Aside from Ethiopian, RAM and Egyptair there aren't many successful African flag carriers left operating long-haul services, but in 2024 400 scale brands have done a good job of representing the more obscure carriers. NG Models produced a Ugandan A330-800, Phoenix have a Rwandair A330 on the way and Aviation400 have been busy with both Senegalese and Tanzanian offerings. Aviation400's new 787-8 mould had its first releases announced in May, but they've only recently appeared at retailers. In this review I check out the 'Wings of Kilimanjaro'. Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD While the production of 787s has largely moved on to the larger series 9 and 10s the 787-8 has been getting something of a revival in 400 scale recently. The primary contenders for this mark had been the 2006 Phoenix Models mould and the 2016 JC Wings / Gemini Jets mould, but in November 2022 NG Models also released an 8. This 2024 Aviation400 makes it four quality 787-8s in existance. It is worth also mentioning that Phoenix have been updating their dated 787 mould with new wings, so stay tuned for a later review of that, and there is a plastic YRD Models mould floating about too. Nowadays, all new Aviation400 widebody moulds come with detachable magnetic landing gear, for which to date AV400 are the only brand producing that feature in 400 scale. The updated A350 and 777 moulds have been delayed but all the 787 variants now come with this. AV400 have always been big on extra features and have been travelling in the opposite direction to NG Models on that line. Whereas NG has moved away from hollow-core fans and pivoting maingear Aviation400 has gone all in. This makes their models an interesting counterpoint. The three best 787-8s (AV400, NG and JC) all compare very favourably to each other. There are definitely differences but all three are excellent castings that are well worth your money. The basic fuselage barrel, cockpit/nosecone and wings of all three are excellent. To find fault, or at least difference, you need to look closer. The AV400 has a slightly chunkier nosegear than the NG version, and a slightly larger nosgear door, but both have a slightly tighter wing to fuselage join than the JC Wings effort. They both also have a slightly better shaped vertical stabiliser. At the maingear, the gear door shape at the lower margin isn't as accurate as on the NG, but you'll barely notice. The engines have decent ground clearance but not always if they aren't fitted properly (see the QC section). From the front, the engine fans are some of the best see-through fans I've seen. Perhaps. they aren't as nice as the NG fanblades, but they are wider and better than on the JC Wings mould. What the AV400 version does have, that the others do not, is more moulded detailing on the fuselage barrel. AV400 is famous for the jewel light beacons and they do look great here (smaller and finer than on some earlier models). The mould also has in relief ADF aerials on the roofline over the wing and a moulded in dome further back on the roofline. These features are only printed on competition. Additionally, there is a large Wi-Fi dome ahead of the wing on the roofline. The magnetic gear works well and fits cleanly and strongly. They aren't necessarily a feature that I need myself, but they look good and are effective, giving the option to display the model gears up on the free stand that is provided. This is an excellent mould. There are almost always criticisms of moulds to be made and a few small issues exist here too, but they are minor. I tend to give all 3 of the JC, AV and NG moulds 9/10 with only the Phoenix version being some way behind (but that may change with the coming updates). SCORE - 9 PAINT & LIVERY Air Tanzania has a refreshing, attractive and colourful livery - using Mt Kilimanjaro cleverly in the logo and on the tail, as well as the centrepiece image of a striding Giraffe. 5H-TCG was delivered new in July 2018, as the first of three, and is named 'Kilimanjaro / Hapa kazi tu'. The blue, that forms the main colour of the scheme, is too dark in comparison to the real thing, but in all the other major aspects the scheme is very well crafted. The snowcapped tailtop and multi-pointed star behind a very detailed Giraffe are all hyper-accurate. The A logo and main titles are also well shaped, using a correct font and perfectly placed. Small details, like the aircraft name, and web titles on the engine nacelles are present but not 100% correct, at least in the former case. The aircraft name should be in light blue, not black, and so should the CG on the nosegear doors, which also should be quite a bit larger. SCORE - 8 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL Comparing this 787-8 with an NG Models example and the printing detail matches in terms of elements of print, but the AV400 version definitely has more prominent printwork. Linework on the NG example is a lot more subtle in areas such as the wingtops and underside. On the AV400 the print is often quite prominently black, whereas it is a lot finer grey on the NG. To be honest, I'm not sure which type of print is better. The NG is more subtle but sometimes to the extent it is hard to see. Comparing the fanblades and the AV400's are a little silvery in comparison to the darker grey on the NG. Build work on the model has only one issue - the position of the portside engine. This angles down at the front. It is only by a small margin but it is noticeable compared to the starboard side. SCORE - 8 SUMMARY Air Tanzania is a great selection by Aviation400, and the new 787-8 mould is very good too. The differences that AV400 provides in comparison to other brands, while not necessarily making me buy their models because of them, do add a lot of extra interest. The roofline on this 787 is a great example of the sort of nice detailing that AV400 can add, and I admit I do like the beacon lights a lot. This is a classy model that pulls together all the AV400 elements well. The points dropped are all for minor issues that don't takeaway from the overall attractiveness of the model.
FINAL SCORE - 25/30
1 Comment
Garry
9/10/2024 08:14:01 pm
I personally have no interest in this livery......but if i was a betting man, one of those ebay collector/commodity types,this could be a very good investment to sit on! In years to come could be worth double lol... or maybe more.....how often are you gonna see this livery about!
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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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