Model Airliner Magazine Issue 10 March/April 2020

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GEMINI JETS ON THEIR NEW 1/400 TERMINAL

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ISSUE10 | MARCH/APRIL 2020

ALL THE LATEST RELEASES...

UK_AVIATION

THE KING OF MODEL AIRPORTS ON INSTAGRAM

MODEL REVIEWS...

JC WINGS SWISS AIR MD-11 IN 1/200 SCALE GEMINI JETS 1/400 NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL AMERICAN MD-80 - END OF AN ERA

THE ONLY MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO MODEL AIRLINER COLLECTORS

GeminiJets New Terminal Photo by Khoa Vu.

Welcome to Issue10 of Model Airliner Magazine.

There have been plenty of fantastic releases announced over the past month or so and you can check these out on the next few pages.

As you can see from the main header picture above, Gemini Jets released a new terminal buidling in 1/400 scale which was great news for those who like to display their models in a realistic setting. We caught up with Todd Michaels from Gemini Jets for an exclusive chat about this. See Pages 15-16 for this feature.

We are always interested in hearing from you and would welcome any ideas or articles you wish to submit for consideration in a future issue.

You can get in touch with us by visiting the contact page on our website at www.modelairliner.com or via email at info@modelairliner.com! Thank you for reading Model Airliner Magazine!

Nathan Bennett Editor-In-Chief

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LATEST MODEL RELEASES

Editor-In-Chief:

Nathan Bennett

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UK AVIATION PHOTOS - INSTAGRAM LEGEND

Design:

Nathan Bennett

Contributors:

Richard Stretton

Todd Michaels

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JC WINGS 1/200 SCALE SWISSAIR MD-11 REVIEW

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GO BIG WITH GEMINI JETS NEW 1/400 TERMINAL

Published by:

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END OF AN ERA - AMERICAN MD-80

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JC WINGS 1/400 SCALE AMERICAN B727 REVIEW

Cover Photos: Nathan Bennett Gemini Jets UK_Aviation_Photos Richard Stretton

Every effort is made to ensure all the information in this publication is accurate.

All views and thoughts are solely made by Model Airliner Magazine except within an interview or feature where the views are solely of the interviewee or contributor in question.

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Donald Gardner Delta Golf Publishing LLC

Š Copyright 2020 Delta Golf Publishing LLC. Model Airliner Magazine Issue 10.

All rights reserved. Unauthorized redistribution or duplication of this publication is prohibited.

LATEST RELEASES NG MODELS 1/400 | FEB 2020 RELEASES (Available March 2020) Air Finland Boeing 757-200 OH-AFJ Air Transat Boeing 737-800WL C-GTQG Prime Air Boeing 737-800BCF N5147A Joy Air Boeing 737-800WL B-208V TUI Boeing 737-800WL G-TAWF United Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner N17002 “CO-UA Livery” KLM Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner PH-BHP “Tulip 100th Anniversary"

Scandinavian Airlines Airbus A330-300 SE-REH Air Canada Airbus A330-300 C-GFAJ Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330-300 PK-GPR “SkyTeam Livery” Caledonian Airways L-1011-100 G-BBAF Aer Lingus L-1011-100 G-BBAF United Airlines L-1011-500 N514PA “Saul Bass Livery”

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LATEST RELEASES GEMINI JETS 1/400 | FEBRUARY 2020 RELEASES

Air Bridge Cargo Boeing 747-8i VP-BBY Air Canada Bombardier CRJ-200 C-FIJA Cubana Ilyushin IL-62M CU-T1225 Dan Air London Hawkley Siddley HS-748 G-ARRW Emirates A6-EPU Boeing 777-300ER "Green Expo 2020" InterJet Airbus A321neo XA-MAP KLM Embraer 175 Cityhopper PH-EXU Republic Convair CV-580 N2728R SAS Airbus A350-900 SE-RSA Southwest Boeing 737-700WL N922WN "Tennessee One" United Airbus A319 N876UA United Express Embraer 175 N605UX

