Aeroflot | Ilyushin Il-62 | CCCP-86675 | Phoenix Models

Whereas most 400 scale manufacturers focus on Airbuses and Boeings Phoenix have put their recent new mould efforts firmly into Ilyushins. Their Il-96-400 was a triumph, but was nonetheless an expansion of their existing Il-96-300. With all new Il-62 'Basic' and Il-62M moulds they are branching out into virgin territory for them and with the 'Basic' 400 scale entirely. Plus, while they are not alone in producing Soviet-era material, unlike JC Wings, with their Antonovs, and NG Models, with their Tu-154s and Tu-204s, Phoenix are clearly willing to use the new moulds. This Aeroflot release is the first but since its announcement, in April, Phoenix have been announcing two per month. Bravo!

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This review is 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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MOULD

Until now Il-62s were primarily the playground of Gemini Jets / JC Wings, whose mould, although dating from mid-2006, has only seen 19 releases on it to date - 7 of which have been Air Koryo variants. The only other 400 scale Il-62 was a single model made by a brand called adp-Modelle in 2004. Both of these moulds represented the later Il-62M variant fitted with Soloviev D-30KU turbofan engines.

The Solovievs used clamshell thrust reversers, giving the engine nacelles a distinctly different appearance to the earlier IL-62 'Basic' variant fitted with Kuznetsov NK-8 turbofans. The NK-8s have internal cascade thrust reversers.

Although ostensibly similar to the British Vickers VC10, in detail the Il-62 is a very different machine. The Phoenix mould captures this individuality well. The Il-62 nose is almost L-1011 Tristar like, and the Phoenix version accurately replicates this and does so better than on the Gemini version.

The nosegear has a lot of nice detailing and is very fine. It also includes the tiny nosegear doors, missing on the Gemini, but the nosegear tyre is a little too small and I think I prefer the Gemini tyresize.

Unlike the older Gemini this is a slot-in wings mould, which means it doesn't have any issues with seamlines (mainly visible on the underside of the Gemini). The wings have a lot of nice strake and flap detailing.

The fuselage underside between the wings is beautifully sculpted. The maingear is also well executed and a better, shorter height than on the Gemini. The maingear doors splay outwards correctly. This gear height gives the entire airframe the more correct slightly taildown stance the 62 should have. The Gemini mould has a distinct nosedown attitude and is much higher at the rear than the Phoenix.

Of course one of the peculiarities of the Il-62 is the tailstand, designed to stop it toppling onto its rear. The model comes with both stowed and deployed versions, and these fit snugly into the compartment. Detailing on the gear leg and tyre size are good. These are certainly better efforts than the Gemini has, where their modified version has a way too small tyre and doesn't sit in the space for it.

Moulding of the Kuznetsov engines is excellent and they connect onto the rear fuselage well too. The vertical stabiliser and attached all-moving tailtop are equally strong. The bulbous radome ahead of the stabs at the tailtop is especially well shaped.

This is definitely an upgrade on the already decent Gemini Il-62M, but obviously with both the 'Basic' and M variants available the Phoenix moulds have a lot more options available for them. The only area of improvement for me is the size of the nose tyre (the hub itself is fine). Excellent.

SCORE - 10

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PAINT & LIVERY

Prior to the standardisation of 1973 Aeroflot tended towards type-specific liveries for its fleet. The original Il-62s wore this smart scheme with very retro style titling. There are of course variants of the scheme and I have seen photos of Il-62s woth white and dark nosecones. Photos of this frame show the grey nosecone present on the model.

The colour and placement of the thin pinstripe cheatlines is excellent. The pinstripe continues along the outer engines and correctly indents at the rear of the nacelle. The big blue rudder region is also correct.

The font of the main titles and the registrations looks good to me. The nose has some impressive detailing with the hammer and sickle logo, scripted Il-62 titles and the round white circle on the nose underside ahead of the nosegear doors.

SCORE - 10

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

This is perhaps one of the best and most detailed print efforts I've ever seen on a Phoenix model. There is a lot of fine detailing atop of the wings, on the engine nacelles and impressively along the belly too. The thrust reverser's printed panels look great and the silver leading edges are very nicely painted as well.

It's a top class print job with few faults. One I can see is that the inside of the engine nacelles should be white whereas on the model they are black. The cockpit windows may also be very slightly too low, but if they are then they are by less than a mm.

The build quality of the model is excellent aside from the already mentioned nosegear tyre. The other thing is the length of the deployed tailstand, which is a little too long and means the maingear is a little off the ground when in place. Similar issues have been seen with Gemini 62s as well.

SCORE - 8

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CONCLUSION

These Il-62s open up new opportunities in 400 scale to create wonderful models that have never been made before. It isn't often nowadays you can say that about new moulds in the scale, and too often even when you can the potential is not realised. I have faith that Phoenix, being a well run 400 scale brand, will use these moulds very well and I hope they do because they are really impressive. A lot of Phoenix moulds have historically been a little clunky, but these Il-62s are graceful and elegant. They illustrate that Phoenix has the ability to be compete with the best and hopefully begin to marry its excellent release choices with equally excellent moulds.

FINAL SCORE - 28/30