titles on the right engine. The toucan is such a fun way to get people's attention. I'm sure it worked well for airBaltic and it quickly captures my attention when it's sitting in front of me. The toucan is printed on the tiny body of the plane perfectly. Also, the ultra small labeling on the engine's is impressive too. The tail of the aircraft carrying the fading checkered pattern is well done as is the 49 Eruo one-way deal logo. 
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Conclusion:
It is difficult to be honestly objective on a model this small. The shortcomings however are far outnumbered by the details that make this one a keeper. Anyone who is interested in aviation in and around the Baltic states should try and find one of these and even more-so if they are a prop lover. I'm glad to say this will be in my collection a long time or at least until someone else tries to best it which I don't think will ever happen.
It is difficult to be honestly objective on a model this small. The shortcomings however are far outnumbered by the details that make this one a keeper. Anyone who is interested in aviation in and around the Baltic states should try and find one of these and even more-so if they are a prop lover. I'm glad to say this will be in my collection a long time or at least until someone else tries to best it which I don't think will ever happen.
