Hainan 737 Max 8, by AeroclassicsAeroclassics Part Number: ACB1390
|
Manufacturer: Aeroclassics
Released: May, 2018 Registration: B-1390 Published: 5/14/18 |
First Impression:
How exciting! A new model on a new mould! In this review I'll be taking a look at how Aeroclassics is playing catch up, you decide how well it's gone. A few months ago I obtained a few of the new Max's from Gemini. I really like them a lot and I'll be adding reviews of them at some point. When I saw the release list and the head first approach Aeroclassics was using in their launch I was honestly doubting their ability to replicate and potentially improve on what Gemini have done. I decided on this and the Air Canada Max 8.
I've been very into the Hainan livery lately and I was really excited to get my hands on these Max 8s. They arrived on Monday and here we are. As I removed them from their boxes, my hopes about what Aeroclassics have made were cautious. My reactions, mixed.
How exciting! A new model on a new mould! In this review I'll be taking a look at how Aeroclassics is playing catch up, you decide how well it's gone. A few months ago I obtained a few of the new Max's from Gemini. I really like them a lot and I'll be adding reviews of them at some point. When I saw the release list and the head first approach Aeroclassics was using in their launch I was honestly doubting their ability to replicate and potentially improve on what Gemini have done. I decided on this and the Air Canada Max 8.
I've been very into the Hainan livery lately and I was really excited to get my hands on these Max 8s. They arrived on Monday and here we are. As I removed them from their boxes, my hopes about what Aeroclassics have made were cautious. My reactions, mixed.
|
The Box:
Aeroclassics has rolled out the red carpet if you will for it's new mould. Aeroclassics presents this new model to it's catalog in a very professional window box. The model came in a cradle and was well wrapped in plastic film and styrofoam padding. The box itself is generic to the type of aircraft in the box but Aeroclassics has stepped up its sticker game. Each box now has a big bold sticker on the side. I think this is a step up from the skinny little stickers normally on the side. |
|
Construction:
In this section I'm really only concerned with how well the model is put together. With quality control these days frankly out of control for the asking price, this topic sadly has a place for reflection. Upon taking the model out of the box, everything was in order. Important to note for those curious, this is an all metal airplane, no plastic here which I greatly appreciate! No loose gears or stabs, and of course, the new satnav dome! I've had these arrive and fall out before, not the case here, but we HAVE to talk about the new radome.
In this section I'm really only concerned with how well the model is put together. With quality control these days frankly out of control for the asking price, this topic sadly has a place for reflection. Upon taking the model out of the box, everything was in order. Important to note for those curious, this is an all metal airplane, no plastic here which I greatly appreciate! No loose gears or stabs, and of course, the new satnav dome! I've had these arrive and fall out before, not the case here, but we HAVE to talk about the new radome.
Photograph Credit: Weimeng
|
Accuracy:
This is one of three 737 Max jets in the Hainan fleet. According to sources there are plans to add more. This one joined the fleet at the end of 2017. When it comes to capturing the likeness of the real thing, this model comes close in some areas and is just off in others. Focusing simply on the aircraft itself and not the printing and paint application, this new mould in its shape is in my opinion, very good. The nose is good but like everyone else, struggles to get the gear doors just right. The shape and length of the plane is good but we collect some issues when we arrive at the mid section. The left wing for whatever reason angles up more than the right. Also, the bottom half of the split scimitar looks unfinished and is painted poorly. The engines are a mess as well. The Gemini version is much more crisp especially at the back of the cowling. Also the finish on the engine is not glossy but has a very rough appearance. At least the painting on and over the wing is nicely done. New Satnav Dome:
Listen, I tried to like it, I really did. But it just looks bad. Everything about this says it was rushed and its a break in character for Aeroclassics. A push to be something it's not. Aeroclassics has criticized others who have tried this for years (the word gimmick comes to mind) and now it flips around to try it on it's own and its just a flop. Maybe this is an area that will be improved on over time, but the piece of metal sculpted to the top of the plane looks out of place. The shape is weird, the finish and the paint applied over it looks lazy. There's more of the same on the Air Canada as well. 
|
|
|
Paint and Printing:
When it comes to the base coat on the model, everything checks out. The aircraft has a beautiful shine to it and there are no chips, cracks or bubbles. Where we run into some problems is the printing. The good news is that the cockpit windows are nice and straight. This is actually something that's hard to find among recent releases from most manufacturers. Next up if the incorrect placement of the registration number. On the right side of the plane the letter "B" overlaps with the red where it shouldn't. Also, upon close examination there is strip of yellow above the rear cargo door where there should be none. Finally, the tail cone is wrong, on the 1/1 there is a clear sliver tail cone and on the model its red all the way. Gladly the ribbon like yellow and gold lines swoop along the fuselage body in a very charming way. 
|
|
Conclusion:
While I'm not rushing to eBay to try and get rid of it, I'm not surprised by what I've found but I'm also not chomping at the bit to buy the next round, or the rest of this rounds 737 Max 8s. I'll emphasize again that to me, this feels like a knee jolt reaction from Aeroclassics. I don't want to cast too much disappointment because I appreciate a manufacturer being willing to take risks and continue to offer exciting things. But at almost 40 dollars for a model, I still expect better. There is a lot of potential with this new mould, but the satnav dome, split scimitar, and printing/finishing issues (among other things) have to be addressed.
While I'm not rushing to eBay to try and get rid of it, I'm not surprised by what I've found but I'm also not chomping at the bit to buy the next round, or the rest of this rounds 737 Max 8s. I'll emphasize again that to me, this feels like a knee jolt reaction from Aeroclassics. I don't want to cast too much disappointment because I appreciate a manufacturer being willing to take risks and continue to offer exciting things. But at almost 40 dollars for a model, I still expect better. There is a lot of potential with this new mould, but the satnav dome, split scimitar, and printing/finishing issues (among other things) have to be addressed.
Update:
I posted this yesterday and between now and then it was pointed out that 1/1 of this aircraft actually has no satnav dome! Aeroclassics, please fix this! Get back to what you're good at!
I posted this yesterday and between now and then it was pointed out that 1/1 of this aircraft actually has no satnav dome! Aeroclassics, please fix this! Get back to what you're good at!