GEMINI200 1/200 | FEBRUARY 2020 RELEASES

Aer Lingus British Aerospace RJ85 EI-RJI Aeromexico Travel McDonnell Douglas MD-83 N848SH Delta Boeing 737-800 N3754A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i D-ABYC Northwest Convair CV-580 N3423 Qantas Boeing 737-800 VH-VZI

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LATEST RELEASES JC WINGS1/400 | FEBRUARY 2020 ANNOUNCED RELEASES Fuji Dream Airlines Embraer 175 JA12FJ

Croatia Airlines Airbus A319-100 9A-CTH

JAL Japan Airlines Airbus A350-900 JA01XJ

Air New Zealand Airbus A321-200 ZK-NNA

Prime Air Boeing 737-800 N5147A

Evelop Airlines Airbus A350-900 EC-NBO

JAL Japan Airlines Boeing 777-200 JA773J

China Airlines Airbus A350-900 B-18917

Korean Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner HL8081

China Southern Airlines Airbus A350-900 B-308T

American Airlines Boeing 727-200 N6805

Air China Airbus A350-900 B-308M

Oman Air Boeing 737-8MAX A4O-MA

Etihad Airways Airbus A350-1000 A6-XWB

Embraer ERJ-190 House Livery PP-XMA

China Airlines Boeing 777-300 B-18006

Egypt Air B 787-900 SU-GER

Air China Boeing 737-800 B-5497

Sichuan Airlines Airbus A350-900 B-306N

EVA Air MD-11 B-16101

Airbus Industries Airbus A380-800 F-WWOW

MODEL AIRLINER TV

We’re happy to introduce ModelAirlinerTV to you, a new way of bringing you content! In the future we’ll bring you model reviews, product release news, model show information and more! In Episode 1 we're excited to bring you a review of the TWA 707-300 by Inflight200 and Northwest Boeing 747-400 by B-Models. You can find both of these models at DGPilot Aviation Collectibles, the official store of ModelAirliner.com!

You can view Episode 1 at www.modelairliner.com

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LATEST RELEASES AEROCLASSICS 1/400 | FEBRUARY 2020 RELEASES USAir DC-9-30 N978VJ

TAP Air Portugal Boeing 727-200 CS-TBY

Western Airlines DC-10-10 N912WA

America West Airlines Boeing 737-200 N138AW

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 707-300 ET-ACQ

Trans World Airlines L-1649 Starliner N7310C

Trans World Airlines Boeing 727-200 N54342

Air Canada L-1011-500 C-GAGG

Air India Airbus A310-300 VT-EJJ

TAAG Angola Airlines L-1011-500 CS-TEC

PLUNA Boeing 707-300 CX-BNU

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LATEST RELEASES INFLIGHT200 1/200 | FEBRUARY 2020 RELEASES Thai Airways International Airbus A310-204 HS-TIA

Air Transat Boeing 727-200 C-GAAL

South African Airways Airbus A320-231 ZS-SHA

Tanker Air Carrier McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30ER N612AX

Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 ZK0OJD State of Qatar Boeing 707-300 A7-AAA

TNT Boeing 747-400 OO-THA

American Trans ATA McDonnell Douglas DC-10-40 N184AT

ARD 1/200 | FEBRUARY 2020 RELEASES British Airways Airbus A350-1041 G-XWBD

British Airways Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner G-ZBLAT

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LATEST RELEASES JFOX 1/200 | FEBRUARY 2020 RELEASES Eurowings (SunExpress) Airbus A330-200 D-AXGD

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER ZK-OKP

Aeroflot Russian Airlines Airbus A330-343 VQ-BPJ

Northwest Airlines DC-9-51 N766NC

Northwest Airlines Airbus A330-323 N811NW Thai Airways Airbus A330-343 HS-TBG Air Canada Boeing 737 Max C-FSNU

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American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner N838AA Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) P-3C 5077

LATEST RELEASES HERPA 1/500 | FEBRUARY 2020 ANNOUNCED RELEASES Qantas Airways Boeing 707-300 VH-EBN

