Mexicana Click Boeing 717-200 "Final Colors," By Gemini JetsGemini Jets Part Number: GJCBE946
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Manufacturer: Gemini Jets
Released: 2009 Registration: XA-CLB Published: 7/31/2018 |
First Impressions:
Back in 2010, it seemed, just as this model was showing up in the mail, the rumors began to circulate about the soon to come demise of both Click and its parent company. As a collector and a non Mexican national, I learned quickly that Mexicana had a huge following because there was a lot of spirited denial about its eventual end. In fact many people who supported Mexicana became scornful towards those that spoke truth about the economic problems the airline was having. This is what I first think of every time is see this model airplane. With that in mind, I must state this is a review and a historical look at this particular airplane and not Mexicana as a whole. So please do not be offended if you're one of those proud but sorrowful Mexicana diehards.
I think the tragedy of this model is that the livery was so fantastic yet, so short lived. Even by today's standards, this is a very colorful, flavorful, and modern looking airliner. The real 1/1 of this aircraft has known three different airlines since its birth and first flight in May 2004. It first flew for Midwest Airlines as N918ME and did so until 2009, just a year before Midwest shut down. It was then leased to a scrambling Mexicana by Boeing Capital a leasing subsidiary of parent company Boeing. Line Number 55180 stayed with Mexicana as XA-CLB until it ceased operations in August of 2010. It sat quietly for a few years until finally being picked up by Cobham Aviation of Australia. It now flies for Cobham under the Qantas banner as VH-YQU. Cobham is much like what Comair was to Delta.
Back in 2010, it seemed, just as this model was showing up in the mail, the rumors began to circulate about the soon to come demise of both Click and its parent company. As a collector and a non Mexican national, I learned quickly that Mexicana had a huge following because there was a lot of spirited denial about its eventual end. In fact many people who supported Mexicana became scornful towards those that spoke truth about the economic problems the airline was having. This is what I first think of every time is see this model airplane. With that in mind, I must state this is a review and a historical look at this particular airplane and not Mexicana as a whole. So please do not be offended if you're one of those proud but sorrowful Mexicana diehards.
I think the tragedy of this model is that the livery was so fantastic yet, so short lived. Even by today's standards, this is a very colorful, flavorful, and modern looking airliner. The real 1/1 of this aircraft has known three different airlines since its birth and first flight in May 2004. It first flew for Midwest Airlines as N918ME and did so until 2009, just a year before Midwest shut down. It was then leased to a scrambling Mexicana by Boeing Capital a leasing subsidiary of parent company Boeing. Line Number 55180 stayed with Mexicana as XA-CLB until it ceased operations in August of 2010. It sat quietly for a few years until finally being picked up by Cobham Aviation of Australia. It now flies for Cobham under the Qantas banner as VH-YQU. Cobham is much like what Comair was to Delta.
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The Box:
Mostly basic packaging here. There is some individuality in that someone took the time to take a picture of the tail of a plane in the final Mexicana livery and pasted it on the box. Otherwise quite vanilla packaging as Gemini Jets go. Includes flip top lid. |
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First Seen:
Line Number 55180 was first seen at work when it entered service for Midwest Airlines in May of 2004 as N918ME. 
Photography by Michael Carter, Airliners.net
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Last Seen:
MSN 5132 has been most recently seen flying for Cobham Aviation. This photo of her, now registered VH-YQU, was taken after she sustained storm damage. I'm including a link to this interesting story where several Qantas jets were hit with ground equipment including my subject. Storm Link Article. (News.com.au.) 
Lance C. Broad Airliners.net (2016)
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Construction:
Has anyone noticed that there's a new 717 mould on the market? When I started looking this 717-200 over and comparing it to some of the new offerings I've seen on the web, it looks like Gemini finally has a replacement. In the past few months Gemini has released a few 717s. Namely, the new Hawaiian livery and an updated Delta version of this aircraft. Both utilize the ever more ubiquitous wing insertion platform to the diapering cradle version. I'm looking forward to getting one soon.
