Bar Harbor Airlines (Eastern Express) | Saab 340 | N407BH | Gemini Jets

This is just my 2nd Gemini Jets acquisition of 2024, which points to their output not often fitting my collection criteria despite being heavily US-centric. Every year though they do release a few US classics that catch my eye, often on moulds few have access to - like the Saab 340. I recall as a kid poring over my copies of the 4 World Airline Colours book series, which were full of early US commuter airlines like Bar Harbor. At the time they seemed awfully exotic for a lad from Sussex and they have been only slightly covered in 400 scale, doubtless partly because of their small size. This release should be a very welcome addition.

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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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MOULD

The first thing that is obvious when getting this model out of the box is that it is tiny! This mould is probably the smallest that has been made in 400 scale. It is smaller than a DC-3, PBY Catalina and Shorts 360. It is positively dwarfed by an ATR-72.

The mould dates from 2009 but has only been used 21 times by JC Wings and Gemini Jets with only three releases, including this one, since the end of 2018. Considering the small size must have an impact on sales that isn't too surprising, but it is a shame as it is a great little mould - as long as the nosegear size is ok.

I should mention there is one other mould for the Saab in 400 scale and that is the DeAgostini JAL Collection / Jet Hut mould. That has recently been used for some China Southern examples but as is the case with most Jet Hut models the printing, especially of the cockpit isn't great. Given their limited range and availibility in the West they are unlikely to compete for your dollar anytime soon.

The Jet Hut Saabs have also had rather large nosegear tyres at times, but that is also something that has afflicted the Gemini releases, with the worst example being the 2022 Loganair example. The earlier releases had tiny tyres, which were very good. I don't know how such small tyres were fitted to the model though!

On this release the nosegear tyre is intermediate in size. It is probably a little large but it looks good and as with many things about this model the tiny size of it means at 1:1 you don't notice it. Macro photographs tend to over accentuate things.

Overall, the mould is very good. The shape of the fuselage and wings is excellent. Details such as the rear ventral strakes are present also. Somehow they have also managed to fit a standhole in underneath, although quite why you'd put such a small model on a stand is beyond me.

There is nice design work on the engine nacelles and props. No aerial has been fitted but given the size of the mould I think that is understandable. From a mould perspective my only criticism is the nosegear size and that is in my opinion minor on this release.

SCORE - 9

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PAINT & LIVERY

The 1980s saw a massive increase in branded third-level commuter airlines operating as feed into the major's hubs. Eastern was an early adopter and had at least 9 airlines operating under several brands, but mostly in Eastern Express colours. Bar Harbor had a long history, starting ops in 1950, and survived until 1991 when it was carved up during the Texas Air mess at Eastern and Continental.

The fleet was quite sizeable but mainly consisted of Beechcraft and ATRs, although in 1986 six brand new Saab 340s were also bought. Initially they all wore Eastern Express colours as shown on this model. The two-tone blue cheatline (Caribbean Blue over Ionosphere Blue) is well coloured here and flows very nicely from the tail to nosecone.

The colour of the engine striping isn't as good with the darker blue being a different shade to the fuselage colour. The main titles have a good representation of the font and nicely show both the Eastern and Bar Harbor logos, which is no mean feat on such a small model.

SCORE - 9

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

At all times when reviewing this model, and looking at macro photographs, it is important to remember it is less than 5cm long. It does seem to me a little unfair to treat it like I would a 777 when looking at the printing. In general, I think it is of a good standard. There is really nice detail on the fan blades, wingtops and doors. It is only let down in two areas.

Firstly, the striping on the engines is a little rough and poorly defined. This is probably an artefact of the tiny size. Less forgiveable is that the cockpit printing is not level. On the left side of the aircraft I think it looks good, but on the right side it is a little too high. At 1:1 it doesn't stand out a lot, but under magnification it is more obvious.

You could also argue that the registration on the tail sits too close to the fuselage (mainly on the right side), but once again the distances here are miniscule and it doesn't bother me. Build quality is excellent. Once again, at magnification it may look like the nosegear is chunky and not well fitted but at 1:1 it simply isn't a thing that catches the eye. 

SCORE - 8

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SUMMARY

Making such small 400 scale models is no doubt a real challenge and one that sales probably don't often make worthwhile. Even small issues are magnified when close-up photos are taken, but I would argue on this model, when viewed with the naked eye, nothing jumps out as a major concern. In fact, I really like this release and would go so far as to say I think Gemini have done well given the size constraints. I'd love to see more Saabs in regional schemes myself, with probably my two most wanted being Air Nelson (Air New Zealand Link) and Republic Express. 

​FINAL SCORE - 26/30