Alitalia McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 I-DYNE

Pegasus Airlines Airbus A321-200 TC-RBA

Airbus Industries Airbus A330-700 F-WBXL

Neos Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner EI-NEO

Condor Airbus A320-200 D-AICC

Malev Boeing 767-300 HA-LHC

Emirates Airbus A380-800 A6-EOX

Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 D-AIHF

TUI Airlines Belgium Boeing 767-300 OO-JNL

Air France Regional / Regional Airlines ERJ-190 F-HBLL

S7 Airlines Boeing 737-8MAX VQ-BGW

AirAsia Japan Airbus A320-200 JA01DJ

Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner A6-BND

SF Airlines Boeing 747-400 B-2422

Sun Express Deutschland Boeing 737-9MAX D-ASMA

United Airlines Boeing 777-300 N2749U

HERPA 1/200 | FEBRUARY 2020 ANNOUNCED RELEASES Luftwaffe Airbus A400M 54+30

Qantas Airways DC-4 VH-EDA

BOAC Viscount D-AMON

American Airlines DC-4 NC90417

Ukrainian Air Force TU-160 Red 10

United Airlines Boeing 787-10 N12010

Tiroler Adler AN-2 OK-TIR

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Established in 2015, we aim to provide you with the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE & LOWEST PRICES AROUND!

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UKAVIATION

THE KING OF MODEL AIRPORTS ON INSTAGRAM

With social media taking over our lives these days, it's always nice to stumble across something that catches your eye on Instagram. Something that makes you say "Wow" and then you instantly hit the subscribe or follow button.

We have been "Wowed" by the about the amazing layouts and creations from UK based 1/400 collector UK_AVIATION_PHOTOS. You can find him by searching on Instagram.

Feast your eyes on these photos to see how amazing the detail is that he has managed to capture. He has over 6,500 followers on his account and fully deserved too.

We invite you to enjoy these photos of his beautiful work.

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MODEL AIRLINER MAGAZINE REVIEW

Swissair McDonnell Douglas MD-11 [HB-IWE] JC Wings 1/200 Scale

Article and Photos by Donald Gardner

A displaystand comes with the Swissair MD-11 model.

JC Wings has produced a nice rendition of HB-IWE and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to review it as part of our 1:200 scale review series.

HISTORY OF THE AIRCRAFT In the early 1990s, Swissair upgraded its long-haul fleet with the addition of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The airline initially placed an order for 12 MD11 aircraft, and would later acquire four additional airframes as well as several morefrom German carrier LTU. One of those 12 aircraft was HB-IWE, which was delivered to the carrier in June 1991.

The MD-11 brought several advantages over its predecessor the DC-10, including improved performance, a longer fuselage, and the ability to conduct operations with a two flight deck crewmember

team. HB-IWE remained in the Swissair fleet until the airline ceased operations in 2002, however Swiss International Airlines would go on to acquire the aircraft after Crossair restarted the Swiss national airline. In 2005, the aircraft would find a 2nd life as an MD-11 Freighter with FedEx, where it continues to grace the skies.

THE MOULD If you have read any of my previous reviews, you’ll know that I’m a detail oriented person. I’m happy to report the details of this model don’t disappoint when it comes to the mould. The aircraft mould is very well done from nose to tail and one of the first noticeable features is the cockpit nose section. It replicates that of the actual MD-11 very well and its proportions are accurate. The models 3 Pratt and Whitney engines are adequately constructed and have plenty of clearance from the ground.

Another noticeable feature of the MD-11

is that it is the only aircraft in the McDonnell Douglas family to sport winglets, and those of HB-IWE are very complementary to those found on the actual aircraft. Furthermore, the black spinners located inside of the left and right engines add a nice touch to the move. The MD-11 features a center landing gear, located in the middle of the fuselage between the left and right main gear. The model features magnetic landing gear that easily attach to the model, allowing the aircraft to be displayed in both the inflight and landing configurations. My only gripe when it comes to the landing gear have to do with the tires as they sometimes struggled to roll when the aircraft was placed on a flat service. Overall, I’m happy with the mould.

Score 8/10

Rolls-Royce markings can be found on the aircraft engine nacelles.

The cockpit section of the mould is a stunning replicates the MD-11 very well!