This Mexicana Click 717 however does use the cradle version but does so with perfection. It's not the prettiest looker, but, like many models from this time period, it is well built. The gear wheels are firmly installed and the gears and struts are well painted. There is a stray bit of paint on the front right wheel of the main gear. The gear doors are nice and straight and the model sits evenly on a level surface.
Has anyone noticed that there's a new 717 mould on the market? When I started looking this 717-200 over and comparing it to some of the new offerings I've seen on the web, it looks like Gemini finally has a replacement. In the past few months Gemini has released a few 717s. Namely, the new Hawaiian livery and an updated Delta version of this aircraft. Both utilize the ever more ubiquitous wing insertion platform to the diapering cradle version. I'm looking forward to getting one soon.
This Mexicana Click 717 however does use the cradle version but does so with perfection. It's not the prettiest looker, but, like many models from this time period, it is well built. The gear wheels are firmly installed and the gears and struts are well painted. There is a stray bit of paint on the front right wheel of the main gear. The gear doors are nice and straight and the model sits evenly on a level surface.
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The fuselage of the aircraft has no depressions or abnormalities. All insertion points were neatly machined and all the added components fit properly.
Gemini has had a problem with this 717 in a few cases where the fuselage doesn't get properly fitted to the wing cradle. I personally own a wonky looking airTran 717 that just doesn't line up correctly. Finally, the "T" tail and fuselage mounted Rolls Royce BR715 engines are very well fitted. The starboard side turbine appears to lean down to a degree but not noticeably so. Altogether, this model is well machined, and properly assembled. |
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Photograph Credit: Michael Carter, Airliners.net (2011)
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Accuracy:
The biggest problem I have with this mould is the nose. The nose isn't long or pointy enough. It seems that Gemini have since fixed this issue but I can't say for sure until I see it myself. Working my way down towards the tail, the next critique would be the absence of a forward antenna. Even the newer models don't have this feature. I tend to not care for them on most planes but I think on this model they would look nice, a contrast to its over all simplicity. The engine isn't quite the right shape. On the 1/1, the engine slopes downward and then almost levels off at the back. On the 1/400 the top of the engine forms an even arch from front to back. The "T" tail and the end of the fuselage itself seem very accurate and neither offend in any major way. |
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Paint and Printing:
I think that when the windows of a 1/400 model airplane are printed on almost any color other than white it's either a hit or a miss. You can find a little of each here. The windows printed down the fuselage are just fine, but I don't like the way the gray windows look on the cockpit of the aircraft. The sky blue eagle head illustrated on the front of the plane however is done beautifully. The shade of blue is practically perfect (Please ignore bad lighting in some photos) and other than a thick seam where the decal was placed, it is neatly applied on the aircraft. The main titles on the side of the aircraft are a bit too small. The word "click" may be printed a little too lightly. The tail of the aircraft is a small work of art. and the only flaw I can see is the top edge of the light blue above the eagle eye should be straight right up to the leading edge of the tail and it instead curves downward. The only other glaring issue I have found is the crookedness of the tail-cone rear airstrip escape hatch. All told, I'm very pleased with the over all paint and printing and I'm happy to keep this one in the fleet as a result! 
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Conclusion:
I truly lament that this aircraft and Mexicana as a whole was not able to continue to add to its rich heritage. This aircraft does however illustrate that Mexicana never was short on great ideas and was a proud and individual airline. The overall product is very nice and clean and should you be considering this model, you won't be upset when you take this model out of the cradle. On one final note, I like to think there are always things to accomplish in the 1/400 line. A suggestion to manufacturers would be this aircraft in her "Oneworld" colors. One can always dream and hope!
I truly lament that this aircraft and Mexicana as a whole was not able to continue to add to its rich heritage. This aircraft does however illustrate that Mexicana never was short on great ideas and was a proud and individual airline. The overall product is very nice and clean and should you be considering this model, you won't be upset when you take this model out of the cradle. On one final note, I like to think there are always things to accomplish in the 1/400 line. A suggestion to manufacturers would be this aircraft in her "Oneworld" colors. One can always dream and hope!
Photograph by: Szabo Gabor, 2013, Airliners.net
