 This version of Big Bird, which I call Big Bird Mk3, last released some models in 2019 and in fact, I'm not entirely certain whether the latest trio of models released in 2022 aren't just JC Wings releases that use the Big Bird brand to skip around release permission issues it has with its partner Gemini. The trio of models from 2022 were the Evergreen SuperTanker 747-100 and a pair of Air India 747-300s. When they were released the prices I saw being asked for these were eye-watering and since they didn't really fit my criteria I didn't get any of them. However, once again my inability to not buy models has struck and when I saw a good deal at Wings400 for one of the Air India's I couldn't resist.  I bought this model with my own money from Wings400 so this isn't a sponsored review but it can't harm to support stores that offer good service, so thanks Wings400. FORMAT Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD  Obviously it is important to understand when you are buying models branded as BigBird that you are buying models using moulds that date from the early 2000s. Nonetheless, these are moulds that have a strong pedigree and are well thought of. Original BigBirds, there have been quite a few copycat moulds and brands, still change hands for a lot of money and presumably will continue to do so until NG Models finally release their new 747 moulds and start using them properly.  The history of BigBird is complicated but I've written about them at the site - see history of BigBird 400 Your Craftsman. BigBird Mk3 had access to the moulds for the 747-200/300/400 through JC Wings, who nowadays owns the moulds following their acquisition of the Witty Wings mould inventory in 2014. They don't necessarily appear to be the same moulds as the originals but they are very close to them if they are not.  This 747-300 mould hasn't got a lot of usage recently. BigBird Mk3 made four models in 2015/2016 and now we have this pair of Air Indias too. The mould shares most of its characteristics with the series 400, aside from the wing obviously.  The mould has a great fuselage shape, better than that of the much newer JC Wings series 400 at the cockpit to be honest. It also improves over the newer mould by having undercarriage that is tall enough. I like the finely detailed landing gear, of which the rearwards trucks pivot. The gear doesn't roll but I don't care about that missing non-feature anyway.  With older moulds there are of course compromises to be had. This is a cradle mould and so has a seam. At this point in time literally nobody was making seamless moulds, aside from Dragon, and the seam is tastefully done running around the natural fuselage/wing join bulge.  The engine pylon join to the wing is also a little chunky. It is better than on the old Gemini Jets 747s that date from around the same time period but it is obviously weaker than on the new JC Wings 747 (albeit they don't have a series 300 anyway).  One area of interest in this model is the wingtips, which lack the HF aerials of most 747s. Earlier series 300 releases had the aerials but upon checking this aircraft it became apparent the real thing did not. It looks like JC have snipped them off the mould producing a not 100% accurate wingtip, but one that ably passes for the look of the real aircraft.  The vertical stabiliser fit is great and its size and shape work fine for me. This mould is undoubtedly superior as a package to the earlier Gemini and Dragon moulds. I’m obviously not going to even suggest a comparison with the risible Phoenix 747s.  As with many older moulds JC have updated it to install aerials and this model includes an impressive 5. They are shaped and sized well. Even in 2023 this mould holds up very well. Until NG release some more 747s, and as importantly use them effectively (their usage of their 747SP has been poor) this mould remains the best available 747-300 (the seamless Witty 747 moulds seem to have vanished) and an impressive contender. SCORE - 9 PAINT & LIVERY  The classic Air India branding is a delight, although I admit when I was a kid I didn't appreciate it as much. The separate temple outline around every window and the split pinstripes above and below do look very retro but offer a lot of detail. Together with a lovely natural metal belly the 747 sings and it was one of the main reasons why I finally relented on this release.  The 'Flying Palace' livery with the Rajasthani window arches, Centaur logo and the Maharaja branding has a deep root in India and woe betide anyone who tries to change it. I wrote about this at the avhistory blog here:  This aircraft was delivered in November 1988 and withdrawn in 2009. It actually wore the short-lived Landor scheme introduced in October 1989 but was repainted into the original Flying Palace scheme by 1994. That repaint included the black anti-glare but later in its career the anti-glare was changed to be blue. This model therefore shows the aircraft as it was in the mid-late 1990s.  The livery replication on this model is very good. The red colour is vibrant and the positioning and exactness of the livery components faultless. The large black anti-glare is well positioned and sized as is the much smaller black nosecone tip.  The model is replete with all the small details that made the scheme so popular. 'Your Palace In The Sky' titles appear after the rear passenger doors, the Centaur logo is on the engines, the aircraft name, Narasimha Varman, is printed on either side in different languages and of course the windows have the arches around them.  Overall I can't find any fault with the rendition at all. SCORE - 10 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL  JC Wings, who produced this model for BigBird, are one of the top brands when it comes to print detailing and this model has a lavish application of that. Even in super close-ups the print stands up well and the basic template used for the cockpit, windows and, because this is a combi, the large side cargo door are fine and excellent.  Although a solid casting the landing gear and aerials add a significant amount of components to the model but fortunately they are all attached well and no quality issues are present.  Part of the reason for the high price of this model is that it also comes with an addition in the shape of a sticker made by a brand called Ciero. Judging by Twitter they are 'an aviation-themed goods design studio'. It is a nice touch, although personally I'd prefer the model to come without it if it meant it was cheaper.  Lastly the model also comes with a very nice box of the same rough design as the new JC Wings standard box. Altogether it creates a fabulous, if pricey, combination. SCORE - 10 CONCLUSION Some older moulds still contain a lot of value in 2023, especially if they are paired with sensitive updates and exceptional print detailing. Not all brands are capable of this and even JC Wings hasn't always succeeded when it has tried to update moulds. These BigBird 747s are a triumph though, and to be honest I think I prefer this old mould to the newer JC Wings 747-400, which really needs better cockpit printing and longer undercarriage. It would be sensible of JC to pump out as many re-release 747s on these BigBird moulds as they can before NG gets to the market with theirs, assuming they ever do. However, it just doesn't seem like they realise what a goldmine they are sitting on. Why make exceptional 747s when you can make subpar A320s and 737s? Even so, that doesn't take away from the brilliance of this model. FINAL SCORE - 29/30 
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AuthorI'm Richard Stretton an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models. On this page I take a detailed look at new releases. This site is free. Please donate to keep it going.
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