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PAINT AND LIVERY JC Wings has marketed this model as the “Last Swissair Livery” as it represents the final paint scheme visible on much of Swissair’s fleet prior to the airlines demise.

One will immediately notice the distinct red tail, with the white cross, which was a staple of the livery. This has been applied very well to the model. The red Swissair titling on the forward section of the fuselage has also been applied to the model in a nice fashion and also seems to be scaled fairly well. One of the details I enjoy with this model when it comes to paint has to do with the navigation lights.

Red and Green navigation light detail.

Score 9/10

An overview of HB-IWE.

PRINTING AND QUALITY CONTROL If I had to pick the area that is this model’s weak point, it would have to be the printing and quality control. The entry and exit door markings are well defined, however the MD-11 McDonnell Douglas titling on the forward fuselage is very difficult to read. When it comes to a bit of detail the model lacks, it would have to do with the aircraft instruments such as the pitot tubes and static ports. The aircraft registration HB-IWE, is printed very legibly on both sides of the aft fuselage.

However, this does not detract too much from the overall quality of the model.

The distinctive Swissair cross has been accurately replicated.

Navigation light detail.

The MD-11 titling on the forward left and right fuselage.

Score 7/10 OVERALL I have to admit, I’ve only recently become more of a fan of classic airliners. Although the MD-11 is relatively modern, I consider it a classic as they have started to disapper from fleets across the world. However, the MD-11 continues to be an important player in the air cargo world with carriers such as UPS and FedEx. If you’re looking for a classic aircraft with a classic livery, I certainly recommend this JC Wings Swissair MD-11 “Final Livery” model.

Nose section detail.

FINAL SCORE 24/30

SCORING CHART A front to rear view of the 1/200 scale JC Wings Swissair MD-11.

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Interior and exterior rooftop LED lighting is just one of the new features of the new deluxe terminal.

GO BIG

Article by Todd Michaels Photos by Khoa Vu

WITH GEMINI JETS NEW DELUXE AIRPORT TERMINAL We welcome guest contributor, Todd Michaels from GeminiJets to discuss their new deluxe airport terminal. The 1:400 scale airport debuted last April and features several new additions including interior and rooftop LED lightning and 22 gates.

GeminiJets’ new deluxe airport terminal is likely the biggest thing in the 1:400-scale model aircraft hobby. In fact, at a length of 54 inches (137 cm), it’s as long as an average desk! At last year’s Airliners International conference in Atlanta, it was the centerpiece of the entire showroom. Guests would gather around the display amazed at how carefully-crafted and realistic this miniature is. Featuring 22 gates, sweeping corrugated over-

hangs and sleek, linear facades, the terminal is patterned after several modern, contemporary airports around the world.

“We actually grabbed some ideas from the D gates of McCarran International,” said GeminiJets President Elliot Epstein. McCarran, of course, is based in Las Vegas, the home of GeminiJets. Each end of the terminal is capped with a handsome rotunda featuring large, wrap-around windows. Battery-operated interior and rooftop LED lighting bring the terminal to life. For nighttime arrivals and departures, press a button and the airport becomes fully lit! The set includes 22 jet bridges that can be customized with scale-size stickers of official airline logos.

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To accompany the new terminal, GeminiJets has an optional new 78 inch by 54 inch (198 cm by 137 cm) fourpiece airport mat set. Made of heavy-duty polyurethane, the sections feature a runway, taxiways, gate markings and designated space for the terminal building. Plus, the mats are reversible and give collectors the opportunity to double the size of their layouts with a parallel second runway. Collectors can even add a second new GeminiJets terminal, increasing the number of gates and jet bridges to a total of 44 positions.

Epstein says the ability for a collector to enlarge his/her model airport was Gemini’s focus from the get-go of the terminal project. “We wanted to keep a linear design in mind in order to accommodate a second terminal,” he said. For the serious collector, adding a second new terminal will undoubtedly make an impressive airport diorama twice as impressive! In fact, there are frequent “oohs” and “ahhs” from visitors who first see the large, double layout in person inside GeminiJets’ headquarters in Las Vegas. Two of the new GeminiJets terminals sit side by side with an array of aircraft parked at the gates.

