200 Scale | Martinair | Boeing 747-412BCF | PH-MPS| Diecast Trading / JC Wings

200 scale isn't usually my focus, but I was asked to review this model and it provides an excellent opportunity to be able to compare the bigger scale to my more usual 1:400, plus look at the kind of extra detailing and finishes that being 8 times larger enables. This model has been made for the Dutch store Diecast Trading and being a retailer exclusive it has also given them the opportunity to add some extra detailing over and above a standard JC Wings 200 scale 747 so in this review I'll also try and draw out those differences too.

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Each review is to split into three key areas:

• The model mould
• The paint and livery reproduction
• Printing and quality control

Each section can get a maximum score of 10 for a maximum combined score of 30

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THIS REVIEW IS SPONSORED BY:

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MOULD

Judging by database records this mould, which comes in both flaps up and down variants, has been around since at least 2014, so is far from new, and has been used for nearly 120 releases by JC Wings and about 27 by Gemini Jets. The primary competition comes from Inflight200, whose 747-400 dates from at least 2005 and has been used nearer 200 times.

While I haven't ever seen the Inflight 747 in person it is reasonably clear from photos that the JC Wings mould being used for this model is superior, mainly because of the form of the wing/fuselage join. 

It wouldn't surprise me if JC Wings modelled their 2018 400 scale 747-400 off of this 200 scale mould, however I have to say that although the smaller mould is very nice this 200 scale version is really impressive.

Obviously, not being a regular 200 scale collector myself the extras that come with this mould in a larger scale stand out to me. There are 2 aerials on the roofline and 5 more, including drainmasts, on the underside. Three of these are really small.

There are jewel lights posing as beacons atop and on the underside of the fuselage, plus also two silver ones at each wingroot as the landing lights. Both the aerials and jewels are sized really well.

On the underside of the model there is plenty of detailing, including the two rectangular cutouts towards the tail by the rear door. These are impressively detailed as plastic add-ons but I admit I don't actually know what their function is? Can someone enlighten me?

Being 200 scale the model obviously comes with detachable magnetic gear, which has excellent detailing and looks great. Unlike on the 400 scale JC Wings 747-400 there are no issues with the gear length. Also unlike on the 400 scale the nosegear can rotate sideways.

The overall form of the fuselage is very impressive. The nose shape is superb and makes you wonder why it has taken so long for 400 scale to get an accurate modern 747-400 casting.

As I mentioned earlier, it is at the wingroot that this mould beats the Inflight200 version most easily. On the Inflight the wing join follows the fairing line, producing an unnatural seamline, whereas on this mould the fairing is part of the fuselage and the wing has the correct squared off join.

This aircraft is fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines and the shape of them, and the pylons that attach them to the wing, is accurate. From the front the engine fans are hollow-core and perhaps my only criticism of the mould is that the fanblades are a little thin, so as to accentuate this feature.

I'm really struggling to find problems with this casting. It has an excellent shape, lots of detailing and, unlike a lot of 200 scale moulds I see, the undercarriage is excellently detailed and the correct length too.

SCORE - 10

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PAINT & LIVERY

It has been a shame to see Martinair Holand reduced to KLM's cargo subsidiary and with a fleet of only four aircraft, of which this 34 year old ex-Singapore Airlines and Air India frame is the only one to wear Martinair's colours. Hopefully some of the four on order A350Fs will retain the Martinair scheme. 

The Martinair livery is simple but classy and rather suites the 747. The orangey red striping of the classic logo fills the rear of the aircraft and is positioned well on the model.

The larger size of the mould really gives an opportunity to precisely position livery elements with other printwork. Areas that are often rather weak on 400 scale moulds, such as winglet logos, are crisp and well defined here. On the minus side the winglet logos could be a little larger.

The large fuselage logo and main titles are positioned excellently and replicate the real thing almost perfectly. I say almost, because with my nitpicking hat on although the titles look superb the G has a slightly too thick prong.

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

I think one of the reasons I was asked to look at this model specifically was because of extra detailing that has gone into the printwork. In comparison with the Pratt powered Dragonair Cargo JC Wings 747-400BCF B-KAE, released in late 2023, there are a range of extra details that have been added here. Some of this extra detailing has been possible due to access to walkaround photos of the real aircraft itself.

An example of this are the entry doors. Ventilation hatches have been added to the top and bottom of the doors and new doorhandles designed, with plugged doorhandles for the inoperative exits. In closeup the EXIT INOPERATIVE text on a yellow background is just visible too.

More extra detailing can be found on the SCD, which now has the actual signage on it plus expanded linework.

The PW4000 engines have benefitted from walkaround photos and contain a lot more panel line work and corrected detail than on standard JC releases.

On the underside there is great detailing of belly faring access panels and fuel tank hatches have been added to the underside of the wing, something that has only I'm told been done twice before in the scale.

Lastly, the cockpit windows have acquired an extra fine black outline to improve realism and contrast. The extra print detailing does add something extra to what is already an excellently printed model.

In terms of packaging the model comes with a fairly standard 200 scale box with outersleeve. It is packed in a foam cradle and also comes with a credit card style limited edition collectors card. Mine is 084 of 190.

The model comes with a very sturdy, and attractive, diecast stand that sits the aircraft on it firmly, with no issues of unexpected movement.

From a quality perspective the model pleasingly came with a card saying it had been quality checked by the store, in this case 'Approved by Kevin'. That is reassuring and the model doesn't illustrate any flaws that could be detected in the box.

There is one very minor flaw and that is that with the gears up the starboard side rearmost maingear door element doesn't fit perfectly into its space and shows a slight lip. 

SCORE - 9

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SUMMARY

As a first time 200 scale 747 owner the size, weight and extra detailing that 200 scale provides is impressive. A lot of care has gone into this release and the result is a fabulous model. While I have said that the smaller a model is, the more mistakes can be accentuated, at the larger scale it is equally true that one error can easily be magnified too. Diecast Trading have been producing a range of Dutch exclusives, so check them out as they all look like quality products, and even though my knowledge of 1:200 is limited I don't think I'm wrong in saying that this model must be up there with the finest in the scale.

FINAL SCORE - 28/30