The spectacular, lifelike exhibit is named GeminiJets International Airport or GJX. Since GeminiJets debuted in 1998, collectible 1:400-scale diecast models have been its core product

line. The new airport terminal is the third from the brand and, with a suggested retail price of nearly $700.00 it also carries the biggest price tag. Here’s why: “It’s four times the size of the last terminal and it also includes more electronics,” Epstein explains. “In addition, the tooling of the last airport was made ten years ago.

Mould, labor, materials and shipping costs have gone up substantially in China and the U.S. over the last ten years.”

GeminiJets’ previous terminal (Item GJARPTB, which is still readily available) is a single piece with an airside/ landside design. The color scheme of both terminals is similar in appearance and that’s on purpose. “In order to try to keep the cost under control, we needed something that would adapt from the existing terminal,” said Epstein.

The new terminal is designed for use with GeminiJets’ wide range of precision 1:400-scale models, which now number some 2,000 releases. However, it’s compatible with any brand of 1:400-scale aircraft. GeminiJets’ faithful customer base has been asking for a larger airport terminal and layout that will showcase a big collection of models. After two years in the making, it’s finally available! Order it now from your favorite GeminiJets retailer.

The rotunda design is also one of the features of the deluxe terminal.

To accompany the new terminal, GeminiJets has an optional new 78 inch by 54 inch (198 cm by 137 cm) four-piece airport mat set.

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The new terminal is designed for use with GeminiJets’ wide range of precision 1:400-scale models, which now number some 2,000 releases. However, it’s compatible with any brand of 1:400-scale aircraft.

End of an ErAA: Aeroclassics 1/400 Ozark DC-9.

THE MAD DOG SUPER 80 BOWS OUT AT AMERICAN Article and Photos by Richard Stretton AA MD-82 N473AA Dragon Wings 1:400 Scale early colors.

From the time that deregulation of the US civil aviation market began, in 1978, until at least the turn of the century American Airlines stood as probably the best run and most successful of the ten legacy trunk airlines that pushed, or were pushed, into the new age. Partly this was due to superb leadership, but an important factor for American was also its choice of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 (or Super 80 as it preferred to call it) as its primary equipment on short-medium routes.

No aircraft, since the DC-3, has so personified American, and its importance in the carrier’s history is matched by few other aircraft/airline combinations. 2019 marked the end of the type’s career with the airline and almost the end of the MD-80 in civil service in the USA, with only Delta still

using the type in any numbers. It may be seen as a gas guzzler today but as McDonnell Douglas’ last great civil success its place in the history of aviation in the US is assured.

It wasn’t always the case that the DC-9 Super 80’s place in history would be so positively looked upon. As the name suggests the aircraft was McDonnell Douglas’ attempt to stretch its successful DC-9 series into the 1980s, as a viable replacement for older 727-100s and 200s. Unfortunately for McDonnell Douglas the optimistic and lucrative mid-70s would turn into hard times for the airlines at the end of the decade. Hit by both the impact of deregulation (high competition and low fares), a worsening global economy and the 1981 PATCO strike most airlines were bleeding red ink and not in the market for new aircraft.

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The story was somewhat different at American Airlines. It was run by a competent management team, under Bob Crandall, that had a clear idea of how to survive the new cutthroat era.

This was an even more pressing concern for them since they shared the Dallas Fort Worth hub with the ailing Braniff International. American had a sizeable fleet of elderly Boeing 727-23s that were delivered in the period from 1964-mid-1968. Although some of these would be replaced by the MD-80s a more pressing concern for American was to add frequency to its new mega-hub and for that extra aircraft were needed not just replacements.

American had been acquiring new 727-200 Advanceds from Boeing since the end of 1980, many of which were originally built for Braniff as series 227s, but the 727 was showing its age and the MD-80 offered an improvement in operating costs.

Even so American wasn’t about to do McDonnell Douglas a favour. MDD had failed to sell a single MD-80 in the entirety of 1982 and was desperate for American’s business. American wasn’t especially interested since Crandall wanted to first strike a deal for big labour cost savings with the unions

Pictured Gemini Jets 1:400 Scale AA MD-82 N573AA.

RIght fuselage view of Gemini Jets 1:400 Scale AA MD-82 N573AA.

Left fuselage view of Gemini Jets 1:400 Scale AA MD-82 N573AA.

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before he started expanding service by adding new frames.

When MDD went to American, cap in hand, the result was an incredible deal that allowed AA to lease 20 MD-80s for 5 years at a major discount, and if they wanted to cancel the lease at any time the penalties were about a single month’s lease costs. If after 5 years they wanted to walk away they could do so at no penalty at all. It was an offer that was way too good to turn down for the aggressive Crandall.

American began to take delivery of its first Super 80s (really McDonnell Douglas MD-82s) in May 1983 (by which time the first Braniff was dead); but until Crandall got his two tier labour pay scale agreement he strictly added new aircraft by replacing an old one 1:1. Once he had the agreement the remaining 727-23s stayed on and the new MD-82 fleet began to grow rapidly. It grew much larger than the original 20 aircraft lease as it was reinforced in 1984 by a huge order for 167 (67 firm and 100 options) aircraft.

AA MD-87 N753RA Dragon Wings 1:400 Scale Reno Air hybrid. The Reno MDs wore this unusual white base version of the AA scheme.

American didn’t look back. It created a powerful frequent flyer programme and pioneered flight revenue management systems.

All the time it was adding flights to its major hubs at Dallas Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare, thousands of which utilized the McDonnell Douglas product. American found their faith in the Super 80 more than returned. It was strong and reliable. It may have been harder to board and deboard than competing 737s, due to its length, but it offered a 3+2 across seating configuration that meant passengers had a greater chance of a window or aisle.

American Airlines would take delivery of 260 of its own MD80s (a mix of 227 MD-82s and 33 MD-83s) and added more during 1999, when it took over Reno Air adding 19 extras, and 2001, when it took over TWA. Trans World Airlines was still taking delivery of new MD-80s until the end of 1999 despite the type having been superseded in McDonnell Douglas’ lineup by the MD-90-30, and McDonnell Douglas having been taken over entirely by Boeing. The MD-80s couldn’t compete with the 737 Next Generation family, or Airbus A320s, but offered fleet commonality and were cheap. TWA had 83 units many of which were nearly new. The additions sent the combined American Super 80 fleet to its pinnacle of 362 aircraft.

Since then it has been rather downhill for the MD-80s. They have continued to do their best but increasingly have suffered from negative comparisons with newer types, not helped by American failing to invest in cabin upgrades for them. The re-

sult has been that in recent years it is mainly the aviation enthusiast that has come to mourn the gradual retirement of the type from the American Airlines fleet. On August 23, 2016 the airline made headlines by retiring 20 MD-80s in the same day resulting in celebratory articles from frequent flyers.

None of the MD-80s have received the most recent American Airlines colours due to their impending retirement. By the end of 2018 American only had 2 MD-82s and 32 MD-83s left. Only the pair of MD-82s were actually from the American Airlines original order and as of August 2019 only one MD-82, N501AA, was left. She was delivered in October 1989. The remaining 27 MD-83s all date from 1997 and beyond. Ironically the MD-80s have outlasted some of the much newer 737-800s that were purchased partly to replace them.

Finally, on June 25, 2019 American announced the date of the retirement of the last MD-80. On September 4, AA operated 17 Super 80 flights with 16 arriving at DFW. The final flight did not arrive at DFW but instead departed from it, connecting American’s two biggest hubs of Dallas and Chicago, that the Super 80 did so much to grow. Fittingly the flight carried the number 80. It brought to and end an era not only for American but for the history of aviation in the USA itself.

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Established in 2015, we aim to provide you with the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE & LOWEST PRICES AROUND!

www.dgpilot.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

This issue’s featured model aircraft related social media group....

Group name: 1:200 Airport Makers Platform: Facebook Current members: 1,607 (February 2020) Admins: 2 Group Summary: It’s a great time to be in the hobby. This group represents the creations of 1:200 scale collectors.

Search ‘1:200 Airport Makers’ on Facebook to find the group.

The group is a private group which means you will be vetted before being allowed to join.

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CRANDALL’S WORKHORSE:

American Airlines Boeing 727-223 [N6805] JC Wings 1/400 Scale

It is highly unusual for JC Wings to produce models that represent airlines from North America and even more unusual for them to make classics.

This is because they appear to have a tacit agreement with their production partner, Gemini Jets, not to tread on each other’s toes. It was therefore quite a surprise to see that just before Christmas 2019 they released an American Airlines 727-200 and even more of a surprise, given JC’s reputation, that is was delivered very soon after the announcement. Historically when JC has made US models it is due to issues with licensing, but I would be surprised if that were a problem with this model. Nonetheless it is always good to see more 727s in 1:400 scale so I’ll quit guessing and concentrate on the model itself.

THE REAL THING The Boeing 727-200 Advanced ruled the airways in the USA during the 1970s and early 1980s. All of the major US trunk airlines utilised the type and some, most notably Braniff International and Continental, built their fleets around the type (BN only had a few DC-8s and the odd 747 whilst CO only had DC-10s extra to its 727s for most of the period). Although the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 came to be the foundation of the American Airlines fleet during

Article and Photos by Richard Stretton

the mid-late 80s it is actually to the trusty trijet that AA owes much of its success.

There is no doubt that of the big US trunk airlines American, probably more than any other aside from Delta, benefitted from the passing of the deregulation act as its strong leadership under Bob Crandall powered its change from a classic New York based regulated trunk airline to a Dallas based pioneer of hub and spoke operations.

American was an early adopter of the lengthened 727-200, taking 41 727-223s between February 1968 and September 1969 plus an extra aircraft from its takeover of Trans-Caribbean in March 1971. This is no real surprise since AA had been one of the earliest customers for the series 100 in January 1964.

All of these early standard 727-223s would be upgraded to Advanced status during the 1970s but it would not be until mid-1975 that American would take delivery of its own new 727-223 Advanced models. The airline would continue to add the type to its fleet from that point forward, no doubt finding it an excellent replacement for its early 707-123Bs. It even acquired 15 727-227 Advs that were originally intended for Braniff in early 1981. This is somewhat ironic considering American’s ruthless role in killing Dallas’ previous hometown airline.

In total 83 727-200 Advanceds were added to the original 42 non-Advanced models and they enabled the massive expansion from the DFW hub as well

as solidifying operations at other major American hub operations such as Chicago O’Hare, New York JFK and into the 1990s Miami. Most of the eldest series 200s, all of the pre-1977 build fleet, were retired by 1996 - replaced by a mixture of MD82s and new Boeing 757s. The remainder soldiered on into the late 90s. The last four aircraft weren’t retired until April 30, 2002.

N6805 was one of the earliest non-Advanced models delivered in March 1968.

She remained with the fleet until May 1994.

After that she served a short lease to Private Jet Expeditions and was converted to a freighter after purchase by American International. Her later career was more exotic with stints in Ireland, as EI-HCC, with Hunting Cargo and Air Contractors, and then finally an export to Indonesia where she was used for spares by Tri-MG Airlines.

The model boasts a very shiny tail with the AA logo.

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THE MODEL The format for my reviews is to split them into three key areas: • The mould of the aircraft • The paint and livery • Printing and quality control Each can get a maximum score of 10 for a section giving a maximum combined total score of 30.

THE MOULD Gemini Jets and JC Wings have now used their 727-200 three times in the past six years, which is hardly extensive usage. Aeroclassics on the flipside have used theirs around 50 times in the same period. Comparing the two is a little academic but I did just recently undertake a detailed mould review of the 727-200 in

which I compare all five of the moulds that have been made.

This mould is a modernized version of the original Gemini Jets mould, which dates all the way from the turn of the century. Indeed, Gemini actually made an American Airlines 727-200 on the original mould way back in 2000. I own it and it is a fine model. The primary difference between the two versions are the undercarriage and the tail.

Looking at the basic mould and the nose and forward fuselage are pretty good. The only detractor is that on the new mould version the nose seems pointier than the old. I don’t know why this is and it is inferior to the original as it is now too pointy.

The rest of the main fuselage is very nice.

The age of the mould dictates that it is a cradle mount (then again so is the Aero-

classics). The seam is quite discrete and doesn’t follow the wing fairing as in the Aeroclassics version. This doesn’t make it any more obvious though and you could argue it is better. The wings themselves are shaped well but they are rather lacking the fine details especially at the rear wingtip and on the flaps.

Even though on the updated mould the tail has been updated to a seamless variant it is still not much better than any of the other moulds (and a lot poorer than the Dragon Wings). Although it has no seam at the tail top, to fit the horizontal stabilisers in, the shape is wrong. It has no upward angle at the anterior edge and the tail top is too flat. Also the attachment of the horizontal stabs as slot ins actually introduces a bit of a downward angle and a small gap where they fit.

Looking at the basic mould and the nose and forward fuselage are pretty good.

One addition that has worked is the fitting of aerials, of which there are two.

View of the landing gear.

Lastly the changes to introduce all new rolling landing gear have not been a complete success. The nosegear doors are too large and the landing gear leg not well detailed. At the maingear the doors are way too short and as they fail to cover any part of the tyres are inaccurate.

One addition that has worked is the fitting of aerials, of which there are two. Overall the effort in updating the mould hasn’t especially improved it over the original. Fortunately, the original is one of the better of Gemini’s older moulds and so you still get a decent aircraft. The Aeroclassics 727 has its own set of faults but wins on points. That doesn’t mean it is light years ahead though and this is a mould I’m happy to purchase.

Score 7/10 22

PAINT & LIVERY The Red, White & Blue colours, famously largely designed by Massimo Vignelli and introduced in 1968, are perhaps the most iconic livery of all time. The livery wasn’t static across its massive 45 year usage though and at different points there were variations. Gemini Jets 2000 release shows the 727 in its later years and pleasingly JC Wings here have decided to show the earliest 727-200s that wore the scheme, whence the choice of this registration. this is a mould I’m happy to purchase.

The earliest aircraft to wear this scheme were called Astrojets still. This was halted around 1971 but photos show this frame still wore the title in 1972. JC Wings have done their homework and the model has the title adorning its nose area. They have also matched the areas of the aircraft that were painted rather than natural metal.

On this early bird that included the nosecone, a mid-engine panel, the wing fairing and the tail top.

The colours used and the cheatline striping are excellent as is the main titles. The tail logo is a little disappointing as it seems too small. Looking at photos, and the older Gemini model, and the AA should be

taller. The tail is also very shiny. I doubt the aircraft ever looked this immaculate even when it came out the factory!

Score 9/10

wings version has much more detailed printing. Build quality is excellent.

Score 8/10 CONCLUSION

PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL I usually have little to complain about with JC printing but as with a Singapore Airlines A380 I reviewed a while back this model falls foul of their printing being too detailed. The actual aircraft had two windows blocked out behind the L1 door and four more at the rear of the fuselage.

JC Wings does show this but outlines the windows soo heavily that unless you are using a magnifying glass you can’t tell they are supposed to be blocked-out.

On the real thing you couldn’t see the blocked-out windows barely at all so the model, although having the correct windowline, looks like it doesn’t.

This model sits well with my large American Airlines fleet but, rather ironically, I think I prefer the original year 2000 release, which although simpler, had a better overall look - partly because it isn’t as shiny and partly because I prefer the old mould nose, undercarriage and even tail top. That doesn’t mean to say that I am unhappy with this model and it is lovely to see an early AA 727-223 being made in 1:400 scale.

FINAL SCORE 24/30 SCORING CHART

As I have already mentioned the whole tail area is also way too clean. This isn’t just the silver. The engine exhausts, which ought to be black are instead light grey.

They also have less printing on them the original 2000 model although in other areas, such as the side engines, the JC

Astrojet titling on the forward right section of the fuselage.

A view of the underbelly of the aircraft.

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